If you hate the taste of wine
Why do you drink it 'til you're blind?
And if you swear that there's no truth and who cares
How come you say it like you're right?
Why are you scared to dream of God
When it's salvation that you want?
You see stars that clear have been dead for years
But the idea just lives on
In our wheels that roll around
As we move over the ground
And all day it seems we've been in between
The past and future town

We are nowhere, and it's now
We are nowhere, and it's now

And like a ten minute dream in the passenger seat
While the world was flying by
I haven't been gone very long
But it feels like a lifetime

I've been sleeping so strange at night
Side effects they don't advertise
I've been sleeping so strange
With a head full of pesticide

I've got no plans and too much time
I feel too restless to unwind
I'm always lost in thought as I walk a block
To my favorite neon sign
Where the waitress looks concerned
But she never says a word
Just turns the jukebox on and we hum along
And I smile back at her
And my friend comes after work
When the features start to blur
She says these bars are filled with things that kill
By now you probably should have learned
Did you forget that yellow bird?
How could you forget your yellow bird?
She took a small silver wreath and pinned it on to me
She said, "This one will bring you love"
And I don't know if it's true
But I keep it for good luck



Lyrics submitted by keely

Track duration: 04:12

"We Are Nowhere and It's Now" as written by Oberst

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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We Are Nowhere and It's Now song meanings
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117 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:He can articulate his feelings really well, which is why we can all relate with his words. At least you can if you have had an existential crisis. This is a common theme i have noticed in all of his songs. I am 19 am not, and never have been an alcoholic (although it heavily runs in my family) but can still empathize with his feelings because it runs deeper then just an alcohol addiction.
    Flag ZBearon November 06, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:He can articulate his feelings really well, which is why we can all relate with his words. At least you can if you have had an existential crisis. This is a common theme i have noticed in all of his songs. I am 19 am not, and never have been an alcoholic (although it heavily runs in my family) but can still empathize with his feelings because it runs deeper then just an alcohol addiction.
    Flag ZBearon November 06, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I am at a point in my life where I make good money and I am comfortable...also, my work consists sporadic contracts which sometimes leaves me with many days off.


    so right now I don't have work for a month and I often feel like this:

    "I've got no plans and too much time
    I feel too restless to unwind"

    well said!


    this line captures so much how I feel these days
    Flag namronon December 09, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i cry myself to sleep everynight listening to this song. its beautiful. absolutely beatuiful! conor is a genius! ya'll listen to this song home boys!
    Flag abcdefghijacquelineon November 07, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm pretty sure this song is about alcoholism.
    example:

    "I've been sleeping so strange at night, side effects they don't advertise."
    Alcohol induced insomnia: Side effect not advertised on the bottles.

    "These bars are filled with things that kill."
    This one talks for itself. It's not medication nor STD's bars supply alcohol.

    Although it is not entirely about alcoholism in my opinion, Conor often sings about multiple subjects. It is also about coping with reality. This is probably my favorite Bright Eyes' song, it's just so beautiful. Emmylou, Conor and Mike really make for a good combination.
    Flag fourwindscryonon September 12, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I agree with the yellow bird being a sign of getting clean.. Like the line in Poison Oak, "I never thought this life was possible, you're the yellow bird i've been waiting for, the end of paralysis, I was a statuette."
    Flag RyanLemayon May 26, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:I feel like the yellow bird is his image of what's perfect, and what he needs to be happy.
    Flag RyanLemayon May 26, 2011   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:I've read someone mention elsewhere that the line ''You're the yellow bird I've been waiting for'' in Poison Oak means his friend's brother dying was what led Conor to stop abusing alcohol and drugs. (i.e: that death was the ''yellow bird'' that alerted him to how much he was putting his life in danger, just like yellow birds used to alert ppl that mines are dangerous).

    So, I think

    And my friend comes after work
    When the features start to blur
    She says these bars are filled with things that kill
    By now you probably should have learned

    Did you forget that yellow bird?
    How could you forget your yellow bird?

    means his friend telling him ''How could you forget that people die from drinking the way you're doing? How could you forget your wake-up call?''
    Flag NoLiesJustLove116on April 30, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:This song takes me back to my early days of recovery. To me, he was singing to himself. "Why do you drink until you're blind". The beginning of the song is about trying to stay off the alcohol/drugs. Moments feel like a lifetime:

    I've been sleeping so strange at night
    Side effects they don't advertise
    I've been sleeping so strange
    With a head full of pesticide

    (Sleeping in early recovery was difficult for me..weird dreams, restlessness)

    Then, gets restless (as we do) trying to get clean.

    I've got no plans and too much time
    I feel too restless to unwind
    I'm always lost in thought as I walk the block
    To my favorite neon sign

    And, ends up at the bar.

    The yellow bird has always signified hope for me. My daughter is the reason I initially got sober. She was my yellow bird. I can't forget my yellow bird.


    Flag emyellowbirdon October 09, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about living in modern times, the 21st century -- all the uncertainty and isolation and surreal aspects that we all experience to some degree or another. It's also a very personal song about Connor's experiences touring, living, and loving I think. Great stuff
    Flag ninjapirateon May 21, 2010   Link

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