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May 4, 2005

Bright Eyes On Leno

"When The President Talks To God" gets Tonight Show buzz and the blogosphere wets its pants. Watch Cowboy Conor's performance here. Most offensive are those Dancing Itos!

The non-album protest song is free on iTunes.

Posted at 8:46 AM




99 Comments

Could Conor Oberst be any more full of crap? It's like someone handed him his political opinions on a piece of paper. That song is the most trite "protest song' I have ever heard.

Posted by: Robert at 05/04/05 11:06 AM | Reply
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what is an ito?

Posted by: thenemilysays at 05/04/05 11:18 AM | Reply
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Robert, I suggest you re-listen (or listen for the first time) to some of the most well-known protest/political songs in the American canon. Find me one that presents its POV with blance and nuance. In other words, name one protest song that expresses a political opinion that needs more space than a single 'piece of paper' could provide. Masters of War? For What its Worth? Fortunate Son? I'm Black and I'm Proud? I want to Know how it Feels to be Free? Here's to the State of Mississippi? I ain't Marchin' Anymore? Woody Guthrie's songbook, including his entire Sacco and Vanzetti album?

Addressing a big political topic with respect to all its subtleties (i.e. in a way that is not 'trite') is not the point of protest music. The point lies in confronting (what the singer sees as) the problem aggressively.

Posted by: erklie at 05/04/05 11:31 AM | Reply
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I'm glad Conor's down on the man and all, but that song is so weak. This is the "new Dylan"? Three words, son: "Masters of War."... Nevertheless, I almost always appreciate it when somebody does something extremely political in on national television. Like when Sinead ripped that photo of the Pope and said "Fight the Real Enemy". That was sweet.

Posted by: Max Power at 05/04/05 11:33 AM | Reply
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Anyone want to post an mp3 link for those of us outside of the states who might want it?

Posted by: Mike at 05/04/05 11:46 AM | Reply
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We should all appreciate what we are getting to see in Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes - the most unfoundedly critically acclaimed & overrated "musician" of our time.

Posted by: NotAFan at 05/04/05 12:18 PM | Reply
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most of the anti-bush songs have been pretty weak. i remember the beasties one was lame and the zack de la rocha solo song was terrible, too. if you want to check out a pretty decent one, try to find dear leader's song "our motto". very very good stuff.

Posted by: holmes at 05/04/05 12:30 PM | Reply
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Oh, the irony of criticizing someone seeing every issue in "black and white" while singing a song with lyrics that are recitations of cliched talking points...

Posted by: Justin at 05/04/05 12:48 PM | Reply
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bright eyes is a complete hack. looks like the hyperbolic praise of being the "next dylan" is getting to him.

Posted by: too much hype at 05/04/05 1:10 PM | Reply
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agreed. bright eyes blows and this song is no different - the lyrics are WEAK.

and in case any of you didn't realize - MAY IS SWEEPS MONTH. this was clearly just a stunt by Leno's booking people go create buzz (check) and thereby boost ratings.

Posted by: jen at 05/04/05 1:19 PM | Reply
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What about "American Idiot" and Eminem's "Mosh"? Just because songs don't sound like some 60's Bob Dylan in a coffee shop in the Village doesn't mean it's not a protest song. And yes, I like Mosh even despite the fact I don't like 99% of Em's stuff.

Posted by: jenny at 05/04/05 1:27 PM | Reply
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The funny thing about the song is that the idea that Bush talks directly to god comes from a quote provided by someone who got his doctorate by writing a paper denying the Holocaust, the PLO's Mahmoud Abbas. God, he sucks.

Posted by: Jeff at 05/04/05 1:44 PM | Reply
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i hate that kid. but anyone who can sing something that would be received angrily and negatively so passionately is not so bad in my opinion. in other words, he's doing a lot more than just bloggers bitching about bush. and again, the passion! the performance was awesome. stop comparing it to dylan, etc. this is a new protest and a new time. we can express it in so many ways.

Posted by: lia at 05/04/05 2:10 PM | Reply
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the song is everything but free on itunes....
at least in fu**ing italy

Posted by: ugo at 05/04/05 2:44 PM | Reply
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Wanda Sykes cut her hair!

Posted by: Trev at 05/04/05 3:09 PM | Reply
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this was a response to a "who the fuck are bright eyes?" post I saw on another board...

"Where the fuck to even begin.......... to answer J, "bright eyes" is the nom de plume that some skinny-whiny-warbling-12-year-old-girl's-jeans-wearing-Robert-Smith-"if-he-were-emo"-wristband-sporting-PBR-swilling-"24-years-old-and-knows-the-cure-for-society's-problems"-believes-his-own-press-slightly-talented-but-way-overrated douchenozzle named Conor Oberst uses as his band name. The name thing is kinda like Idaho or Iron and Wine or Nine Inch Nails, except Bright Eyes sucks shit, and the others I mentioned don't. I just saw this douchebag on Leno tonight. He was "performing" a song about how much he hates the President. He was wearing a cowbow hat and a cowbow outfit that would make both Howdy Doody and Jack White vomit, but then again, he DOES hate Texas and the President, so I'm guessing he was mocking 'something'. Buzz is Buzz, but I can't hardly believe that the fucking free ticket So Cal teenagers and golden year retiree tourists were cheering his anti president rants between each 'verse' (the word verse used lightly, as this song had no particular rhythm or meter). The new Dylan? heh. The new Springsteen? meh. the kids will grow out of this, and this fuck will be back playing Omaha emo cafes, or actually bussing theior tables. I saw this turd on 'Austin City Limits' a few weeks ago with my 52 year old uncle, and Wilco was on the same show, and Wilco were brilliant, as usual. After Bright Eyes, my uncle looked at me, puzzled... as if to say "uhhh, you're young, you wanna explain 'that' to me?" I couldn't. Bright Eyes fucking blow, and no amount of Spin, Rolling Stone, CNN, NME, or Pitchfork or whatever will convince me otherwise. Sorry for the long winded rant, and I'm not even offended about his political prancing. I just don't take anything this prissy little diva says seriously."

Posted by: slight fries at 05/04/05 3:16 PM | Reply
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If you're new to Bright Eyes, don't judge by this song alone. I'm a huge fan, but even I think this song blows.

Posted by: pelvis at 05/04/05 3:17 PM | Reply
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jesus, when did it become hip to bash bright eyes? who's really jumping on the bandwagon? im not a huge bright eyes fan, but the music is good in a lot of respects. I doubt that what he tries to express is always true but if not its an interesting ruse and that in itself is a feat. take 'when the president talks to god' for what it is... he was pissed off when bush got re-elected and this short song came out... its not attempting to be 'masters of war'.

Posted by: automaticbzooty at 05/04/05 3:40 PM | Reply
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Connor Oberst = Massive Douche Bag

Posted by: Seriously Folks at 05/04/05 4:33 PM | Reply
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can he be any more predictable? im so sick of every celebrity and musiscian with the exact same political opinion. i mean its a given that hollywood is liberaltown, U.S.A., but it pisses me off so fucking much that these idiots are given the power to sway the masses, but their heads are filled with meaningless crap and should not be allowd to preach their bullshit opinions, because the youth of america is so uninformed it makes me sick. no one knows what the hell they are talking about. they hear these damn singers talking about "we hate bush, evil evil!" and now they automatically adopt that as their mind set. ppl need to learn the facts and THEN form an opinion. DOES NO ONE ELSE SEE THIS?? its insanity. ahhh......i feel better now. and bright eyes are extremely over-rated. conor's whiney voice does nothing for me, no matter how deep his lyrics are claimed to be.

Posted by: Dani at 05/04/05 4:48 PM | Reply
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For all of the political talk, let me just be the first to take on the fashion aspect of the performance.

I wonder if Jack White cried a thousand tears when he found out Bright Eyes snuck into his cowboy closet.

Posted by: su-tang at 05/04/05 5:40 PM | Reply
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Fucking seriously, I hate this scenester bullshit so much. Half of you are probably the same people who wanted to suck Conor Oberst's cock 5 years ago but because Bright Eyes isn't "underground" anymore suddenly everyone's bitching? You also might want to note that he never called HIMSELF this generation's Dylan. I still like Bright Eyes and I always will. "When the President Talks to God" may not be the most genius thing he's ever written but as several people have said it was written as an off-the-cuff expression of anger. Fuck, I hate people.

Posted by: You All Suck at 05/04/05 5:46 PM | Reply
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i am a fan of bright eyes, but even i dislike evreything about that song. i was a little disappointed that i didn't get to see his performance, because i would have liked to see the passion of his perfomance, but i was at rilo kiley's show, and by the time the band turned on the tv for us all to watch,jay leno was over.

Posted by: rosie at 05/04/05 5:51 PM | Reply
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su-stang - you weren't the first - see slight eyes 3:16 post

Posted by: slight eyes at 05/04/05 6:01 PM | Reply
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I used to sort of like Bright Eyes, but now he just pisses me off. When I heard about the comments he made to an audience in Forth Worth like how he would rather "put a gun to his head" than "live in your state", I wanted to slap him in the face. I live in Austin, and I was born and raised in Houston, and I know the good and bad of Texas. It has it's pros and cons just like any other state. It really makes me mad when people who have never lived here go on all these false assumptions of what it's like. He just strikes me as so fucking pretentious, and "tortured artist". blah.

Posted by: dawn at 05/04/05 6:06 PM | Reply
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the big question is just who let him go on with that hat.

he's great. period. anyone who saw the wide awake shows can't deny it. whatever you think of his fashion or other bullshit we argue about--

Posted by: snoozebutton at 05/04/05 6:13 PM | Reply
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THATS the song he picked to play on national television?! It's a horrible song, and politics aside, definitely not going to win him any fans. OH WAIT, he's all indie and fuck Clear Channel and all that, so he doesn't care! I can only sit through like, 3 of his songs, since his voice is like a knife to my brain, but from what I've heard he's nothing special.

Posted by: deathbysexy at 05/04/05 6:57 PM | Reply
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The fact that THAT is the song he picked to play on national television actually just makes me like him more. I don't think it's his strongest tune and you're completely right that it won't "win" him many fans, and will in fact turn about 51% of his possible audience off completely, but that's not the fucking point. The kid's trying to do something OTHER than sell CDs by performing this song (available for FREE in the states, I remind you). You might think the message is trite or the song is simple (haven't you folks ever listened to talking blues before?) but his performance was a political one. I think it's ballsy and proves that he is acting with his ideals. And whether you agree with him or not, I think that's admirable. The blog community and a lot of the hipsters-at-large are so into trying to spew some "disses" at this kid, and it comes across so acutely as jealousy that it always makes me giggle. While you guys figure out how to insult some 24-year-old folksinger on the internet so you can make each other laugh, he's willing to go on national television with a set of beliefs defied by a majority of the people watching, because that's what he cares about. Dude.

Posted by: summer at 05/04/05 7:14 PM | Reply
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oh and I'm really tired of his comments about TX at the Fort Worth show being so blown out of proportion. The kid made a joke about hating Texas and spent the rest of the night recounting Texans he liked, concluding that the worst thing about Texas was actually from Conneticut. Kid has a lot of friends in Austin and grew up the midwest, so I don't know why anyone takes his joke so seriously. Obviously he knows there is good and bad in every state, but Texas can get pretty fucking nasty and red and, as he suggested later in the night, forward thinking people should be trying to change that. I'm from Texas too, and I'm tired of my peers getting their panties in wad everytime somebody criticizes this state. It's creepily reminscent of some people's attachment to the idea of the Confederacy. Ick ick ick. Get over it. Jokes are jokes.

Posted by: summer at 05/04/05 7:20 PM | Reply
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How is it "ballsy" when there's no real negative consequence? Anyone likely to buy anything but this guy most likely agrees with him anyway. If he alienates Leno's audience, is he going to be out out of a job, on the street, or blacklisted? No, he probably won't even lose a single record sale.

He knows that, and he knows he'll change no one's mind with that song. It's just another transparent attempt to seem "important."

In terms of political discourse...it's the musicial equivalent of Sean Hannity yelling at you.

Posted by: Justin at 05/04/05 7:22 PM | Reply
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In fact, it would arguably more ballsy to take a public stand in political opposition to a vast majority of his "indie" audience. I'm sure people would be branding him a "sellout" in a minute if he performed some dumb Toby Keith-esque song.


Posted by: Justin at 05/04/05 7:37 PM | Reply
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Of course, Justin, one might argue that a "sellout" is exactly what half the people commenting here ARE branding him for performing a song that is in line with his political beliefs. I'd also like to remind everyone that he did vote for change, and opening for springsteen and rem sure as hell wasn't earning him any indie cred. It strikes me as possible that he actually is standing up for what he believes is right rather than attention-grabbing.

Posted by: Nate at 05/04/05 9:30 PM | Reply
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he's a pansy ass piece of snail piss.

Posted by: matt at 05/04/05 9:54 PM | Reply
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you are all assholes. if you honestly listened to the album "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" you would have alot of respect for him. But i bet half of you havent even listened to them, you just bash what you dont know. its disgusting. and fuck all of you for having to be so scene... listen to music for what it is and not image.

you all seem to be so angry and just say nothing but fucking asshole comments. grow up already

Posted by: dan Greenlees at 05/04/05 10:21 PM | Reply
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Actually Dani it is not a given that Hollywood is liberal. If you look at the facts the zip codes of Hollywood & the Westside give more money to Republican candidates than Democratic. Me thinks you've swallowed some kind of kool aid and don't know what you are talking about. Could be you'd benefit from the facts instead of listening to nonsense about Hollywood which bears little resemblance to reality.

Having never heard of this Bright Eyes fellow I am amused and happy to see the question come up. No matter what your polticial opinion it is a legitimate question to ask what does God say to the boy king? I have long wondered and I am glad to know that I am not the only one to wonder.

As far as marketing goes it appears to have worked. I'd never heard/paid attention to the fellow before now and since I see he makes so many livid and spouting nonsense about facts they are clueless about I'm inclined to seek out more information about this Bright Eyes clown.

Posted by: filchyboy at 05/04/05 10:54 PM | Reply
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I think its funny that all of you fools are blasting Bright Eyes and saying he sucks donkey piss or whatever. Do you realize that comments like that make you look like this whiny little bitch you attack Oberst for being? Give the guy some credit for standing up and voicing his opinions on a national stage, no matter how much you disagree with him or feel how simple the song is. Its a hell of a lot better than bitching and moaning behind the cover of a handy alias on a trendy music blog. Nice work guys.

Posted by: Kev at 05/04/05 11:20 PM | Reply
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Justin -- It's not a matter of changing people's minds so much as forcing people to take notice. While you're right that he won't alienate most of the "indie" audience, there are a lot of conservative adults tuning in to Leno and a performance like Oberst's jolts them out of wonderland and helps them realize how upset and angry a lot of younger people are. Besides, there are plenty of young indie kids with fascist parents, and someone like Oberst speaking his mind can inspire kids like that to seek out the truth.

The bit about how it would be more ballsy for him to take an opposite political stance is a non-sequitor. We're talking about someone standing on a national stage to sing about what they believe in. It's not just randomly chosen, it's his moral value system. People would be right to call him a sell-out if he suddenly pandered to the other "side".

Kid's a vegan and a political activist and my guess is that he's done a hell of a lot more for the world and made less of a negative impact than you dudes. You'd be insulting him more if you ignored him, the positive and negative poles of attention that he gets just proves his worth. He's never tried to impress everyone, and the fact that y'all hate him so much really just proves his worth as a public figure.

Posted by: summer at 05/04/05 11:27 PM | Reply
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I've always been middle of the road on bright eyes. I love his lyrics but his voice gets to me, but i give him major credit here, thats not a stage he'd be welcome on, the audience l iked but the average middle american guy sitting on his couch getting drunk or just pissed off won't be expecting that, powerfull. he's a great writer.

Posted by: tj at 05/05/05 12:42 AM | Reply
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"He's never tried to impress everyone, and the fact that y'all hate him so much really just proves his worth as a public figure."

Are you talking about Bright Eyes or GWB?

Posted by: Justin at 05/05/05 2:16 AM | Reply
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I'm no big fan of Connor/Bright Eyes...i have his last three albums (thank God i downloaded them) and the hype of him being the next Bob Dylan is greatly exaggerated. Decent lyrics, bad voice. I think i'd prefer to listen to nails on a chalkboard but i applaud him for taking such a risk and performing this song on National TV. Way to go! Bash the man not the Song or it's content. I still prefer "Hail to the Thief" or "American Idiot." Fcuk Toby Keith, American Redneck.

Posted by: music geek at 05/05/05 9:50 AM | Reply
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You're all faggots
the song is good and the lyrics are well written.

BANDWAGON!!!!

Argh its fucking frustrating cause you all suck. You all feel like you're in a great group of people because you're all hating on Bright Eyes now.

Here's an idea-to be really cool, like awesomely awesomely cool, you should've hated on him in the beginning and like him now then you'd be mad indie.

I know this is so cliche- but you're prob all fat and annoying. You probably try and write songs with meaningful lyrics but end up spouting off lyrics like "I blue like you cause you stepped on my shoeeeeeeeeee---and I'm a faggot." Go fuck yourselves.

The funny thing is I'm seriously, not joking, not even that big of a fan- I'm just a fan.

Posted by: PJ at 05/05/05 11:19 AM | Reply
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You're also an asshole.

Posted by: Justin at 05/05/05 12:53 PM | Reply
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"it is not a given that Hollywood is liberal. If you look at the facts the zip codes of Hollywood & the Westside give more money to Republican candidates than Democratic."

That doesn't mean that there are more Republicans in that area. It just means that what Republicans are there happen to donate more money than the Democrats do. So it proves nothing.

By the way, I have been listening to Bright Eyes since Fevers & Mirrors, but this new song really is horrible.

Also, in response to the Hail To The Thief reference, as much as I love Radiohead I can't really take anything that Yorke says about Bush seriously because of the simple fact that he's British. I think he would be better off worrying about his own government.

Posted by: John at 05/05/05 1:53 PM | Reply
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he's the best performer that's been on leno in like 10 years so fuck you

Posted by: johnnnymac at 05/05/05 3:07 PM | Reply
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Bright Eyes = Ubergay donghuffing polesmoke Fuck that little whiny bitch.

Posted by: Mike Jones at 05/05/05 4:43 PM | Reply
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How ignorant does Mike Jones sound with his homophobic responses. It makes me laugh how absolutely ridiculous some of you guys are. Mike, its time to get back to pounding beers with your fratmates and stop writing about stuff that makes you sound like a fool.

Posted by: Kevin at 05/05/05 4:52 PM | Reply
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Man, indie rockers really suck these days. If you don't like Bright Eyes, that's cool, but to deny his talent is reprehensible.

Posted by: Dany at 05/05/05 5:15 PM | Reply
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ok, filchyboy? you're an idiot. ok? ok. good. i think you may have misinterpreted my sentence about it being a given that hollywood is liberal. HOLLYWOOD, as in celebrities, musisians, etc. not the actual location. seriously, what the hell? hollywood IS extremely liberal, what facts? im not talking about republican fundings. im saying, 99% of hollywood has the exact same views, and its getting really tiring. its pretty obvious that the majority of them have zero idea what they are talking about. now days its hip to be a democrat. they want to sound important. you could see this blantently all through the election. and please, filchyboy, stop trying to sound sound like you know what you're talking about, because its pretty obvious that you dont.

Posted by: Dani at 05/05/05 11:58 PM | Reply
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In response to Dani's innane juvenile comments which basically say the people in Hollywood shouldn't be able to voice their opinions, I say shut the hell up you hypocrite. What makes you think that we give two shits about your ridiculous commentary? At least Oberst is out doing something about his opinions and not sitting on the god damn Stereogum msg board attacking some yahoo named filchyboy.

Posted by: Kevin at 05/06/05 12:58 AM | Reply
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i like bright eyes. no, you are not more profound for not liking this song. suck my cock. conor oberst is better than you.

Posted by: fuck you fuck you so much at 05/06/05 1:54 AM | Reply
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dammit what the fuck is wrong with people these days. there are only 2 types of people who don't like conor oberst:
1) fucking faggot scenesters who have "dumped" him because he's no longed "underground". fuck you, fuck you so much.
2) fuckers who haven't listened to any of his other music, and just bash him because he is labeled "emo" or "scene". i hate you so fucking much.
conor bashers come from both sides of the spectrum, both types of people are fucking useless pieces of shit. go die.

Posted by: jash at 05/06/05 2:02 AM | Reply
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i love you summer.

Posted by: Marc at 05/06/05 8:09 AM | Reply
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There needs to be a song called "When The Devil Talks To Conor"...I would have said that it should be to the same tune, if only there was a tune.

Posted by: Dasha at 05/06/05 12:08 PM | Reply
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Wow, i just stumbled into the retard farm, because apparently, blogs are the places where people spew what they don't know to an invisible audience that likely doesn't care a damn bit about whatever your reply is.. god knows i'll never look @ this page again. Yeah, so keep talking to you invisible f-----g audience about how strong and powerful your pointless opinion is and how much you hate/love bright eyes..... point is, you don't make a difference, and the fact that Conor can work all of you up into a tizzy if proof enough of his influence.... you go ahead and scream/praise the president.... cuz i sure can't hear you from here. It's easier to hear people from... say... Leno.

-endnote to this intellectual black hole
(gawd, undying proof)

Posted by: Josh at 05/06/05 2:43 PM | Reply
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I second the above comment, but would add that as an old protester from the '60s (and ever since), Conor seems to me to be a deserving heir to all those protesters of the past. Watching all you Bushies get all bent about him makes me pretty sure that he's on to something good and timeless. By the way, when was the last time someone praised Dylan for his beautiful, operatic-quality VOICE?

Posted by: 58 years old and glad for BE at 05/06/05 4:11 PM | Reply
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Nice point 58 Years. I never understood attacking Bright Eyes for his voice when Dylan has one of the most distinct yet awful voices in history. It fit his music well yet if you seperate the music from the voice and its another story.

Posted by: Kevin at 05/06/05 4:30 PM | Reply
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"Are you talking about Bright Eyes or GWB?"

Well, you know, Dubya has been pretty successful as public figure as well. I wouldn't deny that... Winning the presidency and all.

I think most people, those I agree with and those I don't, who are willing to stand up and talk frankly about their beliefs, deserve a certain amount of respect. Most people are afraid to do that. All of us are doing it in a comment box on the internet. Maybe that is BECAUSE it is anonymous. I'm not sure that I would be able to get on national television and sing to the world about some of my most radical political thoughts. I'd be scared.

Completely aside from the validity of his music or this song in particular, I think he deserves a certain amount of respect for choosing to make a statement instead of selling his new albums.

That's my piece.

Posted by: summer at 05/06/05 5:55 PM | Reply
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You seriously have to be a complete fag to like this whiney fuck. This is a fact. By the way Kevin, what kind of grownass man uses the word "homophobic", a phobia as I understand, means to be afraid of something, in this case homos...isn't that just gay in and of itself. Take Connor's cock out of your mouth Kevin, ya little bitch.

Posted by: Skeet Skeet Skeet Skeet at 05/06/05 8:00 PM | Reply
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Summer, I completely understand and respect what you are saying. (Also, it is nice to see someone on here who can make a clear and intelligent argument without resorting to weightless insults.)
The fact is, no one really knows Conor's true motives behind his Leno performance. I'm sure we would all like to think that he is just trying to voice his opinion and make a difference, which is totally fine (even though I do not agree with his message). However, these days attacking President Bush has become "the cool thing," as well as a vehicle for selling albums, movies, etc. So, based on that fact, it is hard not to question Conor's integrity in this matter.
Also,

Posted by: John at 05/06/05 8:37 PM | Reply
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Why does it matter if I or you like his songs. If you even listen to his music its not either of us. So you can complain on a random website about something that will never make a difference to anyone. He sang a song, which he wrote. Needless to say in todays entertainment world thats alot. But anyways he sang his own words. Not yours or mine. I like Bright Eyes because I do. Why do we feel there has to be an explanation for every action taken.

Posted by: bill at 05/06/05 8:44 PM | Reply
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John,

Your "also," got cut off.

You're right that none of us know the exact nature of Conor's motives, but I think that when that's the case, it's usually best to try and NOT assume that everyone is an asshole who's only out to make money or be cool. It's seems like a particularly unlikely assumption when you're talking about a kid who has stuck by a small record label founded by his friends while turning down offers from all of the huge labels, who has generally refused to play any clear channel venues and publicly dissed that corporation (keeping in mind that if he didn't sever relationships with them and diss them in public he would probably get a hell of a lot more radio play), someone who has lived in a fairly conscious and charitable way without rockstar demands or a particularly extravagant lifestyle, and someone who, when asked, describes in frank and usually fairly articulate words the exact reasons behind the politcal beliefs that permeate his lyrics.

None of that seems consistent with an assumption that Conor is doing anything just to look cool or make money, much less playing a simple (and by most counts, not particularly appealing to the teenybopper base) protest folk song (that's downloadable for FREE) on national television.

Whee.

Posted by: Summer at 05/06/05 9:27 PM | Reply
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hey freinds...as a vet of the war in iraq...and as a 25yr old dylan fan.........what bright eyes did on stage has nothing to do with either....the man stated an opinion the was his own, i respect it....and it obviously grabed all of us......god bless somebody for shaking things up......this wasnt a part of sweeps week man....it's a voice, lets not be synical of it.......i've had enough friends die, atleast let me have this muscial protest of brillance....my spelling my have erros, but the drinking speaks for itself...e-mail me yourself..love to talk man

Posted by: ben at 05/07/05 4:13 AM | Reply
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refreshing, insightful, hopeful, a clear voice yhat is much needed. thank you

Posted by: steve ebert at 05/07/05 11:57 AM | Reply
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Ben, thanks for saying something real. take care, man.
As for most of the rest of you, can you really not come up with better insults than tired variations on homo. weak little boys still on the damn playground calling each other candy ass and tryin to prove who's dick is bigger without dropin your drawers, while we got some serious shit to deal with. this does not make you sexy. not like screamin off key for every one's crushed hope on national tv. Were you all seriously debating his outfit? while calling HIM a bitch?

Posted by: sophiaB at 05/07/05 12:13 PM | Reply
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Jay Leno rarely does anything edgy-- though he would like to be hip and cool.

Therefore, I don't know what his motive was for having Bright Eyes sing "When the President Talks to God" on his show last Tuesday.

But I don't care.

I am just glad he did it. With the march toward ignorant empire in this great country (is that the sound of the American Century sun setting??) I am glad somebody had the balls to put it right in the face of this administration. Christ, we need a little 60's stuff right now... especially with the country asleep on the "Runaway Bride" and "the American Idol-Paula Abdul Scandal."

Go Conner... and thanks, Jay.

Christopher

Posted by: Christopher at 05/07/05 1:47 PM | Reply
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I'm sorry, but do we need to point out that Conor Oberst isn't new to the bashing of politics and modern culture. Has everyone forgotten his previous band 'Desaparecidos'? It's not like he just jumped on the band wagon, everyone else has just caught up to his.

Posted by: John at 05/08/05 10:52 AM | Reply
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"I am glad somebody had the balls to put it right in the face of this administration"

Right, because no one else is doing that. Well, except Michael Moore. And the Dixie Chicks. And Sean Penn. And Janeane Garofalo. And Harry Belafonte. And Rosie O'Donnell. And Green Day. And Sheryl Crow. And Moby. And everybody on the "Vote for Change" tour. And everyone who contributed a track to the "Rock Against Bush Vol. 1" album.

Posted by: Justin at 05/08/05 4:17 PM | Reply
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I love bright eyes, I think conor is great lyricists and his voice works for his songs, he's not trying to be whitney fucking houston.
Why are you all so down on someone expressing what they feel? what? just cos you don't feel the same all of a sudden he's a whiny faget? Bitch please, go back to school and stop talking till you stop pissing the bed and acting like a child.
It was a great performance too, who gives a fuck what he wears? Is this queer eye for the straight guy? He's a fucking musician, not a style icon.
grow up, babies.

Posted by: chise at 05/08/05 8:15 PM | Reply
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If I even watched Leno I would have turned this shit off. OVERRATED. I really have no idea why people love this guy so much.

Posted by: dave at 05/09/05 11:41 AM | Reply
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I don't even know what the hell Skeet Skeet Skeet is talking about. First off, learn to use puncuation you fuck. Second of all, if you're implying homophobia doesn't exist, it's time to climb out of your fucking cave and take a look at the world. It's absolutely ridiculous that people feel the need to use slurs about people's sexuality, race or whatever to make themselves feel better. Skeet Skeet Skeet, go hang out with Mike Jones. Maybe you could shotgun some beers and talk about hot chicks you've boned. Grow the fuck up and then come talk to me.

Posted by: Kevin at 05/09/05 10:39 PM | Reply
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So let me get this straight. Michael Moore spends his time & $$$ opening the american public's eyes to the facade that is our government, and gets booed in public, yet this 'Dylan rip off' is praised for regurgitation?

wow.

'John Wesley Harding', buy it..it's cheaper & better.

Posted by: WOW at 05/10/05 6:18 PM | Reply
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Conor Oberst does not need to be compared to Bob Dylan. I'm sick of seeing some comparison of the two.
And sure, not all of the songs Oberst does are flawless, but I do believe the kid deserves respect. His lyrics have meaning to them, and even if you can't personally relate to them, there is some kid out there who can. I believe that every musician deserves respect rather than being bashed, because to someone, they are a god.
This song might not be the greatest, but why continue to argue about how weak or powerful it is?

Posted by: brittany at 05/10/05 9:23 PM | Reply
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That performance was excellent. Comparisons to Dylan need to stop being made i agree, because they are two different people. Conor is a very talented young man however. On the Saddle creek site the comments about the performance are mainly offended ones from painfully typical bush supportin' gun shootin' meat eatin' red blooded americans. and uh.. as for michael moore,yeah hes done alot of good things but he's also pretty good at twisting facts and playing with camera angles, so lets not turn him into saint michael now.

Posted by: kitty ketamine at 05/12/05 10:33 AM | Reply
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Ah CMan GuYZ im NOT thAt Bad

Posted by: conor at 05/12/05 10:44 AM | Reply
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Bright Eyes SUCKED on Leno. Ugh!

Posted by: Italy Princess at 05/18/05 12:17 PM | Reply
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i love hearing people criticize me. it makes me a better person and artist.

Posted by: conor oberst at 05/20/05 8:04 AM | Reply
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As stated above even bright eyes fans think that this song sucks, dont judge Conor's overall work by one song. Actually he has quite a few dingers, but he has just as many good songs. It does seem like nashing Bright Eyes is the vogue thing to do right now.

Posted by: rinshu at 05/20/05 3:08 PM | Reply
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Not sure I would ever post something on here, considering the majority of the comments sound like they are coming from 17-year-old Real World rejects, but posts like Summer's changed my mind. At least there are some intelligent people out there who can refrain from using the f-word for more than two sentences. Regarding the performance, I was not familiar with Bright Eyes before I saw the little blurb on the 'net about this "controversial" singer on Leno. His voice is indeed grating, but I don't think he was singing as much as venting, and although his lyrics were super-liberal, which I'm not, some did have a ring of truth. I don't pick political sides based on "what's hip" or what Hollywood is doing, and I think most intelligent Americans base their political leanings on common sense, which I think Dubya is lacking. Sometimes we need to be fired up by these so-called "radicals" because it entices debate, and if both sides would take a breather and refrain from referring to one another as "fucking pansy bitches" or "cock-sucking morons", we might get somewhere. But as long as there's a firm line in the sand, with Georgie Boy on one side and Cowboy Conor on the other, any attempts at sensible government will be a dream.
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one......"

Posted by: Crystal at 05/21/05 12:04 AM | Reply
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i think that conor oberst is ingenius. all of his "bashers" are a bunch of ignorant whiny fools who cant think of their own protesting song lyrics. I think that the song "when the president talks to god" is very clever, along with everything else bright eyes plays. He is a great musician and should be respected for his work rather than mocked at for being the next "Dylan". I am a huge fan and what really gets me pissed is the fact that ignorant people are classifying him as "emo" when he is not at all emo. Emo is a dead genre that whiny 12-year-old-whores cut their wrists too.(poor babies) Bright Eyes sings beautiful songs about beautiful things.

Posted by: Danielle at 05/25/05 11:49 AM | Reply
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first of all i am only writing this in regards to conor, if you listen to his first recordings when he was umm 11, or 12.. no one lyrically could touch him at that age, many now could not lyrically illustrate situations and feelings... and conor IS NOT big on politics! he hates it! but like many countries and most americans see, bush is not an average problem. those who say the lyrics are weak.. say what you will, conor has already out-thought your conservative minds years in advance... and some moron said "where was conor during the 2004 election" well he was on a tour getting swing states to see logic.. guess not many logical people go to shows anymore

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