Completely Wrecked By Conor Oberst (first ever listen)

[@Seapatico]

Everything Conor has made over the last 25 years is worth listening to. His main band has been Bright Eyes, but all of his solo stuff and other projects and collaborations (like his project with Phoebe Bridgers) are all great. He's as talented and prolific as anyone working in the last 25 years and he deserves more recognition.

[@jeremysiddens9232]

@@Seapatico his stuff with Mystic Valley Band is amazing.

[@jacobsanchez883]

Monsters of Folk is fantastic as well. Just the single album. Every song is great.

[@1981ASURay]

Heck, even Desaparecidos is pretty great.

[@Pluralofvinylisvinyls]

Id love another Better Oblivion Community Center record.

[@RickShaffer]

@@Pluralofvinylisvinyls likewise, but from what I've read, absolutely no chance haha

[@sputnik1022]

i love this song so much and i cried. seems to be one of these days ...love you folks

[@ryanwickham7256]

Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst was essentially the soundtrack for my wife and I while we were dating. Celebrating 16 years of marriage this week and anytime I hear these songs, it takes me back to when we were 21 and walking around downtown Tulsa with a cigarette glowing in the winter nights. These songs were nostalgic from the first listen and never fail to somehow make me fall more in love with her.

[@dcardamone58]

My viewing of this video was interrupted by an ad for Disturbed's upcoming tour at the emotional crescendo of the song. What a bucket of cold water.

[@MrPDTaylor]

That's hilarious

[@TobiasHoen]

Bright Eyes' entire I'm Wide Awake It's Morning album is killer.

[@jarrettavery1747]

Not just that album but the entire catalogue.

[@NickJardine]

I just discovered this album last week and it’s been on heavy rotation!

[@chrisuk1541]

Superb.

[@natetrout1]

High school

[@Lebowski55]

It is a classic. Its musical canon.

[@tahangrant]

If you like this, Bright Eyes has 25+ songs equal to or "better" than this one...🎉 Songwriting gold mine.

[@theemeraldaxe1414]

I mean Poison Oak is definitely their best imo but they still have so so so so many on that same level

[@Bmoreboh-68]

I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning is a perfect album front to back IMHO. I love every note of every song

[@jacksully5580]

This is one of his most emotional songs by far

[@jeremysiddens9232]

Light Pollution is a great one

[@nip9898]

Idk Poison Oak is definitely one of the heaviest hitters, if not the heaviest. Would definitely love to hear more Bright Eyes though. I think "Lets Not Shit Ourselves", "Landlocked Blues", and "Lua" would make for good reactions too. Also "Milk Thistle" from the post Bright Eyes stuff would be a perfect song to react to for this channel

[@fp.chattanooga]

SOOO cool to watch someone hear Bright Eyes for the first time. Wow. You’re in for a rabbit hole.

[@dpe4]

So happy you finally got to Conor. I’ve seen him live so many times. Always amazing. That’s the Felize brothers with him.

[@alarkriisa448]

"I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" is a masterpiece.

[@c_gaudet90]

Conor Oberst is simply the best. He got me through some difficult days. I will always have a place for him.

[@glennnye5880]

I have lost everyone in my paternal family. I hide this piano daily. I watch your videos and have never commented. thank you for sharing

[@resipsaloquitur13]

"Some things dont have words" That hit me hard. I wrote that on the back of my guitar when I was 16 years old. Im now 40. I still have the guitar. I'll never get rid of it. I cant.

[@t_nordlicht1937]

Conor and Bright Eyes were the soundtrack to my early twenties, when I was full of self-doubt, selfpity... and there was this guy of my age, depressed and sad, with these beautiful songs... it dragged me so deep down that I'm always afraid to get back to these albums because I fear this place and don't want to come back there... but I love these songs so much. And he was so young when he composed these masterpieces! Amazing, quite an artist, not a waste of paint like me (get the hint?)

[@emmad-ul4tn]

It's the ones with the sorest throats who've done the most singing

[@Pluralofvinylisvinyls]

Yeah, I can’t listen to I’m Wide Awake without thinking of my ex , unfortunately.

[@TylerTylerTyler]

The last time i saw Conor play this song live, he and the bassist rested their heads on each other's shoulders during the beginning intro for a long time until the song kicked in. Amazing live performance every time

[@brandoneast]

It was a chilly wintery day when I bought ‘wide awake it’s morning’ on CD and sobbed in my car during my lunch break through several of the songs, especially this one. I replayed Poison Oak, memorizing every word and it still hits. Will be 20 years soon.

[@jp2726]

Conor has been the best songwriter in America for the last 20 years and he is a national treasure

[@Nick-pj4qh]

To me Conor is a top 5 song writer of all time. Just unreal how underrated he still is after all of these years. Thank you for reviewing! Dive headfirst into the deep end of the Conor pool. Its a deep swim back to the surface.

[@willinwoods]

A friend of mine took his own life in a really horrible way, but the news of his passing spread really slowly. I ended up spending his birthday telling ppl on faceb00k "sorry but he's gone" and "please don't ask how, remember him as he were!" Somehow, I was honored and healed a little by getting to do that, and it partially sorted out my own thoughts and feelings about it all.

[@phreedumb9671]

Bright Eyes / Conor Oberst is a deep deep deep and wonderful rabbit hole to go down. He's been a top 3 for me since I was a youngster. I've seen him live 3 times. In this video, he looks and sounds very very rough vocally, physically, and mentally. I love this song, but this video is a very raw depiction of him and his overall sound. Keep going and you'll find more gold.

[@OfAGhost312]

Connor Oberst aka Bright Eyes is my generations Bob Dylan.

[@freddiewah]

I was going to say it but just said he's damn amazing

[@frankiesayspanic]

yes i’ve always said this too!

[@johnbell792]

him and elliott

[@josephwilson-doan4163]

Conor was very formative for me in high school. Life long fan. Im glad you get it. ❤

[@theianmce]

Thank you for highlighting Conor, truly amazing. This shows so well how art like this can be so helpful for the listener, but also so painful for the artist to perform. People get frustrated when their favorite star's don't play a certain song, this is why, great art comes from human places, often pain and grief. Sometimes that pain and grief doesn't go away for the artist just because they or their song becomes a hit.

[@Mark_B585]

Grief is a subject no one wants to talk about. Even the difficult emotions are hard but beautiful. Feel all of it

[@DonnaRn]

Thank you, I am

[@derekb192]

Let’s go Omaha!! Raw and authentic songwriting. You impression was just as real. I’m stirred up thinking about my old friends after all this passion. Ah grief, the great equalizer.

[@garyleite9789]

One of my good friends in college was from Omaha. So many awesome bands. Son, Ambulance’s Euphemystic and Good Life’s Novena on a Nocturn are incredible albums

[@finalsecretofchrono1339]

This guy has some of the most dedicated fans, 20+ years strong. I've never been a lyric guy, to me it's the soundscape/arraignment and vocal performance and whether together they capture and evoke feeling and interest. His music does 100%. Awesome performance.

[@MascarasMil]

This song crushed me. So heartbroken. Thank you for intruding me to this song/music.

[@naterater100]

Conor makes you FEEL the music. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!

[@musilat]

Hi Michael. I’m a big fan of your channel. Thanks for sharing your talents and emotions. You show the connection between the two beautifully. Peace.

[@MichaelMarler-fv6sn]

The power of his truth.......deeper to the soul than going to a meeting....you said it.....this is raw....thanks for sharing your first view of his heartfelt words

I've listened to this song so many times, I've seen it played live, and I am just crying watching this. Such a beautiful rendition. I hope you'll enjoy more of Conor Oberst/Bright eyes work.

[@24MikeXXL]

This is like my first time. In college. Jaw to the floor.. couldn't wait for class to get out to hear more

[@TinyObservations]

Bright Eyes catalog is so deep…not even counting the side projects and collabs. At least a couple songs on each album bring me to tears every time.

[@pedterson]

I'm jealous that you get to discover all these wonderful songwriters for the first time. Jason Molina, David Berman, Will Oldham, Nina Nastasia... so many treasures still out there to find.

[@Seapatico]

Oof, Will Oldham and Jason Molina. I didn't think I was gonna cry tonight, but now I am. So so good

[@pedterson]

@@Seapatico I've just been to a Will Oldham concert last night and if you ever get a chance you have to go. Wonderful experience. (You can also search "Bonnie Prince Billy Munich" here on YT, someone uploaded yesterday's whole show in great quality.)

[@dannyarbuckle5706]

Cest la vie

[@Frequenceez.]

Jason Molina was a friend of mine and a great human being. Another beautiful soul gone too early. Bonnie Prince Billy album version of I see a Darkness was amazing. Don't forget about my favorite songwriter Elliott Smith.

[@pedterson]

​@@Frequenceez. I want to hug you for being Jason's friend. I never got to meet him, but knowing him through his songs, his workmanship, and his warmth even in despair, and the world he built of moons and ghosts and magnolias… I don't think I ever felt closer to a singer than to him. I didn't mention Elliott only because Michael has already made a video about him, but I absolutely agree. Also without a doubt one of the best musicians among songwriters. The amount of interesting ideas across his albums blows my mind.

[@stuarthannay3370]

Many thanks, I have a new rabbit hole to descend into.

[@jeremysiddens9232]

@stuarthannay3370 have fun dude, it's a deep one. Make sure to check out Conor's solo stuff and his albums with the Mystic Valley Band plus Monsters of Folk which is an amazing album front to back.

[@stuarthannay3370]

@@jeremysiddens9232 many thanks Sir, all this and a new Cure album! Good times!

[@frankiesayspanic]

i’m wide awake it’s morning is a fucking masterpiece

[@dshrute6622]

Thank you for sharing this experience with us. I can honestly say that even though I've heard this song a million times, watched this particular performance at least a dozen times, I got major chills experiencing this with you. Conor is the most real human being making music. And every single song on every single record is pure and beautiful and amazing. I hope you've checked out the whole catalog by now. Worth every second. Thanks again.

[@tomgruszkos552]

Glad I checked out this video. Amazing songwriting.

[@lovesthegreatestgift]

So glad you found him. So glad you did this video too as I've not listened to Conor Oberst in about 10 years so you've just reignited my love for him! You should check out the songs "Cape Canaveral" by Conor Oberst and "First Day of my life" by Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst). 2 of my most favourite songs ❤

[@kristinnagust9342]

Came here to recommend First Day of my Life because to encapsulate the feeling of love the way that song, the way Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst) does, just. Just go there. Live there. Be there.

[@frankiesayspanic]

after my husband proposed to me 14 years ago, i started singing first day of my life, i didn’t even think about it or really mean to, it just came out of me, and that song will forever put me back in that moment ♡︎

[@rivaeast]

I'm speechless.... never heard of this artist.... what a heartbreaking song....

[@josephcovino9697]

That's what I love about you most Michael , how you appreciate so much and put importance on the lyrics. God bless. JOE. Lake Havasu, Arizona.

[@jleck001]

my favorite artist of all time

[@darinkeesing2603]

Bright Eyes' "Lua" is one of the most devastating songs about drug addiction every written.

[@baseballMMAgames]

Watch the version with First Aid Kit

[@jeremysiddens9232]

@@darinkeesing2603 "Fast Friends" is one of my favorites.

[@chrisuk1541]

Great song.

[@Frequenceez.]

Check out Elliott Smith's King's Crossing, Plainclothes Man, The White Lady Loves You More and Needle in the Hay as well as others like A Distorted Reality Is Now a Necessity to be Free etc.

[@Beaufosheau]

He would lose his shit to Lua.

[@monchiscastorena8768]

Another life changing artist... welcome to the club ❤

[@joshknowsnothing]

I swear i just opened your channel to rewatch videos and you upload a new one, lets goo

[@johnwellsmusic]

Dude you NAILED this. I've watched this live performance for years... It hits me hard every time. Thank you for sharing your reaction.

[@adamharris3520]

He is one of the best lyricists to ever do it!

[@joethom3961]

Conor is also part of Monster's of Folk. A fantastic album with Jim James, Mike Mogis, and M. Ward. You also need to deep dive M. Ward someday

[@jazpurgarcia831]

I've been a decades long fan of Connor. He's been one of the best kept prodigy secrets w his unmatched ability to literally meld your most immense unknown, unseen, untold emotional messiness into this place that allows the listener freedom to feel, whether you want to or not. I'm so glad my friend sent your reaction vid to me because your summary & the way you hav such a beautiful insight into human condition is so right on! I hope you delve deeper into more of his earlier year's & his personal story! Now, a fan of you too! : )

[@noahmcgrath3039]

The Felice Brothers are the band that is backing Conor up in the video they are also amazing song writers. My favorite song of theirs is Rockefeller Drug Law Blues

[@colonelchubbers]

Oh dang, love the Felice Brothers, didn't realize this was them.

[@andycocktails]

Love the Felice Bros. Silverfish is my fav

[@josephhasty2212]

Don’t wake the Scarecrow is mine

[@noahmcgrath3039]

@josephhasty2212 that's a great one also

[@bygoneera1596]

“Wonderful life “

[@calebwhitcraft1664]

That album is one of my favorites. I go back and forth on this or Lua being my favorite track, but then you've got Road to Joy, First Day of my Life, Land Locked Blues, it's solid gold. His other albums are also great (he got on my radar back with Fevers and Mirrors and then Lifted) but this record is just unreal. And what's even crazier is he released this folksy acoustic driven album the same week he released Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, where he fooled around with a lot of synth and electronic sounds. "The sound of loneliness makes me happier" is one of those musical moments that the rest of my life got anchored to, Conor is a rare artistic force.

[@katnapasmr12]

Conor can give me the chills like no one else. I hope he is getting help after his most recent issue ❤❤

[@jldkrank]

I suggested this song a long time ago. It's always my submission for saddest song when the question is asked.

[@matthewtitmus]

Have you heard of Gregory Alan Isakov? As singer/songwriters go, he's an exceptional talent. Check out his Amsterdam when you get a minute.

[@seanshipley5850]

Also Dark, Dark, Dark and Caves and his newest album Appaloosa Bones

[@matthewtitmus]

@@seanshipley5850 Yes! It's hard to go wrong with any of his work, really.

[@IndicacannaJones]

Man, I really hope you go down this rabbit hole. He's done so much amazing shit and by far my favorite songwriter of all time. His sad songs are the best and he has a lot of them. Lime Tree, Breezy, much of the Fevers and Mirrors album. There's too much. Just dive in and do a complete lap around the pool. Haven't been a big fan of the stuff from maybe the past 10 years, but Upside Down Mountain and back is full of gold.

[@TheBattlesUnseen]

Outstanding! This is a song that is so heavy and RAW, that it cuts to the soul. As someone who experienced the effects of someone taking their life in high school, it leaves a mark, and you cannot really understand it. As a musician myself and singer, there have been so many times where I cannot find the words or articulate what I want to say, and Conor does just that! What a gut punch! ✌️

[@RonaldEllenburg]

I have nothing to say.......Conner Oberst has said it all. "WOW" Thanks so much , ron

[@23CKluke]

Bright Eyes was one of my favourite bands in high school when starting to teach myself guitar. Would love to see you react to more from Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes.

[@nicholasresch9614]

Favorite songwriter of all time.

[@dean_mischief]

Another big influence of mine when I first started writing music when I was younger. A master of lyrical narrative. It's awesome to see you cover these in your channel.

[@chrisuk1541]

Bright eyes. "Im wide awake, it's morning" is a absolute classic album.

[@TheBigburcie]

I haven't seen you stunned and silent like that in a while. I'm not a lyrics guy, but every word of this was raw and relatable. Screw technicalities when you can write a musical story like this.

[@RudolfZ]

I remember the first time I heard his record, Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground. Was completely blown away and immediately thought he was our generations Bob Dylan. Mind you, not a big Dylan fan but was hooked on Bright Eyes. To this day it's still one of my most listened to albums, alongside electric warrior, bryter layter, rain dogs, something else by the kinks, singles going steady, forever changes...

[@bootcopy]

Yes. More Conor / Bright Eyes / Desaparecidos please!

[@dudorotomy]

Love your authentic reaction. Music can be extremely human!

[@andyg1245]

Good stuff. Love you back.

[@Thematerialhandler1]

Damn. Bright eyes. Brings back memories. Older sister got me into him in elementary school. We went to watch them at the Hollywood bowl with a symphony. Beautiful performance

[@snowinthesands]

The Felice Brothers add so much to this performance. They are one of the best live acts out there, and write incredible songs!

[@Sidney2007]

Love when you put yourself out there with an artist unknown to you (me as well here). Always open to new artists, and this time it was exceptional. Sadly also familiar with tragic loss. The rawness of this song, this story is what art/music is all about. Much compassion to all who can feel what is in this song.

[@colinmckenzie5174]

Conor Oberst is the real thing.

[@MrArppeggio]

Conor and bright eyes have been a love or hate band for their rawness over the years. This band was the background for so many of my teenage memories and will always have a special place in my collection.

[@davidryan7386]

He has a dozen or so perfect songs like this. Lua I dont know when but a days gonna come. Middleman All come to mind.

[@fawncrossing]

Bright Eyes are my favorite band! Glad to see you checking out one of their songs. They have a ton of songs that are just as good, as well as Conor Oberst’s solo work, and other projects. Highly recommend checking out more! Same goes for Elliott Smith, I was so happy to see you check out his music!

[@evangelionl0vr857]

Michael, watching these videos has made me realize you have the exact same taste in music as I do. Which of course means you have the best music taste out of anyone in the world haha. I’m glad you’ve even moved to reacting to music like this where it’s more lyric/emotion driven than a breakdown of a really fancy guitar/music theory kind of song. Please do more of these mixed in every so often because you did a great job putting into words the emotions of this song.

[@joechristensen117]

Awesome to see you discover Conor for the first time. I've watched lots of your videos but this one got me to subscribe

[@matthewbrown6397]

I remember going to a local record shop and seeing this really cool record, it had just come out so I bought it, it had this great wallpaper and a literal mirror in the middle of it. It was fevers and mirrors by bright eyes, I was probably like 16 or something, and it completely changed my musical life and opened up a whole new world. Love Conor (from here I found Cursive and other Omaha bands, and it has never stopped)

[@garyarbuckle8129]

Really glad you got to hear this. This song was wrote when he was singing with his band Bright Eyes, and if you really liked this I suspect you will like his older music from where this was birthed. I appreciate your channel so much. Thank you!

[@Pnwrat]

Conor is fantastic. I remember hearing him for the first time some 16 years ago now. So much nostalgia in everything he does!

[@HAUNTED-DOLL]

Conor is an artist, in the true meaning of the word. Everything he IS, is a direct result of the hard work that he's put in to get here. Please react to "You are Your Mother's Child." You won't regret it.❤

[@mattypommell]

I remember hearing this for the first time when I was in high school and not really understanding it beyond being a beautiful song. In 2011 my brother, who was my only sibling, died by suicide (he was also 23). Soon after I found myself in an abandoned diner parking lot off i75 where I was alone crying in my car while blasting this song screaming the lyrics back and it was probably the most I've been able to emotionally process something through music in my life.

[@RegularDude00]

Amazing Song and haunting performance. My father commited suicide 2 months ago and 2 lines hit me extremely hard here "Well, I don't think that I ever loved you more than when you turned away, when you slammed the door" and "im glad you got away but im still stuck out here." hits especially hard.

[@julieschaefer2635]

20 something years later and this song still gets me choked up

[@ericthornberg]

Glad you finally got to Conor/Bright Eyes. Well done!

[@tjshultz89]

This was the song that got me to learn how to play guitar nearly 20 years ago.

[@BeaconofHope01]

Been a bright eyes/CO fan for decades.. I understand how you feel. I’m glad you discovered him! Those first 4-5 albums are masterpieces. Please give those listen if you haven’t already. His lyrics are… I seriously don’t have words for them. I’m Wide awake It’s morning Probably has to be one of my favorite albums of all time!

[@Skyflower44]

Noooo Wayyyy!!! My old favourite Bright Eyes ! We had " Bright Eyes" Conner playing "First Day of my Life " at our wedding. I then learnt to play and sing Landlocked Blues 🙏💗👏👏👏👏👏☕🇬🇧💗 I play Eliot Smith Between the bars now also... 👍😁💗

[@jcompton8507]

Conor is phenomenal. He has a 20+ year catalog of songs this good.

[@luciferlafleur4534]

Subscribed because of that reaction to my favorite artist.

[@jarrettavery1747]

Landlocked blues is my favorite track from I’m wide awake it’s morning. You should also check out his project with Phoebe Bridgers, the better oblivion community center.

[@seanshipley5850]

Love Dylan Thomas and Chesapeake by BOCC

[@NickJardine]

Holy moly. I swear you are in my current music rotation library right now! Dave Matthews, Elliott Smith and now Conor Oberst. I just discovered Bright Eyes last week and have really been drawn into it!

[@TimothySmith-sd1ru]

I like the reaction video his music makes me cry often when I'm feeling down. Love that you have started listening to Conor Oberst and Elliott Smith. Bright Eyes, Elliott Smith, and Modest Mouse are my top three.

[@mjrtensepian1727]

Bruh, this album, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning, and its predecessor, Lifted..., are peak Bright Eyes; pure gold!

[@markpfeffer7487]

I got lifted on vinyl in high school. So so good. Cassadaga has aged tremendously too.

[@danielhurley6911]

As is often the case, your reaction videos are worth watching because they aren't just about the guitar playing in a song. The simplest guitar part can be the vehicle for the most amazing song. I appreciate your earnest and honest reaction to this tune. Nice work.

[@deepdoodle]

I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. I will die on that hill. It is not an easy listen. Connor's gift is bringing the rawest of emotions to the surface.

[@bendancar]

If you want to hear (another) something great, listen to Gillian Welch & Dave Rawling's cover of Connor's song "Method Acting" (sometimes with an added melody of "Cotez The Killer.")

[@throwdowninolytown]

I love seeing these reaction videos, and always find it fascinating how something so old and familiar to others can be new to someone else. I saw this guy as a kid and didn’t even realize how good he was.

[@UlfBengtsson]

Conor is a legend. ❤

[@mattglavin6598]

Backing band features The Felice Brothers. Similar to Connor, Ian Felice (on guitar) is one of the best songwriters alive. A quote from Connor: “lan Felice is the only songwriter I am and will ever be jealous of… There is an active shooter. I am hiding under my desk but there is a rainbow outside the window. That's lan."

[@gabrielrougeau833]

Exactly. Ian rivals Conor’s lyrics in everything he writes. Two perfect songwriters

[@MrPDTaylor]

Best songwriter ever. Hands down. Mic drop. No competition.

[@graphenemusic5922]

Duude, had goosebumps for hours with that SpaceX event! Man, thank you for saving me tons of money for not going to a shrink! who need therapy when we have you hitting us with all these beautiful words and emotions! Cheers man 🙏🧢

[@Thanks-Again]

I mean this is the only song on that album that made 20-year-old-me cry haha. Great song, props for giving it some recognition

[@NISSANZ33]

Hearing them play it live hits on another level!