Land Locked Blues by Bright Eyes

Album: I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning (2005)

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Songfacts®:

This song is about the Iraq war, which the band feels is completely unnecessary. Conor Oberst sings, "There are kids playing guns in the street/and one's pointing his tree branch at me, so I threw my hands up, I said enough is enough, if you walk away, I'll walk away, then he shot me dead." This song suggests that even the youth are marred with violence. >>
Suggestion credit:
Robin - Huntertown, IN
As with many Bright Eyes songs, "Land Locked Blues" depicts both lovelorn relationship woes and a biting sociopolitical commentary. Sung with the Country star Emmylou Harris, the song makes a wrenching duet. Its title likely refers to the geographically landlocked status of Oberst's hometown of Omaha, Nebraska in the heartland of the United States.
The trumpet line refers to "Taps," played by both the military and the scouts to rouse the troops to begin their days, and played at funerals.
There is another version of this song titled "One Foot In Front Of The Other" which features the same lyrics, but with a more full band ensemble and only the main vocals. It is also more upbeat. >>
Suggestion credit:
Sean - Tucson, AZ

Comments: 11

Michael from Galway, IrelandThis song is a work of genius . Music and lyrics interweave to create a hugely authentic and original recreation of what it is like to be helplessly alive and angry . Helpless maybe in the languid tenor of its account, but powerful too in its observant eye which takes in everything that moves. If Conor Oberst never wrote another song, this would be enough.
Cassie from Overland Park, KsConor Oberst is a genious.
Jenna from A Town, NyConor Oberst, in an interview, said it was about September 11th.
Alessandra from St.louis, MoGREAT song! um, sad, but i think it has to do alot with war, but with some, small, other references in there too.
Evrick from Milwaukee, WiM, this some does deal with drinking so wat r u talking about. neither the less this is a great song
Leah from Humboldt, Iaawww...this is a sad-ish song. but conor is the best.
Emma from Hickville, PaI think it's sort of about war in general.
Sarah from Missoula, MtThis song is incredibly sad
Helene from Horseheads, NyI agree. I think it's about many different things, not only the Irag War. It says a lot about running away from different situations, I think.

One of my favorite verses in this is,

"We made love on the living room floor
With the noise in background of a televised war
And in the deafening pleasure I thought I heard someone say
'If we walk away, they'll walk away'"

I think that verse just speaks so much about how you can never be free of war and pain and hurt, no matter where you are or what you're doing.
Ginette from Richmond Hill, CanadaThere are many things going on in this song. It's got some of my favourite lyrics and It's amazing.
M from Sd, CaI dont think you can say this song is only about the Iraq war. It speaks and touches on many other things like fame and drinking

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