Milk Thistle

Album: Conor Oberst (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Mike Norris of MTV News asked Oberst about the significance of the name "Milk Thistle." He replied: "That's an herbal supplement you take for liver protection. That's where it comes from. It's to promote liver health."
  • In the same MTV interview, Mike Norris asked if the lyric, "If I go to heaven, I'll be bored as hell," is an ongoing thing of not worrying about what happens next. Oberst responded: "Yeah, I guess the logical problem with the idea of heaven [is that] you can't really have infinite eternal goodness, 'cause you wouldn't understand it."
  • Oberst told The Sun newspaper August 1, 2008: "I occasionally get worried about my physical constitution and I had a very sweet tour manager one day that showed up with a bottle of milk thistle. He said: 'You're fine but take this and it will help you stop worrying.' I think it has a lot of healing qualities, particularly for the liver."

Comments: 1

  • Martina from Ottawa, OnAt a concert, he said "this song is about drinking yourself to death" right before he sang this.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.