Oberst, Conor - Afterthough Lyrics






I woke up this morning still wearing that tie
The one with the hammer and sickle design
Threw up all the pills my doctor prescribed
And went out to fetch me some air

The streets were so crowded with billboards and signs
Food trucks double parked in the parallel lines
I thought about breakfast but settled on wine
Always choose hunger over despair
And what's possible over what's there

But it isn't as though we get what we want
No matter how hard or long we have fought
Oh my happiness is a mere afterthought
When I'm with her I keep it in mind
Then she leaves and I've run out of time

I sat down today in a high barber's chair
To hear the town gossip and clean up my hair
He said she was seen on the bus station stairs
With her suitcase threatening to walk

Not sure how true it was but I'll hazard a guess
It's probably not more and it's probably not less
If that college kid bookie was accepting bets
The brackets would mostly be chalk
Yeah it's safe to assume that she's lost

But it isn't as though we get what we want
No matter how hard or long we have fought
Oh my happiness is a mere afterthought
When I'm with her I keep it in mind
Then she's gone and I've run out of time

I can't be concerned with the state that I'm in
At the height of the scandal with vertigo spins
Take every audition til I'm Errol Flynn
And bring it to life off the page

And I'll get up tomorrow still wearing that tie
The one with the skull and the crossbone designs
If I'm asked if I miss her it's easy to lie
In this world that's called more of the same
Yeah I wouldn't feel proud or ashamed

'Cause it isn't as though we get what we want
No matter how hard or long we have fought
Oh my happiness is a mere afterthought
When I'm with her I keep it in mind
Then she leaves and I've run out of time





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Oberst, Conor Afterthough Comments
  1. J.... S....

    Is no one taking notice this is the greatest songwriter of Our Generation

  2. S.... T....

    My first thought is "he's doing Dylan". My next thought is "he's doing Dylan better than Dylan". My next thought is "oh can you imagine the kind of comments you would get if you made that comparisson, I'd better not post that...wait, I just did..."

    S.... T....

    I only posted that so I would remember to listen to that song again...

  3. S.... L....

    oh conor

  4. R.... S....

    Why not less drinking more writing how about a new album your my favorite hate to see you so drunk

  5. D.... D....

    Conor Oberst is amazing but fuck communism lolol, it's a get-rich-quick scheme for degenerates

  6. T.... C....

    Always choose hunger over despair & whats possible over whats there

    T.... C....

    Amazing materiaL

  7. B.... F....

    Think this photo was shot at a gas station near his bar (page turners lounge)?

  8. l.... p....

    J'aime beacoup cette chanson.

  9. l.... p....

    Today I am so heartbroken that Trump is letting trophy hunting relics back into the US. One step forward, 300 steps back:(
    This song helps me feel a wee bit better. Thank you.

  10. T.... ....

    I woke up this morning still wearing that tie
    The one with the hammer and sickle design
    Threw up all the pills my doctor prescribed
    And I went out to fetch me some air

    This world was so crowded with billboards and signs
    Two trucks double parked in parallel lines
    I thought about breakfast but settled on wine
    Always choose hunger over despair
    And what's possible over what's there

    Because it isn't as though we get what we want
    No matter how hard or long we have fought
    And my happiness is a mere afterthought
    When I'm with her I keep it in mind
    Then she leaves and I've run out of time

    I sat down today in a high barber's chair
    To hear the town gossip and clean up my hair
    He said she was seen on the bus station stairs
    With her suitcase threatening to walk

    Not sure how true it was but I'll hazard a guess
    It's probably not more and it's probably not less
    If that college kid bookie was accepting bets
    The brackets would mostly be chalk
    It's safe to assume that she's lost

    But it isn't as though we get what we want
    No matter how hard or long we have fought
    And my happiness is a mere afterthought
    When I'm with her I keep it in mind
    Then she's gone and I've run out of time

    I can't be concerned with the state that I'm in
    At the height of the scandal with vertigo spins
    I'll take every audition til I'm Errol Flynn
    And bring it to life off the page

    And I'll get up tomorrow still wearing that tie
    The one with the skull and the crossbone designs
    If I'm asked if I miss her it's easy to lie
    In this world that's called more of the same
    No I wouldn't feel proud or ashamed

    'Cause it isn't as though we get what we want
    No matter how hard or long we have fought
    And my happiness is a mere afterthought
    When I'm with her I keep it in mind
    Then she leaves and I've run out of time

  11. T.... ....

    I woke up this morning still wearing that tie
    The one with the hammer and sickle design
    Threw up all the pills my doctor prescribed
    And I went out to fetch me some air

    This world was so crowded with billboards and signs
    Two trucks double parked in parallel lines
    I thought about breakfast but settled on wine
    Always choose hunger over despair
    And what's possible over what's there

    Because it isn't as though we get what we want
    No matter how hard or long we have fought
    And my happiness is a mere afterthought
    When I'm with her I keep it in mind
    Then she leaves and I've run out of time

    I sat down today in a high barber's chair
    To hear the town gossip and clean up my hair
    He said she was seen on the bus station stairs
    With her suitcase threatening to walk

    Not sure how true it was but I'll hazard a guess
    It's probably not more and it's probably not less
    If that college kid bookie was accepting bets
    The brackets would mostly be chalk
    It's safe to assume that she's lost

    But it isn't as though we get what we want
    No matter how hard or long we have fought
    And my happiness is a mere afterthought
    When I'm with her I keep it in mind
    Then she's gone and I've run out of time

    I can't be concerned with the state that I'm in
    At the height of the scandal with vertigo spins
    I'll take every audition til I'm Errol Flynn
    And bring it to life off the page

    And I'll get up tomorrow still wearing that tie
    The one with the skull and the crossbone designs
    If I'm asked if I miss her it's easy to lie
    In this world that's called more of the same
    No I wouldn't feel proud or ashamed

    'Cause it isn't as though we get what we want
    No matter how hard or long we have fought
    And my happiness is a mere afterthought
    When I'm with her I keep it in mind
    Then she leaves and I've run out of time

  12. D.... T....

    "Carey Mercer fought and killed the radar.",dan'

  13. D.... T....

    "Maintaineer",dan'

  14. D.... T....

    "Rage fountain"
    ,dan'

  15. A.... b....

    "I always choose hunger over despair, and what's possible over what's there." <3

  16. P.... j....

    sounds like a tribred between Dylan, John Prine and John Stewart.

  17. G.... M....

    This song is buried deep in my subconscious and leaks frequently

  18. f.... f....

    first song in I don't know how long that he's had an actual repeating chorus. which makes me wonder how he remembers all the lyrics to all his other songs when every chorus is a different combination of words

  19. J.... ....

    Your music has meant a lot to me over more than the past decade. Thank you for putting it out there and being so brave. Your music has helped so many people. I appreciate your words and music more than I can say.

  20. J.... D....

    great writer, not just lyrics, but the music, too. relatable without being abnoxiously trite. Good job and thanks, Oberst.

  21. D.... M....

    I am loving the harmonica.

  22. e.... w....

    geez i am like 2 albums behind

  23. R.... B....

    Your lyrics are always my favorite part of your music. Its a delight following you and seeing your music and lyrics change over time. Great song, thanks for posting.

  24. a.... f....

    "I thought about breakfast but settled on wine"

    same.

    a.... f....

    "Always choose hunger over despair"

    a.... f....

    One of my favorite lines hes ever written

  25. H.... C....

    IM IN LOV

  26. k.... r....

    love this song & love Conor

  27. s.... ....

    i love the new/old sound you have going on. the dylan influence shows and it works

  28. i.... ....

    This brings me to tears. But in the best way possible.
    Thanks CO. 💕

  29. C.... M....

    Nice. Sounds like John Prine.

    C.... M....

    Yes! It's like Paradise!

  30. J.... t....

    Look!! A Big Penus behind that dude firing up his smoke.

  31. J.... ....

    all of your songs have such a bittersweet feeling to them. they make me think about memories I've never had and a whole different life from the one I'm living.

    J.... ....

    some are sweet, some are bitter, some are bittersweet but most are umami... That is what's so amazing about his writing, the only way to describe it is ethereal.

  32. F.... f....

    the live version I heard of this song is amazing. like an Irish pub chant song. beautiful

    F.... f....

    Same here. Small venue, maybe 600, all singing along perfectly. Man, I've been to a lot of shows in my short life, but that show was pure bliss. I'll never forget it.

  33. l.... ....

    beautiful

  34. I.... ....

    I WAS SO LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING THIS!

  35. M.... G....

    sucks...pure garbage....jk, yeah conor! urdebest

  36. M.... G....

    omg, a chorus. I love it.

  37. R.... O....

    Another perfect Track.

    R.... O....

    Ryan Ortega

  38. C.... C....

    every piece you write is a work of art. Phenomenal Conor

    C.... C....

    I'm glad some people still have amazing taste. I bet the majority of the people that commented on this have beautiful souls.

    It's crazy he's been writing beautiful music since he was in 7th grade.

  39. Y.... ....

    So good.