Road to Joy (Bright Eyes song)
Encyclopedia
"Road to Joy" is the last song on Bright Eyes' 2005 album I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
. It was written by Conor Oberst
. The name of the album is taken from a lyric in the song.
of the melody of Beethoven's Ode to Joy
. As the song progresses, it builds into a march, with the introduction of trumpets and horns. Near the end, everything fades out as Oberst delivers the final verse, and then all of the instruments come in at once in a loud frenzy, and continue for about 30-45 seconds before fading out and ending the album.
, Oberst and trumpeter Nate Walcott destroyed their instruments.
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is one of two Bright Eyes albums released on January 25, 2005, by Saddle Creek Records.-Songs:The music video for "First Day of My Life" was directed by John Cameron Mitchell....
. It was written by Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
. The name of the album is taken from a lyric in the song.
Structure
The song begins with a fingerpicking section combined with an interpolationInterpolation (music)
Interpolation in music refers to an abrupt change in musical elements from the main theme.-In classical music:In music and musical composition, especially 20th century and later, interpolation is an abrupt change of elements, with continuation of the first idea...
of the melody of Beethoven's Ode to Joy
Ode to Joy
"Ode to Joy" is an ode written in 1785 by the German poet, playwright and historian Friedrich Schiller, enthusiastically celebrating the brotherhood and unity of all mankind...
. As the song progresses, it builds into a march, with the introduction of trumpets and horns. Near the end, everything fades out as Oberst delivers the final verse, and then all of the instruments come in at once in a loud frenzy, and continue for about 30-45 seconds before fading out and ending the album.
Live performances
The song is a staple of Bright Eyes' live performances, and is often played as a concert finale. After performing the song on The Late Late Show with Craig FergusonThe Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson is a Peabody Award-winning American late-night talk show hosted by Scottish American comedian Craig Ferguson. Ferguson, the third regular host of the Late Late Show franchise, follows Late Show with David Letterman in the CBS late-night lineup...
, Oberst and trumpeter Nate Walcott destroyed their instruments.
Personnel
- Conor OberstConor OberstConor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
– guitar, vocals - Mike MogisMike MogisMike Mogis is a Nebraskan producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios ....
– 12-string guitar - Nate WalcottNate WalcottNate Walcott is a trumpet, flugelhorn and keyboard player who has appeared on several of Saddle Creek Records artists' albums. He is one of three permanent members of Bright Eyes, along with Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, and has toured with Bright Eyes....
– trumpet - Clark BaechleClark BaechleClark Alan Baechle is the drummer in the band The Faint. He also played in another Nebraskan band, Park Ave. He has also played on many releases and tours for Bright Eyes, playing drums and clarinet...
– drums - Matt MaginnMatt MaginnMatt Maginn is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska. He plays bass guitar in the indie-rock band Cursive and is a frequent contributor on a number of Bright Eyes records...
– bass - Alex McManusAlex McManusAlex McManus is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska. He is part of the indie scene and played with bands such as Acorns, Empire State, Lambchop, Vic Chesnutt, and Bright Eyes...
– guitar - Nick WhiteNick WhiteNicholas Edward White is a musician who plays keyboards in the indie-pop group Tilly and the Wall from Omaha, Nebraska. He has also been known to play keyboards for Bright Eyes on tour...
– organ