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Hit the Switch Lyrics

I'm staring out into that vaccum again
From the back porch of my mind
The only thing that's alive
I'm all there is
And I start attacking my vodka
Stab the ice with my straw
My eyes have turned red as stoplights
You seem ready to walk
You know I'll call you eventually
When I wanna talk
Until then you're invisible

Because there's a switch that gets hit
And it all stops making sense.
And in the middle of drinks
Maybe the fifth or sixth
I'm completely alone
At a table of friends
I feel nothing for them
I feel nothing
Nothing

Well I need a break from the city again
I think I'll ship myself back west
I got a friend there, she says
"Hey, anytime"
Unless that offer's expired
I have been less than frequent
She's under no obligation
To indulge every whim
And I'm so ungrateful, I take
She gives and forgives
And I keep forgetting it

And each morning she wakes
With a dream to describe
Something lovely that bloomed
From her beautiful mind
I said "I'll trade you one
For two nightmares of mine
I have some where I die
I have some where we all die"

I'm thinking of quitting drinking again
I know I said that a couple of times
And I'm always changing my mind
Well, I guess I am
But there's this burn in my stomach
And there's this pain in my side
And when I kneel at the toilet
And the morning's clean light
Pours in through the window
Sometimes I pray I don't die
I'm a goddamn hypocrite

But then night rolls around
And it all starts making sense
There is no right way or wrong way
You just have to live
And so I do what I do
And at least I exist
What could mean more than this?
What could mean more?
Mean more?
86 Meanings

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Cover art for Hit the Switch lyrics by Bright Eyes

I really just want to say this:

I just read every single comment on this song, it is by far a stand out from Digital Ash for me...And I want to say, thank you, fans of Bright Eyes and Conor Oberst. You all bring beauty to the world every single day! You are all so intelligent, with amazing minds and the profound ability to appreciate true art! It is so rare to find fans of a band/singer who aren't just saying "omg, he is sooo hott!! Marry me, have my babies!" Sure, we all have to agree he is an attractive man, but I just adore that you are all so intelligent as to appreciate the songs, the in-depth yet beautifully subtle way he explains things.

So, thank you, I love you all and appreciate you keeping Bright Eyes in the world!

We are a rare breed; we who can appreciate true art, and every single one of you are perfect in the most imperfect way, just like our beloved Conor.

That is all. I adore this song, this man and this band!

Xox

Cover art for Hit the Switch lyrics by Bright Eyes

this is definitely the best track on digital ash.

Cover art for Hit the Switch lyrics by Bright Eyes

correction on the first verse--

i'm staring out into that vacuum again from the back porch of my mind the only thing that's alive i'm all there is and i start attacking my vodka stab the ice with a straw my eyes have turned red as stoplights you seem ready to walk you know i'll call you eventually when i wanna talk till then you're invisible

Cover art for Hit the Switch lyrics by Bright Eyes

May Angels, I think the hypocrite part is different and opposite than what you say. I think that he is a hypocrite in the sense that sometimes you feel as though you want to die, but when it comes down to it and you're closer, you start to wish you had more time.

I think this song is one of the most awesome on digital ash, too.

Cover art for Hit the Switch lyrics by Bright Eyes

I'm thinking of quitting drinking again I know I said that a couple of times And I'm always changing my mind Well, I guess I am But there's this burn in my stomach And there's this pain in my side And when I kneel at the toilet And the morning's clean light Pours in through the window Sometimes I pray I don't die I'm a goddamn hypocrite

Alcoholism exactly...well, mine at least. These are always the thoughts that run through my head when I realize I went to far...again...which is quite often... Anyway, I don't think anyone could have put it better.

Cover art for Hit the Switch lyrics by Bright Eyes

one of the greatest poets and musicians of our time i believe

@jled90 i agree. I know your comment is from 2007, and you may not ever see this reply lol. I dont listen to Conkr anymore but its really nastalgic reading the lyrics and comments of people from 16-20 years ago.

Cover art for Hit the Switch lyrics by Bright Eyes

I wonder if Oberst is referring to the switch that the character Brick from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof referred to. Brick (Paul Newman) was an alcoholic who tried to numb the pain of his best friends passing by drinking until the "switch" in his head was hit, meaning he could finally feel at peace with himself.

Brick: It's like a switch, clickin' off in my head. Turns the hot light off and the cool one on.

It would be so cool if Oberst was inspired by this ahahha

Cover art for Hit the Switch lyrics by Bright Eyes

How amazing:

"And each morning she wakes with a dream to describe, something lovely that bloomed in her beautiful mind. I said I'll trade you one for two nightmares of mine." I mean there is lyric writing and then there is something so profound as this. WELL DONE Connor.

Cover art for Hit the Switch lyrics by Bright Eyes

absolutley the best track on this cd

Cover art for Hit the Switch lyrics by Bright Eyes

this song is great...i love the third verse...i feel like thats the feeling that i get when i talk to a few girls i know

 
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