Lyrics Conor Oberst

Conor Oberst

Common Knowledge

He's my friend but he's no friend to me

Ask him why, he'll tell you casually

Washed up, bitter, broke and busted

Backstabbed everyone he trusted

Says he sees what no one else can see

And if I had half his guts I'd want it

To chase that fatalistic comet

And die young in the dark, that's poetry

But it was not to be

No, it was not for me

He's always sad but I've never seen him cry

When he comes to, sure he'll apologize

Find his car, assess the damage

Still drunk but he likes a challenge

Hold on to his mind just like a kite

A good strong win will keep you honest

Fill you with some common knowledge

Things when we were young we never tried

Just figured we had time with such a long life

Money clips, alligator shoes

One more dance, he's in that champagne room

Well, she moves like a chocolate fountain

Pouring, spilling all around him

Makes him wonder what else she can do

How bittersweet is love's illusion

Feelings that cannot be proven

Trust me, you'll see, my aim is true

I've done this all for you

I suffered long for you

So many times, he tried to play it straight

Worked and worked until his body ached

But a brand new life can lose its lustre

Troubles tend to find each other

Call it luck or you can call it fate

But either way it's how it happened

Not the way that you imagined

So just go out with a bang like Hemingway

Some will say you're brave

Some will say you ain't