Lyrics Common Knowledge - Conor Oberst

Common Knowledge

He’s my friend but he’s no friend to me
Ask him why and 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
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
Holds onto his mind just like a kite
But a good strong wind 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 and alligator shoes
One more dance and he’s in that champagne room
Where she moves like a chocolate fountain
Pouring, spilling all around him
Makes him wonder what else she could do
How bittersweet is love’s illusion
Feelings that cannot be proven
Trust me you’ll see my aim is true
I did this all for you
I’ve 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 luster
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 life that you imagined
So just go out with a bang like Hemingway
Some will say you’re brave
Some will say you ain’t