Overview
The Stage Names was originally conceived as a double album. Sheff said about the inspiration for the album,
| “ | "There's this idea of living in a world of pop culture history, high art history and low art history, full of images that are extremely common and meaningful to people but are essentially empty and disembodied. I wanted the record to exist in a universe of reference of signals, signs and bullshit." | ” |
An official music video was created for "Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe" directed by Margaret Brown.
"A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene" describes the television shows in which Okkervil River's music has been featured. These include a 2006 episode of Cold Case ("One Night") and an episode of Breaking Bonaduce.
"Savannah Smiles" is a song that deals with the life and death of Shannon Wilsey, a pornographic actress known by her stage name, Savannah, which was taken from the 1982 film, Savannah Smiles. The bonus track, "(Shannon Wilsey on the) Starry Stairs," is intended to be a sequel to "Savannah Smiles."
"Plus Ones" references several other songs with numerical titles by adding 1 to them. These include ? and the Mysterians' "96 Tears," Nena's" 99 Luftballons," Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," The Byrds' "Eight Miles High," R.E.M.'s "Seven Chinese Brothers," David Bowie's "TVC15," The Zombies' "Care of Cell 44," Commodore's "Three Times a Lady," and The Crests' "Sixteen Candles." The term is also used in reference to guest-lists at rock concerts.
"You Can't Hold the Hand of a Rock and Roll Man" makes a passing reference to The Bride Stripped Bare By Her Bachelors, Even by Marcel Duchamp. The title itself is taken from a line in the Joni Mitchell song, "Blonde in the Bleachers."
The song name "Title Track" is an openly self-reflexive gesture. The song also references Kenneth Anger's book Hollywood Babylon.
"John Allyn Smith Sails" concerns the life and suicide of confessional poet John Berryman (originally John Allyn Smith). The song ends by reworking the traditional folk song "Sloop John B" (made famous by The Beach Boys), likening death to a journey back home.
In addition to these specific allusions, several songs on the album have subjects like television, film, and the experience of being in a rock band.
Will Sheff has stated that he originally intended the album to be a double album and that he wrote twice as many songs for it than were used, many of which were completed or nearly completed. He had also stated that the band intended to release an EP of the unused material similar to Black Sheep Boy's companion EP Black Sheep Boy Appendix; however enough material existed for a full-length LP called The Stand Ins, which was released on September 9, 2008.
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