The National has been around for more than a decade, but I’d never heard of them before 2010.
That year I discovered their song ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio‘ during my annual recap of the Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll. It’s a great one.
‘Don’t Swallow the Cap,’ the first single from the band’s new album, is in the same vein.
Based on those two songs, The National is a great “mood music” band. You’re not going to dance to their songs, and you’re not going to smile a lot listening to it.
But if you’re driving down a deserted road at night, this is your jam.
I don’t see what’s strange about this.
Tiny bubbles hang above me.
It’s a sign that someone loves me.
I can hardly stand upright
Hit my head upon the light
I have faith but don’t believe it
It’s not there enough to leave it.
Everything I love is on the table.
Everything I love is out to sea.
I have only two emotions,
Careful fear and dead devotion.
I can’t get the balance right.
Throw all my marbles in the fight.
I see all the ones I wept for
All the things I had it in for
I won’t cry until I hear
Cause I was not supposed to be here.
Everything I love is on the table.
Everything I love is out to sea.
I’m not alone,
I’ll never be.
Into the bone,
I’ll never grieve.
I’m tired, I’m freezing, I’m done
When it gets so late I forget everyone.
I need somewhere to stay.
Don’t think anybody I know is awake.
Calm down it’s alright,
Keep my arms the rest of the night.
When they ask what do I see,
I say a bright white beautiful heaven hangin’ over me.
I’m not alone,
I’ll never be.
Into the bone,
I’ll never grieve.
And if you want, (dead seriously)
To see me cry. (don’t swallow the cap)
Play ‘Let It Be’ (pat yourself on the back)
Or ‘Nevermind’. (dead seriously)
Is it time to leave? Is it time to think about
What I wanna say to the girls at the door?
I need somewhere to be
But I can’t get around the river in front of me.
Calm down it’s alright,
Lead my arms the rest of the night.
When they ask what do I see,
I say a bright white beautiful heaven hangin’ over me.
I’m not alone, (dead seriously)
I’ll never be. (don’t swallow the cap)
Into the bones, (pat yourself on the back)
I’ll never grieve (dead seriously)
And if you want, (dead seriously)
To see me cry, (don’t swallow the cap)
Play ‘Let It Be’ (pat yourself on the back)
Or ‘Nevermind’. (dead seriously)
Meet Me In Montauk 
They were just featured in EW’s Must List/Hot issue as the band that is an “overnight sensation” after having been toiling for years.
I don’t know today’s SOTD, but I have heard a song by them on the radio. Each time it would come on, I would wonder which was the song and which was the band title. I thought it might have been “Trouble Will Find Me,” but it seems that might just be the album title. No idea if I’m even thinking of the right band now. Regardless, when I came across this clip, I found it pretty charming 🙂
Not sure when or how often I will be driving down a deserted road at night, but I guess I will have to have this song handy for the occassion.
This song sounds a bit like inxs and U2. As I like the former more than the latter, I am conflicted as to whether I like this song as moody or dislike it as pretentious. 😄
Oh, and i dont think Amy was hearing the nationals on the radio. 😄
Definitely a good “driving” song 🙂