Afraid of Everyone
The National Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
Lay the young blue bodies with the old red bodies
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
With my kid on my shoulders I try
Not to hurt anybody I like
But I don't have the drugs to sort
I defend my family with my orange umbrella
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
With my shiny new star-spangled tennis shoes on
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
With my kid on my shoulders I try
Not to hurt anybody I like
But I don't have the drugs to sort
I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out
I don't have the drugs to sort
I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out
Yellow voices swallowing my soul, soul, soul
Yellow voices swallowing my soul, soul, soul
Yellow voices swallowing my soul, soul, soul
Yellow voices swallowing my soul, soul, soul
Yellow voices swallowing my soul, soul, soul
Yellow voices swallowing my soul, soul, soul
Yellow voices swallowing my soul, soul, soul, soul, soul
Soul, soul, soul, soul, soul, soul, soul, soul, soul
Yellow voices swallowing my soul, soul, soul, soul
Yellow voices swallowing my soul, soul, soul, soul
Yellow voices swallowing my soul, soul, soul, soul, soul
Soul, soul, soul, soul, soul, soul
The lyrics to The National's "Afraid of Everyone" express the singer's pervasive fear of others, to the point of seeking refuge in alternative realities such as radio and television. The repetition of the line "I'm afraid of everyone" emphasizes this theme and communicates the singer's feeling of isolation from those around him.
The second verse adds a layer of complexity to this idea, as the singer tries to balance his desire to protect his family with the fear of hurting those he cares for. He lacks the drugs to "sort it out," suggesting that he is struggling with some unresolved personal issues or psychological pain. The use of contrasting colors in the lyrics, "young blue bodies" and "old red violets," adds to the sense of unease and tension.
The repeated line "Your voice has stolen my soul" in the final section suggests that the fear of others is intimately tied to a fear of losing oneself, of becoming too influenced and overwhelmed by the opinions and experiences of those around us. The overall impression created by the song is one of anxiety and disconnection, but also of a deep yearning for connection despite the obstacles presented by fear and mistrust.
Line by Line Meaning
Then I'm radio and then I'm television
I'm versatile and can adapt to different situations and environments
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
I am scared of the people around me
Lay the young blue bodies, with the old red violets
Death does not discriminate based on age, all are vulnerable
With my kid on my shoulders I try
Not to hurt anybody I like
But I don't have the drugs to sort
I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out
I try to be a good person, but I do not have the means to resolve conflicts
I defend my family with my orange umbrella
I will go to great lengths to protect my loved ones
With my shiny new star spangled tennis shoes on
My appearance does not reflect my inner feelings of fear and uncertainty
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
You have a hold on me that I cannot shake off
Soul soul soul soul soul
The repetition of the word emphasizes the depth of the emotional impact
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Matthew Donald Berninger, Aaron Brooking Dessner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
nik krit
Then I'm radio and then I'm television
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
Lay the young blue bodies, with the old red violets
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
With my kid on my shoulders I try
Not to hurt anybody I like
But I don't have the drugs to sort
I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out
I defend my family with my orange umbrella
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
With my shiny new star spangled tennis shoes on
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
With my kid on my shoulders I try
Not to hurt anybody I like
But I don't have the drugs to sort
I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out
I don't have the drugs to sort
I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Soul soul soul soul soul
Jason Panici
Their music expresses how I feel more than any other band around. Might just be that this period of my life is directly aligned with where they are in terms of lyrics and melodies. Whatever it is, I don't have the drugs to sort it out.
skiiiiie
In some moments I can't even tell my best friend how much the world scares me. It's a song for the people who can't talk about the pain they have every day. For the people who seem strange to their closest friends, because they can't tell them what make them feel so sick.
Lennart Nielsen
It gets under your skin. The powerfull build up, and the lyrics are hauting. The live version on Lettermann is a tad stronger than the Album version. Looking forward to them again live.
Kelly MacLeod
The drumming reminds me of my heartbeat in the middle of one of those social anxiety attacks. Amazing music on this album.
Emgee78
I could listen to this all day. Its atmospheric and haunting.
nik krit
Then I'm radio and then I'm television
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
Lay the young blue bodies, with the old red violets
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
With my kid on my shoulders I try
Not to hurt anybody I like
But I don't have the drugs to sort
I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out
I defend my family with my orange umbrella
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
With my shiny new star spangled tennis shoes on
I'm afraid of everyone, I'm afraid of everyone
With my kid on my shoulders I try
Not to hurt anybody I like
But I don't have the drugs to sort
I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out
I don't have the drugs to sort
I don't have the drugs to sort it out, sort it out
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Your voice has stolen my soul, soul, soul
Soul soul soul soul soul
A F
First line is "venom radio and venom television"
Outro is "Yellow voices swallowing my soul, soul, soul"
Ryan Charles
When I first listened to this album, I wasn't sure what to make of it? My expectations were high, as their previous release, 'Boxer' was/is a masterpiece; flawless from beginning to end. It didn't take me long to come to the realization that 'High Violet' was an ingenious progression, and equally brilliant album. 10/10
Jaime Gatner-Schmidt
In my opinion, they don't have an album that doesn't fall into that line. I love all of their music, except "reasonable man".... I am a little out on that one.
Even Matt's new project, EL VY, just astounds me.
I can't believe the minds of the bands mates in this group. Especially when you consider that Matt was just doing graphic design and sort of fell into this when he was thirty. Amazing.
James Cumberland
I didn't get anywhere near to getting into EL Vy, as much as I like both bands. Each to their own I guess... but I also don't think National's albums are equally good. I love High Violet and Boxer, I think Alligator and Trouble Will Find Me are great, but they don't resonate as much with me.
From there, it's hit or miss to be honest. And my opinion means nothing. I'm glad I can just offer what hit me most, without worrying whether or not the musicians care, because they don't (hopefully).