Their self-titled debut album"The National" (Brassland 2001) was recorded and released before they had played even a single show. They cut the album with engineer Nick Lloyd and formed a label with writer Alec Bemis, so those recordings could be released. Kerrang! magazine gave it four Ks, calling it "the stuff underground legends are made of."
The National made a second album, "Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers" (Brassland/Talitres 2003). The staff was the same, though Peter Katis, who produced "Turn on The Bright Lights" and "Antics" by Interpol, helped produce and mix, and Australian composer Padma Newsome from Clogs collaborated on arrangements and strings.
Following the first session of several for Bernard Lenoir on France's Radio Inter, an in-between EP was released, Cherry Tree, containing what would become the blueprint for the sound on their next record and the session of Sad Song's standout Murder Me Rachael. After these accolades and being impressed by their live show, Roger Trust signed them to Beggars Banquet.
A show at their favorite bar became a van ride to neighboring cities, became a plane ride to Europe, became two summers overseas. Their ties to those good jobs slackened. And they continue on their own path, moving out even further out in Brooklyn to Ditmas Park, where there is space and familiar suburban streets and even Geese on Beverly Road. Their album, "Alligator", much of which was recorded at their homes in Ditmas Park, was engineered by Paul Mahajan, who has worked with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and TV on the Radio. Padma Newsome camped out for a month with the band, and Peter Katis added more production and mixed the record at his house in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Berninger's potent baritone still intones about matters fraught and funny and sad; about record collections, missing persons and medium-sized American hearts. But the record's not simply gothic or miserablist -- more like the plays of Tennessee Williams, it's full of peculiar intimacies and awkward grace. Alligator's heroes are reckless and possessed seducers, but they are apologetic ones. In The National's imaginings, in songs alternately lush and spare, there is something twighlit and dreamy worked out in the basement of our brains.
"Abel," "Secret Meeting," and "Lit Up" were released as singles.
On May 22, 2007, The National released their follow-up to Alligator, Boxer, on Beggars Banquet. Taking advantage of the fact that nobody had heard their first album and earliest demos, Matt proceeded to steal lyrics and melodies from them and give them the attention they deserved while keeping the intimacy that made them special. They even managed to convince new friend Sufjan Stevens to lay down some piano tracks for them, and recorded the album in a scant 6 months after coming off the long post-Alligator road.
"Mistaken for Strangers", "Fake Empire" and "Apartment Story" have been released as singles. The band have just finished touring North America and are on a large European autumn/winter tour after playing high slots at several large festivals. In their Dec. 07/Jan. 08 issue, Paste magazine named Boxer best record of 2007.
The band's fifth album, High Violet, was released on May 10, 2010 by 4AD Records. "Bloodbuzz Ohio", "Anyone's Ghost" and "Terrible Love" were released as singles.
In 2013 their sixth studio record Trouble Will Find Me was released and named "Best New Music" by Pitchfork. The album contained the single "I Need My Girl". In 2015, the album outtake "Sunshine On My Back" was released.
Four years after Trouble Will Find Me, marking the longest timespan between albums in their career so far, they released their seventh album Sleep Well Beast on September 8th, 2017 and were yet again met with great critical success.
The National homepage: http://www.americanmary.com/
The National blog http://tntl.tumblr.com
The National on Twitter http://twitter.com/TheNational
The National on Instagram http://instagram.com/TheNational
Brassland homepage: http://brassland.org/
Beggars Banquet homepage: http://www.beggars.com/
Conversation 16
The National Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I do not know what all the troubles are for
Give them ice for their fevers
You're the only thing I ever want anymore
Live on coffee and flowers
And try not to wonder what the weather will be
I figured out what we're missing
I tell you miserable things after you are asleep
Now we'll leave the Silver City
'Cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the Silver City
'Cause all the silver girls
Everything means everything
It's a Hollywood summer
You'll never believe the shitty thoughts I think
Meet our friends out for dinner
When I said what I said, I didn't mean anything
We belong in a movie
Try to hold it together until our friends are gone
We should swim in a fountain
Do not want to disappoint anyone
Now we'll leave the Silver City
'Cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the Silver City
To all the silver girls
Everything means everything
I was afraid
I'd eat your brains
I was afraid
I'd eat your brains
'Cause I'm evil
'Cause I'm evil
I'm a confident liar
Have my head in the oven so you'll know where I'll be
I try to be more romantic
I want to believe in everything you believe
If I was less than amazing
I do not know what all the troubles are for
Fall asleep in your branches
You're the only thing I ever want anymore
Now we'll leave the Silver City
'Cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the Silver City
To all the silver girls
Everything means everything
I was afraid
I'd eat your brains
I was afraid
I'd eat your brains
'Cause I'm evil
'Cause I'm evil
'Cause I'm evil
The National’s “Conversation 16” is a cryptic yet soulful song. It speaks to the existential angst and social dysfunction of modern life. The lyrics reveal a sense of desperation as the singer tries to cling onto the person they love, in the face of serious doubts about the future. The song hints at a dystopian future, where the kids are in trouble, and the world is filled with troubles. In such a bleak world, the singer finds comfort in the smallest things, coffee, and flowers.
Line by Line Meaning
I think the kids are in trouble
The younger generation is likely experiencing difficulties that are not always understood by their elders.
I do not know what all the troubles are for
I do not have a full understanding of the issues and hardships that are currently being faced.
Give them ice for their fevers
Provide them with comfort and care to ease any pain or discomfort they may be experiencing.
You're the only thing I ever want anymore
You are the sole source of happiness and contentment in my life.
Live on coffee and flowers
Survive on the bare minimum in order to prioritize and appreciate the beauty in life.
And try not to wonder what the weather will be
Avoid worrying about the future and embrace the present moment.
I figured out what we're missing
I have identified what is lacking or incomplete in our lives.
I tell you miserable things after you are asleep
I share my negative thoughts and experiences with you once you are no longer conscious, attempting to shield you from my hardships.
Now we'll leave the Silver City
We are departing from a place of glamour or opulence.
'Cause all the silver girls
Because the women or individuals of status in this place are the cause of our distress.
Gave us black dreams
Their influence has led to dark or negative outcomes.
Everything means everything
Every aspect or detail carries significant weight and importance.
It's a Hollywood summer
The current situation is reminiscent of a glamorous and excessively dramatic movie scene.
You'll never believe the shitty thoughts I think
The negative and self-deprecating thoughts I have are difficult to comprehend and likely unexpected.
Meet our friends out for dinner
Socialize with acquaintances over a meal.
When I said what I said, I didn't mean anything
My words and actions lacked true intent or sincerity.
We belong in a movie
This situation feels like it could be a part of a overly dramatic and surreal film.
Try to hold it together until our friends are gone
Attempt to maintain composure and conceal any difficulties until others are no longer present.
We should swim in a fountain
We should engage in frivolous and carefree behavior.
Do not want to disappoint anyone
I am afraid of failing to meet the expectations or standards of others.
I was afraid, I'd eat your brains
I was afraid that I would become a burden or source of negativity in your life.
I'm a confident liar
I have a strong sense of security in my ability to deceive others.
Have my head in the oven so you'll know where I'll be
I am on the brink of self-destruction, and am placing the blame on others.
I try to be more romantic
I strive to express more emotional and loving gestures.
I want to believe in everything you believe
I desire to have faith and trust in your beliefs and values.
If I was less than amazing
If I fail to meet expectations, or disappoint you in any way.
Fall asleep in your branches
Find comfort and safety within your arms.
To all the silver girls
Addressing and acknowledging the presence of those who have caused distress.
'Cause I'm evil
Acknowledging guilt and blame for one's actions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Matthew Donald Berninger, Aaron Brooking Dessner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dumbelldaisy
Still no explanation, eh? 12yrs! 😂
Hmm.. With this band, I admit there's just too much that goes way over my head, as well..
Which I feel says a lot, as I've dissected lyrics by alternative rock bands for years; It was a hobby of mine (and my friends) to try and place what WE felt the artist meant and what WE related to and turned into our own.
With a song like this, I saw, "conversation 16" as representation for the longing and desire that he may be depicting in this song; calling back to the 16th conversation about something specific? I was never sure.
I just really liked the cadence and flow of this song and enjoyed it for what it was.
@mvitellaro3322
Lyrics
I think the kids are in trouble
Do not know what all the troubles are for
Give them ice for their fevers
You're the only thing I ever want anymore
We live on coffee and flowers
Try not to wonder what the weather will be
I figured out what we're missing
I tell you miserable things after you are asleep
Now we'll leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls
Everything means everything
It's a Hollywood summer
You'll never believe the shitty thoughts I think
Meet our friends out for dinner
When I said what I said I didn't mean anything
We belong in a movie
Try to hold it together 'til our friends are gone
We should swim in a fountain
Do not want to disappoint anyone
Now we'll leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the silver city to all the silver girls
Everything means everything
I was afraid I'd eat your brains
I was afraid I'd eat your brains
'Cause I'm evil
'Cause I'm evil
I'm a confident liar
Have my head in the oven so you know where I'll be
I'll try to be more romantic
I want to believe in everything you believe
I was less than amazing
Do not know what all the troubles are for
Fall asleep in your branches
You're the only thing I ever want anymore
Now we'll leave the silver city 'cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the silver city to all the silver girls
Everything means everything
I was afraid I'd eat your brains
I was afraid I'd eat your brains
'Cause I'm evil
'Cause I'm evil
'Cause I'm evil
@l8rnwow
"We belong in a movie try to hold it together 'til our friends are gone" and "Fall asleep in your branches you're the only thing I want anymore" These lyrics just gets to your soul and I think that only The National can write this kind of lyrics!
@lyndanet5116
Because he loves his family that much
@nikkiberetta9969
Yes
@JetJockey87
Just remember that The National started when they were in their 30s.
Matt Berninger is 52 now and still going strong.
Don't let your dreams be memes.
@flynnc.902
thanks, dude🥲
@NDTrendx
You're here because you have a great taste of music!
@joelpenacalvo153
😭😭😭
@ersylanellajoy452
I’m here to try to figure out if there’s anything other than the lead singer’s voice that I like about the national.
@joelpenacalvo153
@@ersylanellajoy452 sad
@sindx
@@ersylanellajoy452 do you like guitars 🎸 or drums 🥁 or keyboards 🎹 ? If you do I can name 3 things innately just by listening 👂 😂