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/
Lit Up
The National Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And yeah she comes to attention when you come up to me too fast
For a little while you'll be here, the only good part of me
For a little while you'll be here
So lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I try to untie Manhattan
Lit up, lit up, lit up alright
You wear skirt like a flag
And everything surrounds you, and it doesn't fade
Nothing like this sound I make
That only lasts the season
And only heard by bedroom kids who buy it for that reason
'Cause you're the low life of the party, bad blood
Bad blood for everybody
I'm in control and I believe
So lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I try to untie Manhattan
Lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I try to untie from your bad blood
From your bad blood
'Cause you're the low life of the party, bad blood
Bad blood for everybody
I'm in control and I believe
So lit up, lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I try to untie Manhattan
Lit up, lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I try to untie
The National’s song “Lit Up” is a haunting and melancholic track that explores the complexities of a fast-paced relationship. The song starts with a reference to a bodyguard who is hyper-vigilant and always ready to protect the singer. The singer acknowledges that the bodyguard is highly efficient and knows how to handle any situation. However, there is a sense of tension in the air, as the bodyguard is ready to use her revolver at any moment. This creates a sense of uneasiness that runs throughout the song.
The chorus of the song is repetitive, yet impactful. The line “So lit up, lit up, lit up alright” is repeated several times, indicating that the singer is trying to find a way to deal with their emotions. They try to “untie Manhattan” or unravel themselves from the grip of their uncontrollable feelings. The chorus has a frantic and almost desperate tone, as if the singer is on the brink of losing control.
The second verse of the song is about the singer’s love interest. The lyrics “You wear skirt like a flag, and everything surrounds you, and it doesn’t fade” suggest that the love interest is confident and commands attention. The singer recognizes this and tries to impress them by making “this sound I make”, referring to his music. However, he feels that his music is only appreciated by a niche group of fans, whom the lyrics describe as “bedroom kids who buy it for that reason”. The final lines of the song reiterate the idea that the singer is in control of his emotions and is trying to escape the hold that this toxic relationship has over him.
Line by Line Meaning
My bodyguard shows her revolver to anyone who asks
My protector is willing to use force against anyone who poses a threat.
And yeah she comes to attention when you come up to me too fast
My guard is on high alert when someone approaches me too quickly.
For a little while you'll be here, the only good part of me
You, the one I care about, are the only thing that brings out the best in me.
So lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I am experiencing intense feelings and emotions that I cannot control.
I try to untie Manhattan
I am attempting to unravel the complexities and confusion that come with life in the city.
You wear skirt like a flag
Your style and appearance boldly represents your beliefs and identity.
And everything surrounds you, and it doesn't fade
Your presence and influence are strong and long-lasting.
Nothing like this sound I make
The music I create is unique and distinct from other artists.
That only lasts the season
However, my impact and popularity are fleeting and temporary.
And only heard by bedroom kids who buy it for that reason
Only a certain audience appreciates and listens to my music, often for superficial reasons.
'Cause you're the low life of the party, bad blood
You are considered an outcast and are not accepted by society, resulting in negative feelings towards you.
Bad blood for everybody
Your negative reputation affects not only you, but those around you too.
I'm in control and I believe
Despite the chaos and uncertainty around me, I feel capable and confident in myself.
From your bad blood
I am attempting to distance myself from the negative effects of your reputation.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: AARON B. DESSNER, MATTHEW D. BERNINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mario N.
My bodyguard shows her revolver to anyone who asks
And yeah she comes to attention when you come up to me too fast
For a little while you'll be here, the only good part of me
For a little while you'll be here
So lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I try to untie Manhattan
Lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I try to untie
You wear skirt like a flag
And everything surrounds you, and it doesn't fade
Nothing like this sound I make
That only lasts the season
And only heard by bedroom kids who buy it for that reason
'Cause you're the low life of the party, bad blood
Bad blood for everybody
I'm in control and I believe
So lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I try to untie Manhattan
Lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I try to untie from your bad blood
From your bad blood
'Cause you're the low life of the party, bad blood
Bad blood for everybody
I'm in control and I believe
So lit up, lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I try to untie Manhattan
Lit up, lit up, lit up, lit up alright
I try to untie
Char Stone
I love their newer material, but there's something to be said about how gosh darn spectacular all of Alligator is
GrifterUno
Love this song. It totally elevates me. Buen trabajo, muchachos...keep up the good work!!! =)
Donny Duncins
This song is amazing! Does the national have any songs as upbeat as this one?
15awesomehighfive
I sincerely hope you found their more upbeat material and enjoyed it!!
Ben Kuettel
I love this song!
MegaDoesStuff
Probably one of the best songs on this album.
Christmas Carpenter
Just listening to this 8/9 years later gives me a special feeling of loneliness. Where have I been?
CzarryT
fuck i feel this so hard. another 2 years later and still no clue where we've been all this time, hmm?
Omar Vicente García Sánchez
This song is still excellent. I can't believe it's not gotten more views than this after all these years. People are so missing out on just how great this bad truly is and that's a shame.
Fuzzy Corona
Songs like this make me feel glad to be alive