You’ve Done It Again Virginia
The National Lyrics


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You had fun, but you couldn't get him out of the car
I guess mamma's boys only go so far
You went in and put a record on
To make it sound like someone was home
And thanked yourself for pouring yourself a drink

Try to figure out and laugh yourself to the showers
Burn yourself alive and join the monster squad
They say in this place you can reinvent yourself

Well you've done it again, Virginia
Made another masterpiece while I was dreaming
How does it feel to feel like you?
Brilliant sugar, brilliant sugar, brilliant sugar, turn over

A cool, tall, drink of water
is all you ever wanted to be
And if you had another wish to wish
you'd be fun and moving

But you can't talk to people, right?
You can't tell a story
You're tall, long legged
and your heart's full of liquor
And me and everybody are just ice in a glass

Try to figure out and laugh yourself to the showers
Burn yourself alive and join the monster squad
They say in this place you can reinvent yourself

Well you've done it again, Virginia
Made another masterpiece while I was dreaming




How does it feel to feel like you?
Brilliant sugar, brilliant sugar, brilliant sugar, turn over

Overall Meaning

The National’s song, “You’ve Done It Again Virginia” is a composition that covers the theme of fantasy and self-misrepresentation. The lyrics explore the idea of reinventing oneself and living in a world of one’s fantasies. The singer in the song starts by describing a situation where a woman enjoys fun but ends up remaining in the car with a man even after the party was over. He states that this scenario shows that “mama's boys” have limits. Later, the woman goes inside and puts music to create the impression that someone is at home while she pours a drink, thinking highly of herself. The chorus has the singer commending her for creating yet another masterpiece while he was asleep and asking her how it feels to be brilliant.


The following verses then zoom out to explore how the woman’s life could have been. The song portrays her as someone who always wished to be the embodiment of coolness and fun. However, the woman is still isolated from people, and despite her beauty, her heart is full of alcohol. The song concludes by repeating the chorus while the verses describe the idea of burning oneself to become a “monster squad,” and yet this new place allows people to reinvent themselves. This conclusion reaffirms the idea of people living in their imaginations.


Line by Line Meaning

You had fun, but you couldn't get him out of the car
Even though you enjoyed your time with this person, you weren't able to get him to come inside with you.


I guess mamma's boys only go so far
You came to the realization that men who are overly attached to their mothers are limited in their capacity for fun and adventure.


You went in and put a record on
You tried to create the illusion that someone was already home by playing music upon entering the house.


To make it sound like someone was home
You hoped that by playing music, anyone outside would believe there was someone inside the house.


And thanked yourself for pouring yourself a drink
You took a moment to pat yourself on the back for making yourself a drink after entering the empty house.


Try to figure out and laugh yourself to the showers
You attempted to make sense of everything that happened and laughed at yourself before heading to the shower.


Burn yourself alive and join the monster squad
You were willing to take risks and bear the consequences, even if it meant becoming part of a group of people considered to be dangerous or out of the ordinary.


They say in this place you can reinvent yourself
This location is known to facilitate a transformative experience where one can change and redefine themselves.


Well you've done it again, Virginia
You managed to create something amazing once again, Virginia.


Made another masterpiece while I was dreaming
You were able to create a remarkable work of art while others were sleeping or unable to do so.


How does it feel to feel like you?
You were curious what it's like to be in your own skin, to feel like yourself.


Brilliant sugar, brilliant sugar, brilliant sugar, turn over
This is likely a reference to putting a record on the other side, with 'sugar' being a term of endearment for someone close to you.


A cool, tall, drink of water
You aspire to be someone who is refreshing and sought after, like a tall glass of water on a hot day.


is all you ever wanted to be
Your greatest ambition is to become that refreshing, sought-after presence.


And if you had another wish to wish
After achieving your greatest wish, you have no idea what else you would hope for.


You'd be fun and moving
If you could have a second dream, it would be to be exciting and on the go.


But you can't talk to people, right?
Your shyness or social anxiety may inhibit you from speaking to others freely.


You can't tell a story
You feel as though you have nothing interesting to say, or lack the skills to effectively convey a narrative.


You're tall, long legged
You have a tall, slender physical appearance.


and your heart's full of liquor
You've been imbibing and your emotions are heightened because of the alcohol.


And me and everybody are just ice in a glass
You feel like everyone in your life is just a temporary, fleeting presence, like ice cubes floating in a drink.


Well you've done it again, Virginia
You've blown everyone away yet again, Virginia.


Made another masterpiece while I was dreaming
You continued to create impressive things while others are unconscious or unable to make great works.


How does it feel to feel like you?
You're still wondering what it's like to experience the world in your unique way.


Brilliant sugar, brilliant sugar, brilliant sugar, turn over
This refrain may signal the end of the song, or it may be a continuation of the earlier idea of flipping a record over to play the other side.




Contributed by Jasmine O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

M uriel

One of their best

Pedro Jorge

I think I've given this song at least 100 views. Thank you The National

Matt Lindsay

Apart from the shoes, this is superb

Matthew

how do the vocals sound so fucking good

TGMR1995

This is so much better than the studio/ alternative version! However you can't buy it... :(

Chief0Martini

"Burn yourself alive and join the monster squad" is actually a lyric from one of their earlier, largely unknown songs, "Brilliant Man". Here: The National - Brilliant Man

Lloyd Chilcott

Just so perfect

hallsey1212

i so want the tabs for this

Keith Main

beautiful just beautiful

Tom

Great song. Matt at the end 'we didn't fuck up once!' hahah.

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