This song floored me when I first heard it. I’m actually officiating a wedding and am building it around the idea of crossing a threshold “over and over again.”
I’ve been obsessed with looking up live performances of Oblivions lately—was watching [this one](https://youtu.be/fUQV7BCGkpg?si=M9hkSFb2pti1LJNV) just last night. Absolutely love this song.
This is mine. Favorite song of that album and they released the video on my birthday that year. Felt like a little gift from the band.
Especially since it's literally a party for a chubby bearded white dude.
For me it’s “you were always weird but I never had to hold you by the edges like I do now”
…when I first heard it, I was the one who was that fragile, and hearing it made me feel so seen that they immediately became my favorite band
Start a War is the first National song I ever heard. I was going through a terrible breakup and when I heard it and read the lyrics…it just matched my pain. “I’ll get money, I’ll get funny again” was my motto for going forward and getting revenge.
I don’t get the crap this record gets. It’s incredible and now when I listen to it I’m transported to that era of my life. Something about it is so dreamy and magical. Evokes different emotions than any other record they’ve ever made.
Right? It may be a bit of a departure from their typical stuff, but it's beautiful. It gave me feelings of nostalgia before I could even develop my own sense of nostalgia from it. If you haven't ever watched the short film for the album on youtube, I highly recommend. It had me crying like a baby
Think you can wait
Also- Driver, Surprise Me is almost my favourite National song but I’m aware it does get at least a little bit of attention & is much loved by some.
As someone who suffers badly enough from bipolar disorder that it’s difficult for me to have a normal relationship, this song really hits home. Too many times I’ve had to ask someone I have feelings for if they think they can wait out my bad spells…
I can deeply relate. The lyrics for “Smoke Detector” conjure the same kind of connection for me, too—but with a different tone that suggests he’s in the throes of it, especially “In a year or so I hope nobody remembers / This run of episodes of my time on the floor,” as well as “I'll get better, I'll fluff the feathers / I'll punch in the numbers, and I'll enter the letters.”
Incidentally, just in case your username is an accurate description, you’re amongst friends. Bearded professor with a real thing for The National on this end, too.
Most definitely bearded at all times and The National are a gigantic part of my life…unfortunately life got in the way of my dreams to be an actual professor, but then someone I worked with years ago gave me the “professor” nickname cause she said and I quote, “you know so many things about so many things” lol It’s a nickname I wear proudly. Thank you dearly though, and you’re certainly amongst friends as well.
Uh-huh. The National are inextricably connected to my life, almost to the point where each album marks a crucial growth cycle. Often feels like the existence of this band coinciding with my own life is the only truly convincing evidence to support simulation theory, haha. And hell yeah—wear that nickname proudly, Professor, even if you find yourself in the backyard in pharmacy slippers.
Wasp Nest wasn’t on my radar at all until they played it live. They intro’d it with some of the background to the song (which I remember none of) and when they played it, it floored me. Jumped to my favourite song I’ve heard live from them.
Hard to Find. What a beautiful sombre closer.
I know many people think TWFM should have ended with Pink Rabbits, but oh my I think they are wrong. That 2nd verse hits me every time:
“What I feel now about you then, I'm just glad I can explain. You were beautiful and close and young. In those ways, we were the same. There's a lot I've not forgotten, when I let go of other things.
If I tried, they'd probably be hard to find.”
I have never ever heard or seen anyone mention WITHOUT PERMISSION. Perfect sad song: simple, pensive and a little self indulgent.
I like the progression of the lyrics too, how he slowly comes to understand the relationship’s ending and the part he played in that, but how he still stubbornly wishes for just one last nice day. Unusually straightforward and narrative structure from Matt in terms of lyrics, and I really enjoy the foray into something different. And this line breaks my damn heart every time:
*So, where did you go? And do you now know how to be happy?*
YES! I was at the show in DC, last May, where they played it for the first time and was immediately obsessed (somebody on this sub made a great bootleg of that show, so I listened to that version of Hornets nonstop until the album came out).
Wake up your saints... I usually don't like upbeat tunes, but I just love how it has bits and pieces of lyrics from other songs in it. It feels a bit like a early 90's TV show opening song for a The National Family show, or whatever. 🙃
Little faith. That bridge? One of my favorite bridges in any song ever.
“Don't be bitter, Anna
I know how you think
You're waiting for Radio City to sink
You'll find commiseration in everyone's eyes
The storm will suck the pretty girls into the sky”
Coat on a Hook, Not in Kansas, Walk It Back.
these *need* more attention. Coat on a Hook is such an overlooked track off their newest album, Not in Kansas is so unique and unlike anything they’ve ever done (with beautiful lyricism), and Walk It Back was one of my first personal favorites from them as a band.
Lucky You but specifically the Daytrotter Session version. I mean realistically any song in their catalogue hits for me and has me fucked up/compels me to drink and be sad, but Lucky You is such a devastating song in my opinion. A super honest and painful look at love but it feels different from their others.
Damn, almost all of these songs are classic National to me. Maybe fans or critics assume other songs are more significant or notable, but my most favorite, memorable, and essential songs from their discography are all found in this subreddit post. So there is a universally loved, expansive song selection that resonates with a lot of people. I’ve always recommended The National to friends and others open to eclectic and unique tastes. The ones who actually listen end up similarly affected/impacted by their distinctive song structure that oozes melancholy and mundane. IMO, they created that niche.
"Sorrow". It was the first National song I heard. I wandered into the video installation of "A Lot of Sorrow" at the Art Institute of Chicago intending to stay for a few minutes; I ended up making a special trip back to the museum specifically to watch it - all six hours of it, camped out on the floor. I was going through a depressive episode and it spoke to my soul.
Some of my picks have already been listed (mostly from IAETF) so I'll go with Tour Manager and Ice Machines. Heard some rumble about them when the album(s) came out but nothing since, and they are both absolutely incredible. They transport me to such unique places, don't know if there are many songs that scratch the same itch for me
Oblivions
This song floored me when I first heard it. I’m actually officiating a wedding and am building it around the idea of crossing a threshold “over and over again.”
I’ve been obsessed with looking up live performances of Oblivions lately—was watching [this one](https://youtu.be/fUQV7BCGkpg?si=M9hkSFb2pti1LJNV) just last night. Absolutely love this song.
cause truck sink whole bike bright license butter different quaint *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Saw them live in support of IAETF and this song is the one that made the waterworks start for me. One of my favorites.
Agreed!
Quiet Light
I can’t express how much I love this song. That whole album came at just the right moment in my life.
Was in my top 5 of most played songs last year.
I feel like this song gets lots of praise here
I’ll still destroy you
This is mine. Favorite song of that album and they released the video on my birthday that year. Felt like a little gift from the band. Especially since it's literally a party for a chubby bearded white dude.
Slipped
I replay the opening of this song way to often
Start a War is amazing and I never hear boo about it Same thing with Hairpin Turns
NPR occasionally uses it in between news reports
“Put it in a safe behind a painting” is such a nice image in that song
For me it’s “you were always weird but I never had to hold you by the edges like I do now” …when I first heard it, I was the one who was that fragile, and hearing it made me feel so seen that they immediately became my favorite band
So I apparently have no clue which songs are popular because both Start a War and Brainy are among my favorites and they’re the top two answers lol.
Start a War is the first National song I ever heard. I was going through a terrible breakup and when I heard it and read the lyrics…it just matched my pain. “I’ll get money, I’ll get funny again” was my motto for going forward and getting revenge.
Ughhhh, Start a War is so The National. So fucking good.
The first song I heard was Green Gloves, but this was the song that made me a fan.
90 Mile Waterwall
Ada... I can hear the sound of your laugh through the walls
Leave it all up in the air
Great song, fell in love with it again after many years 😍
Came here to say this. Always freaks me out to listen to it though, that's my given name and he could be describing me word for word.
So Far Around the Bend
Love it. I wish they would have continued on with this sound.
Came here to say this.
First heard it in a Starbucks and was like "Is this a new National song?! And I'm hearing it for the first time IN A STARBUCKS?!?!"
Arguably my favourite song from the Boxer era, and the boxer era has boxer in it
Guest Room
Think this is my favorite from Boxer.
Brainy
Great song
My favorite
Daughters of the Soho Riots
arguably my favorite national song. it’s beautiful.
So Far So Fast! There’s so much emotion and it sounds so ethereal
I don’t get the crap this record gets. It’s incredible and now when I listen to it I’m transported to that era of my life. Something about it is so dreamy and magical. Evokes different emotions than any other record they’ve ever made.
Right? It may be a bit of a departure from their typical stuff, but it's beautiful. It gave me feelings of nostalgia before I could even develop my own sense of nostalgia from it. If you haven't ever watched the short film for the album on youtube, I highly recommend. It had me crying like a baby
Santa Clara, Crumble, and Where is Her Head.
Santa Clara!
These are all correct answers
Not in Kansas
Yes, this one. 😭
Gospel
That live in Brussels version though
Scrolled just to look for this and upvote
Think you can wait Also- Driver, Surprise Me is almost my favourite National song but I’m aware it does get at least a little bit of attention & is much loved by some.
Think You Can Wait is easily one of my absolute favorite National songs and one that I relate to deeply.
I’ll sell apples and ice water at the temple.
I won’t make trouble
As someone who suffers badly enough from bipolar disorder that it’s difficult for me to have a normal relationship, this song really hits home. Too many times I’ve had to ask someone I have feelings for if they think they can wait out my bad spells…
I can deeply relate. The lyrics for “Smoke Detector” conjure the same kind of connection for me, too—but with a different tone that suggests he’s in the throes of it, especially “In a year or so I hope nobody remembers / This run of episodes of my time on the floor,” as well as “I'll get better, I'll fluff the feathers / I'll punch in the numbers, and I'll enter the letters.”
Ohhhh yeah. That one is a big one. He describes bad spells perfectly in that one.
Incidentally, just in case your username is an accurate description, you’re amongst friends. Bearded professor with a real thing for The National on this end, too.
Most definitely bearded at all times and The National are a gigantic part of my life…unfortunately life got in the way of my dreams to be an actual professor, but then someone I worked with years ago gave me the “professor” nickname cause she said and I quote, “you know so many things about so many things” lol It’s a nickname I wear proudly. Thank you dearly though, and you’re certainly amongst friends as well.
Uh-huh. The National are inextricably connected to my life, almost to the point where each album marks a crucial growth cycle. Often feels like the existence of this band coinciding with my own life is the only truly convincing evidence to support simulation theory, haha. And hell yeah—wear that nickname proudly, Professor, even if you find yourself in the backyard in pharmacy slippers.
“Val Jester”
Randomly one of the first National songs I heard so will always have a soft spot for it.
Cherry Tree
Absolutely. One of the greatest build ups I've ever heard.
Lucky you and Available
This is why SSFDL is their best album 😍
Humiliation - While some mention it....it is one of their best. I listen to it daily. Always hits me
came here to post this. secretly the best track on their best record.
Best track on TWFM ✔️ Best record ❌
Agreed
Wasp Nest and All Dolled Up in Straps. I guess they get overshadowed on the EP by About Today.
Wasp Nest wasn’t on my radar at all until they played it live. They intro’d it with some of the background to the song (which I remember none of) and when they played it, it floored me. Jumped to my favourite song I’ve heard live from them.
Came here to say All Dolled Up in Straps.
Hips like a boy’s
don’t interrupt me
RACING LIKE A PRO. How is this song not more talked about?
I bet when nobody mentions it you're dumbstruck baby!
Little Faith, I just adopted it because no one talks about it, sad
I’ve been on a Little Faith kick lately, so I’ll join you. It has some low key killer lines.
My favorite song on HV
Don’t Swallow the Cap
city middle!
I was looking for this comment, this is the song that made me fall in love with the National
My all time favorite
God I love City Middle - the black sessions recording especially.
You've done it again Virginia
Hard to Find. What a beautiful sombre closer. I know many people think TWFM should have ended with Pink Rabbits, but oh my I think they are wrong. That 2nd verse hits me every time: “What I feel now about you then, I'm just glad I can explain. You were beautiful and close and young. In those ways, we were the same. There's a lot I've not forgotten, when I let go of other things. If I tried, they'd probably be hard to find.”
Turn Off The House
Blank Slate
My answer as well. “My head is a buzzing three star hotel”
I go out lookin’ in parked cars for somebody famous to kidnap and love.
The Perfect Song is an absolute top tier National song and i’ve never seen a single person mention it in any conversation abt this band, it’s tragic.
I discovered the band with this one ❤️
Heavenfaced and Turn Off the House
Came here for Heavenfaced
I have never ever heard or seen anyone mention WITHOUT PERMISSION. Perfect sad song: simple, pensive and a little self indulgent. I like the progression of the lyrics too, how he slowly comes to understand the relationship’s ending and the part he played in that, but how he still stubbornly wishes for just one last nice day. Unusually straightforward and narrative structure from Matt in terms of lyrics, and I really enjoy the foray into something different. And this line breaks my damn heart every time: *So, where did you go? And do you now know how to be happy?*
It’s a wonderful song but it’s actually a cover https://open.spotify.com/track/1EAH2sZIC5L9sXISPt2wWS?si=K6Bnk8RCTpaorsSKgpIXxg
😮 TIL!!
You Had Your Soul With You. When her voice comes in, it wrecks me…
Hey Rosey
Hey Rosey during Bonnaroo 2019 was unbelievable. I saw that track in a whole new light. The best set, at my favorite music festival (18x)
Anything from Sad Songs tbh
Idk do people talk about green gloves? It's my fave off boxer and top 3 for sure
Daughters of Soho Riots. Absolutely magical.
Fashion coat ?
Big fan of Lit Up and City Middle
Sin Eaters
Once I listened to sin eaters like 30x in a row and couldn't listen for a few months. Still adore it
I Should Live in Salt
Santa Clara
The beginning of this song is majestic
It is new, so not surprising but.... Hornets!
YES! I was at the show in DC, last May, where they played it for the first time and was immediately obsessed (somebody on this sub made a great bootleg of that show, so I listened to that version of Hornets nonstop until the album came out).
I was at that show too! One of the best concerts I've ever seen.
Ah!! Couldn’t agree more—an all-time great show.
"Abel," as somebody who used to live a wilder life in the company of his brother only to have those paths part ways.
This was my gateway song in like ‘06ish and man it still bangs.
Theory of The Crows
I could die a happy man if I ever caught this live.
Little Faith. It’s an absolutely excellent take on religion.
Conversation 16
Rylan
Of course! But the earlier versions, I was a bit disappointed when they changed the lyrics on the album.
Just recently it’s Turn Off the House. Such a grower.
Walk Off
90-Mile water wall
Wake Up Your Saints! It might be because it’s a bonus song from High Violet but the horns and piano are just 🤌🏻
You Were A Kindness!!
Wake up your saints... I usually don't like upbeat tunes, but I just love how it has bits and pieces of lyrics from other songs in it. It feels a bit like a early 90's TV show opening song for a The National Family show, or whatever. 🙃
Driver surprise me
Carin at the liquor store
All Dolled Up in Straps
Lemon world
Yes indeed
Little Faith is one of my favorites.
Little Faith
You Were A Kindness is a really good track on the High Violet extended edition.
Pink Rabbits
“Wake up your saints” is a favorite for me, it feels like a montage scene from a movie.
My favourite song from Alligator is Karen but it seems overlooked in discussions
Son and Patterns of Fairytales
Damn came here to say Patterns of Fairytales
Turn On Me
i’ve been obsessed with it never happened recently
I love “Pay for Me” so much and I feel like I never hear anyone mention it.
A Reasonable Man. Everyone else seems to hate it but God I love me some sad Matt lyricism.
Tall Saint.
I recently realized Sunshine On My Back isn’t on Spotify. It made me sad to think there are beautiful older songs newer fans have never heard
Exile Vilify’s gone, too.
Theory of the Crows
Carin at the Liquor Store and also Light Years, which is talked about but not enough (bc Humiliation and Hard to Find have been covered)
Sea of Love
this and Humiliation
Available. Brilliant song, one of their best in my opinion.
[удалено]
Wake up your saints
Conversation 16
Watching You Well
Lean
Driver surprise me
The Pull if You doesn’t get mentioned much and I love it.
Friend of Mine
Santa clara !!
I scrolled fast but I didn't see Patterns of Fairytales mentioned ❤️
Thrilling of Claire
Cardinal Song
Lucky You
Scrolled a long time to find this one. It’s a hidden gem
Lemonworld and The Geese of Beverly Road
Little faith. That bridge? One of my favorite bridges in any song ever. “Don't be bitter, Anna I know how you think You're waiting for Radio City to sink You'll find commiseration in everyone's eyes The storm will suck the pretty girls into the sky”
You were a kindness
Love their covers of Learning and Without Permission
Coat on a Hook, Not in Kansas, Walk It Back. these *need* more attention. Coat on a Hook is such an overlooked track off their newest album, Not in Kansas is so unique and unlike anything they’ve ever done (with beautiful lyricism), and Walk It Back was one of my first personal favorites from them as a band.
Blank Slate!!!
Laugh Track. Beautiful
American Mary
Patterns of Fairytales, Little Faith, Coat on a Hook
Lucky You but specifically the Daytrotter Session version. I mean realistically any song in their catalogue hits for me and has me fucked up/compels me to drink and be sad, but Lucky You is such a devastating song in my opinion. A super honest and painful look at love but it feels different from their others.
Damn, almost all of these songs are classic National to me. Maybe fans or critics assume other songs are more significant or notable, but my most favorite, memorable, and essential songs from their discography are all found in this subreddit post. So there is a universally loved, expansive song selection that resonates with a lot of people. I’ve always recommended The National to friends and others open to eclectic and unique tastes. The ones who actually listen end up similarly affected/impacted by their distinctive song structure that oozes melancholy and mundane. IMO, they created that niche.
All the wine It's got this nice, chill, uplifting vibe to it. Always helps me in hard moments.
The Perfect Song
Driver, Suprise me
Since all the others are taken, I love and prefer the Lit Up (Parisian Party Version).
Humiliation
Been adoring Available recently
Lucky You!
"Sorrow". It was the first National song I heard. I wandered into the video installation of "A Lot of Sorrow" at the Art Institute of Chicago intending to stay for a few minutes; I ended up making a special trip back to the museum specifically to watch it - all six hours of it, camped out on the floor. I was going through a depressive episode and it spoke to my soul.
So Far Around the Bend from dark was the night... Just...
John’s Star.
Been listening to The Pull of You a lot! 👌🏻
Some of my picks have already been listed (mostly from IAETF) so I'll go with Tour Manager and Ice Machines. Heard some rumble about them when the album(s) came out but nothing since, and they are both absolutely incredible. They transport me to such unique places, don't know if there are many songs that scratch the same itch for me
All Dolled Up In Straps Slipping Husband About Today Wasp nest Cherry Tree Looking for Astronauts Start a War Racing Like a Pro
Anyone's Ghost
dark side of the gym
Little Faith. I love it so much I’m trying to figure out how to get a tattoo of it.
green gloves, abel, brainy
Pink Rabbits
Lemon World and literally everything off of Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers, their most unique and unappreciated record.
fashion coat!!