The National – Baby, We'll Be Fine

General CommentMatt Berninger writes a lot of lyrics about the awkward transition into adulthood; characters stumbling and faking their way through their fledgling careers and lives, pretending to be capable and confident but feeling desperately insecure inside. This song is probably the best example, although Mistaken For Strangers touches on it as well.

The character in this song (maybe Berninger himself, in his younger days?) yearns to be given reassurance that he's doing a good job at work ("Son, I've been hearing good things") but when that isn't forthcoming, tries to give himself a pep talk instead:

"Take a forty-five minute shower and kiss the mirror
And say, look at me
Baby, we'll be fine
All we gotta do is be brave and be kind"

God, that's beautiful/melancholy/pitiful. He's saying, look I know you "don't know how to do this" but suck it up, and be a nice person, and you'll get by okay. Fake it if you have to ("put on a smile") but don't let anybody know how insecure you feel inside.

He lets his lover know how he's really feeling though. He says "I've had a stilted, pretending day". He wants her to tell him he'll be fine, because he's been trying to convince himself of the same thing and it isn't working. I think he even feels like he isn't a fully functioning human, the spilled drink making him "melt like a witch and scream", just like holy water would burn a vampire.

What is he sorry for? For being an anxious, insecure fuck up, I think. So many of Berninger's lyrics make me want to give him a bear hug, but this one is just devastating.

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  @watchthestars

General CommentI think it's about feeling low and wanting to be told you're loved without having to ask. For somone to show you they care spontaniously, from his boss, or from the girl who should love him unconditionally.

But it doesn't happen, so he turns to sex, a physical feeling to fill the emotional ones he's missing. When it goes wrong, in the tiniest way, such as spilling a drink on his clothes caused him to snowball.

The song is, essentially just "tell me you love me"

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  @sleep forever

My InterpretationBaby We'll Be Fine is a song simply about wanting the people in your life who you try to please the most to appreciate all you do. A simple nod of appreciation, something meaningful, or just saying "Baby we'll be fine" is all he is looking for. He needs it from his boss, his girlfriend, and unfortunately the only person he can get any type of assurance from is himself, which is why he kisses himself in the mirror and says "baby we'll be fine."
Forty-five minute showers, Jack and Coke and waking up from a night of Sauvignon are all attempts at soothing ones self. In the end, trying to seek more comfort with sex he has a cold drink spilled on him and sadly is the one who keeps apologizing.
Unfortunately there is very little confidence in the lyrics of this song. Very beautiful, but truly sad.

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  @defactoind
  0

  Death of A Salesman

  Flag caro89316on June 04, 2010  

General CommentHe's assuring himself that everything will be fine, essentially a love song about himself.

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  @nonentity21

General CommentFor me, this is the best song of Alligator. Just listening to it the other day I got all choked up when he sings "I don't know how to do this". It's such a vulnerable declaration. It's completely heartbreaking this song.

The first part of the song definitely seems the person trying to find justification in life through his work life which he never gets. And this may be because of his relationship with his wife. I haven't heard such a complex and nuanced song about a relationship in a while.

Love love love this song.

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  @binaural

General CommentI really like this song. It's low key. Sounds a little sorrowful. It puts mee in the mood for longer nights, changing leaves and gray skys.

Sweater weather.

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  @NativeIndie

General CommentThis is about inserting positive thoughts to onesself and sighing about...

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  @SuperSista
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  I agree. It's strikes me as a song about a guy who is unhappy with life, and with his relationship with the woman mentioned in the song. Maybe because of something he did? He mentions being "So sorry for everything" and then at the end of the song he "Melts like a witch and scream" which, to me, represents the facade he's being trying to reinforce in himself melting away... His frustration with the situation boils over.
  
  I dunno, a lot of the song is still a mystery to me.

  Flag imoveritfoshoon June 26, 2009  

General CommentThe strongest and most relatable song on Alligator. Beautiful music coupled with amazing lyrics. I think we've been missing the strong suggestion that he's ridiculously insecure, too. He would want his boss to compliment him or use his girlfriend as an emotional crutch if he didn't feel confident with himself.

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  @TheAmazingSaint

General CommentThis song reminds me a lot of Springsteen's "Atlantic City" for some reason. I could easily imagine the narrator of this song saying "last night I met this guy and I'm gonna do a little favor for him." It's all about the insecurity and desperate hope when you can feel things slipping away beyond your control.

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  @zms676
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  It's almost like the thought process of a younger version of Springsteen's character is captured by The National.

  Flag 3crookedheartson December 06, 2011  

General CommentHe admits to spending too much of himself on his work....whatever that work may be. He tries to reassure himself that all will be ok with the mirror part.

The last part about jack and coke....that is a funny/sexual memory that he has with his past lover. He closes by reminding her of a great memory they share in an effort to woo her back. Hey, just my interpretation of the situation that is...

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  @romans
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  ....or could be they had to break up despite the fact that they both love each other. he is encouraging her to be brave....and remember the good times.

  Flag romanson February 03, 2011  

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  "put on an argyle sweater and put on a smile. I dont know how to do this." By far my fav national lyric

  Flag romanson February 03, 2011