Conversation 16

The National

I think the kids are in trouble
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


Lyrics submitted by Nitro1515, edited by jahjahjeh

Conversation 16 Lyrics as written by Aaron Brooking Dessner Matthew Donald Berninger

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Conversation 16 song meanings
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39 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I think this song is about living in Hollywood and resenting that whole LA culture. The National are from Ohio and are genuine. They have outgrown the silver screen starlets and all the facades. They want to move away, raise their children outside of the bubble and live a normal life. They mention not worrying about the weather- a big reason people stay in California (eluding to moving back East where the winters can be brutal).

    This isn't about literal zombies or cannibalism. Conversation 16 conveys how living in a place like LA can eat at your brains and destroy you. The singer is saying he's already jaded and evil. He doesn't want his wife or children to be that way, so they are breaking out!

    This is one of my favorite songs from High Violet. I was so fortunate to see The National twice last year & was very impressed.

    kristaseleneon January 26, 2011   Link

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