A good relationship broken down by small, petty arguments, which build up the feeling of "you should know me better than that."
"Can't you right it on the wall" and "don't make me read your mind" show a resentment of the passive aggression which go with small arguments. The disputes could easily be resolved by letting the other know what's wrong, but the passive aggression comes from only hinting at it - making them 'read your mind'. ("There's no room to write it all" I think suggests the number of small arguments rather than one big one)
It is acknowledged that the arguments are small - meaningless, even - but with petty arguments there is a need to be right, a need to get one over on the other person: "I should leave it alone but you're not right".
The chorus is a show of regret for letting it get so bad, and it is suggested the relationship ended - "leaving you behind". The living in salt sounds like he's calling for some punishment for himself - maybe the biblical reference as underdog describes above: it could be he feels guilt for not trying to save the relationship.
Or it could be referring to being preserved - he left her behind, and so deserves to be preserved as alone and full of regret as punishment.
I think you are spot on.
It has been said in numerous interviews that the song is about Matt's brother Tom and their sometimes dramatic relationship. That relationship should also be one of the main focuses in the Mistaken For Strangers documentary that Tom directed.
I think you are spot on.
It has been said in numerous interviews that the song is about Matt's brother Tom and their sometimes dramatic relationship. That relationship should also be one of the main focuses in the Mistaken For Strangers documentary that Tom directed.
Matt, the popular older brother with everything going right for him obviously has regrets about leaving his little brother behind (figuratively).
Matt, the popular older brother with everything going right for him obviously has regrets about leaving his little brother behind (figuratively).
A good relationship broken down by small, petty arguments, which build up the feeling of "you should know me better than that." "Can't you right it on the wall" and "don't make me read your mind" show a resentment of the passive aggression which go with small arguments. The disputes could easily be resolved by letting the other know what's wrong, but the passive aggression comes from only hinting at it - making them 'read your mind'. ("There's no room to write it all" I think suggests the number of small arguments rather than one big one)
It is acknowledged that the arguments are small - meaningless, even - but with petty arguments there is a need to be right, a need to get one over on the other person: "I should leave it alone but you're not right".
The chorus is a show of regret for letting it get so bad, and it is suggested the relationship ended - "leaving you behind". The living in salt sounds like he's calling for some punishment for himself - maybe the biblical reference as underdog describes above: it could be he feels guilt for not trying to save the relationship. Or it could be referring to being preserved - he left her behind, and so deserves to be preserved as alone and full of regret as punishment.
I think you are spot on. It has been said in numerous interviews that the song is about Matt's brother Tom and their sometimes dramatic relationship. That relationship should also be one of the main focuses in the Mistaken For Strangers documentary that Tom directed.
I think you are spot on. It has been said in numerous interviews that the song is about Matt's brother Tom and their sometimes dramatic relationship. That relationship should also be one of the main focuses in the Mistaken For Strangers documentary that Tom directed.
Matt, the popular older brother with everything going right for him obviously has regrets about leaving his little brother behind (figuratively).
Matt, the popular older brother with everything going right for him obviously has regrets about leaving his little brother behind (figuratively).
Great song indeed!
Great song indeed!
More here: http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/the-national-scott-devendorf-125130
More here: http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/the-national-scott-devendorf-125130
Well put, I like how you used passive aggression and the feelings of resentment to describe those lines.....
Well put, I like how you used passive aggression and the feelings of resentment to describe those lines.....