I was perusing the National's webpage forums listening to the album stream last night and the general consensus over there is that this song is about Matt's relationship with his brother Tom.
I agree with this after reading several reviews of Tom's Mistaken For Strangers documentary which evolved into a study of this relationship and how Tom compares himself to the success of Matt. I feel this song is Matt's way of saying that you shouldn't resent yourself for not having my life but just have your own life( ex: " I should leave it alone but you're not right" and "learn to appreciate the void")
There is also a very concerned and mournful aspect that Matt's lyrics take with the living in salt reference that match up with his interviews leading up to the album about finally learning to put the band on the backburner and attending to his family.He obviously feels that his pursuits with the band are what lead to his neglect of an aspect like the idolizing love of an younger brother.
Complicated song, complicated relationship, great song and wouldn't expect any less from the National.
I was perusing the National's webpage forums listening to the album stream last night and the general consensus over there is that this song is about Matt's relationship with his brother Tom.
I agree with this after reading several reviews of Tom's Mistaken For Strangers documentary which evolved into a study of this relationship and how Tom compares himself to the success of Matt. I feel this song is Matt's way of saying that you shouldn't resent yourself for not having my life but just have your own life( ex: " I should leave it alone but you're not right" and "learn to appreciate the void")
There is also a very concerned and mournful aspect that Matt's lyrics take with the living in salt reference that match up with his interviews leading up to the album about finally learning to put the band on the backburner and attending to his family.He obviously feels that his pursuits with the band are what lead to his neglect of an aspect like the idolizing love of an younger brother.
Complicated song, complicated relationship, great song and wouldn't expect any less from the National.
beringer describes the meaning of the song/his relationship with his brother here --- http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/190978705/the-national-weve-earned-our-stripes
beringer describes the meaning of the song/his relationship with his brother here --- http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/190978705/the-national-weve-earned-our-stripes