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The National — Bloodbuzz Ohio
Album: High Violet
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4144









Released: 2010
Length: 4:32
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Stand up straight at the foot of your love, I
Lift my shirt up
Stand up straight at the foot of your love, I
Lift my shirt up

I was carried
To Ohio in a swarm of bees
I never married
But Ohio don't remember me

Lay my head on the hood of your car, I
Take it too far
Lay my head on the hood of your car, I
Take it too far

I still owe money to the money, to the money I owe
I never thought about love when I thought about home
I still owe money to the money, to the money I owe
The floors are falling out from everybody I know

I'm on a bloodbuzz, yes, I am
I'm on a bloodbuzz
I'm on a bloodbuzz, God, I am
I'm on a bloodbuzz

I was carried
To Ohio in a swarm of bees
I never married
But Ohio don't remember me

I still owe money to the money, to the money I owe
I never thought about love when I thought about home
I still owe money to the money, to the money I owe
The floors are falling out from everybody I know

I'm on a bloodbuzz, yes, I am
I'm on a bloodbuzz
I'm on a bloodbuzz, God, I am
I'm on a bloodbuzz
Comments (434)add comment
 NelsonBlack wrote:

1] I hit a pheasant in Ohio while in a Lincoln.
2] My uncle lived next door to the bass player from The James Gang in Ohio and after I was introduced, he recommended I go see the Leon Russell concert playing that night.
3] I saw Jackson Browne in concert in Ohio once.
4] My aunt was an English teacher who lived in Ohio and was a great influence on me.
5] A good friend of my played bass for a late punk band in Ohio. His future wife used to come watch him.
6] Over the Rhine is from Ohio. And I like them.

See: it's easy to be nice about Ohio.



And Ed is from Ohio.  IYKYK
.
Lyrics don’t need to make doorknobs wet spoons love. 
This album came out 20 years after my brief stint in Ohio, but they sure echo my feelings about it masterfully with this song.
 Frater_Kork wrote:
We got these in Sweden, so theoretically he is on one of these, giving blod... Yeah...

 
Do you get bloodbusses in Ohio as well?



I had to look back 9 years to find a joke about being on a blood bus?  I'm disappointed...
"I still owe money to the money, to the money I owe"

😄  
 Wonderloaf wrote:


i just asked a bunch of people at the grocery store, they said "I didn't suck"......could it be you?

Go to your local store and ask people....you may be surprised with the feedback

So witty  you are
Still garbage
Matt's vocal are so sublime,
then the Dessner twins breakout
 jp33442 wrote:

Maybe you suck 


i just asked a bunch of people at the grocery store, they said "I didn't suck"......could it be you?

Go to your local store and ask people....you may be surprised with the feedback
 eileenomurphy wrote:
Good tune! But definitely NOT a happy tune!


To me it is.  Powerful, catchy tune and great drumming. 
Just saw them at Ommegang Brewery in Cooperstown.  A great show and found out that this song is about being drunk.  
 Grammarcop wrote:


Over the Rhine even hates Ohio. If they liked Ohio, they'd be named Over the Muskigum. 



Now, THAT'S cleverly funny.
If I was being carried by a swarm of bees, I'd prefer that they didn't head to Ohio.
LOL. Bill just made the "thump thump" comment famous by relating it on air.

This song is fantastic because it does what The National does so well- create an eerie, syncopated wash of foreboding, an unsettling cloud with a melodic hook to suck you in with a little broken lilt. The vocal style, the punishing overdetermined tonality--all works to great effect.
 jp33442 wrote:

Maybe you suck 


hey, that hurts

ready for this.........








maybe YOU SUCK too
 mjlucas wrote:

So much negativity about Ohio.  I grew up there.  Yes, I wanted to leave and did.  However, it is a beautiful state with a tremendous history. 



Neil Armstrong is one small part of that history.  He was born and learned to fly in Ohio.  He managed to be the first human on the moon which was no small feat.  It's not all bad.



Sure. Ohio is a great place to call home from a distance. I never lost a feel for the land and ecology. But in truth, Ohio is a great example of how our modern civilization can encounter something so rich in resources that the exploiters cannot appreciate except as something to use up. The previous inhabitants appear to have really understood how to live in that environment and to live within the limitations imposed by the climate and ecology. Then came the European-based Americans. So many industrial wastelands, toxic groundwater, blighted landscapes, etc. Davis-Besse nuclear plant (almost had a meltdown upwind from Cleveland) among the agricultural fields. I can only lament what could have been. And now the post-rational republican party has seized power (not won) and I have no idea what it's like to live there
Great tune
So much negativity about Ohio.  I grew up there.  Yes, I wanted to leave and did.  However, it is a beautiful state with a tremendous history. 



Neil Armstrong is one small part of that history.  He was born and learned to fly in Ohio.  He managed to be the first human on the moon which was no small feat.  It's not all bad.
the Bengals got screwed
horrible song, horrible band.
Since this is off the album High Violet, Bill should follow this with the band High Violets.
 Ok_Sobriquet wrote:

There's a tenseness and a tightness to the song for sure. Propelled by the drumming mainly. I wouldn't call it a "negative vibe" though. It matches the lyrics which is something I like as a listener. A previous poster called it, "Dark and brooding." That's a pretty good description.


I'd call it mumbling while mixing quaaludes and alcohol
 keenevision wrote:

I performed as a stand up comic for about 9 years from late 80’s to late 90’s. Based in Boston, I’d go “on the road”. Places you wouldn’t go to for money. I always said that Ohio was the most dysfunctional state. Of course, The National hadn’t formed yet, so that might’ve effected my decision.


Have you met Oklahoma?
still untalented garbage
 jayhamiljr wrote:

This band puts out such a low, negative energy vibe.  So depressing, feels like they are circling the drain and want to take the audience with them.  Obviously, I don't get it. 


There's a tenseness and a tightness to the song for sure. Propelled by the drumming mainly. I wouldn't call it a "negative vibe" though. It matches the lyrics which is something I like as a listener. A previous poster called it, "Dark and brooding." That's a pretty good description.
 jayhamiljr wrote:
This band puts out such a low, negative energy vibe. 
 

Yes, yes, but a delicious one.
 joejennings wrote:



I AGREE!


think I do too...but what's it actually about?
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH, it's so Gooooooooooooood! I can't have enough of this song!
 eileenomurphy wrote:
Good tune! But definitely NOT a happy tune!



I AGREE!
Love this song. Dark syncopated brooding is what The National does best. Always like it when Bill comments on the comments section too.
Good tune! But definitely NOT a happy tune!
This band puts out such a low, negative energy vibe.  So depressing, feels like they are circling the drain and want to take the audience with them.  Obviously, I don't get it. 
 blotto wrote:

this song sounds like a flat tire

Yeah, in the best possible way you can mean that.

– Dom Irrera

Some of the strangest and most memorable lyrics ever.
 bforr wrote:

Whoever doesn't like this song is probably a reckless driver that can't drive 55.

i thought this was why i liked it..

just listened to this song (without looking at RP) and thought by myself ..."wow, Johnny Cash really made strange things in his late years" ;-)
 Grammarcop wrote:


Over the Rhine even hates Ohio. If they liked Ohio, they'd be named Over the Muskigum. 


Moronic comment. First, you have the river's name misspelled.  Second, they are named after a neighborhood in Cincinnati. Double disqualification for this comment. Grammar what?
 criddlerus wrote:

Devo is from Ohio...... mic drop.



Also The Pretenders, The Breeders, Nine Inch Nails, and Walk The Moon. 
 bluematrix wrote:

While I was glad to leave the state of my birth, there were some good bands/musicians to come out of Ohio - Pretenders, NIN, Boz Scaggs, Isley Brothers, Benjamin Orr from the Cars, Devo, Black Keys, Tracy Chapman, Kim Deal and the Breeders, Dave Grohl, the Cramps, Afghan wigs, Over the Rhine, Maynard Keenan from Tool, the Golden Palominos, and yes the National too.



And arguably the birth of the funk movement. Although RP doesn't play it, Dayton is home of da funk!
man I love me some RP. Best station ever.
While I was glad to leave the state of my birth, there were some good bands/musicians to come out of Ohio - Pretenders, NIN, Boz Scaggs, Isley Brothers, Benjamin Orr from the Cars, Devo, Black Keys, Tracy Chapman, Kim Deal and the Breeders, Dave Grohl, the Cramps, Afghan wigs, Over the Rhine, Maynard Keenan from Tool, the Golden Palominos, and yes the National too.
Go Blue!
10, what else. This song is a masterpiece, even better than this incredible band, a song from outer space.
 blotto wrote:

Is this playing on the wrong speed?


Just the singer.

Whoever doesn't like this song is probably a reckless driver that can't drive 55.
I performed as a stand up comic for about 9 years from late 80’s to late 90’s. Based in Boston, I’d go “on the road”. Places you wouldn’t go to for money. I always said that Ohio was the most dysfunctional state. Of course, The National hadn’t formed yet, so that might’ve effected my decision.
Bill, thank you for making this song a part of my life.
I spent 3 years in Akron, OH. Nice place, Nice people. LeBron James agrees😉. Nice band too, and it's the most important
 NelsonBlack wrote:
1] I hit a pheasant in Ohio while in a Lincoln.
2] My uncle lived next door to the bass player from The James Gang in Ohio and after I was introduced, he recommended I go see the Leon Russell concert playing that night.
3] I saw Jackson Browne in concert in Ohio once.
4] My aunt was an English teacher who lived in Ohio and was a great influence on me.
5] A good friend of my played bass for a late punk band in Ohio. His future wife used to come watch him.
6] Over the Rhine is from Ohio. And I like them.

See: it's easy to be nice about Ohio.
 

Over the Rhine even hates Ohio. If they liked Ohio, they'd be named Over the Muskigum. 
gurbl hrmblrblm, bzzzz
 skuzzfud wrote:

Yeah, I'm getting the vibe that it's about to launch into INXS's "Don't Change".
 

Well caught. Tell Bill and maybe he'll do one of his masterful segues...
Devo is from Ohio...... mic drop.
People criticizing this song should learn how to drink red wine!
 NelsonBlack wrote:
1] I hit a pheasant in Ohio while in a Lincoln.
2] My uncle lived next door to the bass player from The James Gang in Ohio and after I was introduced, he recommended I go see the Leon Russell concert playing that night.
3] I saw Jackson Browne in concert in Ohio once.
4] My aunt was an English teacher who lived in Ohio and was a great influence on me.
5] A good friend of my played bass for a late punk band in Ohio. His future wife used to come watch him.
6] Over the Rhine is from Ohio. And I like them.

See: it's easy to be nice about Ohio.
 

And my husband is from Ohio, so there's that ...
 kevrey wrote:
How low can I go.
 how low is the limbo pole?

This is the first National tune I heard and I was an instant fan. Have continued to enjoy them - love the music and his vocals.
I always stop what I'm doing and listen when this comes on. And I always think the same thing: haunting.
 jp33442 wrote:

Maybe you suck 
 
Perhaps he should blow! I feel sure we could come up with an RP-specific alternative to the acronym FIFO (and I'm not talking in the computing sense here!).  If you know what you like, tune in to the appropriate station. If you want to hear anything and everything, have your noodle expanded and tastes challenged, then stick around... I enjoy the esoteric programming - and  the esoteric intelligent comments, debates and exchange of views.
 snitramc wrote:
I only visit the comments section so that I know which songs to hate. Apparently it's all of them.
 
sometimes seems that way, does it not.
 LoudshirtsBand wrote:
This has me hooked but, for the life of me, I can't think what it reminds me of?
Crash Test Dummies and Pink Floyd mentioned in earlier comments but I'm veering towards 80s new romantic or offshoot
 
Yeah, I'm getting the vibe that it's about to launch into INXS's "Don't Change".
This has me hooked but, for the life of me, I can't think what it reminds me of?
Crash Test Dummies and Pink Floyd mentioned in earlier comments but I'm veering towards 80s new romantic or offshoot
How low can I go.
 jp33442 wrote:

Maybe you suck 
 
actually, i don't
glad you said maybe
I can’t get to the point of listening to this band because this drummer is just so ham handed and lacking in nuance. I can tell when they come on a mile away and it’s just so unpleasant.
 dmcanany wrote:

Oberlin College, my Alma Mater. The first college to integrate black and white students. The first college to be coed. A critical point on the underground railroad. Still pushing limits today.
 
Please don't leave out Antioch College, also an Ohio original. When it opened in 1848 (or thereabouts), also admitted women and black and white, and well, anyone who qualified. I had no intention of attending college in Ohio until the Antioch option appeared. Never had the Oberlin level of endowment, but was pathbreaking. Still alive also. Ohio has a lot of ordinariness and stultifying aspects, but considering the large native American population that thrived there before Europeans decided to exploit everything until virtually nothing was left, denigrating an entire state makes no sense.And yes, I left.
voce pazzesca molto interessante + bel ritmo
this song sounds like a flat tire
One of the greatest indie songs of all times. It just...transports me.
 rpdevotee wrote:
Am I the only one who hears a resemblance to The Crash Test Dummies?
 

Baritone of voice does that (~_^) bit different timbre to the voices though
Am I the only one who hears a resemblance to The Crash Test Dummies?
The beginning of this song always reminds me a bit of Pink Floyd's Learning to Fly. 
1] I hit a pheasant in Ohio while in a Lincoln.
2] My uncle lived next door to the bass player from The James Gang in Ohio and after I was introduced, he recommended I go see the Leon Russell concert playing that night.
3] I saw Jackson Browne in concert in Ohio once.
4] My aunt was an English teacher who lived in Ohio and was a great influence on me.
5] A good friend of my played bass for a late punk band in Ohio. His future wife used to come watch him.
6] Over the Rhine is from Ohio. And I like them.

See: it's easy to be nice about Ohio.
 Grammarcop wrote:


Okay, I will say something nice about Ohio: A few years ago Ohio raised the speed limit on I-75 from 65 to 70. That means I can spend even less time there when passing through. 
 
Oberlin College, my Alma Mater. The first college to integrate black and white students. The first college to be coed. A critical point on the underground railroad. Still pushing limits today.
 Grammarcop wrote:


Okay, I will say something nice about Ohio: A few years ago Ohio raised the speed limit on I-75 from 65 to 70. That means I can spend even less time there when passing through. 
 
As a kid I used to have to do car trips from Virginia to Missouri, the stretch through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois (eastern half) was unbearable. Nothing but corn and straight roads. Just mind-numbing caused by the bloodbuzz.
 jonahboo wrote:
overtime i hear this shit - i drop it lower

these guys suck
 
Maybe you suck 
overtime i hear this shit - i drop it lower

these guys suck
 snitramc wrote:
I only visit the comments section so that I know which songs to hate. Apparently it's all of them.
 

People who h8 want everyone to feel their pain.  It's a hard life for them.
 Grammarcop wrote:


Okay, I will say something nice about Ohio: A few years ago Ohio raised the speed limit on I-75 from 65 to 70. That means I can spend even less time there when passing through. 
 

 snitramc wrote:
I only visit the comments section so that I know which songs to hate. Apparently it's all of them.

  


Is this playing on the wrong speed?
 bam23 wrote:

Unless you live there, this is a remarkably stupid statement. I suppose the anonymity of the comments section gives you the confidence to express this about yourself without any concern that anyone else will call you on it directly. I grew up there, could not wait to leave, and left ages ago, but your comment is ludicrous. Maybe your goal?
 

Okay, I will say something nice about Ohio: A few years ago Ohio raised the speed limit on I-75 from 65 to 70. That means I can spend even less time there when passing through. 
The brothers from the National produced a dead cover album called day of the dead, definitely worth checking out, would be cool for Bill to play some tracks off that!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead_(2016_album)
I only visit the comments section so that I know which songs to hate. Apparently it's all of them.
 blotto wrote:
thump thump, mumble mumble, thump thump, mumble mumble 

 
You realize you just described Rock and Roll, right?
so boring, make it stop
This band is growing on me, like their version of Morning Dew and The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness, even his voice sometimes sounds nice when he kicks up to a higher octave once in a while, guitarist is pretty inventive putting unique riffs in unusual places that are refreshing to my ears
 jonahboo wrote:

yes!
 
Ha ha! But I like his voice.
 jonahboo wrote:
a new generation of artist who cannot sing nor invent a a melody - fucking boring
 
His "singing" may leave much to be desired by some (especially since it now seems more like some hipster gimmick), but this song has a clear melody, as do most of their songs.  You may not care for the melody, but it's definitely there.
As much as Bill likes The National... you'd think he'd like this from EL VY...

Return To the Moon

Matt Berninger (lead singer of The National).
Brent Knopf (founding member of Ramona Falls and Menomena), Andy Stack (of Wye Oak) and Matt Sheehy (of Lost Lander).

I submitted it a while back... it was rejected immediately.
I love the quirky lyrics and the music of this song!
 deepwoodskev wrote:


 
yes!
a new generation of artist who cannot sing nor invent a a melody - fucking boring
 treatment_bound wrote:

Ain't never been there, they tell me it's nice.

 
About 15 miles west of Cincinnati, Bloodbuzz is around Bridgetown and South Rds. and heading west out Bridgetown..

Some people call it Mack, some call it Miami Heights, some call it BFE. It's home to a lot of great people.
Pure genius!
Voice like a dirty doona.
 blotto wrote:

Yeah, I think he's been mixing his quaaludes with alcohol again.
o n
No need in trying to be nasty
I would rate this a minus 10 if I could
This song has really caught my ear.  It was a 7 in my opinion, which I've boosted to a 10 today.  Thanks for sharing it, RP!
 GTT wrote:
This guy has a great voice.  Only a few rock singers have this kind of gift.

 
Yeah, I think he's been mixing his quaaludes with alcohol again.
This guy has a great voice.  Only a few rock singers have this kind of gift.
 blotto wrote:
Still horrible
thump thump, mumble mumble, thump thump, mumble mumble 

 
and the singer is just to,...um, serious? gimmicky? in love with his voice?
he could take some lessons from Sivert Hoyem


Still horrible
thump thump, mumble mumble, thump thump, mumble mumble 
 bill-1956 wrote:
Is it just me, or does the beginning of this song sound like it was, let's say, "inspired" by Pink Floyd's - Momentary Lapse of Reason - Learning to Fly?

 
It must be you.

Great segue William....Plastic Fantastic Lover to Bloodbuzz Ohio.

GENIUS (as is the choice of tunes)!!!


Amazing band.. amazing song...and that drumming..oof.

 

10/10


Hate to be negative, even slightly, but for me this definitely drops the ball after Jefferson Airplane's jammer; nice AS ballad next though
 TerryS wrote:
Good drumming, deep voice to get you past the strangled gonadical voice of David Byrne, all is good.

 
See, every time I hear this ham handed awkward pounding I think, "Oh geez. The National."
 deepwoodskev wrote:


 
Hillbilly Bears!
 bill-1956 wrote:
Is it just me, or does the beginning of this song sound like it was, let's say, "inspired" by Pink Floyd's - Momentary Lapse of Reason - Learning to Fly?

 
I thought that when I first heard it too, thought WTF is this cover ;)  I quite like it though.
Absolutely agree!  An awesome track.
 

jhorton wrote:
FANFREAKINGTASTIC drumming on this gem!{#Drummer} {#Drummer}

 



For a second I thought it was Joy Division. Like it!
FANFREAKINGTASTIC drumming on this gem!{#Drummer} {#Drummer}
{#Drummer} great track!
OK, enough, go away.
 paofkoi wrote:

Have you been to Bloodbuzz, OH?  
 
Ain't never been there, they tell me it's nice.
 paofkoi wrote:

Have you been to Bloodbuzz, OH?  It really does make sense.  Drive down Main St (both lights) and all you see are people with their heads on cars.  Don't be so quick to judge.

 
And this improves this drone-O-saurus how?
 thewiseking wrote:
buzz? more like buzz kill

 
{#Roflol}
buzz? more like buzz kill
Is it just me, or does the beginning of this song sound like it was, let's say, "inspired" by Pink Floyd's - Momentary Lapse of Reason - Learning to Fly?


don't remember the song but I do remember the album cover, I like it, the album cover that is
 S-curvy wrote:

Ah yes, ye olde "dazzle 'em w/ obscurity to make things seem richer than they actually are" trick.

Thank goodness for the PSD button!

 
Have you been to Bloodbuzz, OH?  It really does make sense.  Drive down Main St (both lights) and all you see are people with their heads on cars.  Don't be so quick to judge.