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The National — The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness
Album: Sleep Well Beast
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2154








Released: 2017
Length: 3:35
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Maybe I listen more than you think
I can tell that somebody sold you
We said we've never let anyone in
We said we'd only die of lonely secrets

The system only dreams in total darkness
Why are you hiding from me?
We're in a different kind of thing now
All night you're talking to God

I thought that this would all work out after a while
Now you're saying that I'm asking for too much attention
Loss of no other faith is light enough for this place
We said we'd only die of lonely secrets

The system only dreams in total darkness
Why are you hiding from me?
We're in a different kind of thing now
All night you're talking to God

I cannot explain it
Any other, any other way
I cannot explain it
Any other, any other way

The system only dreams in total darkness
Why are you hiding from me?
We're in a different kind of thing now
All night you're talking to God

I cannot explain it
Any other, any other way
I cannot explain it
Any other, any other way

I cannot explain it
Any other, any other way
I cannot explain it
Any other, any other way
Comments (60)add comment
In my really humble opinion, The National might be the best band in the world at the moment.
 AhhtheMusic wrote:

My best buddy and I sing "Henny Youngman" every time they sing "any other".    It just sounds like that is what they are singing, so we sing it loud and proud.



i can't not hear this now.  i love it!
i'd love to hear Rylan. i don't know why but that one is my fav. this is pretty nice, also.
Great image!
 h8rhater wrote:

Agreed.... we should have some El Vy on RP.  Nominations (along with Return to the Moon):  I'm the Man to Be, Silent Ivy Motel, Hapiness Missouri, and Sleepin' Light.



I would add that Matt Berninger's latest solo album is a pure gem. With Booker T on production and keyboards, a real masterpiece.
 sjccroquet wrote:

Matt Berninger was only 48 in 2019 -  and for most bands, seeing the lead signer stand up during a concert would be about the bare minimum I'd expect.


I feel like he's talking about an audience member.
I guess I'm echoing the sentiment of a lot of others here, but I think I finally found a The National song that I actually like!
 westslope wrote:

Wow!

Can you imagine!?!!

A The National song that does not sound like all the other The National songs.   



YES....HENCE
1>2
ya habĂ­a escuchado este disco... muy bueno
 orthomd wrote:

Outstanding guitar work...this band rocks!



HUH?

put the cap back on the glue
Another artist whose voice I simply cannot take.
That and the goofy lyrics.
 jacobscallum wrote:
Seeing a 50 year old man stand up at a seated show, suit and tie, belting out the words during the 2019 show in London was one of my most memorable moments of the year! 
Great chorus but I feel the energy of it is lost in the recorded version!
 
Matt Berninger was only 48 in 2019 -  and for most bands, seeing the lead signer stand up during a concert would be about the bare minimum I'd expect.
 LizK wrote:
Thought after the Ohio thing with the bees, that this band would be a one-hit wonder.  Guess that's why I never hit the jackpot in Vegas.
 
That's a really good song, but they have a lot of other really good songs. I'm particularly fond of Mr. November.  Never could understand why they didn't get more air time back in the old days when we listened to this thing called a "radio".
Je t'aime.{#Music}
Yeah, this song screams "But you've got to see them live." 
 jacobscallum wrote:
Seeing a 50 year old man stand up at a seated show, suit and tie, belting out the words during the 2019 show in London was one of my most memorable moments of the year! 
Great chorus but I feel the energy of it is lost in the recorded version!
 
Love that story!  
Thought after the Ohio thing with the bees, that this band would be a one-hit wonder.  Guess that's why I never hit the jackpot in Vegas.
Seeing a 50 year old man stand up at a seated show, suit and tie, belting out the words during the 2019 show in London was one of my most memorable moments of the year! 
Great chorus but I feel the energy of it is lost in the recorded version!
Love this band. One of the best imo out on the road today.
Twirlin' in the kitchen! 
Does every song by The National sound like it's been sung by someone who's not slept for three days?
Outstanding guitar work...this band rocks!
My best buddy and I sing "Henny Youngman" every time they sing "any other".    It just sounds like that is what they are singing, so we sing it loud and proud.
 Proclivities wrote:

Apparently they were big fans of "Green Acres".
 

Well who wouldn't be?



gif from TV show "Green Acres"
I really like the riff of this song, and also it is The National characteristic sound but somehow more cheerful
That solo part...
In a Low Energy World, no energy is lower than The National's.
sounds even worse following PT 
 Proclivities wrote:

Yes, much more up-tempo, and it has actual "singing" on it.  Nice to know they can deviate from their usual schtick.
 
Agreed.  This is more evidence that they can do it if they try.
OK for the moment, I stay with RP
 Aud wrote:
OK, it's time to clean out the ears:

I'm hearing "I can't explain it, Eddie Albert!"


 
Apparently they were big fans of "Green Acres".
the "least" boring song by the worlds most boring band
almost as terrible a Joy Division



{#Crown}
Not a big fan of the National but I really like this...a bit reminiscent of Tull.
Exactly!!
the National discovers cocaine
 h8rhater wrote:

Agreed.... we should have some El Vy on RP.  Nominations (along with Return to the Moon):  I'm the Man to Be, Silent Ivy Motel, Hapiness Missouri, and Sleepin' Light.

 
Agreed.  Good clip.  Thanks KurtfromLaQuinta.  
 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
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!

 
Agreed.... we should have some El Vy on RP.  Nominations (along with Return to the Moon):  I'm the Man to Be, Silent Ivy Motel, Hapiness Missouri, and Sleepin' Light.
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!
 westslope wrote:
Wow!

Can you imagine!?!!

A The National song that does not sound like all the other The National songs.   

 
Yes, much more up-tempo, and it has actual "singing" on it.  Nice to know they can deviate from their usual schtick.
 Ptijoc wrote:
A new National! Yesssss! I'm Happy.

 
As am I.
I can't listen to these political drones anymore.   They put me in a bad mood.
The drummer is still in love with his snare drum.
I agree, it does sound a bit like something like a today's version of Republic Tigers, but the keyboards, often overshadowed, are awesome; Charlatans UK and Pink Floyd come to mind...and the guitar is really pretty rippin' and I gotta say I love it. They're growing! 
I thought this might be a new Republic Tigers track... I need to look closer at The National
 Rockit999 wrote:

Almost...the drummer still has this thing with the snare drum.

 
By "this thing", do you mean he uses it in places other than the third beat of the bar? :O
I always thought that they were lazy and willing to call mumbly and lukewarm okay; this seems to indicate that they are more creative...
Hey Abbott!!!!
LOVE THIS!!!
I just... haunting. I love The National, but this raises the bar. Thanks, Bill. Wouldn't have noticed it without your curation. 


OK, it's time to clean out the ears:

I'm hearing "I can't explain it, Eddie Albert!"


A new National! Yesssss! I'm Happy.
I can't see why this band bothers with making new releases..... just repackage the old ones, no one will be able to tell the difference.
this is a grower. already kicked it up from 7 > 8
 westslope wrote:
Wow!

Can you imagine!?!!

A The National song that does not sound like all the other The National songs.   

 
Almost...the drummer still has this thing with the snare drum.
boring
new guitarist?  or did they just loosen his leash a little? whichever, I like the change.
Wow!

Can you imagine!?!!

A The National song that does not sound like all the other The National songs.   

I think I like the underlying message of this track, like a lot of The National, good lyrics good song, but for me I'm not a huge fan of the vocals or instrumentation.  I'm somewhere between "MEH" and "AWESOME" - call it a 7 for now.

LONG LIVE RP!


Yea -new National {#Bananajam}