A Lyrical Epiphany

Lately, I've been listening to a lot of the band The National. If you don't know of them, you should - they have a sound that just smacks with earnestness and rhythms you just can't help but hum to yourself for the rest of the day.

Even more, I love The National because their lead singer, Matt Berninger, is one of the most brilliant lyricists I've come across in the past few years. His lyrics are pure poetry. And you know how much I'm into song lyrics.

I've long been a fan of the song "Available" by The National, off of their album Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers. I had thought it was about a guy telling his woman she'd screwed up so badly in that their relationship was over. Thus, the main line of the chorus, "You just made yourself available" was, to me, the ultimate breakup line. Hooray righteous fury!

But, I was reading the lyrics the other day, and I realize I'm completely wrong. It makes sense, I guess - Berninger's lyrics are NEVER about the righteous position in a relationship. They're about the damage and insecurities.

Which is how I came to my new realization about "Available" - it's about a girl constantly making herself available for sex with a guy. That guy, on the other hand, will always accept the sex, but never give anything more, no matter how desparately she wants him. The lyrics are his disgusted comments to her about how pathetic she is. "You just made yourself available." As in, "You did this knowing full well it would end badly for you."

So intense. Take that breakup shit and shove it. This scenario is so much more brilliant. Love it!

Have a listen and follow along:



The National - Available

Did you clean yourself
for me last night
put the water out and donned a marigold
in your hair to bring me here
and tie one on you

did you dress me down and liquor me up
to make me last for the minute
when the red comes over you
like it does when you're filled with love
or whatever you call it

do you feel alone when I'm in my head
while you wait for me
to take my breath
do you still feel clean
when the only dirt is the dirt I left
how can you blame yourself
when I did everything I wanted to

you just made yourself available
you just made yourself available

why did you dress me down
and liquor me up?