The National- "Apartment Story"

[retingsteven]

can't get enough of this one.....drum driven--layered--melodic and honeyed sung gentle lyrics

[Dandiaz9]

A voice of velvet peanut butter.

[itworks92]

lol at mgmt 73's comments

[mgmt73]

this song needs to be more fast paced like nirvana drain you

[nsr4interpol]

@mgmt73 lol

[WhereBeWaldoAt]

@mgmt73

Nice joke.

[mgmt73]

nirvana is better than these guys

[HellozToAll]

Thank you Portal 2 for introducing me to my new favorite band.

[spolier]

This will always make me think of the woman I love...

[GrapeLola]

I haven't heard music like this since the 80s.

[goegu97]

best song from boxer!!!

[jonjuan92]

MATT... WHERE IS YOUR BEARD?

[AbsoltheLoner]

@jonjuan92 MATT... Y U NO HAVE BEARD?!

[alintolea]

This is so sweet, there's a lot of their friends and family in the clip :). You're correct, KidASuared. Also, Mat's brother is in it too!

[redarsenal11]

This was the 1st national song i listened to years ago, great to see how everyone loves them. Lord knows i do. generations will sing the national. They are awesome.

[KidASquared]

that's Matt's wife at 2:22

[hyacinthegirl]

@KidASquared Really? That's funny because for some reason I knew that! I've never seen her before but when the camera paused on her I was like, "I bet that's his wife." Ha!

[urokr]

@MrCouchTuber nobody cares dude.

[DamnArms12345]

Having been to some pretty awkward wedding receptions, they always remind me of this video and this song

[Mottejotte]

Just AMAZING!

[reiguav1]

that sounds like joy division

[tragicallyhip4ever]

The first song I ever heard by them. Fell in love immediately and they are one of my all time favorite bands now. If you ever get the chance, SEE THEM LIVE. I saw them back in April and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen.

[abhorsenraul]

One of the bands I will love unconditionally till the end of my life. This song just strikes so many chords within me.

[StiffThumbsVideos]

@abhorsenraul Two chords to be exact. ;)

[KShacklebolt]

One of the best songs and music videos ever!

[wormsrock]

killer drums on this

[zack157]

I've been following music for over 50 years, Count this band as one of the best around today.

[aclcox]

I love the National but they seldom get everyone off their feet and dancing...

[anandurango]

man.....i would do anything to get the national to play at my party

[Punisher2all]

WTF? Why does this song only have 400k+ views??

[DesecrationSmile2012]

omg all these people with opinions that nobody gives a shit about. Just listen to the song please ok.

[nemommm32]

Wow. Just wow. It's like a shot of melancholy warmth and offbeat laughter to the heart.

[MrsPepapola]

quality post-punk !

[breakfastbud]

Any idea what type of pedals they might be using to get that tone?

[johnnyblotter]

These guys are really good at saying things that aren't really very clever, interesting, or catchy, and then giving you that look like what they just said was the most amazing thing of all time. It's a sort of shimmering type of slightly whiny, unmemorable, unimportant music that only people who can't really dance would listen to. Sure that's a pompous review! But oh so right!

[CleverDjembe]

@johnnyblotter

yeah, this band is nothing special

[roomie4rent]

@johnnyblotter So I take it from you that the only way music can be both memorable and important is if it can also be dance-able. I guess that also means you think "The Macarena" is a magnum opus and Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" is utter shit. Apartmentt Story is not meant to be the most profound song ever written, but with lyrics like "tired and wired, we ruin too easy" and "hold ourselves together with our arms around the stereo", it's certainly not without poetic merit.

[spirallizard1]

@roomie4rent Check out the big brain on Brett

[datarockx3]

@johnnyblotter

Um....oh so wrong.

While I'm not a biggest fan of the video, "Apartment Story" has been and will continue to be one of my favorite songs.

It is one of the only songs written in recent years that still actually moves me to tears.

In an empty room, turned all the way up--the words and melody are absolutely perfect...It still gives me chills.

...But that's my humble opinion.

[joverboss]

@johnnyblotter yea people who cant dance. or people with, you know, musical taste.

[FhargaZ]

nice song, fuuuuuuck VEVO for the other uploaded videos

[ANTIanitmetalclub]

@KittyKranker

It's also a pretty good metaphor for The National's music in general.

[DFernow]

This is my favorite song my The National, Exile Vilify is second, and Fake Empire is third.

[spolier]

This song reminds me of the woman I love, Estreliciagirl...

[jules1737]

@KittyKranker What are the red shoes at the end supposed to represent?

[DFernow]

@jules1737 The lady who first danced is wearing them, I'm guessing they represent their first big break, but I'm not sure about what the woman walking away means.

[timmy585]

@jules1737 Their so brilliant because they leave the meanings to everything open to everyone so that they can become one person's wedding song and someone else's deathbed song.

[richiesafe]

great band i only heard about them last week..... great music

[jaodff]

this song reminds me of my dad

[Jose04811]

i wonder where i can get the bas tabs for this!???

[kenzosan90]

@Jose04811

work them out man, its not a tough line

[Jose04811]

@kenzosan90 you had me at hello...:)

[Nachtmahr]

dont screw up the portal song, guys.

[tabernumse]

@Nachtmahr Oh, they didn't.. They didn't..

[Nachtmahr]

@tabernumse

which one of them is from The National? i have the music rip here but I can't figure it out.

[tabernumse]

@Nachtmahr what do you mean?



[kittenflavours]

why is the sound so low on this song???

[zakithegreendaybuff]

whenver I return to this vdeo.. wonder whats wrong with 296,000 odd views! I love it :)

[verrybadman]

@zakithegreendaybuff your dream has died : (

[EMOneLifeBand]

What kind of fender amp is that in the beginning of the video.

[bespeco1]

@EMOneLifeBand Looks to be a Fender Twin

[benthefootball]

"Tired and wired we ruin too easy."

[benthefootball]

1:10 ...

That sigh.... I do that all the time...

[purexcrayons]

these guys are playing at the corn exchange, where i work, and have not not sold nearly as many tickets as they should have, Seriously any one who lives in edingburgh. go to the Corn Exchange and go into the Main reception and buy tickets they deserve people buyin their tickets.

[hadi086]

omg this is so joy division......who dont he do the epilapse dance

[aclcox]

Sweet Mary. The National came on and everyone stood up and starting dancing. First time for everything ;)

[scooterooterooter]

This track is dope.

[rowedahelicon]

In before Portal 2 culture comment storm.

[IisCrazyFool]

@rowedahelicon You started it :L

[rowedahelicon]

@IisCrazyFool >:3

[foozetoy]

perfect!!!!!!!!!!

[podcastdon]

my yorkie misses jj, see you soon

[ckupc]

See these guys live last Sunday in Rotterdam - when they played this track it was the highlight of the whole show for me...What a F*cking Brilliant Band to see live.. If you haven't had the pleasure I highly recommend it.. Thumbs up if you have seen them live!!!!

[OmNomOnSouls]

@roomie4rent okay, best meta mockery on youtube. All this other bullshit activism and hater-hating is almost as bad as the perps, but that was awesome. Idea = stolen

[liferev]

I love how normal all the people look in this clip.. they look like people you could meet on the street. Just like The National themselves...

[blary54]

Every time I hear this song I cant not tap my foot.

[touchstyx]

anyone know the name of the album be really interested in getting it?

[KxK96]

1:42 , I noticed the vocalist moves just like Ian Curtis ( Joy division, R.I.P.) anyone else did ? :S

[heyheyitsmj]

@KxK96 He's been compared to Ian. I love Joy Division, but I actually prefer this guy's voice.

[jordandavidfilm]

The legend of the woman in red heels.

[isitgettinheavy]

I just discovered this band. Love them. The scene at 2:38 is perfect.

[carpaspider]

@isitgettinheavy well, you just made a great discovery mate

[GlitcHead]

I swear I didn't mean to analzye this video, but to me it shows what it's often like to be an indie band. At first, nobody notices or cares about you. But it just takes one person to notice. People follow suit, word of mouth spreads. And though you may never become a huge, commercial band, you could gain a smaller, more loyal fanbase that your music profoundly touches. And that really counts for something.

[GlitcHead]

@GlitcHead Also, this video is analogous to how many people seem to feel about The National when I talk about them. Their songs are often subtle. You don't notice how good they are right away, but they grow on you until you view them as the masterpieces they've always been. For me, it's so appropriate that this is the video for Apartment Story because when Boxer first came out, I thought it was merely okay. But now it's my favorite song on the album and I have to sing along and every time :)

[sptfgpn]

I hope that baby had ear protection.

[davevarga]

I want to spend the rest of my life with the girl at 2:23

[jbarph]

@davevarga Sorry, dude. That's Matt's wife, Carin Besser.

[ttuunna1980]

just discovered them! fucking awsom!

[Webconomist]

bringing in Joy Division, Cocteau Twins and evolving it all into their own..bloody brilliant.

[Vrlobrza]

@Webconomist

If I didn't see "webconomist" signature, I would have thought I wrote this and forgot about it. Which means: yes, I totally agree!

[elenorigby1993]

this video is a perfect example of my first time hearing the National. They were on the radio and I actually didn't remember hearing the song start. But about halfway through I found my foot tapping, my head nodding and an unexplainable urge to know who that amazing voice belonged to. I still can't put my finger on it, but there is something extraordinary special about these guys. They just have it.

[betsapp91]

@elenorigby1993 I can't say it was any different for me. I absolutely love the sound, the message, and the feel of this song. And more importantly, that VOICE!

[prshortpants]

@elenorigby1993 There are lots of bands that I think have musical talent, creative talent, and an overall good sound that I just don't listen to that much. For example, the Beatles, they're a supreme band to say the least, but I don't listen to 'em that much. I thought The National was going to be one of those for me, but after a couple listens to Fake Empire, I was hooked and started hunting them down. Point being I can relate to not remembering the song come on, but being hooked by the end.

[roomie4rent]

Hello Im only [12-15]. I hate [current popular music/band/genre]. I like [retro obscure music/band/genre]. I also [wankery wankery wankery wankery wankery wankery wankery wankery wankery wankery wankery wankery]. Oh btw [obvious invitation for flattery]. Thank you.

[OrchidDreaming]

@roomie4rent Couldn't have said it better myself!

Anyway, you people should check out The Horrors. (Would say other more obvious bands like Editors and Interpol, but I'm sure the majority of you have heard them.)

[originallimu]

@roomie4rent haha yeess

[thegrendel86]

@roomie4rent did you actually write that or did this youtube account edit that? because you're a total dweeb if the 1st situation is true

[roomie4rent]

@thegrendel86 Ouch! The d-word? Really? You're too harsh, man. Also, YT did, in fact, edit the comment to include exactly two more "wankery's" than what was originally written

[lildadecounty305]

@thegrendel86 haha how is he a "total dweeb" for writing that. it was very clever and pretty much summed up half of the comments on youtube. notice the 160 thumbs up lmao

[CaradocMorDellOboe]

@roomie4rent lol man, lol

[Dancingwithotters]

@roomie4rent

This comment cleanses my soul.

[Rottomanable]

@roomie4rent Im exactly like that and I have never (EVER) laughed this much to a comment. You did a fine job

[nsr4interpol]

@roomie4rent Genius.

[Sylvanranger]

@roomie4rent Hahahaha genius

[Sylvanranger]

@roomie4rent It's like those people that film themselves playing guitar or something and call it "Amazing! Girl shreds guitar at only age 13!"

[hdizdiz14]

@roomie4rent I'm 12 and what is this?

[ItsMagicITellYou]

@roomie4rent dude....you are brilliant. brilliant.

[JuiCeBoX19]

@roomie4rent spot on

[satozuki]

@roomie4rent you dont know how many times i see this on youtube for film soundtracks, music videos...you fucking name it. every kid thinks he's the shit if he fools himself into believing he's deeper or beyond the norm of the broad and mindless term of "society." thanks for typing this out lol

[Sherard52]

Dating a sexy wife who is alone *lushfmlk.info*

[cosmicrider287]

this band is absolutely magic.

[tubreezy]

I would marry that girl in the red heels.

[ciggybutt]

I LOVE how with the National more so than any other band I've encountered its fans really fall in love with certain lyrics and their delivery, such a tribute to Matt and the lads, Heroes.

[Bartreligion]

boring

[aujeimune]

@Bartreligion how is this band boring?

[aujeimune]

@Bartreligion how is this band boring? 

[tragicallyhip4ever]

These guys are good. REALLY good.

[galas06]

interpol?

[HawK047]

If this band doesnt become big, there is no hope for music.

[odinmp5]

@HawK047 agreed



[nachoria]

Ya they're doing Interpol better than Interpol nowadays

[sigimaster14]

@nachoria ha the new interpol album will be amazing believe me

[bejAmir]

Wow, it is been two years since i wrote that comment... anyway - thanks so much everyone! :-D

Oh, and i also wanna say, that HIGH VIOLET is so amazing! even better than BOXER!

[aujeimune]

@bejAmir i'm glad you like high violet as well!

LONG LIVE THE NATIONAL

[mustard990]

These guys were amazing at the Latitude Festival!

[STRYKER1467]

Epic band !

[Lightning972]

fave song on the cd

[mrnewswoman]

These guys are pathetic.

[myfairvanity]

good songwriting. i'll prolly check these guys out again. and...it's not at all a bad thing to sound like Interpol.

[the7thsunshine]

Love this song!

[GavsterZ]

they remind me of Joy Division

[carlwinslow69]

indie isn't a genre, it's a designation of commercial affiliation. nofx, the bouncing souls, etc. are all indie groups, meaning they boycott MTV and major record labels. just because a band plays slow and has beards and dumb sunglasses doesn't mean they're 'indie.' you'll understand the difference when you hear this band on a subaru commercial...

[rednapkins]

@carlwinslow69 in the uk indie is a genre, even if the band is on a major label or MTV or not

[furball411]

a bunch of indie rock has good lyrics but no good singing

[animegalc4]

i concur

[Thejazzmantestifies]

great unique band, although they do sound very similar to Kanye West

[ListenClosely1357]

@Thejazzmantestifies haha good to see sarcasm alive and well on youtube :)

[coldheat55]

I used to listen to these guys when i wanted to relax. They're awesome and unique.

[srfrr]

Love that Fender amp in the beginning.

[Ugot2turned]

fuck classification be who you fucking are no need to be like everyone else

[iamthegreatest1234]

"We're so disarming, darling, everything we did believe." Probably my favorite song line of all time, both in it's writing and vocal delivery.

[weightoftheworld112]

It's amazing how their songs crawl under my skin!

[zoonica]

I agree, takes you back to pretty in pink, heck who cares, sounds Great !!!

Love the feeling in the voice, cool band!

[thehooner]

the cure revival..?lol. they are ok, i like the emotional 80s sound, takes me right back to pretty in pink..lol

[UndiscoveredDreamer]

um, wtf?

im 16, and don't consider myself an "indie hipster"

but i still think they're a perfect band :)

don't stereotype, please

[ganamoha]

Your ego seems big enough, go screw yourself

[BeauSylvester47]

im an indie hipster. I'm 15

[TheMistermuppet]

what the fuck is an indie hipster???

[BeauSylvester47]

@TheMistermuppet someone who listens to indie music. a lot. exclusively at times.

[FelixAtrox]

I'm a hindie ipster!

[MrOcskai]

@BeauSylvester47

You're a homo.

[BeauSylvester47]

@MrOcskai

You're 12.

[loadminik]

so cute and blissful and carefree

I love this song, fantastic in every way. (=

[boils]

grear band

[yyyvvvooo469]

I just saw them in Toronto last Thursday. AMAZING!! His stage presence and energy singing is unbelievable. Don't miss this show if you can see it.

[madmrjackson]

what's the rating for stage presence or energy?

I can't see this turning out like Bruce or (especially) metal.

this video doesn't show me much, I'm interested though

[TheBuickSixes]

I've seen them. Despite the fact that this kind of makes it look like they just stand around, they put on a great show. Singer man yells a lot but it's great.

[tangogoldenhorse]

@madmrjackson They aren't super bouncy or anything, but they are amazing live. No joke when I say it actually sounded better than the record (if that was possible). It's sort of like the video, too, because you can't help tapping your foot or swaying back and forth.

[thegrendel86]

@tangogoldenhorse yes

[blablamia]

i fell in love with his oice. there`s so much...dignity in it.

[grungesoundsgood]

yeah i love his oice too!

[danicka]

great track!

[nomorepeanutbutter]

I love how honest and innocent the sound remains. They aren't hiding anything from us. It's lovely.

[ryanadamsfan1]

i love this 80's sounding band!

[novakino]

Don t forget SAD SONGS FOR DIRTY LOVERS,

it is underrated classic!

[zombies912]

does anyone else notice a hint of the killers in this band... jus a little... but these guys rock!

[thepurplepussies]

i see a kind of interpol wait yea i kno wat you mean after watching this video

[nothernames12366]

I think they sound like a mix of the killers and springsteen

[danicka]

exactly!

[jerherd]

I think they sound like The National