The National: Mistaken For Strangers (live)

[eatpanda118]

The most unique sound

[1clevrname]

like if a love for The National or good music in general brought you here!

[ArtjomGlad]

The drums ain't got the same kick in this version as it''s got in the studio version.

[littlesunshine1593]

Esteban Granero rockz jajaja

[angeldog1]

like if Esteban Granero sent you ;)

[geoffwoade]

@angeldog1 hang on, i signed him on football manager yesterday....

[LovingProductionsxx]

Esteban sent me here. xD

[OnePinkOrange]

I love you Esteban! 

[bernardopolivv]

please stop the comments about john lennon and comment something interesting.

[Handitar]

COW BELL!

[muckandfun]

The pure rawness of this is unreal . Don't hang the DJ , hand the Producers . Actually dont as these guys make both work . So every single THE NATIONAL live and studio version fur us mere humans . You do realise your Gods don't you !

[muckandfun]

Off the wall a thing of POWER and Beauty John Lennon is just a pop start in comparison to this song . I know everyone go WHAT but the truth is in the song its hard - simple - new Punk in the National Way with a bit of Joy Division thrown in an done in a whole new way .

[InterEDGE]

i thought these guys were british!

[Deadlyseriousmonkey]

Man, I had a calculus exam yesterday and this song was in my head about the whole time.

[shinigamimoon27]

This music moves me.

[alih92]

John Lennon why won't you stay dead?

Because HE CANT! He came back to play drums for the National!

[darrynray]

I've never seen John Lennon play drums! "elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults" Aptly said indeed

[artisticluminiere]

Like like like nothing not to like....

[dEaThGoAt100]

@kc42291 Heaps good live to :) and they seem to have this way of just making you wanna listen to it ova and ova again

[curtiscrush]

"...surprise, surprise ! they wouldn't wanna watch ..."

[1roback]

I've seen few videos of them and haven't noticed even one single time when he is out of breath in moments,where other artists would be each time I hear them. IOf course it's my humble opinion:)

[monkydiaz]

Love it ! !

[gercy123]

Can't wait to see them live at Sziget Fest, Budapest! :)

[ThisGuyLikesToSkate]

This is the video that made me realize The National was one of my top three favorite bands. Whoo!

[bucjo813]

why is it that most national videos have the comment of john lennon on the drums?

[TeenageWastelandXx]

@bucjo813 google a picture of John Lennon then look again at the national's drummer, you'll understand xD

[EmilyKane78]

wistful!! beautiful!!*

[kc42291]

is it me or is it sad that the two top rated comments don't even pertain to The National? or how great this song is? "make up something to believe in your heart of hearts so you have something to wear on your sleeve of sleeves" and "another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults" .. "The National has some of the greatest lyrics I've heard in a long time.

[skiiiiie]

@kc42291

I felt the same

especially "another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults"

is just amazing. It expresses so much i nearly cry everytime i listen to it because its

exactly what happened to us. Every single word of this song is so true.

[muckandfun]

@kc42291 So well said abstract but yet mean so much

[fender6794]

One of the best drum beats ever.

[ApocalypseMeow1]

addictive.

[gadaffi1000]

the vibe IS totally joy division/new order...the guitar/bass sounds very familiar but some commentators don't get it. Sounds great whatever the influence.

[jimbobjimminy]

I LOVE THE NATIONAL AND I LOVE JOY DIVISION

[bulucette]

thanks for sharing!

[manwitgun55]

a little influence from ian curtis haha

[MikaelLilienthal]

Why did the drummer count in the guitarist playing by himself?!?!

[randymeeks81]

@MikaelLilienthal

because the drummer, contrary to popular belief, is the leader of the band. he controls how fast the band plays the song. the drummer holds the tempo, and the rest of the band follows him.

[DrunkenDarwin]

Actually he's not singing like Ian Curtis cause he's not doing the epilepsy dance

[erocker2020]

just like Ian Curtis? And Jim James sings just like Thom Yorke too. Stupid comments from people who don't have an open enough mind to enjoy great music. Someone always has to "copy" someone else. It is almost 2011, you will be able to find similarities between ANY band today and a band from years ago. There is just too much music not to. It doesn't mean they plagarized and it doesn't discredit them because they are both baritone. fuck.

[IHateTheBBC]

There's alot of bands out there that sound like Joy Division. Get over it and stop comparing every baritone to Ian Curtis.

[Browncoat1138]

the singer's speaking voice is almost exactly like Nathan Fillion's... But the song is amazing... Anyone who likes these guys should check out Editors and The Cinematics as well.

[nellydory]

Internet arguments are funny.

[aldum2]

dont think i know a band that is as undereated as these musical magicians

[JimB667]

wow these guys have a HUGE sound... l ike.. blowing my mind

[TheTreeFlower]

That's an awesome drum beat.

[zdazzle14]

Reminds me of JD :) Love them both.

[luyendao]

It's such a good and catchy song, and at the same time it's kind of bland and un-interesting...kind of like a mid-day nap, it's good, but you're not quite sure if it did any good ;-) Just my 2 cents...maybe i've listened it too much!

[beverlykho]

John Lennon is alive! Hahaha

I'm so addicted to this song. The people targeted on this song screams my name. Haha

[favianlobo]

this band is so badass!

[Chelseacasual]

Is that frodo baggins on guitar? (0.58)

[monster5o]

Is this recorded in "The Basement"?

[gregorioster]

FUCK! my twin brother on the drums!!!

[befranklintoo]

the corp boys play nothing but what already has been done. boring

[FaFaFoFoBawth]

after getting my fucking facts straight, I have come to the conclusion that these guys sound like joy division or ian curtis.

[89johndevin]

great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stormcrow7878]

More like the Child of Lennon and CHris Robinson from the Black Crowes

[brock1109]

Best band on the planet!!!

[acheshirecatgrin]

Awesome drum beats!

[vileddisorder101]

The National should do an Interpol Cover...like Stella!

[ThePedosexy]

Great song! And the acoustic player has the biggest baby face ever! He's like 12!

[tessoy]

beautiful

[StuartTV]

God, that voice makes me want to die.

[bnelley24]

High Violet, new national album May fuckin 11th baby!

[UberBeaver]

Oh, this band sounds a lot like Joy Division. Not just the singing, but the drums, too. They're both great, though.

[dalloway89]

the national is rock's BIGGEST secret. sshh

[curry136]

so, so good.

[d4sh94]

if anyone is going to comment on anything about joy division or Ian Curtis, they should get their fucking facts straight.

[givemethewall]

@d4sh94

they're two different bands, but I think that The National reach some quality and aesthetic levels that are hard to reach. just like JD.

[adschinho]

@d4sh94 yeah, but I think that's got less to do with facts than rather just not to know that a similar sounding voice and similar sounding instruments doesn't inevitably mean it's the same music

[Buttersmk]

@d4sh94 What Facts? He sings exactly like Ian Curtis

[carlo88moe]

@d4sh94 fact? if someone says that, thats whats called an OPINION...stop trying to be a lame gallant defender of joy division, those who love to say what u do looove to think they love(ha, say love again carlo)JD more than others do, or that ur admiration is of a higher quality than others fans.

so calm down already, its all great music.. no need to get irate at trite comparisons(they do exist)even if are lazy.

i dont like the lazy comparison, but also dislike the total dismissal of similarities

[d4sh94]

okay douche bag. 

[Tyger2393]

@d4sh94 I don't understand why people complain about it. If Joy Division is such an amazing band, what's wrong if someone sound similar to them?

[coolhand100]

@d4sh94 that and comment on ther videos...not the national's video!!!!

[t5y665yrty56]

i dont think hes tryin to sound like anyone hes a good singer in a good band

[ImagiCoProductions]

Lol Lennon is so casual at 1:03

[ziggystardust93]

John Lennon on the druuuums!!!  XD

[ifonlyawish1991]

Bahahahahahaha. Soo damn true :P

[juankv26]

on the druuuuunks!! wonderful!

[TKJoyRide]

@ziggystardust93 LMFAO xD It's true!

[craelow]

I have loved the national for a while (every since Mark Eitzel in a interview recommended them) and I have never seen them live but is their any one up here but me that wishes they would just let matt sing by himself...

[MarcelaLSD]

Muito bom!

Adoro essa música. =D

[kretowinka]

a jutro grają na off festival :) spełnienie marzeń :))

[ykoshy]

guitarist looked like greg rudeksi?

[BeeDeeDubbleYuhh]

IMO their drummer is among the most tasteful, original, unconventional, and funky drummers out there today. Every single song grooves so well. It's sheer brilliance.

[kaocg]

I'd say that's a damn great drummer.

[liammerchant1234]

i genuinely cant stop listening to this

[Germanicus00]

I never understood quite the meaning of this song lolol to put it bluntly I never really understood the main theme of any National song except "Mr.November." This one seems to be about crisis or misfourtane.

[zecaneia]

marky u got that right!

[markycabraly]

This song is very powerful. I think that this is indirect poetry, or maybe you can still say that it is. I can't explain how pinpointed they are with their metaphors. on top of it all, they graced it with a rhythm and melody that just compliments all together.

music at it's finest. amazing.

[vickymorales]

lovely guys ;)

[zthe0ry]

flawless.

[camadai]

i love the drums of this song, is completely a epic win!!

he looks like jhon lenon jeje :)

[naawwfal]

Epic ...

[heyyoguy]

If you're going to suggest listening to "Heavens" you need to also suggest Alkaline Trio since it is Matt Skiba after all.

[kam1am]

the drummer is so amazing, he does this completely random but awesome beats... and he repeats them over and over again, so the tune sticks in your head and the songs grow on you!!

man i love this band... they all sorta look funny tho :)

[ChaosSebastian]

Random beats over and over again? whats the random part then?

[kam1am]

i mean they arent traditional rock beats at all... they are alway clean-cut beats with out much spice, but they are random in that you will never see them anywhere else! wow, i love this drummer so much haha

[drworm73]

I can see what you mean. I have been ennamored with this drummer ever since I heard the first song and his driving galloping style is so full of surpise changes that is has a almost random feel. I have never heard anything like him.

[ryanke07]

Drummers tend to construct two to four bar phrases in very similar ways, he constructs his patterns in his own unique style, like every hit is given a lot of thought.

Repeating a pattern is part of drumming, but it doesn't make the pattern itself any less random.

[littlemisssilence]

They're fucking amazing.

[minimoy45]

Placebo is a piece of shit (since the 90's anyway)

[citizenX117]

its like radiohead in their beginning

[c0lkowalski]

Really? I can't see the similarity at all :/

[dzordzee]

No, not radiohead at all.

[misterbuckethead]

eh.... I can sort of see where you got that...

maybe.

Great song, needs more intensity to give me chills like the studio version does, but this is still great.

[Sayyyywhat]

god damn the drummer can feel the groove

[cakemanishmael]

I'm not sure I'd be able to compare The National to any other band. I've heard the Interpol comparison quite a few times but I can't bring myself to agree. I recon you could class The National as alt-country, which Interpol certainly aren't right? I do love this band, and this song, ever such a lot.

[sarnieboy123]

They're just very new york. Awesome though.

[chesidha]

lenord cohen meets joy division?

[leetsawcee]

Check out "Heavens" His voice sounds like him kind of.

[yourfuzzyscarf]

The drumming is the greatest, right?

[Snozzy101]

Great band and you're right, the drumming is great.

[istillremember6]

The drumming is even better on brainy!

It gets stuck in your head like no other!

[numbskull20]

I love the drummer

[mommyimadeapoopy]

surprise surprise, they wouldnt wanna look.

this shit is absolutely incredible. really lookin forward to the new record.

[ferociousfeet]

Paste magazine gave them the nod for #1 album of the year, so glad I bought it, true music, true artists

[gandorf13]

Love this band!!!!

[dlanodrelda]

goes to show what good songwriting can produce

[lasfinisimas]

Fuck!!! That drummer is just classy! Awesome band

[Cpelk]

I think the National is one of the better bands out there. Their singer's voice is amazing, their drummer is very unique and their lyrics are quite poetic.

[tampopo]

It's totally Lennon. He's been hiding out from Yoko but he can't stay away from music!

[tampopo]

Fantastic song and band!

[MitchS4350]

Whoever thinks they sound like Interpol is... not right. I love both bands, but other than have deep voices, they sound nothing alike.

[Beerenty]

Interpol? Weird, I've never heard that. I'm a huge fan of National but would never have thought to compare the two. Interpol VS Placebo yes. Not National. Surely?

[casanovak]

I agree. Nothing like Interpol, even though I love the two. Love this song, by the way

[Sayyyywhat]

this song does sound a little like interpol... but probably the only one that does

[SweetSweetInterpol]

Interpol VS Placebo, what? Surely not. I love both of those band but a comparison is ridiculous.

[bato1985]

both excellents but not similar i think

[colligsulli14]

I don't see how interpol and the national are similar.

[brian84cl]

they...both...suck

[madhoyden]

Both Matt Berninger and Paul Banks sounds a bit like Ian Curtis. But honestly, Berninger voice is far better.

I could listen to the man sing the phonebook for days.

[Quinnpie]

God, give it up with the Curtis comparisons! "Tom Smith from Editors sounds like Ian Curtis", "Paul Banks tries too hard to be Curtis" and now Matt Berninger?? Of course, there were no baritones before Curtis. Or allowed to be after. How dumb of me. I like Joy Division, but there are current singers within indie music with superior baritones, if not the dark intensity of Curtis, who really sound nothing like him. Please, I beg you - give it up!

[madhoyden]

I think both Johnny Cash and Piero Cappuccilli were both trying to be Ian Curits as well.

[madhoyden]

By the way, Joy Division isn't that great.

[PERSONIFICATIONOFYAY]

...

[89unearth]

dude the national wouldn't be here today if it weren't for them as well as many other great bands!

[TheYorick]

Who the F is Ian Curtis?

Lol, no I can gather from the rest of your story that hes the leadsinger of Joy Division.

But seriously, I know who Tom Smith, Matt Berninger and Paul Banks are, but have never known who Ian Curtis was..

They all sound great :)

[samuraiinCfede]

The National is heavily influenced by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (at least on Boxer) and Interpol has an impressive range of post-punk and non-post-punk influences (not only Joy Division, there's Josef K, The Chameleons, the Bunnymen, Psychedelic Furs, Afghan Whigs, Kitchens of Distinction, etc.)

Ugh...

[Stull92]

i dont see why everyone says they sound like interpol. they have a completely different sound

[maldoror808]

Both excellents...

[Popatti]

Actually The National and Interpol have been around as long. And the both are excellent!!!

[MusicMago]

The National @ Sudoeste 08 EM GRANDE no site da central musical:

centralmusical. pt/?c=6436

[tcheesbro]

I love these guys!! They should definitely be breaking through, they're better than most bands these days

[Jikel7Bob224]

Whoa, I never knew how good these guys were live... These guys better get some serious recognition soon. Their songs are soooo poetic! Wouldn't be hard to make someone cry listening. And I'm a guy saying that. I really love Cardinal Song by them. Touches deep down...

[Nigz98]

joy division anyone

the singer is reasnobly like the one and only ian curtis

[CharvakaJim]

They have this Interpol-esque sound to them (no knock, just saying the influence is obvious), I really like The National. :)

[emperor3d]

The National have been around for much longer than Interpol. I love Interpol but The National is WAY BETTER. Someone needs to bake Paul Banks a cake. Period.

[Yorkeville]

this song is soo goood!

[ApopheniaIV]

They can play their instruments better.

And yes, it's a good thing.

[adredo9]

I don't know it's tough to play drums better than stephen morris.

[ApopheniaIV]

I wont argue with that

[adredo9]

This band (mainly the vocals and the percussion)reminds me of Joy Division... And thats definitely a good thing.

[IwuvtheOffice]

Wow! This song sounds AMAZING live! It is my life long dream to see them in concert... One day...

[pedroo255]

I saw them live in Portugal, Guimarães!

Best concert i've ever seen

absolutly amazing ; D

[andreas85dk]

Really forward to seeing them august 13th... It'll be my second National concert. The first blew me away

[jayloo]

Aw, man, I was so disappointed to see the drummer cut his hair. There was something so appealingly Vietnam vet about him. His drumming is wicked understated, one might say laconic, if I may extend the meaning a bit.

[80xGuessWhox08]

I agree about the drummer's hair. But now i feel like he has a ... unique resemblence to John Lennon. Is that just me?

[xxxswoodyxxx]

yeah,

yeah alright.

[puffalobill]

friends dont see how good it is. frustrating. fuck them i know

[CrAzeHaZe123]

watching them perform this song live makes me want to learn how to play the drums.. damn this song is sooooo good!!

[omgoshizzlee]

seriously...this is the greatest song EVER. i've been obsessed with it for months now and it hasn't gotten old at all. they were AMAZING at the garden last night and i was so excited when they played this :P

the national = major <33

[ApopheniaIV]

best thing since.. curry!!

[Brokenbottles9]

Sex to my ears.

[80xGuessWhox08]

I call 'em eargasms ;)

Absotively posilutely fantastic song!!

[irishskate88]

These guys are gonna be around for a long time.. And keep getting bigger

[luispinkfloyd1]

i already saw them up close at coachella fest

[saksilangit]

the national for life!! im da new fan..

[whoshotlassie]

sorry if this sounds a little out of the blue - on the national official website there's a promo link for a film "turn the river", did the national work on the soundtrack or something?

[mamarracha]

I'm going to see them play in 3 hours time in Dublin, Ireland. Fuck yeah!

[whoshotlassie]

genius

[whiteneptunexyz]

bryan devendorf, what a drummer!

[killypants]

Really though. His beats are reallu underappreciated and yet so amazing