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The Postal Service — The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
Album: Give Up
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1059









Released: 2003
Length: 4:36
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Smeared black ink
Your palms are sweaty
And I'm barely listening
To last demands
I'm staring at the asphalt wondering
What's buried underneath

Where I am

I wear my badge
A vinyl sticker with big block letters
Adhering to my chest
That tells your new friends:
I am a visitor here; I am not permanent
And the only thing
Keeping me dry is

(Where I am)
You seem so out of context
In this gaudy apartment complex
A stranger with your door key
Explaining that I'm just visiting
And I am finally seeing
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why I was the one worth leaving

D.C. sleeps alone tonight

(Where I am)
You seem so out of context
In this gaudy apartment complex
A stranger with your door key
Explaining that I'm just visiting
And I am finally seeing
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why I was the one worth leaving

(Where I am)
The district sleeps alone tonight
After the bars turn out their lights
And send the autos swerving
Into the loneliest evening
And I am finally seeing
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why I was the one worth leaving
Why I was the one worth leaving
Comments (138)add comment
 FerretRob wrote:
zgrav wrote: I'm hearing Ben Folds Five..


Yes, it is Ben Gibbard.
Posted 2 years ago by surfool    [ Reply ]
 nicknt wrote:

I dont't think that Al Qaeda really likes The Postal Service and bands like Future Islands.
Maybe YOU are one of them ...


The Killers tho....
Posted 2 years ago by ibribe    [ Reply ]
 zgrav wrote:

Is that the same male singer from Death Cab for Cutie? Must be, right? with homage to Pre-Fab Sprout as well.



You're not wrong on the first item, I'll leave the second as a matter of opinion. 
Posted 2 years ago by opaceo    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:

Only one band per decade allowed to sound like Death Cab For Cutie, ok?


Hey.. pssst...  It's both Ben Gibbard ;--)

Posted 2 years ago by Corstiaan    [ Reply ]
 zgrav wrote:
Is that the same male singer from Death Cab for Cutie? Must be, right? with homage to Pre-Fab Sprout as well.
 
I was so hearing Prefab Sprout on the vocals !!
Posted 3 years ago by PinkSo    [ Reply ]
Only one band per decade allowed to sound like Death Cab For Cutie, ok?
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 phineas wrote:
veegez wrote:
Synth pop is back, baby!
Proving that the terrorists have already won....
 
I dont't think that Al Qaeda really likes The Postal Service and bands like Future Islands.
Maybe YOU are one of them ...
Posted 3 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
 rocco1207 wrote:
lee_sf wrote:
Heard the chorus, got interested, said to self "cool song." Then the bland verse lyrics came in and the song went pretty much nowhere. Read through the positive comments, didn't get it. Read through the lyrics looking for redeeming value... STILL didn't get it. That's a lotta work to confirm that it really is an underwhelming tune.
"Clark Gable" off of this record is a better song. These guys have a similar squirmy approach as Death Cab for Cutie.
 

Funny to hear this song, think "cool song," look it up, and see a reply to a comment I made 13 years ago. 
Posted 4 years ago by lee_sf    [ Reply ]
 andrewmi wrote:
OK, I'll give it a bump up since I'm actually in DC... sleeping alone tonight.
 

I am in DC sleeping alone to night
Posted 4 years ago by folkes.tom    [ Reply ]
The keyboards sound like the Haunted Mansion music. Welcome foolish mortals.
Posted 4 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
Those photos of Ben Gibbard (left) and Jimmy Tamborello (right), isn't that the same guy in both photos?
Posted 4 years ago by tcseeley    [ Reply ]
I'm hearing The Notwist. Have a listen to the album Neon Golden (2002).
Not that I think that's an issue by the way, just like it.
Posted 5 years ago by Corstiaan    [ Reply ]
I wonder why I hear so much of this album and Death Cab (and Jenny ), but never any Dntel?

I keep meaning to fix that.
Posted 5 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
This is the uninspiredest song I've heard for weeks. Had they left Auto-Tune alone, it might be at least bearable. No dynamics whatsoever. It's quite astonishing what people can get away with.

And three songs later comes Joan Osborne. What a relief! I guess she saved my brain from meltdown...
Posted 5 years ago by mzuther    [ Reply ]
Is this the definition of cheezy? 
Posted 7 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Bad delivery.
Posted 8 years ago by Rockit    [ Reply ]
everytime i hear Ben Gibbard sing, the lyrics seem to refer to his marriage with Zooey, even if this is 5 years before hand.
Posted 8 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
back to the archives please
Posted 8 years ago by max_p    [ Reply ]
First play since 2011, cool!

As a DC resident I will not be sleeping alone tonight, although I did a couple days ago when my girlfriend was out of town. I actually rather enjoyed having the whole bed to myself...
Posted 8 years ago by andrewmi    [ Reply ]
wish they'd do a new album!

Posted 13 years ago by xprovince    [ Reply ]
Still prefer Death Cab for Cutie, but this isn't bad.
Posted 14 years ago by Stave    [ Reply ]
I don't think I've heard one song yet by this group that I like.  {#Rolleyes}
Posted 14 years ago by Beez    [ Reply ]
 DoctorHooey wrote:
They should take their own advice, as presented in the album title. DCFC I can deal with, and that took me a while. This just screams of bedroom side project in all the bad ways.
 
Update - these guys have grown on me a lot. I hereby rescind my previous snark.
Posted 14 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
Hit or miss band with me, this is one of songs I like!{#Clap}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 Vollkaracho wrote:
I don't know what all of you have against The Postal Servie. I like it alot.
 
Yeah, I listen to this during the commute.  Nothing wrong with it at all.  Diff'rent strokes, I guess.
Posted 14 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
I don't know what all of you have against The Postal Servie. I like it alot.
Posted 14 years ago by Vollkaracho    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:

If The Postal Service and Snow Patrol got together in a collaboration, then I think they could actually succeed in boring the world to death.

 
The Postal Patrol

or

Snow Service?

Posted 15 years ago by sub-arctic    [ Reply ]
Sounds so much like the Notwist....
Posted 15 years ago by thediceareloaded    [ Reply ]
May I suggest a 5... and I totally agree with you.
 Mandible wrote:
I have no idea how to rate this. I like it, but at the same time don't really ever want to listen to it. I'm conflicted.
 


Posted 15 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
I have no idea how to rate this. I like it, but at the same time don't really ever want to listen to it. I'm conflicted.
Posted 15 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:

If The Postal Service and Snow Patrol got together in a collaboration, then I think they could actually succeed in boring the world to death.


 

I think we would all kill ourselves first...
Posted 15 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
 pinklife wrote:
 Gregorama wrote:
Did anybody else notice that the new UPS ad on TV features the Postal Service's Such Great Heights?

Must be an inside joke...


Which version of "Such Great Heights" came first, Iron & Wine's or Postal Service's?  I must know...{#Curtain}
 

I think The Postal Service wrote it but Iron & Wine recorded it first. Not sure how that happened, but that's what I heard.

Posted 15 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
 pinklife wrote:
 Gregorama wrote:
Did anybody else notice that the new UPS ad on TV features the Postal Service's Such Great Heights?

Must be an inside joke...


Which version of "Such Great Heights" came first, Iron & Wine's or Postal Service's?  I must know...{#Curtain}
 
...the Postal Service.

Posted 15 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]

If The Postal Service and Snow Patrol got together in a collaboration, then I think they could actually succeed in boring the world to death.


Posted 15 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:
Meh
 

Ahem
Posted 15 years ago by brighthue    [ Reply ]
Meh
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 Gregorama wrote:
Did anybody else notice that the new UPS ad on TV features the Postal Service's Such Great Heights?

Must be an inside joke...


Which version of "Such Great Heights" came first, Iron & Wine's or Postal Service's?  I must know...{#Curtain}
Posted 15 years ago by pinklife    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:
Well, I guess there has to be something at the low end of the quality bell curve.  This is it.
 

What? You need q-tips sir!
Posted 15 years ago by rahjo    [ Reply ]
Well, I guess there has to be something at the low end of the quality bell curve.  This is it.
Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
 wade44 wrote:
This sounds like the guy from Ben Folds Five. Is it Ben?
 
and a bit of The Flaming Lips as well...{#Good-vibes}
Posted 15 years ago by Tim_in_N_FL    [ Reply ]
OK, I'll give it a bump up since I'm actually in DC... sleeping alone tonight.
Posted 15 years ago by andrewmi    [ Reply ]
aquadonia wrote:
Nope. it's the guy from Death Cab For Cutie. ;o)

Okay, so this is the reason it sounded like a Death Cab For Cutie {#Drummer}

The title is so attractive, as the cover photo. Nicely done!
Posted 16 years ago by Kerly    [ Reply ]
jim1964 wrote:
good song from a pretty good album.
that's a fair statement
Posted 16 years ago by FluorideFreeMN    [ Reply ]
Stars?
Posted 16 years ago by jenakle    [ Reply ]
good song from a pretty good album.
Posted 16 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
wade44 wrote:
This sounds like the guy from Ben Folds Five. Is it Ben?
It's Ben! Ben Gibbard though, not Ben Folds.
Posted 16 years ago by Mindscrape    [ Reply ]
wade44 wrote:
This sounds like the guy from Ben Folds Five. Is it Ben?
Nope. it's the guy from Death Cab For Cutie. ;o)
Posted 16 years ago by aquadonia    [ Reply ]
This sounds like the guy from Ben Folds Five. Is it Ben?
Posted 16 years ago by wade44    [ Reply ]
rocco1207 wrote:
"Clark Gable" off of this record is a better song. These guys have a similar squirmy approach as Death Cab for Cutie.
maybe cause it's the singer of DCFC.....
Posted 17 years ago by exciter76    [ Reply ]
lee_sf wrote:
Heard the chorus, got interested, said to self "cool song." Then the bland verse lyrics came in and the song went pretty much nowhere. Read through the positive comments, didn't get it. Read through the lyrics looking for redeeming value... STILL didn't get it. That's a lotta work to confirm that it really is an underwhelming tune.
"Clark Gable" off of this record is a better song. These guys have a similar squirmy approach as Death Cab for Cutie.
Posted 17 years ago by rocco1207    [ Reply ]
Heard the chorus, got interested, said to self "cool song." Then the bland verse lyrics came in and the song went pretty much nowhere. Read through the positive comments, didn't get it. Read through the lyrics looking for redeeming value... STILL didn't get it. That's a lotta work to confirm that it really is an underwhelming tune.
Posted 17 years ago by lee_sf    [ Reply ]
phineas wrote:
Proving that the terrorists have already won....
Oh noes!!! Terrorists with a love for glitch-pop! Inform the authorities! No man, woman or child is safe!
Posted 17 years ago by misterclaw    [ Reply ]
They should take their own advice, as presented in the album title. DCFC I can deal with, and that took me a while. This just screams of bedroom side project in all the bad ways.
Posted 17 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
Jimmy Tamborello is so great at putting all those sounds together.
Posted 17 years ago by electronicthroat    [ Reply ]
Yep, definitely worth leaving...
Posted 17 years ago by shakitten    [ Reply ]
radiojunkie wrote:
I do not like it. I am not going postal. Return to sender. Does not get my stamp of approval. Not worth any more smart remarks.
Just the right amount. And: The drill n'bass rhythum is annoying.
Posted 17 years ago by eisbaer_67    [ Reply ]
I like it.
Posted 17 years ago by Stammer    [ Reply ]
Mindscrape wrote:
I didn't realize that was what the terrorists wanted.
Well, they are masterminds after all....
Posted 17 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
love this, thank you
Posted 17 years ago by leahnichole    [ Reply ]
phineas wrote:
Proving that the terrorists have already won....
I didn't realize that was what the terrorists wanted.
Posted 17 years ago by Mindscrape    [ Reply ]
veegez wrote:
Synth pop is back, baby!
Proving that the terrorists have already won....
Posted 17 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
Did anybody else notice that the new UPS ad on TV features the Postal Service's Such Great Heights? Must be an inside joke...
Posted 17 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
mattc296 wrote:
Very surprised that this got rated as Most Excellent by most. I hate to be negative, but that is way overrated in my opinion.
That's why I gave it 3
Posted 17 years ago by Matts    [ Reply ]
reallllly forced rhyming
Posted 17 years ago by Hinkamp    [ Reply ]
Death Cab for Cutie? Postal Service? Modest Mouse? Who cares, they all sound the same; generic and boring. They're not particularly clever and don't stand out. I don't get the adulation these bands are receiving. Sorry.
Posted 17 years ago by eskles    [ Reply ]
As much as I wanted to hate this song on my first listen (because it for some reason reminded me of the cursed 90's song "I Love You Always Forever"), I discovered that I actually liked the song by the time I was done hearing it. Postal Service and Joseph Arthur have that effect on me... Props for including it in the list, RadioParadise!
Posted 17 years ago by MadPercolator    [ Reply ]
it's our official song! :)
Posted 17 years ago by IMGoph    [ Reply ]
Cheesey drum track is like fingernails on a chalk board...
Posted 17 years ago by brewcity    [ Reply ]
Very surprised that this got rated as Most Excellent by most. I hate to be negative, but that is way overrated in my opinion.
Posted 17 years ago by mattc296    [ Reply ]
froglady wrote:
I like it. thats it.
Posted 17 years ago by phreels    [ Reply ]
I like it. thats it.
Posted 17 years ago by froglady    [ Reply ]
Jeez, everyone - chill! This is a great song! And The Shins before it were terrific too! So everyone calm down! There are many exclamation points in this post!
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
my roomie insisted that it was even less than marginal... i tried to press for marginal as the offbeat timing made my hand jerk and hit enter.
Posted 17 years ago by PrincessRue    [ Reply ]
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Pure unadulterated agony.
amen
Posted 18 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
Shimmer wrote:
Someone please help me with the lyrics. They seem to be about Washington, DC, but I can't tell what the point is. Anyone?
My take is this: Its a breakup song:
Smeared black ink. Your palms are sweaty, and I'm barely listening to last demands.
He is making some kind of analogy about how lonely a city (Washington D.C. in this case) is once everyone has gone home:
The District sleeps alone tonight after the bars turn out their lights. (Where I am) And send the autos swerving into the loneliest evening. (Where I am)
And he is acknowledging that he deserves to be dumped:
And I am finally seeing why I was the one worth leaving. why I was the one worth leaving. why I was the one worth leaving. why I was the one worth leaving.
All of this wrapped in a Pop candy shell.
Posted 18 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
cdcassaw wrote:
I think representing this band with Such Great Heights would be MORE than sufficient for this station...
I'll take all the Ben Gibbard you can dish out.
Posted 18 years ago by TampaPurple    [ Reply ]
I think representing this band with Such Great Heights would be MORE than sufficient for this station...
Posted 18 years ago by cdcassaw    [ Reply ]
laozilover wrote:
That's odd, I thought it was Sufjan Stevens at first.
Its Death Cab!!!!
Posted 18 years ago by Farquwaar    [ Reply ]
Pure unadulterated agony.
Posted 18 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
FerretRob wrote:
I'm hearing Ben Folds Five..
That's odd, I thought it was Sufjan Stevens at first.
Posted 18 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
muskrat-toast wrote:
i hear this song and i just have to take a moment and vommit all over the place. horrible!
Thanks for sharing. You misspelled 'vomit'.
Posted 18 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
i hear this song and i just have to take a moment and vommit all over the place. horrible!
Posted 18 years ago by muskrat-toast    [ Reply ]
Shimmer wrote:
Someone please help me with the lyrics. They seem to be about Washington, DC, but I can't tell what the point is. Anyone?
"I was the one who's leaving..." ? That's all I got...
Posted 18 years ago by NHMick    [ Reply ]
Someone please help me with the lyrics. They seem to be about Washington, DC, but I can't tell what the point is. Anyone?
Posted 18 years ago by Shimmer    [ Reply ]
This was the song that got me hooked on Postal Service and it's still my favourite I think.
Posted 18 years ago by Angelof9    [ Reply ]
wondertoofar wrote:
Could there be a less creative name for a band? How boring.
It's called that because the songs were written by postal correspondence between the two members. :P
Posted 18 years ago by matt!    [ Reply ]
Could there be a less creative name for a band? How boring.
Posted 18 years ago by wondertoofar    [ Reply ]
Total Death Cab soundalike. Could this be the same singer? ***Never mind, finally found the references below. The same guy, indeed.
Posted 18 years ago by rgrace    [ Reply ]
rosedraws wrote:
Shins... then Postal Service... awesome.
And again, Postal Service after The Shins, great songs!
Posted 18 years ago by mogutu    [ Reply ]
Sounds like they used a Super NES to record it or the bass fader was turned to 0.
Posted 18 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
Hell yeah ... Here's your intelligent eclectic rock! Nice play Bill!!!
Posted 18 years ago by princeofpeoria    [ Reply ]
Shins... then Postal Service... awesome.
Posted 18 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
a surprisingly wonderful song
Posted 19 years ago by MrKite    [ Reply ]
Love it, love it, love it. And, I can't say that about a lot of things these days. But, this is one tune that I heard and had to go out and get the CD - which is also worth listening to.
Posted 19 years ago by AshleyOWU    [ Reply ]
love this song. this band is growing on me. something about the music, the voices, the lyrics are really compelling.
Posted 19 years ago by Thea    [ Reply ]
gandalfbmg wrote:
These last three comments nailed it. If you don't like it, you're not listening hard enough to the lyrics. They alone are worth a 6-7.
can you explain the lyrics to me?
Posted 19 years ago by nicolooexpress    [ Reply ]
Most definitely one of my favorites off Give Up. This tune affects me emotionally whenever I hear it, which is surprising because I've heard it alot. My heart especially sinks every single time it gets to the "DC sleeps alone tonight" part. The paced progression of this song is perfect, in my opinion. A splendid modern pop song worthy of a solid 8.
Posted 19 years ago by nshifley    [ Reply ]
jbtidwell wrote:
The district sleeps alone tonight after the bars turn out their lights And send the autos swerving into the loneliest evening And I am finally seeing Why I was the one worth leaving whew!
These last three comments nailed it. If you don't like it, you're not listening hard enough to the lyrics. They alone are worth a 6-7.
Posted 19 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
That drum track is almost sarcastic :) great chorus, I like the backup singing, like it when it picks up, like it in general :) The other stuff on the Cd is pretty good too.
Posted 19 years ago by Nuance    [ Reply ]
A Ben Folds sensitivity and craftiness of lyrics, pretty and infectious melodies, a diggable groove. So glad RP turned me onto this stuff.
Posted 19 years ago by coldatlantic    [ Reply ]
I think the lyrics are really what helped win me over to this album, and I'm not usually a lyrics person. I loved the music already, but the words are so cleverly (but not presumptuously) written - like they were crafted. So excellent, I can't help but give this song a 10.
Posted 19 years ago by ploafmaster    [ Reply ]
The district sleeps alone tonight after the bars turn out their lights And send the autos swerving into the loneliest evening And I am finally seeing Why I was the one worth leaving whew!
Posted 19 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
I rather like this - and it's a very cool video, too...
Posted 19 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
I do not like it. I am not going postal. Return to sender. Does not get my stamp of approval. Not worth any more smart remarks.
Posted 19 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
I've heard a lot of hype about this band but this is the first of their songs I've heard. my initial impression: ugh
Posted 19 years ago by flandersdog    [ Reply ]
Not as good as the next song.
Posted 19 years ago by namesbenny    [ Reply ]
I just got the album today I guess I'm kinda late to the party
Posted 19 years ago by Moon    [ Reply ]
Stick with it. The drum track gets overtaken by the little jangly guitar line, and the song hits a nice groove. The lyrics and singing are so tender. This song is sublime.
Posted 19 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
Ironically, the DA does too.
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by timandjuliet    [ Reply ]
zgrav wrote:
Is that the same male singer from Death Cab for Cutie? Must be, right?
Yup. I wondered the same thing.. From All Music: "Postal Service is an electronica-meets-indie-rock supergroup featuring Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel and Figurine and Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard."
Posted 20 years ago by fluorophore    [ Reply ]
KevinM wrote:
You can (legally) download this track (FREE) here
Well, no one would pay for this, would they?
Posted 20 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
rockasaurus wrote:
I once had a drum machine. It was fun. But I didn't make people listen to it.
Posted 20 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
You can (legally) download this track (FREE) here
Posted 20 years ago by KevinM    [ Reply ]
zgrav wrote:
Is that the same male singer from Death Cab for Cutie? Must be, right? with homage to Pre-Fab Sprout as well.
I'm hearing Ben Folds Five..
Posted 20 years ago by FerretRob    [ Reply ]
Is that the same male singer from Death Cab for Cutie? Must be, right? with homage to Pre-Fab Sprout as well.
Posted 20 years ago by zgrav    [ Reply ]
Roverfish wrote:
Careful, this monkey kicks back. And, for the record, when they're not slashing their wrists, DM is back together. Continued, solid stuff from PS.
Kick me monkey!! Can I clean up your poo too?
Posted 20 years ago by JokesandJokesandJokes    [ Reply ]
JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:
Depeche Mode needs to get back together, do better than their last few albums, and kick whiny little monkeys like this in the ass!
Careful, this monkey kicks back. And, for the record, when they're not slashing their wrists, DM is back together. Continued, solid stuff from PS.
Posted 20 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Depeche Mode needs to get back together, do better than their last few albums, and kick whiny little monkeys like this in the ass!
Posted 20 years ago by JokesandJokesandJokes    [ Reply ]