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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: 2175








Released: 2017
Length: 3:35
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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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.
Posted 1 year ago by codeic    [ Reply ]
 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!
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
i'd love to hear Rylan. i don't know why but that one is my fav. this is pretty nice, also.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Great image!
Posted 1 year ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 2 years ago by Ptijoc    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 2 years ago by bialia    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 2 years ago by bc    [ Reply ]
 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
Posted 2 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
ya había escuchado este disco... muy bueno
Posted 2 years ago by fabduchi    [ Reply ]
 orthomd wrote:

Outstanding guitar work...this band rocks!



HUH?

put the cap back on the glue
Posted 2 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
Another artist whose voice I simply cannot take.
That and the goofy lyrics.
Posted 2 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 3 years ago by sjccroquet    [ Reply ]
 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".
Posted 4 years ago by bluefrog    [ Reply ]
Je t'aime.{#Music}
Posted 4 years ago by Toads    [ Reply ]
Yeah, this song screams "But you've got to see them live." 
Posted 4 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
 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!  
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 4 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 4 years ago by jacobscallum    [ Reply ]
Love this band. One of the best imo out on the road today.
Twirlin' in the kitchen! 
Posted 4 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
Does every song by The National sound like it's been sung by someone who's not slept for three days?
Posted 5 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
Outstanding guitar work...this band rocks!
Posted 5 years ago by orthomd    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 5 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Apparently they were big fans of "Green Acres".
 

Well who wouldn't be?



gif from TV show "Green Acres"
Posted 5 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
I really like the riff of this song, and also it is The National characteristic sound but somehow more cheerful
Posted 5 years ago by hugogdt    [ Reply ]
That solo part...
Posted 5 years ago by codeic    [ Reply ]
In a Low Energy World, no energy is lower than The National's.
Posted 5 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
sounds even worse following PT 
Posted 6 years ago by blotto    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 6 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
OK for the moment, I stay with RP
Posted 6 years ago by peter.gerzner    [ Reply ]
 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".
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
the "least" boring song by the worlds most boring band
almost as terrible a Joy Division


Posted 6 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]

{#Crown}
Posted 6 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
Not a big fan of the National but I really like this...a bit reminiscent of Tull.
Posted 6 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
Exactly!!
Posted 6 years ago by brianlay    [ Reply ]
the National discovers cocaine
Posted 6 years ago by blotto    [ Reply ]
 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.  
Posted 6 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 7 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 7 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Ptijoc wrote:
A new National! Yesssss! I'm Happy.

 
As am I.
Posted 7 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
I can't listen to these political drones anymore.   They put me in a bad mood.
Posted 7 years ago by WannabeBanned    [ Reply ]
in today's NYTimes:

The Daily 360

Album Review: The National Gives Its Sound a Jolt on ‘Sleep Well Beast’
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
The drummer is still in love with his snare drum.
Posted 7 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
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! 
Posted 7 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
I thought this might be a new Republic Tigers track... I need to look closer at The National
Posted 7 years ago by Limpopoking    [ Reply ]
 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
Posted 7 years ago by themusicroob    [ Reply ]
I always thought that they were lazy and willing to call mumbly and lukewarm okay; this seems to indicate that they are more creative...
Posted 7 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Hey Abbott!!!!
Posted 7 years ago by Moirabbit    [ Reply ]
LOVE THIS!!!
Posted 7 years ago by emmayolanda    [ Reply ]
I just... haunting. I love The National, but this raises the bar. Thanks, Bill. Wouldn't have noticed it without your curation. 


Posted 7 years ago by dsrtfalcon    [ Reply ]

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

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


Posted 7 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
A new National! Yesssss! I'm Happy.
Posted 7 years ago by Ptijoc    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 7 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]
this is a grower. already kicked it up from 7 > 8
Posted 7 years ago by clwguy    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 7 years ago by Rockit999    [ Reply ]
boring
Posted 7 years ago by blotto    [ Reply ]
new guitarist?  or did they just loosen his leash a little? whichever, I like the change.
Posted 7 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
Wow!

Can you imagine!?!!

A The National song that does not sound like all the other The National songs.   
Posted 7 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]

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!


Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Yea -new National {#Bananajam}
Posted 7 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]