The National is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band formed in 1999, by friends from Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger in a distinctive, deep baritone. The rest of the band is composed of two pairs of brothers: Aaron Dessner (guitar, bass, keyboards), Bryce Dessner (guitar), Scott Devendorf (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums).
Their self-titled debut album"The National" (Brassland 2001) was recorded and released before they had played even a single show.
Four years of hard work!This month of May we celebrated four years on the air. We continue working on the dissemination of this wonderful instrument, thank you for participating in our story!
The song is a bit tricky solely because of the unusual strumming pattern and time signature. The intro and verses in this song are in 17/8, a very weird time signature. It helps when playing to count to 9, then count to 8, then back to 9, etc. The bridge (I should leave it alone part) and the chorus are in regular 4/4. Listen to the song very carefully to get the exact strumming pattern right.
During the verses, only play the Em once. The C in the verses don't have the high e, its just x3201x. The F is 133211.
[Verse 1]
C Don't make me read your mind CEmF You should know me better than that C It takes me too much time CEmF You should know me better than that C You're not that much like me CEmF You should know me better than that C We have different enemies CEmF You should know me better than that
[Bridge]
AmC I should leave it alone but you're not right AmC I should leave it alone but you're not right
[Verse 2]
C Can't you write it on the wall? CEmF You should know me better than that C There's no room to write it all CEmF You should know me better than that C Can you turn the TV down? CEmF You should know me better than that C There's too much crying in the sound CEmF I should know you better than that
[Bridge]
AmC I should leave it alone but you're not right AmC I should leave it alone but you're not right
[Chorus]
AmFC I should live in salt for leaving you behind FCFC Behind Ohhhhh
[Verse 3]
C Think about something so much CEmF You should know me better than that C Start to slide out of touch CEmF You should know me better than that C Tell yourself it's all you know CEmF You should know me better than that C Learn to appreciate the void CEmF You should know me better than that
[Chorus]
AmFC I should live in salt for leaving you behind FCFC Behind Ohhhhh AmFC I should live in salt for leaving you behind FCFC Behind Ohhhhhh
[Instrumental]
AmFCFCFC (x2)
[Chorus]
AmFC I should live in salt for leaving you behind FCFC Behind Ohhhhh
Repeat intro/verse chord progression once more, then ending on C.