Ever wondered what really goes on behind the melancholic melodies and brooding lyrics of The National?
While their music might sound like a perfectly crafted ode to existential dread, the band’s journey is riddled with untold drama, creative clashes, and secrets they’d rather keep in the shadows.
In this article, we’ll pull back the curtain on five dark secrets The National doesn’t want you to know—from bitter feuds to lyrical mysteries that will make you listen to their songs in a whole new light.
1. The Near-Breakup They Never Talk About
In 2013, tensions within The National reached a boiling point.
During the recording of “Trouble Will Find Me,” frontman Matt Berninger’s creative block and worsening anxiety almost derailed the album—and the band.
Guitarists Aaron and Bryce Dessner reportedly clashed with Berninger over the direction of the music, leading to screaming matches in the studio.
It took an intervention from producer Peter Katis to keep them from calling it quits.
2. The Hidden Alcohol Struggles
Fans often joke about The National’s lyrics being fueled by wine, but the truth is darker.
Berninger has openly battled alcoholism, and songs like “Slipping Husband” and “Pink Rabbits” are thinly veiled confessions of his struggles.
Band members have admitted they’ve played shows where Berninger was barely coherent, leaving them terrified for his health—and their reputation.
3. The Feud with a Famous Fan
Taylor Swift might be one of their biggest admirers, but not all celebrity interactions have been smooth.
Rumors swirl that The National turned down a high-profile collaboration with a major artist (hint: it’s not Swift) because they found their lyrics “too shallow.”
The snub allegedly led to a chilly backstage encounter at a festival years later.
4. The Song That Almost Got Scrapped
“Fake Empire,” their breakout hit, was almost left on the cutting-room floor.
The band thought it was “too simple” and didn’t fit their usual sound.
It was only after a last-minute piano tweak and Berninger’s insistence that they kept it—and it became the anthem that defined their career.
5. The Dark Meaning Behind “Bloodbuzz Ohio”
While fans assume it’s a nostalgic ode to home, “Bloodbuzz Ohio” is actually about financial ruin and desperation.
Berninger wrote it during a period when the band was drowning in debt, and the “buzz” refers to the dizzying panic of near-bankruptcy.
It’s a far cry from the romanticized interpretation most listeners have.
So, the next time you lose yourself in The National’s hauntingly beautiful music, remember: there’s always more beneath the surface.
Will you ever hear their songs the same way again?
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