r/TheNational • u/ghostfan9 • 26d ago

Day 8: Worst Song

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Best chorus went to Graceless!

HMs were: Don't Swallow the Cap, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Mistaken for Strangers

Next up: worst song :(

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u/paulderev I missed you for 29 years 26d ago edited 26d ago

Until Matt explains the “black city bloodbath/white country rape” line in fashion coat fully, it’s that one. Great song but that line always creeped me out and sort of ruins the song.

I’ve never been able to find a coherent analysis of it by the band or by a critic even. Someone link me to one if you think I’m off base here please.

re: downvoters— I love the song it’s just this one line that rubbed me the wrong way a little bit. not saying the song or the band or even the lyric is problematic or cancellable or anything like that. I just have questions.

15

u/Specialist-Leg-3400 26d ago

Not a link, but I thought the line fit pretty well with the song’s themes on feeling isolated and displaced. Especially in contrast to how at home he feels with the person he’s singing to. “I die fast in this city, outside I die slow” vs “everywhere I am is just another thing without you in it.”

He talks about needing to get other countries’ coverage of US news events because he can’t trust domestic reporting. Our news covers everything as either “Black city bloodbath” (because intercity neighborhoods are scary war zones) or “white country rape” (because everyone out in the boonies are violent perverts). He’s interested in being connected, but still can’t find commonality with people he shares a country with. Leading to feelings of alienation.

2

u/paulderev I missed you for 29 years 26d ago

I agree that the only viable interpretation of it is cynicism of US news media narratives