[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
The National — Anyone's Ghost
Album: High Violet
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1467









Released: 2010
Length: 2:50
Plays (last 30 days): 1
You say you stayed home alone with the flu
Find out from friends that wasn't true
Go out at night with your headphones on again
And walk through the Manhattan valleys of the dead

Didn't want to be your ghost
Didn't want to be anyone's ghost
Didn't want to be your ghost
Didn't want to be anyone's ghost

But I don't want anybody else
I don't want anybody else

You said I came close as anyone's come
To live underwater for more than a month
You said it was not inside my heart, it was
You said it should tear a kid apart, it does

Didn't want to be your ghost
Didn't want to be anyone's ghost
Didn't want to be your ghost
Didn't want to be anyone's ghost

But I don't want anybody else
I don't want anybody else
I don't want anybody else
I don't want anybody else

I had a hole in the middle where the lightning went through
I told my friends not to worry
I had a hole in the middle, someone's sideshow to do
I told my friends not to worry

Didn't want to be your ghost
Didn't want to be anyone's ghost
Didn't want to be your ghost
Didn't want to be anyone's ghost
Comments (91)add comment
Didn't want to be your goat
Didn't want to be anyone's goat
sounds a bit like Molchat Doma, mutatis mutandis
great beat, love the national
Didn’t want to bake your goat?
lol
Glad I’m not the only one who had to check the lyrics!!
Discovered the National in 2010 during a bleak time when I kinda spun off my axis for a while. This album is wonderful but truly depressing, and when I hear it, I remember exactly what I felt like at that time. I can't listen to it anymore

There's nothing about the National or the way they sound that's an accident. You don't have to care for them, but they know exactly what they're doing and they're absolute masters at it.
 Steely_D wrote:

Ugh. Came here again to complain about that horrible ham-handed drumming. But I just had.


It tries for ethereal but the drums don't let it.
They say that a band is as good as its drummer.
The National have an excellent drummer, IMHO...
 ziggytrix wrote:

Didn't wanna bleat, your goat. Didn't wanna bleat, anyone's goat.




Now that's just the sort of smartarse comment that gets my goat! :o)
The lead singer might want to think about drinking a cup of coffee or two before he records another tune. 
Just when I was hoping things would pick up, we get a song from The National ... a song, which pretty much sounds like every other song by The National. I think I'm gonnahafta switch over to Spotify for the rest of the day -- this mix is a total drag.
Didn't wanna bleat, your goat. Didn't wanna bleat, anyone's goat.
"I didn't want to drink.  Your Coke.  Didn't wanna drink. Anyone's Coke."
 Highlowsel wrote:
Not a bad tune as far as it goes.  If I'd known at an earlier age that I could have sung monotoned and had a successful career doing so.....well....I'd of done it rather than go on to be the techno-geek I turned out to be.  Hey...the shower heard a ton of my best stuff!  {#Lol}  Ummm...no offense against the National's....juuuuust sayin' is all. 

 
LOL, that's pretty much what it takes for "greatness." ..."Singin' in the shower!"
 aaronm wrote:
You can always tell a The National song by the sound of a lead singer who doesn't seem to want to be there.

(This is more of an observation than a knock.) 

 
It would be better if he wasn't there.
 blotto wrote:
thump thump gargle gargle thump thump gargle gargle thump thump gargle gargle

 
still sounds the same.
Not a bad tune as far as it goes.  If I'd known at an earlier age that I could have sung monotoned and had a successful career doing so.....well....I'd of done it rather than go on to be the techno-geek I turned out to be.  Hey...the shower heard a ton of my best stuff!  {#Lol}  Ummm...no offense against the National's....juuuuust sayin' is all. 
Ugh. Came here again to complain about that horrible ham-handed drumming. But I just had.
Look kids, they have a unique and very likeable sound just like most of the good sustainable bands we enjoy. 
 aaronm wrote:
You can always tell a The National song by the sound of a lead singer who doesn't seem to want to be there.

(This is more of an observation than a knock.) 

 
He mentioned once about how he had to make a decision to be a songwriter and commit to it. That's different than "I HAD to! I have so much I want to SAY!"

And that drummer is so annoying. I can always tell The National by that weird drumming. 
 a_genuine_find wrote:

Didn't want to be ... your Goat

 
And his teeth were perfect!
 OHMish wrote:

Wrong song dude. Sometimes RP messes up the song order/time listed ;)

 

Yep, you are right.  Reinforces that Springsteen stinks.
 AhhtheMusic wrote:
Wow, a really really horrible song, is he trying to copy Bruce Sprinsteen?  Springsteen is pretty bad, I am amazed someone could make it even worse!

 
Wrong song dude. Sometimes RP messes up the song order/time listed ;)
Wow, a really really horrible song, is he trying to copy Bruce Sprinsteen?  Springsteen is pretty bad, I am amazed someone could make it even worse!
 Nadine wrote:


I'd exchange the expression "dead flat boring" into "laconic". I think the sound is artistically intended. Not a lack of (drum, singing, texting, etc.)-talent/skills... :o)

but that's just mho. 

 
Yes, I imagine this is exactly the way the band wants to sound.  Would one think a band spends weeks or months in the studio making recordings which sound like this and then comes out thinking "Gosh, we really thought this would have sounded more upbeat and peppy, like The Bay City Rollers"?
 aaronm wrote:
You can always tell a The National song by the sound of a lead singer who doesn't seem to want to be there.

(This is more of an observation than a knock.) 

 
+1
National drone?

Didn't want to be ... your Goat
You can always tell a The National song by the sound of a lead singer who doesn't seem to want to be there.

(This is more of an observation than a knock.) 
 MilesW wrote:
Not sure I hear that right...

Didn't want to take anyone's coat?
Didn't want to drink anyone's Coke?

 

 

I love mishearing lyrics!
 sloroll64 wrote:
This group rocks in concert! Try another song too.

 

 
Saw them at Shaky Knees festival in Atlanta last week. Definitely do!
I hadn't paid attention to the drumming on this song before. That double downbeat/double backbeat is a lot more difficult than one would think--and the fills are spot on.
 stewliscious wrote:
didn't wanna bait no one's toes

 

But if they decided to do so, whatch out..theyd be the Master  ;)
didn't wanna bake anyone's phone
didn't wanna bait no one's toes
Not sure I hear that right...

Didn't want to take anyone's coat?
Didn't want to drink anyone's Coke?

 
 boober wrote:
In other words.....not sooooooooo good for the ears?
 
I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...  I must confess—  this song is growing on me...  everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing...

hope you have a spring in your step this winter day, boober...

America's David photo AmericasDavid.jpg 
never looked at title 'til today - i always thought they were saying "goat" - - liked that better actually
I hate this "double voice".
 Nadine wrote:


I'd exchange the expression "dead flat boring" into "laconic". I think the sound is artistically intended. Not a lack of (drum, singing, texting, etc.)-talent/skills... :o)

but that's just mho. 

 

What did one Lacedaemonian say to the other?





Nothing!


HAHAHA!        
 84MacGuy wrote:

I just bought tickets to see these boys when they visit my fine town in September.



 
Me too. I've not seen them before, so really looking forward to it. Plus, Edgefield is such a great place for shows.

I just bought tickets to see these boys when they visit my fine town in September.


Still like the live version better. This is a little to languid.
The songs from this album have taken 2 years of listening here to interest me in seeing what might be on the rest of the album.  Grew on me like a slow moving fungus.
Love the drums on this one (and most of their stuff).  A definite highlight from High Violet.
 Nadine wrote:
mark sandman-ish
 
Gotta say I agree. For me, this is not a bad thing. Miss my Morphine...(band, not drug)!
 (former member) wrote:




Absolutely. You won't find me approaching a toilet bowl without my trusty stethoscope, either. No sirree.
 
 

 FlatCat wrote:
What a completely lifeless sound. No pun intended. This is just dead flat boring.
 

I'd exchange the expression "dead flat boring" into "laconic". I think the sound is artistically intended. Not a lack of (drum, singing, texting, etc.)-talent/skills... :o)

but that's just mho. 
7 > 8
 coding_to_music wrote:
A song comment for another National song described it as:
Drums drums drums drums
Mumble mumble mumble
Drums drums drums drums
Mumble mumble mumble

That's what I keep hearing now !
 
Just try the double back beat on the snare. Harder than it sounds.
thump thump gargle gargle thump thump gargle gargle thump thump gargle gargle
A grower, not a shower.
This group rocks in concert! Try another song too.

 
What a completely lifeless sound. No pun intended. This is just dead flat boring.

Q. What's worse than a song by the National
A. 2 the National songs in the same day. 


i had it down low, and thought at first it was depeche mode.

i like this.
Sounds good, sort of like early 1980s
" didn't want to date no goat"   {#Eyes}
LOVE The National!! Great songs this morning. Thank you RP!!! ;-)
A song comment for another National song described it as:
Drums drums drums drums
Mumble mumble mumble
Drums drums drums drums
Mumble mumble mumble

That's what I keep hearing now !
the national
Great Band ... Great Song
real nice feel...
mark sandman-ish
Good album. My son saw them at Bonneroo a year ago, and I bought this on his recommendation. Not disappointed.
 84MacGuy wrote:

Carl, good call.  I never thought of the similarities until you mentioned it.  Now what would be really interesting is hearing Aimee Mann provide the backup voice on Anyone's Ghost.
 
There you go!

 Carl wrote:
This reminds me of a somewhat less refined version of Jim White's "Static On The Radio."
 
Carl, good call.  I never thought of the similarities until you mentioned it.  Now what would be really interesting is hearing Aimee Mann provide the backup voice on Anyone's Ghost.
At first I thought he was singing "Didn't want to be your goat."  Guess my hearing is going baaaad.
OMG! Same album as Swarm of Bees in Ohio?  The National takes on a wide range.  I'm likin' this pretty good.
This reminds me of a somewhat less refined version of Jim White's "Static On The Radio."
 tommyboay wrote:
Discovered this song after I heard "Sorrow" and bought the CD.
Great song but not as good as Bloodbuzz Ohio or England to me :)

 
Agreement from me.

thump thump mumble mumble thump thump mumble mumble thump thump mumble mumble


 ziggytrix wrote:
sounds more like he's saying goat to me...
 
Yep, he's saying goat.

 dmax wrote:
Every time The National comes on, I think about how much work this guy puts into his songs, only to be nullified by that ham-handed drummer.
 
I guess he's a love it hate it element. He's mentioned before how he wants to sound like a drum machine sometimes, Joy Division etc.
es un poco triste este album, pero bonito, me gusta mucho, en especial esta canción {#Yes}
I bought this recording and it took me about 4 listens to get into it. Outstanding tracks abound on High Violet!  Will it stand the test of time?  Not sure.   
 romeotuma wrote:




I got the CD High Violet when I first heard "Bloodbuzz Ohio" on Radio Paradise...  but this song is definitely a b-side throwaway...  just an album filler...


 

 
In other words.....not sooooooooo good for the ears?

 2cats wrote:
Ok I'm first.  I  love the National and this song.

 

What you said!!!!!

Their new song off of the "Win Win" soundtrack is pretty incredible, btw...
 2cats wrote:
Ok I'm first.  I  love the National and this song.

 
I've been monumentally indifferent to The National so far, but this one's really catching my ear.

To me, this guy sings just like if he didn't want to..



Blech, whats next snow patrol followed by arcade fire
(ha, snow patrol was next).
Discovered this song after I heard "Sorrow" and bought the CD.
Great song but not as good as Bloodbuzz Ohio or England to me :)

"Had a hole in the middle....where the lightening went through it.. told my friends not to worry"  yeah,thats it. been there/hate that. 
mumble mumble mumble, yawn.
 romeotuma wrote:




I got the CD High Violet when I first heard "Bloodbuzz Ohio" on Radio Paradise...  but this song is definitely a b-side throwaway...  just an album filler...


 

 

Ahhhh, it appears that you are definitely in the minority on this opinion....
 romeotuma wrote:




I got the CD High Violet when I first heard "Bloodbuzz Ohio" on Radio Paradise...  but this song is definitely a b-side throwaway...  just an album filler...


 

 
definitely huh?

sounds more like he's saying goat to me...
Ok I'm first.  I  love the National and this song.