Song Reaction: THE ALCOTT - The National (feat. TAYLOR SWIFT!!!)

[@jump4112]

someone said "Renegade (troubled relationship), Exile (the first breakup), Coney Island (regrets), and ending with The Alcott (the reconnection)" and I love it so much

[@adelkovacs7083]

Oh my god that is genius

[@Sofia-fp4mw]

Omg that works so well!

[@eileenvb]

Maybe im dumb, but when I heard The Alcott I didn’t think it was reconnecting but it probably is

[@eileenvb]

Nvm I just re listened and it is definitely reconnecting

[@yasminsmaroon]

but where's evermore? is it the sadness after the breakup?

[@sarooshshahzad6562]

from "I'm not your problem anymore" to "Have I become one of your problems?"...unWELL!

[@sacredsunflower8930]

Love the connection 🤩

[@joshquests]

And I'm the problem. It's me.

[@nishthagupta1357]

😭😭😭 the first line is from Exile, which Joe and Taylor wrote together And the second line is from the Alcott.. Where Joe and Taylor became exile... And this song is for Joe..

[@nishthagupta1357]

​@@joshquests 😭😭nooooo midnights reference makes sense now

[@theradzone934]

I’ve never seen four eyes sparkle more than when these two hear Taylor sing. That energy is beyond contagious.

[@chatsandreacts]

truly our happy place 💖

[@MaroonBookshelf]

"Everything that's mine is a landmine" is really giving peace!

[@Blackcop33]

it’s so taylor swift i’m SICK

[@LuLu98J]

And it reminds me of the song Mine too! Going from "you are the best thing that's ever been mine" to "everything that's mine is a landmine" is too much to handle ahahaha

[@chatsandreacts]

its for the peace, afterglow and the archer girlies!

[@mieke1201]

i take the "read my sentence out loud" line as a metaphor of a judge in a court case. sort of like "say it as it is, you are sentencing me to stay in this unresolved situation forever" if he keeps coming back pulling her in?

[@christineviolet4831]

Oooh that is so interesting!!!

[@Anne-vd6oh]

Yes i agree. Or its like how long is it going to last this time. Sentence me to the length we'll last

[@MJ-he1hf]

Okay that makes sense I think you're right!!

[@aneksoros]

I was going to say this, cause I feel it makes sense with the use of "did my love aid and abet you?", aid and abet is to help someone do something illegal, so I get this vibes from this line

[@chatsandreacts]

Mieky your fathomings are always so illegal omg

[@onlytoankita]

I am so obsessed with this song. The harmony the lyrics the backing vocals omg perfect.

[@chatsandreacts]

completely obsessed, it just gets better and better.

[@onlytoankita]

@@chatsandreacts i know right. Also this is very concerning how her brain works. I mean are you kidding? Who writes these superior lyrics in 20 minutes??? It's actually very very concerning. UNWELL

[@michelle6337]

"Writing something about someone who used to be me" is such a haunting way to describe a past love. He used to be the person she wrote about in her golden notebook, but now she writes about someone else. I just love that line.

[@laurieletendre702]

The way I see it, it could also be that she is writing about him still, but some version of him that's past, who he USED to be, but now he changed. So the "person" she's writing about is almost like someone else entirely because it's not who he is anymore! Don't know if anyone else saw it this way but that's another interpretation I thought of!

[@Eric_The_Eccentric]

@@laurieletendre702 I did too. And maybe that's the description of him she's asking him to read out loud with the line "read my sentence out loud"

[@mentacristal]

thats exactly how I saw it too, it could definitely still be him, the version she used to know and love@@laurieletendre702

[@sacredsunflower8930]

The Alcott is a fictional hotel, they’re meeting IN A HOTEL BAR 😝 I read in an article that it’s important the hotel symbolizes a location that involves traveling and prioritizing certain things in life that pull you away from relationships. They collaborated so beautifully lyrically, I’ve been a huge fan of the National since 2008/2009 💜

[@onlytoankita]

OMG Emily is giving cover of "Miss Americana" So pretty I'm living

[@nameforaccount]

“writing something about someone who used to be me” it’s so genius, i interpret it as in she’s writing about the same person, but they’re not the same anymore and she can’t let go of that, almost as in parallel to Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve “God rest my soul, I miss who I used to be” or All Too Well “I'd like to be my old self again But I'm still trying to find it” , time passes and people change.

[@laurieletendre702]

Yessss that's what I thought too!

[@NaNa-pn7cp]

Do you really wanna know where i was April 29th? Watching Bonny and Emily Alcott reaction 😌💜

[@eirinikomotini]

Oh my 😂 I see what you did there !

[@jkmacrunnel]

Same!

[@blib4328]

Did you catch how the last chorus switched in such a Taylor way? It went from "It's the last thing you wanted It's the first thing I do" to "It's the last thing I wanted It's the first thing I do" I think you're right in that they both want to get back together but are uncertain and afraid of just repeating a cycle. The song is everything and to me it ends with them giving it another chance. So it's a semi-happy love song ❤

[@chatsandreacts]

YES!!!! Actually every chorus changes its quite a lot! it was too much to process on first listen haha

[@jennaaguirre6013]

I was soooo unwell when she said “did my love aid and abet you?” like was my love for you so much that it helped you hurt me?? 😮

[@kattaylor2687]

Omg that's such a great interpretation!!

[@dizzy_star]

That’s the part that stung the most for me too, ouchhh.

[@LuLu98J]

yeah, I get such a favorite crime vibes from this line hahahaha

[@jennaaguirre6013]

@@LuLu98J exactly!!

[@chatsandreacts]

AHHHH this is such a good interpretation!

[@aleksandraabucewicz2576]

“Writing something about someone who used to be me” is giving me she’s writing about HIM but he’s changed so much through their on and off relationship and life that he is now a different person. and that’s why she is writing about someone who he used to be and not who he is now!!!

[@jessicalarlee5466]

Yes that’s how I took it too.

[@annamariesieberns9894]

That’s not how I took it, but I really think that might be how she meant it now that you mention it!

[@sabinavitola8130]

I think the bridge is about Taylor admitting that she loves the pain (a theme she explores in a lot of her songs) and that’s why she keeps coming back-so when she says “why don’t you rain on my parade” its her literally asking him to come back into her life and make a mess again!!!

[@Toddboehly818]

Hello 👋 how are you doing today? I hope 🤞 this year brings happiness, peace and love all over the world 🌎 I’m originally from Canada 🇨🇦 grow up in Fort Worth Texas, currently living in Key West Florida. Where are you from if i may ask?😊😊

[@habim9670]

Isn't it amazing how quick Taylor's thought process is when writing these lyrics. Pure poetess.

[@Percy.13]

As a coney island stan, I freaking love The Alcott. Been listening non stop

[@AllTheArtsy]

The National is one of thise bands whose music just exude warmth, beauty and this special feeling. Truly. I know sometimes they're classified as "dad rock" whatever that means. And that their lyrics are sometimes a bit too dense. But they're so so enjoyable. Aaron and Bryce's music is just so amazing and Matt's voice is brilliant, unique, stand out. First Two Pages of Frankenstein is their most gentle, approachable album to date. I hope fans of their featured artists, esp Taylor's, give it a listen. And then listen to Boxer. You'll thank yourself!!!

[@jankova0013]

I have a bit problem with how vague the songs sometimes are. Also they are a bit too sad for me right now. I loved the instrumental tho. I just think I'll come back to it when I'm feeling down :)

[@mayaccie2938]

I think High Violet and Trouble Will Find Me are also very approachable, but most of the song are indeed really sad... but just so beautiful ! I am obsessed with them

[@nataliawood6583]

i took “read my sentence out loud” as her asking him as though he is a judge to make the decision for them about whether her ‘sentence’ is them getting back together or going their separate ways

[@Toddboehly818]

Hello 👋 how are you doing today? I hope 🤞 this year brings happiness, peace and love all over the world 🌎 I’m originally from Canada 🇨🇦 grow up in Fort Worth Texas, currently living in Key West Florida. Where are you from if i may ask?😊😊

[@finntheultimatediva]

this song is TRULY ILLEGAL. dare i say one of her best features.👀 this is also coming from a coney island stan so…

[@arxchniide]

oh best one BY FAR. i love every one of her features but i'm beyond obsessed w this song. the whole album is a masterpiece tbh

[@dswiftie7719]

how does taylor have time to do all that she does. its amazing! i love this song!

[@Violet316]

She doesn't sleep remember.

[@dswiftie7719]

@@Violet316 thats right! thank you!

[@timothy4342]

It’s amazing to know that she didn’t reply for 20minutes because during the that time she wrote and added some magical part to create this masterpiece Her mind and creativity, genius!!!! 🤯✨✨✨

[@dswiftie7719]

@@timothy4342 she was definitely born to do this! I'm so glad she connected with the nationals. we have some amazings songs now. I hope they continue.

[@bellesasmr]

the alcott is the cottage of their relationship. their bubble of love that appears cozy on the outside but it is still old and has some piping problems and such like any old building yk

[@dariavillani4135]

Listening to this kind of new songs at 6 am (midnight in US) and having an existential crisis Is becoming my whole personality

[@david.grever]

omg the europe morning stress is so real

[@maya_htrabkcah]

Saaameee

[@AntonioCruz-lr8yh]

but this went out at midnight local time

[@maya_htrabkcah]

@@AntonioCruz-lr8yh no it wasn't It came out at midnight ET which is Eastern Time which means that in most European countries (CET - Central European Time) its 6 am Plus when I watched the lyric video at midnight (April 29th not April 28th) it had been online for 18 hours which means it was in fact posted at 6 am (April 28th)

[@csongorcsendes4018]

​@@maya_htrabkcah but the song was actually released at midnight LOCAL time, and the lyric video at midnight ET (i'm from Europe too)

[@emmaparkinson8306]

“How many times will I do this and you’ll still believe?” Is giving me The Last Time!!

[@alicelindholm4351]

Yesss same!

[@Toddboehly818]

Hello 👋 how are you doing today? I hope 🤞 this year brings happiness, peace and love all over the world 🌎 I’m originally from Canada 🇨🇦 grow up in Fort Worth Texas, currently living in Key West Florida. Where are you from if i may ask?😊😊

[@Toddboehly818]

@@alicelindholm4351 Hello 👋 how are you doing today? I hope 🤞 this year brings happiness, peace and love all over the world 🌎 I’m originally from Canada 🇨🇦 grow up in Fort Worth Texas, currently living in Key West Florida. Where are you from if i may ask?

[@karishill7026]

Listening to the rest of the album there are a lot of themes of mental health. I get that the relationship ended maybe because of his struggles and she wants him to get help and not take it out on her. So when she sees him for the 1st time she is happy but then of course he does the last thing she wanted and starts telling her about all his problems. Questioning if she is now just another one of his problems and if she is just enabling him. (Aid and abed) The line what’s mine (he is her’s) is a landmine ( she never know which him she will get) and even though their house is cursed (his mental health) she still loves it.

[@mirandabee2323]

I love your fathoming!

[@jankova0013]

Thank you so much for this!

[@AJ-qh8kp]

I love this

[@nasraali8801]

its crazy after TTPD'S release to realize that when you said the Alcott was giving bird energy, Bonny was totally thinking of an albatross but just couldn't remember the word

[@ennischen7124]

the song somehow strangely gives me the vibe of right where you left me but from a different perspective

[@finntheultimatediva]

not us only having to wait a day for the reaction! we love fast legends

[@Olivia-qs5no]

absolutely obsessed. In the interview it was also said that taylor was inspired by the fact that Matt and his wife write songs together and she took her perspective on the alcott!

[@DobbyDob]

1:29 “and JOE” “ 👀 “ moment was so real and so felt

[@iwouldgiveyouthemoon_]

bonny's face made me laugh but like a sad laugh idek

[@stardusk87]

I saw it too :p

[@Eragon2679]

I'd like to know what she was about to say before the cut... 😅

[@nocontxtqueencamilla]

14:08 I think the use of sentence in 'read my sentence out loud' is more likely about the punishment assigned to a criminal? Like a judge reading the sentence in court? Or, because this screams Charles & Camilla (as in the King and Queen lol) to me, either one of them being told they couldn't be together because she wasn't aristocratic enough, or a virgin, or (later in life) because he couldn't marry a divorcée. This also ties in nicely with I) 'I love this curse on our house' in my interpretation of the lyrics considering their family history (bear with me...) because Camilla's great-grandmother was, well, a mistress to Charles' great-great-grandfather, AND II) 'did my love aid and abet you?' because, allegedly, in the 80's "he was in such a chronic state of depression that [his friends] feared for his sanity, and it was Patty Palmer-Tomkinson who engineered a reunion with Camilla, knowing how much she had meant to him the past. At first she and Charles started to talk on the telephone, he pouring out his heart to her, she listening sympathetically, warm, understanding and supportive. [...] Camilla was a lifeline for Charles; she brought light and laughter into his life which for a long time had been so very dark." Love the channel! xx

[@karamills2283]

I'm obsessed with Bonny's Jumper!

[@ralphcorneliuscastro]

sameeeee :)

[@thesearemymoccasins]

Where is it from .

[@enchantedmrc02]

I just realized this but the last chorus has a subtle change but it adds so much 😢 Instead of "It's the last thing you wanted", they both sing "It's the last thing I wanted"

[@LuLu98J]

the line about her writing on her golden notebook about someone who used to be him can also mean that she's still writing about the him she first met, but he has changed a lot and that person is no longer who he is now.

[@damiesapphire2643]

She's still in love with him urgh

[@beaf3681]

ohh i would love to watch a ranking video of all her collabs or features like you did for bridges, choruses, etc!!!

[@geekavant-garde7398]

I'm not sure if someone else already wrote this but Matt wrote his parts first about his wife, and Taylor sort of embodied her in spirit in writing her parts afterwards. She has been fascinated by Matt and his wife Carin's co-writing process for a while, he spoke about that in interviews. Matt went through a dark year of depression and writer's block ... I think the song is about reconnecting emotionally when he started to get out of that hole. They never separated or anything but when someone's in a deep depression it can feel like their connection to their SO is almost gone for a while. I think of him suddenly one day feeling good enough to go meet her in her favorite café and restarting the conversation to get back to their full relationship. And Taylor had the right words to express that cause she intimately understood it...

[@emmabrooker6059]

This to me is about taking the first step in deciding to fight for a love to look at all the hurt and brokenness and things each side did and decide to reach out because love is still there. Such a beautiful concept. Who will share their true feelings first instead of their fears. Hearing each person's feelings and fears in that moment via all the gorgeous layered lyrics. Twisted in threads is basically him tied up in knots with vulnerability and fear and all of their history as he finds his way to her where he knows she sits. Gahh so gorgeous.

[@akis1o17]

This song is like exile and Coney Island had a baby

[@yugantipatil4255]

I know y'all are Coney Island girlies. I was waiting for your reaction. So excited to watch. Lotsss to fathom 🫶

[@mahuadas9512]

Taylor does the filling in thing in gasoline as well. "strike a match, strike a match, watch it blow" etc. Love it!

[@deadfor7yrs246]

wowww i love this song, it's like they both want to get back together and are falling back in love with each other, but that doesn't mean that they are good at communicating in a healthy way because they're still singing different lyrics alternativelyyyy

[@keithmoore8702]

I wish you had watched the video so you can see Taylor singing Also she sang Colney Island last night in Atlanta

[@lvrclouds]

this song is actually soooooo beautiful

[@superfunnycoolgirl]

this song just completes my evermore heart 💗 love ur reactions always

[@sirsimonthesentry4787]

Berlinger in an interview said he had this image of going into a bar in the hotel where you know someone is going to be and hoping to talk to them about how you feel… and Taylor grabbed the person in the bar role and wrote it out in like 45 minutes.

[@lWishyouwould]

I love watching your plant growing in the background over time😂❤

[@williamboweryallalong]

What if this song is about the breakdown or reconnection of Taylor and Joe, because Taylor always describe Joe as gold/golden and in this song the there's golden references.

[@taylorisgod13]

yesss, also it's really bold because I remember Taylor mentioning that The National were one of their favorite bands and her singing a song about their relationship with them could be ironic

[@willstott9326]

KZbin brought me here as a longtime fan of The National. A very thoughtful and insightful take on a beautifully written (and performed) song. Thank you!

[@markbarnwell942]

I saw TS last night in Atlanta. SO FNG INCREDIBLE. MARATHION SHOW IN THE VEIN OF SPRINGSTEIN AND MACCARTNEY IN THE 80 and 90s. Get tickets if you can so worth the money.

[@emmabudriss5826]

"twisted in threads" reminds me of getting caught up or tangled in the invisible string

[@ericstorm5285]

Matt Berringer is such a great writer. Nice to hear the National bring in other artists like Taylor Swift on their albums these days. Her voice mixes beautifully with Matt’s

[@dreamoutloud8530]

She without a doubt learned a ton and was influenced by entering their world. The National are a treasure.

[@bbutterfly]

I interpreted “get myself twisted in threads” as fancy-speak for getting dressed.

[@Toddboehly818]

Hello 👋 how are you doing today? I hope 🤞 this year brings happiness, peace and love all over the world 🌎 I’m originally from Canada 🇨🇦 grow up in Fort Worth Texas, currently living in Key West Florida. Where are you from if i may ask?😊😊

[@laurenr2040]

I heard the first chorus and immediately thought of "I love you aint that the worst thing you ever heard" and SCREAMED

[@deadfor7yrs246]

i havent watched the video yet but i LOVED the song and went you know i simply must listen to the whole album and it is sO GOOD im almost mad at myself for not listening to their music before. the MUSIC, every INSTRUMENT is sooo perfect sounding, the LYRICS the STORYTELLING the BACKING VOCALS WHEN THERE ARE FEATURES the PRODUCTION the LAYERS. i would 100% recommend especially if you love folklore & evermore. this is my first The National album and i added nearly every song to my playlist sooo yep. ANYWAY EXCITED TO SEE YOUR FATHOMING AND PROBABLY REALISE SO MUCH STUFF I MISSED LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

[@sacredsunflower8930]

Boxer was one of my favorite albums in college

[@mae_amelia]

If you loved this album you need to listen to High Violet!! One of my favorite albums of all time

[@danyb8158]

"read my sentence out loud" as in a jail sentence 😮

[@ilvie1088]

Everytime you upload something, I am soooo excited. Thank you so much for the content. 🫶🏻

[@thalia7007]

i love this song so much. it gives so much rwylm vibes with the corner in the back

[@alexnibblett9222]

when i tell you i'm obsessed with taylor and i feel like i'm having a live chat with y'all when i watch

[@annamiotello4118]

I'm OBSESSED with this song. Taylor's voice sounds so goooood. aaaahhh! Also wondering, do you guys ever take weekends off? it seems like you are always filming tour reactions etc. at weekends. Hope you take care of yourselves and not overdo it.

[@zoalfekarali8325]

If Taylor really wrote this song probably it's about Joe, "Writing something about someone Who used to be me" is about joe not being the same man she loved "Tell me, which side are you on, dear?" Cause Joe wanted a break then when it's been a long time she announced they break up and probably he didn't want to break up with her!!! "Give me some tips to forget you" we all know she will never be able to forget joe and that's so sad cause she still loves him The song is about 2 people who still love eachother but they can't come back together for a lot of reasons and that's why it's so sad and that's why i think it's about her and Joe 💔

[@Eragon2679]

Joe was apparently a co-writer on this one. I don't know why they stayed together for so long, if you write songs like exile and champagne problems about your relationship, how do you stay together after that?

[@LuLu98J]

I loved loved loved the interpratation of the song you came up with! And I also have SO many thoughs about the possible meanings of the song (and what a beautiful song!) To summarize: on the first few listens, I felt that the lyrics Taylor adds in express the feelings of when you're falling out of love with someone, but they're so great that you even feel guilty for falling out of love with them. To me, the idea of him meeting his loved one to try to resolve their issues and continue together while, simultaneosly, she is trying to accept that she doesn't see a future in this relationship... It gives the song SUCH depth! Okay, now to the long explanation of my interpretation: I got this feeling by focusing on the lyrics Taylor sings first, because I'm more familiarized to her way of writting and I naturally paid more attention to those because I instictively though I would understand them quicker. These are the lines she sings (with my interpretation of them in parenthesis): *2nd chorus lines* _Tell me, which side are you on, dear?_ (why do the things you do simultaneosly make me see that I'm not in love with you anymore AND make me see how amazing you are? Which side are you on, the side where you are becoming my ex or the side where you are a great person I _should_ be in love with?) _Give me some tips to forget you_ (Can you stop being so incredible and give me the means to let go from you?) _Have I become one of your problems?_ (The same is true to him, he doesn't fit into her life anymore, but they're still together and it's like this relationship used to be something they would fight everything else for, but now it has become a problem in itself) _Could it be easy this once?_ (could this break up be easy this time? I'm so tired of break ups being so tiring and hard...) _Everything that's mine is a landmine_ (... But there is no way things could be easy with me, could they? There always has to have some issue or some complex feelings - like the complex feeling of falling out of love with someone who dind't do anything to deserve that or having a break up that is not dramatic at all, so it doesn't have a climax that allows you to let go of your ex. Also, this line reminds me of the song "Mine" - the lyrics "you are the best thing that's ever been mine" is hopeful, is about letting go of all the past hurt to be with this someone, but, now, she feels like everything she touches blows up and she's the problem) Did my love aid and abet you? (If our relationship was wrong/a crime, did my love help you commit it? While it lasted, was it worth it? Did I contribute with something beautiful for our relationship? Knowing those things would make me feel less like a bitch for falling out of love with someone I admire so much) *Bridge lines* _Why don't you rain on my parade?_ (Why don't you do something terrible to make this easier?) _Shred my evenin' gown_ (Why don't we have some dramatic break up?) _Read my sentence out loud_ (I imagine this as her writing some song that indicates her feelings of wanting to leave this relationship, and inconciously leaving them out on the house for him to read. And that he read it, but he didn't question her about it, he didn't confront her on them. He didn't read into her melancholia, but this time she wished he had, so they could resolve this issue) _'Cause I love this curse on our house_ (Ever since the break up news came up, I've been noticing how, ever since Taylor and Joe's relationship had started, she writes songs about the fear of them breaking up, about the conciousness that they could break up... As if she always expected they wouldn't last forever. Even when she talks about marriage in lover, she has other songs like Cornelia Street that talk about an almost iminent break up that eventually will happen. At times, she's afraid of it (eg.: dancing with our hands tied, peace). At times, she's inspired by it (eg.: champagne problems, gold rush). At times, she avoids it (eg.: paper rings, lavander haze, end game). At times, she has come to terms with it (eg.: false god, call it what you want). To me, in this line, the house could be a metaphor for their relationship and the house is cursed - cursed by the certainty that it will someday break down -, but, even though she has been scared of this curse for some time, now she loves it, because it's like something that she always knew was gonna happen is finally happening, so she doesn't need to be afraid of it anymore) Now, after watching this video, I saw the annotations of this song on Genius and it helped me understand more the lyrics from the lead singer of the National. It seems to me that he wrote this song about a specific moment of time when a couple is going through some issues and they meet up to try work through them. And, to me, it feels like Matt wanted to write this song in a way that leaves it unresolved, that it could be interpreted either way: (1) the couple could either resolve their issues and stay together stronger than ever, or (2) they could find out that there's nowhere to go from here and they break up for good. And knowing that Aaron sent this song to Taylor because he knew she liked the music AND because he thought she would connect with the lyrics Matt had written makes me think about that even more. It's like Matt is writting about this moment in a relationship, but from a perspective that they will eventually work out, and (in my opinion) Taylor is writting from a perspective of trying to come to terms with the fact that the relationship needs to end. And, even if I'm completely wrong about the intentions of Taylor with the lyrics she added in, I don't care. Because, to me, the idea of him feeling like they will resolve their issues and, simultaneosly, her trying to accept that she doesn't see a future in this relationship no matter how incredible and sweet the other person gets to be gives the song *SUCH depth* and a variety of ways it could be interpreted depending on the personal experiences of the listener. The lyrics are AMAZING and the melodies of the way they sing them are so beautiful too! I'm in love with this song.

[@Ila28]

I absolutely Adore this thank you

[@CelinaSharp]

Great reaction as always. I watched an interview where Aaron Dessner says Matt Berninger wrote a vocal sent it Taylor and anxiously waiting 20 mins for her reply thinking he might have put her in a position where she would have to turn him down. Instead, she sent him a voice note with a fully formed contribution from the prospective of the women. Taylor wrote her part in 20 MINUTES! She’s such a lyrical genius in my opinion ❤️

[@Eragon2679]

Did you watch the video till the end? 😅 They literally read excerpts from that interview out loud in the last couple of minutes...

[@myeahonline]

I love that Taylor chooses a few select artists to collaborate with and it always comes out so beautifully 🥹

[@miachae4481]

Can you guys PLEASE do a ranking of tay’s best iconic backing vocal moments!! so has so many and it’s such a niche TS thing that the fans know all of them ❤

[@heythereyy]

i saw a comment on a tiktok i really agree with, that the curse on their house is very romeo and juliet esque because of the line "a plague on both your houses". overall i love all the connections of this song to others on folklore/evermore and the beautifully poetic story it tells

[@bettys_cardigan13]

I love you guys, the alcott is sooo good been listening non stop

[@alicelindholm4351]

I don't know why but this song give me the same feeling as cowboy like me... I feel like they're in the same universe somehow

[@courtneyschwarzbauer7245]

At the beginning he says writing about someone who used to be me and then she says to read the sentence out loud -- like she’s wanting him to remember the person who she fell in love with and how he’s changed?!

[@elinsiw]

Wow - this!

[@fungus1522]

Everything that's mine is a landmine is such a good lyric. I love the song so much

[@jennabolmgren]

Omg I am rewatching this post-TTPD and having some thoughts. First, Bonny mentioning Labyrinth?! 🤨 then (pardon my random stream of consciousness) “I tell you that I think I’m falling back in love with you” and “I love you, it’s ruining my life” also some possible Chloe, etc. hints? “Rain on my parade” and “rusting my sparkling summer”? Is the Alcott similar to The Black Dog as a bar they frequented? Also, lots of prison-ish terms used (Guilty as Sin?): aid and abet, read my [jail] sentence out loud, etc. I love this song and not trying to draw connections unnecessarily, but now that we know what we know, I couldn’t help it. 😅

[@elephant1871]

It gives me exile vibes bc the Taylor and then the person singing with the deep voice. I love It sm it’s so good

[@codiecook4125]

My line of thinking here was that he’s getting himself twisted in threads, or getting nervous and worked up, to meet her at their spot and tell her that’s he’s changed, while she’s writing down golden “daydream-esque” thoughts about “someone who used to be me,” thoughts reflective of his past feelings for her, which he now does not have, and so “the last thing you wanted is the first thing i do” to me was him breaking the news to her that he doesn’t want to do this anymore and it’s like her worst nightmare come true, but then the rest of the chorus reveals this has happened before possibly and hints at a really toxic pattern these two go through, but she’s more the victim because she is only sticking around because she loves him so much and she’s wondering why everything she’s ever had and loved always goes to shit (“everything’s that’s mine is a landmine”)

[@nicolettekeely]

This song is absolutely amazing! I love that you guys always help me to better understand the lyrics ❤

[@germanvasquezborja1619]

HAHAHHAHAHAHA Bonny's face when Ems tell that Joe has credits on Coney Island.

[@jacquelinerogers9745]

I just realised the lyric switches in every chours from you to I (chorus 1 and 2) and last chorus is just always I until the end 😢 superior song writing

[@Hannah_jo25]

In the beginning the last thing *she* wanted and the first thing *he* did was *tell* her he was in love with her. BUT by the end they are both saying that the last thing *they* wanted and the first thing they did is *fall* back in love with each other. It goes from him saying it to them both feeling it over the course of the song. ❤

[@Toddboehly818]

Hello 👋 how are you doing today? I hope 🤞 this year brings happiness, peace and love all over the world 🌎 I’m originally from Canada 🇨🇦 grow up in Fort Worth Texas, currently living in Key West Florida. Where are you from if i may ask?😊

[@ithk9496]

can we talk about her voice in this!!!!!!! I disintegrate and melt into a puddle when she comes in.

[@dreamoutloud8530]

Swiftie fans...welcome to the incredibly artistic and musical world of The National. The Swifties definitely won with the recent collaborations. We all had heard of Swift for years because all our tween girls in the family listen to her. Now The National are a golden discovery for anyone who really appreciates great song writing and gorgeous playing.

[@mauriciodavila9430]

u both look so prettyyyyy!!

[@Mary-hz2qb]

She said it’s giving me a bird and I said albatross!!!! Are you prophetic? 😂😊

[@lavandergirl0209]

Emilyyyyyy i coudln't stop looking at your hair, its stunning

[@elisamaer4739]

Her verses kind of reflects the present situation of her lovelife. Sad but what a genius!

[@KANDI-]

Damn I was thinking that too

[@nicknack350]

I think an alternate interpretation could be a couple that’s still in a relationship and he’s meeting her at the Alcott to break it off with her but he gets pulled into the relationship again. She knows the relationship is not working and she’s helping him commit these crimes against her but she hangs onto who he once was. He’s trying to “break into her golden thinking” because he’s purposefully sabotaging the relationship so she stops loving him but she’s asking to work it out. We see golden as a reference to love in all her songs. She’s telling him to read her sentence out loud because she knows he’s about to sentence her to a life without him. Never on the same page and always feeling like everything she does is a landmine in the relationship. The last thing she wanted is to break up and it’s first thing he does. And the last thing he wanted to for her to be kind to him and smile when she sees him.

[@katielafave4543]

I just have to say that I love the way bonny did her hair in this video! also love her sweatshirt

[@armsamelia]

The entire album is actually so amazing as well!

[@aidenmould]

side note OBSESSED with bonnys jumper so cute

[@heycatters]

I take it as a toxic on and off relationship but there’s so much love, but they’re just bad for each other. Like the saying “love is not enough”. And from her side the inner conflict of wanting so bad to believe this time it’ll be different, but knowing she should just walk away. And he’s trying to convince her that he’ll change and this time he means it (which she wants to hear because she loves him, but it also is hard to hear because it confuses her because she’d decided to walk away). And that last back in love with you just sung by her is her giving in to her feelings again, admitting she’s going to go back again.

[@ralphcorneliuscastro]

We need The National to be one of Taylor Swift's future tour opening acts sooner!!!! Also, shoutout to Emily's insane bangs (kinda reminds me of Taylor's bangs on 2022 Toronto International Film Festival when she was promoting All Too Well: The Short Film with Sadie Sink) and Bonny's cool sweatshirt I would die to buy an exact replica of her sweatshirt hahaha!!!!

[@ralphcorneliuscastro]

Plus, Emily and Bonny, we can't wait for your breakdown of Midnights 3am edition track-by-track!!!!

[@sacredsunflower8930]

Sorry no, they headline their own shit. They are legendary and need more than a 30 min set LOL

[@AllTheArtsy]

The National is a bit too big of an act to open lol (I mean, Paramore feels like that too but....)

[@mmoore4456]

The National opening for Taylor Swift, or anybody else, for that matter. You're kidding right? If not, it's clear you don't know much about the National.

[@michelle-fe7id]

​@@AllTheArtsy that comment is crazy lol the only way this would make sense is if they co headlined a tour where she just performs folk/evermore and the national perform thier albums, now that would be cool

[@emery6566]

Bonny's face when Emily mentione Joe 😭

[@bobbyrw1398]

I'm all fathomed out! Your energy exhausts me. Keep it going. Love it.

[@skylerpoling5192]

It’s giving right where you left me. She’s been sitting at the Alcott writing stuck since they split and he comes back and finds her in the same place she’s always been

[@J11R6B97]

Bonnie's bombastic side eye when Emily mentions Joe is sending meeee

[@margarethorton8196]

I feel like this song is a mix of illicit affairs, exile, and right where you left me which is too much to handle! I always love your reactions and breakdowns ❤

[@nicolelynn5450]

I feel like the “it was the last thing you wanted and the first thing I do” could also be like during the breakup the last thing she wanted from him he didn’t do at that time so when they see each other again it’s the first thing he does to make up for it

[@historygirl0126]

I interpret the “read my sentence out loud” to return to the earlier “aid and abet” reference where their relationship is akin to a criminal offense or that continuing to love each other is a bad thing. In a way, she’s sentencing herself or punishing herself by getting back together or having broken up in the first place. This song is one of my favorites. Definitely getting the Exile and Coney Island references. Their harmonizing is stunning and I was a mess when I heard the extra lyrics Taylor includes such as the “everything that’s mine is a landmine.”

[@17caria]

I wonder if the "Read my sentence out loud" is like "Read my fate out loud," like being sentenced for a crime--tying in with the abet idea.

[@shridhrithisings09]

this song has been on repeat ! love your videos ❤❤

[@jtw.111]

Bonny’s “that’s right…” when Emily mentions Joe Alwyn at 1:30 🤣

[@charl8180]

SENDING LOVE FROM THE PHILIPPINES

[@stephensmith2027]

Me: IS THIS ABOUT MATTY HEALY TOO?!?!