The National - Eucalyptus: Live from Bearsville Theater (Woodstock, NY)

On March 4, 2023, The National performed an intimate show for 500 people at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, NY. There they debuted much of their upcoming album First Two Pages of Frankenstein.
'Eucalyptus' is taken from forthcoming album 'First Two Pages Of Frankenstein', out now via 4AD.
Stream 'Eucalyptus' here: thenational.ff...
Pre-order/pre-save 'First Two Pages Of Frankenstein' here: thenational.ff...
Directed and Edited by Michael Garber
Produced by Jake DeNicola and Michael Garber
Directors of Photography:
Jake DeNicola
Hil Steadman
Camera Operators:
Drew Levin
William Colby
Nicco Quinto
First Assistant Camera:
Andre Fernandez
Jib Technician:
Christa Brunks
Production Assistant:
Tia Carr
Audio recorded and mixed by Adam Armstrong
Thanks to the Bearsville Theater
Lyrics:
What about the glass dandelion?
What about the TV screen?
What about the undeveloped cameras?
Maybe should bury these
What about the last of the good ones?
What about the ceiling fans?
What if we moved back to New York?
What about the moondrop light?
You should take it, cuz I'm not gonna take it
You should take it, I'm only gonna break it
You should take it, cuz I'm not gonna take it
You should take it, you should take it
What about the rainbow eucalyptus?
What about the instruments?
What about the Cowboy Junkies?
What about the Afghan Whigs?
What about the Mountain Valley Spring?
What about the ornaments?
What if I reinvented again?
What about the moondrop light?
You should take it, cuz I'm not gonna take it
You should take it, I'm only gonna break it
You should take it, cuz I'm not gonna take it
You should take it, you should take it
You should take it, cuz I'm not gonna take it
You should take it, if I miss it I'll visit
You should take it, cuz I'm not gonna take it
You should take it, you should take it
I don't want it, I don't care, I don't want it
It wouldn't be fair, it'd be so alone
Without you there, it wouldn't be fair
It wouldn't be fair, there's nobody home
I'm already there, it wouldn't be fair
You should take it, cuz I'm not gonna take it
You should take it, I'm only gonna break it
You should take it, cuz I'm not gonna take it
You should take it, you should take it
You should take it, cuz I'm not gonna take it
You should take it, if I miss it I'll visit
You should take it, cuz I'm not gonna take it
You should take it
It wouldn't be fair, it'd be so alone
Without you there, it wouldn't be fair
It wouldn't be fair, there's nobody home
I'm already there, it wouldn't be fair

[@fabior3199]

The sound engineer of this deserves a fucking medal, this is clearer than distilled water!

[@ericclemson5263]

The National is awesome, but their road crew, particularly the sound guys are equally superb. At the concert I went to last week, the sound was 5 stars.

[@Red22762]

I almost gave up on todays music but this song has changed my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[@okeanos8364]

Todays music is really great. Creativity is exploding. I have the time of my life.

[@debbie8437]

This album is shaping up to be a killer guys. Can’t wait for the release. Great performance

[@dpsojka]

My favourite single so far. Perfect. Seeing this live will be an experience.

[@alanmralphsralphs7434]

Magnificent drumming and lead guitar too … brilliant crash into the pain of irreconcilable heartbreak

[@carolinequixabeira1651]

Can't wait to see the band live in portugal. Travelling from Brazil just to have the opportunity to listen this amazing tunes live.

[@OfLegionReal]

You gonna love them I saw them live at music festival not ffar from where I lvie thanks to my brother for taking me. Last time I saw something live was 2017

[@ajem1970]

Já tenho os meus bilhetes. São sempre mágicos, para cada momento da nossa vida tem uma música dos national

[@waynecolodny2751]

Perfect. Such a great song and performance.

[@rostyslavvitomskyi415]

masterpiece

[@terraw3814]

Hot damn. Just perfect.

[@supermuskelmann8557]

What a masterpiece of a song.

[@vakentimmar]

When Matt is screaming in the end of the song it's so intense and so beautiful. It's a wonderful song, one of their best ever. I wish the studio version had the same intensity.

[@keithck3720]

This video made me smile....it was so good. It's very weird. The studio versions of their songs always sound so sedate comparatively but have so much personality live. I don't understand how and why that can't be captured in the studio.

[@joshchesler280]

I so agree!

[@Moonpome]

Like Mr. November which is always better live.

[@chitooooon]

I think it’s on purpose.

[@AnotherproblemOn]

i fear he might have to stop screaming now that he's getting older. He probably won't be able to do it as much as he used to before.

[@darryldavies8171]

Even better live than the recorded version. So much intensity in Matt’s delivery. Up there in the top 5 of best The National songs.

[@keithbate9405]

@@jazzfan67 Totally agree and my top 5 is all different from yours !

[@CatastrophicDisease]

@@jazzfan67 The thing with the National is that some songs just hit differently depending on the person. My absolute favorite song by them (and favorite song period) is Ada, which most fans wouldn't have in their Top 5. And Not in Kansas is my #2, which would be even more rare. It's extra subjective with the National.

[@michaelvallarelli3107]

Seems to be a theme to play a fight song live, record it and then it loses it's balls

[@gabrielrojo9510]

@@CatastrophicDisease Not in Kansas is absolutely brilliant

[@danivs7568]

​@@CatastrophicDisease Not In Kansas is definitely in my top 5!

[@renefranco8966]

can't wait to hear this live in LA in May!!

[@KawaruV]

This is why I’m glad they release live versions of tracks sometimes because I would /love/ to have this performance on the actual album the live performance of this was so much more intense, absolutely amazing.

[@Vgs183]

Agreed lived version was 100x better and I’m not saying the studio is bad at all, I’m a big fan but almost all of their songs are better live

[@jaimaambe]

Dear The National, I love you.

[@tiago9617]

yes, I absolutly should take this song

[@patrickdoyle85]

Fucking hell boys.. you’ve done it again. Every listen I find something I hadn’t heard the time before.

[@Barcles_G]

Shout out to the glorious little solo at 2:10 that gives itself time to breathe and simultaneously be crushed by the sheer weight of the song’s innate heartbreak

[@pavvlasenko]

Only The National can make live version ten times better.

[@OurBovinePublic]

This shit is that good I had to stop half way through to compose myself.

[@colintook3357]

Same here, I was nearly tearing up, awesome energy and passion.

[@seanfinlay7393]

Simply the best. Best live band. Best music. Best emotions.

[@paulaartfactu5117]

Amazing this live ❤. Thanks

[@MrRambutan1973]

Another instant classic. This live performance is perfect. Matt has gotta to be one of the greatest living song writers. Pure poetry; like listening to him singing a Raymond Carver short story

[@FishingforFisher]

I absolutely love it when the horns come in.

[@bernarda3856]

Can’t wait for the new album to come out

[@roblox_jules]

Cant wait to be in it

[@dantepane]

I was almost center about 3 deep I am hoping i can see my mug. such an amazing instant classic.

[@Tsvetochkin]

потрясающая песня...плюс такое исполнение... это очень круто, и неожиданно что они ещё так могут

[@marknedzelsky395]

Ощущение что они ушли от экспериментов и вернулись к истокам

[@CRMaley]

I have to say there are some certain cinematographic moments of the theater here, from a distance, that seem to reflect the theater from the album over of Boxer, with the theater front and center, and even Matt's tendency to deepen into screams that had been left out of recent albums, all of which makes the most recent album feel like like such a beautiful mix of their styles all put together.

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

This song has more of a High Violet feel.

[@dgdt8089]

When someone pushes you so far you give up… greatest song writer of his generation

[@igor_timofeev]

Love it! Thank you, guys!

[@chinyachinnu]

darn beautiful

[@soheildadkhoo4264]

The way his voice breaks for the heaviness of emotions. Love you guys!

[@solituned]

Crossing all my fingers that the entire show will be released once the album is out

[@diegorossello]

My life resets every time the National have an album release. Can't wait.

[@AliceVilela-j7f]

Magnífico ❤️👏👏👏👏👏🇵🇹

[@drmcclin]

these guys are firing on all cylinders... just out of this world. Good to see Bryan doing his thing behind those drums again.

[@thewanderinghapa]

I do prefer this sound over the studio version. It's more raw, Matt's vocals sound better, and the overall soundscape melts together great! I'm curious to hear the other songs live and how different the feel/experience. This song is heartbreaking and gutwrenching, and the live version solidifies that desperation the lyrics have. Well done!

[@thewanderinghapa]

@@jazzfan67 Yeah...idk why but my partner and I have talked about how 'clean' and 'polished' it all feels on the singles. Like I love the lyricism of 'New Order T Shirt' but I can see why people don't like it. I enjoy Tropic Morning News for its musicality but it doesn't feel as raw as the National does to me in other albums or songs. fingers crossed the album exceeds the impressions we're getting from the singles!

[@zeckhariahbedhiafi8738]

❤!!!!!!!!

[@NeuroSquire]

I knew this would hit so hard live🍻

[@schmacko1969]

What a beautiful, messy break-up tune! I love how most of it doesn’t rhyme, because it makes it more spontaneous and raw. And the emotions totally connect.

[@nickjames628]

This is called life long, enduring creativity. And its so fucking inspiring.

[@CASPIOMUSIC]

Vi adoro ❤

[@lillianjensen1139]

Oh, I love this so much! Arguably better than the recorded version!

[@lloydmccullough5316]

incredible. always a joy to see them perform and this is filmed and recorded so well. cant wait to watch more!

[@keithbate9405]

Mu current favourite band. Saw them live in Manchester last year (2022). Best gig I have been to since the 1980's ! Really looking forward to the new album. ps I think this live version is better than the studio track . Matt is really intense.

[@RaulPlo]

I love you The National…that’s something I can’t explain, it’s something beutifull… it’s The Fucking National…

[@chrishogan0613]

These guys fucking know heartache

[@pablov842]

🧡🧡

[@joelcarre383]

It's a so beautiful and desperate song, i can't hear it without crying, it's almost too intense. Thank's and damn the National for a so depressive and extraordinary feeling.

[@tassostantsis2826]

I wanted to express my gratitude for the performance but that word seems to insult the emotions shared. thank you.

[@boguszbaszkiewicz6850]

This one just begs for exapansion in the end just like they would do in the past with e.g. „Swallow Victoria”. Their far best for years. I’m tearful everytime.

[@lauragalvez3596]

Love his voice.

[@mythaitours]

The brass at the end, rounds off this song perfectly!

[@mikemunsch8138]

Come on!!! It just isn't fair...there's no better band out there....

[@Raulg45bdn]

Thank you! First heard this song Live at Sound on Sound in Bridgeport, CT. Instant fav.

[@darkstar1278]

This Is a masterpiece

[@MrGrendel49]

This band.... My heart....

[@waynecolodny2751]

What if i re-invented again? Great line, great song, great performance.

[@ardhiynwa556]

Ada 2 hal duniawi yang gua merasa beruntung dari pada yang lain. 1. Mengikuti one piece, 2. Menjadi fans the national

[@tomwithlove91]

Can’t wait to see them live again. 💛

[@carlospires7411]

Talking about Perfection is talking about The National 🖤🖤🖤

[@entreondasemontanhas]

lyrics are heartbreaking. well done again.

[@carolschneckvarner80]

Wow. This is everything.

[@jurgennaeve3897]

Maybe this one could be my new No.1 The National song, what a great performence.

[@Jnicholle13]

I want to see them this tour so badly

[@alextzin67]

Superb

[@uncle_w0p]

So excited to finally see them live again!

[@valerapshenichnyj5625]

Только сегодня узнал о них ,услышал ,увидел ...Зацепило однако

[@Ash-cm7mw]

поздравляю, это навсегда. уже несколько лет это группа которая никогда не надоедает. уникальные ребята

[@quentincrisp6933]

They def have their own great sound!

[@gavalaification]

Going to see them in September at the Alexander Palace, can't wait, I've never seen them live before 🙂

[@Jnicholle13]

I’m already there, too. Yeah. It wouldn’t be fair.

[@mariagil6151]

❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[@claudiamorales714]

¡¡Épica interpretación!!. Bueno, es un conjunto total, vocal, musical, audio, visual etc....que lo hacen una verdadera joya.

[@danielcervilla145]

Simply the Best band ❤ Hands down

[@CasperVanderlyle]

Much better live, im glad

[@adam49257]

Such a voice always comes from somewhere within can't wait till Leeds direct arena

[@XxsnIperN00bxX]

One of the best things theyve ever done (and that's saying something). I would pay simply to watch Bryan Devendorf soundcheck his drumkit. Simply a master.

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

This song seems like a descendant of Coney Island.

[@gaultierreal]

They are such an outstanding live band. The record version is a bit flat but this is amazing, Matt and Bryan's drumming really shine here !

[@TheSuperKT]

Please come back soon to Guadalajara Jalisco México please

[@gabrielrojo9510]

Brilliant

[@user-ep8bk5ku6g]

THE EMOTION!!

[@iixamaxii]

Amazing! Looking forward to you coming to Belgium some day!

[@tylerdurden1221]

Intense! Great tune

[@anatolschwez6737]

it's just so true, beautiful.

[@RichJow]

Can't wait for Leeds in September!

[@cristianpemo]

Can you guys include a live version of the new album?

[@pierrelangevin4236]

Magnifique 👍 Comme tjrs❤️ on se voit à Montréal cet été 🌷

[@jacekadamczewski1897]

Pięknie jak zawsze

[@calliope720]

This song is so effing good, dudes

[@aaronmcclelland5786]

solid brilliant!

[@Lobosalsa9]

Hits hard

[@didierpeters3207]

Merveille ❤❤❤

[@javierdelval481]

😢😢😢😢 heartbreaking

[@AD-fx2qd]

As much as Anthony Fantano hates this band, I love this band.

[@ademwaterman7279]

Does he hate them? I saw video where he didn't rate Trouble Will Find Me. But there should be no hate The National

[@frasersmith4935]

Outstanding

[@ksenau2]

Absolutely in love as always. Matt's voice is soundtrack of my life. Can't wait to see my favourite band in Europe. Last time it was in Paris last spring.

[@steadyhandpokes]

love this so much!

[@anniechen9878]

God they’re amazing