The National Lyrics Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bloodbuzz Ohio

The National's fifth album, "High Violet", was the first to push the band into mainstream success, getting them to number three on the Billboard 200 upon releasing in 2010 and receiving typical critical acclaim. "Bloodbuzz Ohio", the first of four singles, saw particular success in Canada (where it went gold) and the UK, where it hit number nineteen on the UK Indie chart.

A bit more on the downtempo side for the album, the song is a National classic and stands as strong fare for the band.

Answer: Don't Swallow the Cap

The National's sixth studio album, "Trouble Will Find Me", released to great acclaim in 2013 and the somehow propulsive and mournful "Don't Swallow the Cap" was its second track. Appearing at number forty-eight on the Billboard US Rock Digital Songs chart, the track helped propel the album as a whole to number three on the US Billboard 200 (the same position that "High Violet" peaked in).

It would subsequently end up receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album, losing to Vampire Weekend's "Modern Vampires of the City".

Answer: The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness

The lead single from The National's seventh studio album, "Sleep Well Beast", "The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness" released to radios in 2017 and took the top spot on the Billboard US Adult Alternative Songs chart. Additionally, the track helped the band take their highest spot on the Billboard 200 to date (number two).

The album as a whole was particularly well-received, resulting in a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album the following year.

Answer: Tropic Morning News

Over the COVID-19 lockdowns, The National kept busy with collaborative tracks (with Taylor Swift) and soundtrack contributions ("Cyrano") before returning to the studio to create two back-to-back companion albums, "First Two Pages of Frankenstein" and "Laugh Track", both of which released in 2023 as their ninth and tenth official releases. "Tropic Morning News" was the first single from the pair, and while it had significant airplay at the start of 2023, it was "The Alcott", from the same album, that gave the band their highest-charting single, mainly because it was boosted by Swift as a featured vocalist.

Answer: You Had Your Soul with You

The lead single and first track from The National's eighth album, "I Am Easy to Find", "You Had Your Soul with You" was the highest-charting track from the release, peaking at number nine on the Billboard US Adult Alternative Songs chart. Though written and composed by The National, the track features guest vocals from David Bowie band member Gail Ann Dorsey, who brings one of the first substantial instances of female vocals in the band's discography, providing a counter to Matt Berninger's baritone. Most songs on the album feature different female guest vocalists; Dorsey is on six of them.

Answer: Mistaken for Strangers

Although "Boxer" was The National's fourth studio album, it turned out to be their first to gain traction on the charts. "Mistaken for Strangers", a concert staple after the disc's good reception, was the first single from the set. It wouldn't see much action on the charts, but its propulsive drums and catchy lyrics let it take root as a fan favourite. Media outlets regarded it as one of the standout indie-alternative songs of 2007.

Answer: Graceless

The "Trouble Will Find Me" album released with five separate singles, many of which made it to indie and rock radio play in 2013, but the band found success at album level with many of the tracks not having the punchiness that radio play required. "Graceless" was an odd exception for the band as it, like "Don't Swallow the Cap", had the tempo to push the listener along.

Interestingly, of all the songs on the album, only "Graceless" and "Sea of Love", released in the back half of 2013, were sent out with music videos.

Answer: Day I Die

The fourth single from "Sleep Well Beast" (after "The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness", "Guilty Party", and "Carin at the Liquor Store"), "Day I Die" is perhaps the ideal radio single for The National, showcasing strong riffs across the board and memorable, just-a-bit-complex songwriting-- just enough to know the sentiment of the song, but occasionally just poetic enough to bury it.

The track hit number forty on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

Answer: Apartment Story

As "Boxer" continued its slow rise on the US Billboard 200 chart to number sixty-eight, "Apartment Story" would release as its second of three singles (the last being the album opener, "Fake Empire"). The National has long been known for often cryptic, poetic lyrics but "Apartment Story" has always seemed to be one of their most accessible.

When The National re-released the album as a tenth anniversary live album, "Boxer (Live in Brussels)", in 2018, "Apartment Story" was one of the more resonant tracks-- a clear concert sing-along.

Answer: Quiet Light

Though not released as one of the five singles from "I Am Easy to Find", "Quiet Light" holds the radio-readiness of some of The National's higher-tempo fare. Considered one of the stand-out tracks from the disc by fans, it features the guest vocals of both Gail Ann Dorsey and Eve Owen. Notably, "I Am Easy to Find" didn't hold back on content; the album clocks in at over an hour.

Despite the length, it topped out at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart and it hit number one on the US Top Rock Albums chart.

It hit number two on the UK Albums Chart as well.