The National – All the Wine

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  Song Meaning:I'm a bit torn by two meanings:
  
  One is simply alcohol. The guy thinks he's great because he's smashed, and can't tell what the hell is going on, but just sees himself as an awesome dude and the center of attention.
  
  The second meaning would be a melancholy perfect town/setting/person. Kind of a fake suburban society. With words like "dollhouse", "safe sleeping upstairs", I kinda get the feeling of a friendly, homogenized, sanitary society. This person is perfect, in a creepy way. No hardships to write and talk about.

  Flag DrZaloskion April 16, 2013   Link

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  My Interpretation:I think the song is about a bipolar manic episode.

  Flag IVNCURTISon February 27, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:What the ever loving *hell* does the candle, black girls, and child bride verse mean?! It's really bothering me, lmao!

  Flag Aquarius121on October 23, 2012   Link

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    I read an interview years ago where Berninger explained the "birthday candle in a circle of black girls" line. He said it was referencing some time he lived in an urban area and felt like the only lame white boy (the birthday candle) in the midst of all these beautiful and exotic people (the circle of black girls). As for the child bride thing... The whole song to me is very tongue-in-cheek. Basically he's singing outlandish praises to himself that are meant to be transparent and sardonic.

    Flag ghzgzdfon February 03, 2013  
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  Song Meaning:I think it's just about trying to feel invincible but knowing that you're actually vulnerable.

  Flag edrums42on July 20, 2012   Link

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  My Interpretation:the song has nothing to do with the consumption, or being under the influence of alcohol. the mention of 'wine' is simply metaphorical for the possession of something vintage, perhaps even privileged. the motif of superficiality conflicting with authenticity seen throughout the song, and indeed the album (looking for astronauts, lit up). We see this in the lyrics: 'Like every Californian....God is on my side' in contrast to the 'dollhouse'.
  
  The superficiality of appearance of the stereotypical Californian is contrasted with, what I believe, is the third character in the song, introduced by the 'dollhouse' microcosm. The juxtaposition of 'wine', something, perhaps not 'privileged', but rich in texture, composition, and the 'dollhouse'; an object associated with perhaps middle-class children, suggests not only the distance between class or status between the first character and the third character, but the retention of roots and identity. This is emphasised by the characters' repetition of 'safe' in his monologue. He is protecting his originiality by the domineering (they have two voices, whereas the third character has just the one voice) of the two superficial characters in verses one and two; 'the psychos', perhaps an exaggeration of those obsessed with appearance who have lost their sensibility, who are 'wild' or lost in the subconscious sense.
  
  The need to protect and keep 'safe' the dollhouse, and indeed the character from superficiality is extended by the juxtaposition of 'black lights' and 'night city'. the contrast of night and dark is perhaps symbolic of the opposing characters and demographics.
  
  I'm nackered so will return to comment on second verse and finale later.
  
  

  Flag IngvarGunnarssonon June 26, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:Is it only me?
  "I'm a birthday candle in a circle of black girls" made me wonder what is it that you do with birthday candles? Why, you blow them of course!
  

  Flag idoruon June 06, 2011   Link

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    I thought that too! I honestly think that's what he was getting at, lmao. Somebody downvoted you but I evened it up ;)

    Flag Aquarius121on October 23, 2012  
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  General Comment:Personally, I've always seen it as one of those times where you're blissfully dancing the night away with not a care; you feel amazing and invincible. But you always feel slightly melancholic and self-loathing in the back of your mind... the fact you need the wine to keep this feeling

  Flag leemcgavinjoeyon December 26, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:There's definitely a clear literal interpretation to this - Matt Berninger, every single live performance, goes through a hell of a lot of wine because otherwise he gets major stagefright, whereas the old vino makes him feel much more confident.

  Flag Danberlinon November 06, 2010   Link

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  My Interpretation:To me, this song reminds me of the days we felt invincible. Life nothing could stop us.

  Flag freshfrikaon October 12, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:In all honesty, I imagined this song being sung by a drunk girl rather than him in his drunken state.

  Flag mofloon September 20, 2010   Link

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