The National – Guest Room

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They're gonna send us to prison for jerks For having vague ideas of the way to turn each other on again They're gonna send us to prison for jerks They'll find us here, here, here in the guest room Where we throw money at each other and cry, oh my We miss being ruffians, going wild and bright In the corners of front yards, getting in and out of cars We miss being deviants They'll find us here, here, here in the guest room Where we throw money at each other and cry, oh my We can't stay here We're starting to stay the same We can't stay here We can't stay this way Just tie your woman to your wrist Give her room to tie the other They'll find us here, here, here in the guest room Where we throw money at each other and cry, oh my

Send "Guest Room" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by lampada

Track duration: 03:18

"Guest Room" as written by Matthew D. Berninger Bryce D. Dessner

Lyrics © BUG MUSIC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Guest Room song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I don't know, and I'm probably wrong, but it sounds like something about prostitution and how the guys are throwing money at a young prostitute.
    Flag surfblocon March 31, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:LOL. I agree w/ Ihadalitlweenie's take on the song.
    Flag MaryMaryQuiteContraryon August 28, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i thought it was more of a willful blindness thing. "tie your woman to your wrist" as if to say, hold on to her, keep faithful etc...but the next line is "give her room to tie the other"suggesting that she will inevitably have an extramarital affair or remain close someone she's secretly in love with. pretty despressing when you love someone and you know they're going to be unfaithful. fits with the mood of sad resignation throughout the song.
    Flag impacton March 18, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Matt Berninger said he "stole" the image of a couple throwing money at eachother from a short story collection he was reading at the time. He said it typifies just one of those dumb things people do in relationships--an ugly bursts of anger that the couple overcomes.

    Tying eachother by wrists suggests to me the couple will hold on through after the fight and get past it.
    Flag Desmoulinson November 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree koruboy, but less regarding judgment day and more of the nature of life itself.
    It's especially epitomized in the chorus, as this world is just "the guest room".
    "We can't stay here."
    Flag theotherivanon June 19, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:agree with the drumming, key through the whole album, fantastic

    i like koruboy's interpretation, though i don't agree, it's interesting and well though out
    Flag PaoloTramezzanion May 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree with some of the other users. I think this is an analogy for a marriage going the way most do, or what happens in steady relationships after a period of time. Your feelings and all that you do move into a "different part of the house" you bought into in the first place. Sexy fun exciting stuff goes away and money problems take the place...sad...but true....the loss of being in love with your significant other and just becoming roommates who keep trying to make things exciting, sexy and fun again.
    Flag beanbag01on January 22, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i see it as being about a someone who feels like his life is being ripped away from him by society and its social norms, and he is tired of having to give into such materialistic and mainstream views. He misses his youth and the freedom that it held and allowed him to be a "deviant" and "ruffian".
    Flag user#55on November 06, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:and i forgot to add that he mentions the only way you can ease this plight is through love, (hold your womann tight) and hope that things work out....
    Flag koruboyon October 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think this song is rather about the judgment day, and how we all are going to be questioned for what we did. he sing they(the angels and all the heavenly figures) will send us to prison (hell, etc) for being jerks (sinful) and for having vague ideas(questioning god's presence) and treating each other badly (all the wars, crimes...)...and importantly he says they (the heavenly figures) will find us here in the Guest Room, the gues room being the earth our world, where all we do is just wait for our death and finally the judgemnt day..and he is sayingg there is nothing we can doo but throw money at each other (indulge ourselves in materials and earthly things..everyday life) and cry (complain and question our plight and its purpose if it has one)..i really dig this song coz i am in that state of mind
    Flag koruboyon October 05, 2007   Link

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