The National - Apartment Story Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When was 'Apartment Story' by The National released?

   'Apartment Story' was released on November 5, 2007, as the second single from their fourth studio album, Boxer.

2. Who wrote the lyrics for 'Apartment Story'?

   The lyrics for 'Apartment Story' were written by Bryce David Dessner and Matthew Donald Berninger of The National.

3. Where and when was the B-side 'Mansion on the Hill' recorded?

   'Mansion on the Hill,' originally by Bruce Springsteen, was recorded live on January 14, 2006, at the opening night of that year's New York Guitar Festival.

4. How did critics respond to 'Apartment Story'?

   'Apartment Story' received generally positive reviews. Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield praised its romantic yet terrifying vibe, while Jamie Harper of MusicOMH described it as moody but beautiful. Tom Milway of Drowned in Sound highlighted its radio-friendly appeal. However, some critics like David Moore felt it worked better within the album than as a standalone track.

5. What notable performances featured 'Apartment Story'?

   'Apartment Story' was performed at MTV's Times Square studio on May 19, 2007, during Human Giant's marathon special and on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on September 26, 2007.

6. Who directed the music video for 'Apartment Story', and what is its theme?

   The music video for 'Apartment Story' was directed by Banner Gwin. Filmed in a church basement near Berninger's Brooklyn apartment, it features friends and family as extras and aims to capture the sweet but awkward vibe of a wedding reception or singles mixer.