City Middle
City Middle

The National - City Middle Lyrics

The National profile The National
Alligator cover Alligator
Alternative
Apr 11, 2005
294
City Middle Music Video

City Middle Lyrics

Karen, take me to the nearest famous city middle where they hang the lights
Where it's random and it's common versus common, la la la
Karen, take me to the nearest famous city middle where they hang the lights
Where it's random and it's common versus common, la la la

I got 500 in twenties, and I've got a ton of great ideas
I'm really worked up
I'm on a good mixture, I don't wanna to waste it
I'm on a good mixture, I do not wanna waste it
I wanna go gator around the warm beds of beginners
I'm really worked up

Karen, take me to the nearest famous city middle where they hang the lights
Where it's random and it's common versus common, la la la
Karen, take me to the nearest famous city middle where they hang the lights
Where it's random and it's common versus common, la la la

I have weird memories of you wearing long red socks and red shoes
I have weird memories
I have weird memories of you pissing in a sink, I think
I have weird memories of you

I wanna go gator around the warm beds of beginners ?
I'm really worked up
I want to go gator around the warm beds of beginners
I'm really worked up
Karen, take me to the nearest famous city middle where they hang the lights
Where it's random and it's common versus common, la la la
Karen, take me to the nearest famous city middle where they hang the lights
Where it's random and it's common versus common, la la la

I have weird memories of you wearing long red socks and red shoes
I have weird memories
I have weird memories of you pissing in a sink, I think
I have weird memories of you

Parking your car, you said "I'm overwhelmed"
You were thinking out loud, you said "I'm overwhelmed"
You were parking your car, you said "I'm overwhelmed"
You were thinking out loud, you said "I'm overwhelmed"

You said "I think I'm like Tennessee Williams"
I wait for the click, I wait, but it doesn't kick in
I think I'm like Tennessee Williams
I wait for the click, I wait, but it doesn't kick in

I have weird memories of you wearing long red socks and red shoes
I have weird memories
I have weird memories of you pissing in a sink, I think
I have weird memories of you

I have weird memories of you

Writer(s): BRYCE D. DESSNER, MATTHEW D. BERNINGER
Copyright(s): Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who is Karen in the song 'City Middle' by The National?

    Karen is a pseudonym for Carin Besser, Matt Berninger's wife. Berninger changed her name to 'Karen' in the song to protect her innocence. Carin has contributed to the band's songwriting and backup vocals and appears in several other songs by The National.

  2. What is the Tennessee Williams reference in 'City Middle'?

    The song refers to Tennessee Williams's play 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.' The character Brick talks about drinking until he feels 'the click' that brings him peace. Berninger contrasts this by mentioning that he waits for 'the click' but it never 'kicks in' for him.

  3. Which version of 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' influenced Matt Berninger?

    Matt Berninger was influenced by the 1958 movie version of 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,' which featured Paul Newman as Brick. Berninger admitted he knows more about Paul Newman than Tennessee Williams, and the line stuck with him because of the movie.

  4. What does the line 'I want to go gator around the warm beds of beginners' mean?

    The line 'I want to go gator around the warm beds of beginners' appears multiple times in the song. While the exact meaning is open to interpretation, it evokes a sense of prowling or lingering around places where people are just starting out or learning something new.

  5. Which other songs by The National feature references to Carin Besser?

    Other songs by The National that reference Carin Besser include 'Looking for Astronauts,' 'Conversation 16,' and 'I Need My Girl.' In 'Looking for Astronauts,' she is referred to as having 'a permanent piece of my medium-sized American heart.'

  6. What inspired the line 'You said, I think I'm like Tennessee Williams' in 'City Middle'?

    The line reflects a feeling of waiting for a moment of clarity or peace that never arrives, similar to how Brick from Tennessee Williams's 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' talks about drinking until he feels 'the click.' Berninger uses this reference to express a sense of perpetual anticipation.

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