The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
The National
Karen was the second track on The National’s 2005 album Alligator.
The song is written from the perspective of an unnamed alcoholic man telling a story about his volatile state of mind and his repeated acts of physical abuse against the song’s subject, “Karen”, both of which are ostensibly attribut...
[Verse 1]
Karen, I'm not taking sides
I don't think I'll ever do that again
I'll end up winning and I won't know why
I'm really trying to shine here, I'm really trying
You're changing clothes and closing windows on me all the time
[Chorus]
Well whatever you do, listen, you'd better wait for me
No I wouldn't go out alone into America
Whatever you do, listen, you'd better wait for me
No I wouldn't go out alone
[Verse 2]
Karen, we should call your father, maybe it's just a phase
He'll know the trick to get a wayward soul to change his ways
It's a common fetish, for a doting man, to ballerina on the coffee table cock in hand
[Chorus]
Well whatever you do, listen, you'd better wait for me
No I wouldn't go out alone into America
Whatever you do, listen, you'd better wait for me
No I wouldn't go out alone
[Bridge]
Without warm water in my head
All I see is black and white and red
I feel mechanical and thin
Hear me play my violin again
I'm living in the target's shoes
All I see is black and white and blue
Idle, idle, idle, idle, protect the nest, protect the title
[Verse 3]
Karen put me in a chair, fuck me and make me a drink
I lost direction and I'm past my peak
I'm telling you, this isn't me, no this isn't me
Karen believe me, you just haven't seen my good side yet
[Chorus]
Well whatever you do, listen, you'd better wait for me
No I wouldn't go out alone into America
Whatever you do, listen, you'd better wait for me
No I wouldn't go out alone
[Bridge]
Without warm water in my head
All I see is black and white and red
I feel mechanical and thin
Hear me play my violin again
I'm living in the target's shoes
All I see is black and white and blue
Idle, idle, idle, idle, protect the nest, protect the title
[Coda]
I must be me, I'm in my head
Black birds are circling my bed
I must be me, I must be me
Black feathers are falling on my feet
Idle, idle, idle, idle, protect the nest, protect the title
Idle, idle, idle, idle, protect the nest, protect the title
Karen was written by Matt Berninger & Bryce Dessner.
Karen was produced by Peter Katis.
The National released Karen on Tue Apr 12 2005.