Is in an awful place
Don't believe in manifestation
Your heart'll break
Don't you understand?
Your mind is not your friend again
It takes you by the hand
And leaves you nowhere
You feel it in your nerves
It's chokin' out the sun
You try in vain to be persuaded
That it's nothin'
Don't you understand?
Your mind is not your friend again
It takes you by the hand
And leaves you nowhere
You are like a child
You're gonna flip your lid again
Don't you understand?
Your mind is not your friend
You inherited a fortune
From your mother's side
Your sister didn't get it at all
She survived
Tranquilize the oceans
Between the poles
You're crawling under rocks
And climbing into holes
Don't you understand?
Your mind is not your friend again
It takes you by the hand
And leaves you nowhere
You are like a child
You're gonna flip your lid again
Don't you understand?
Your mind is not your friend
Your mind is not your friend
Your mind is not your friend
Your mind is not your friend (Your friend)
Your mind is not your friend
Don't you understand?
Your mind is not your friend again
It takes you by the hand
And leaves you nowhere
You are like a child
You're gonna flip your lid again
Don't you understand?
Your mind is not your friend
The National is an American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio, formed in Brooklyn, New York City in 1999. The band consists of Matt Berninger (vocals), twin brothers Aaron Dessner (guitar, piano, keyboards) and Bryce Dessner (guitar, piano, keyboards), as well as brothers Scott Devendorf (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). During live performances, the band are joined by longtime touring members, Ben Lanz (trombone, synthesizers) and Kyle Resnick (trumpet, keyboards, backing vocals). Carin Besser, the wife of Berninger, is not a band member but has written lyrics for the band alongside her husband since its 2007 album Boxer.
Founded by Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Scott Devendorf and Bryan Devendorf, the National released their self-titled debut album, The National (2001), on Brassland Records, an independent record label founded by Aaron and his twin brother, Bryce Dessner. Bryce, who had assisted in recording the album, soon joined the band, participating as a full member in the recording of its follow-up, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003).
Leaving behind their day jobs, the National signed with Beggars Banquet Records and released their third studio album, Alligator (2005), to widespread critical acclaim. The band's fourth and fifth studio albums, Boxer (2007) and High Violet (2010), increased their exposure significantly. In 2013, the band released its sixth studio album, Trouble Will Find Me, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 2017 the band released the album Sleep Well Beast, which won the band a Grammy Award. Their eighth studio album, I Am Easy to Find, was released in 2019. Their ninth studio album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, was released on April 28, 2023 and featured appearances from Sufjan Stevens, Taylor Swift, and Phoebe Bridgers. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts in the AAA & Rock categories. The band released a surprise album, Laugh Track, on September 18, 2023. It was mostly written and recorded alongside their earlier 2023 album.
Five of the band's albums were nominated by music writer Laura Snapes for inclusion on NME's 2013 list of the NME's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
