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The National & Taylor Swift’s “The Alcott” Lyrics Meaning

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“The Alcott,” written by Aaron Dessner, Matt Berninger & Taylor Swift, is a song released on the 28th of April, 2023. It was released as the concluding single from The National’s ninth studio album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein. The meaning of “The Alcott” lyrics by The National & Taylor Swift is longing and self-destructive tendencies in a conflicted relationship. Matt Berninger’s wife, Carin Besser, provided inspiration for the concept, and he composed lyrics to accompany the piano-based track. Aaron Dessner requested Taylor Swift’s involvement. She crafted lyrics that complemented Matt’s voice in a conversational style.

Embedded below is the Official Lyric Video of the song from YouTube. Read the rest of the article while the music plays in the background. The complete lyrics of the song “The Alcott” by The National & Taylor Swift are at the end of this article.

Official Lyric Video of “The Alcott” by The National & Taylor Swift

What Are “The Alcott” Lyrics by The National & Taylor Swift About?

“The Alcott” lyrics are a mesmerizing collaboration between The National and Taylor Swift that explores the intricacies of a complicated relationship. The lyrics are beautifully written, with Matt Berninger’s deep voice blending perfectly with Swift’s soothing vocals. This song captures the emotional turbulence of falling in love, breaking up, and falling back in love again with someone. Each verse and chorus builds on the previous one. This takes the listener on a journey through the protagonist’s thoughts and feelings. With its haunting melody and evocative lyrics, “The Alcott” is a must-listen for anyone who has ever been in love. The line-by-line analysis of the meaning of the lyrics behind the song “Peaches” by The National & Taylor Swift is below.

In the song “The Alcott,” The National & Taylor Swift highlight the complexities of love and the dangers of self-sabotage in relationships.

[Verse 1: Matt Berninger]: Longing For an Old Flame

I get myself twisted in threads
To meet you at The Alcott
I’d go to the corner in the back
Where you’d always be
And there you are, sittin’ as usual
With your golden notebook
Writing something about someone
Who used to be me

Verse 1 to “The Alcott” Lyrics by The National & Taylor Swift

“The Alcott” begins with Matt Berninger’s melancholic voice describing how he twists himself in threads to meet his lover at The Alcott. The imagery here is powerful. It suggests that the protagonist is willing to go to great lengths to be with his beloved. He talks about how he used to meet her in the back corner, where she would always be sitting with her golden notebook, writing about someone who used to be him. This sets the stage for the rest of the song. It explores the protagonist’s attempts to win back his lover’s affection.

[Chorus: Matt Berninger & Taylor Swift, Matt Berninger]: The Conflicting Emotions

And the last thing you wanted
Is the first thing I do
I tell you my problems
You tell me the truth
It’s the last thing you wanted
It’s the first thing I do
I tell you that I think I’m fallin’
Back in love with you

It’s the last thing I wanted
(Tell me, which side are you on, dear?)
It’s the first thing I do
(Give me some tips to forget you)
I tell you my problems
(Have I become one of your problems?)
And you tell me the truth
(Could it be easy this once?)
It’s the last thing I wanted
(Everything that’s mine is a landmine)
It’s the first thing I do
(Did my love aid and abet you?)
I tell you that I think I’m fallin’
Back in love (Back in love)
Back in love with you

Chorus to “The Alcott” Lyrics by The National & Taylor Swift

The chorus is a beautiful duet between Berninger and Swift. They sing about how the last thing the protagonist’s lover wanted was for him to tell her his problems. But that’s exactly what he does. In return, she tells him the truth. This exchange highlights the complex nature of their relationship. Here, they seem to be on opposite sides but still can’t resist each other.

The final chorus is similar to the first. Here, both Berninger and Swift sing about how they tell each other their problems and the truth. The protagonist acknowledges that his love for his lover has aided and abetted her in some way. He tells her that he’s falling back in love with her. Then, the song ends with Swift singing about how she’s back in love with him.

[Verse 2: Matt Berninger, Taylor Swift, Both]: An Attempt To Reconnect With The Conflicting Emotions

I sit there silently
Waitin’ for you to look up (Ah)
I see you smile
When you see it’s me
I had to do something
To break into your golden thinking (Ah)
How many times will I do this
And you’ll still believe? (Ah)

Verse 2 to “The Alcott” Lyrics by The National & Taylor Swift

The second verse sees the protagonist sitting silently, waiting for his lover to look up. When she finally does, she smiles. This indicates that she’s happy to see him. He talks about how he had to do something to break into her golden thinking. It suggests that he wants to be a part of her life again. The chorus repeats, with Swift taking over the lead vocals. She adds her own unique perspective to the lyrics.

[Bridge: Matt Berninger & Taylor Swift]: The Cycle of Self-Destruction

And I’ll ruin it all over
I’ll ruin it for you
I’ll ruin it all over
And over like I always do
I’ll ruin it all over
(Why don’t you rain on my parade?)
I’ll ruin it for you
(Shred my evenin’ gown)
I’ll ruin it all over
(Read my sentence out loud)
And over like I always do
(‘Cause I love this curse on our house)

Bridge to “The Alcott” Lyrics by The National & Taylor Swift

The bridge is a powerful section that highlights the protagonist’s self-destructive tendencies. He sings about how he’ll ruin everything for his lover, just like he always does. Also, he seems resigned to his fate as if he can’t help but destroy everything he loves. Swift adds her own vocals to this section. She sings about how he can’t rain on her parade, shred her evening gown, or read her sentence out loud. These are all powerful metaphors for the way the protagonist’s actions make her feel.

What Are the Lyrics of the Song “The Alcott” by The National & Taylor Swift?

These are the lyrics of The National & Taylor Swift’s “The Alcott” via Genius:

[Verse 1: Matt Berninger]
I get myself twisted in threads
To meet you at The Alcott
I’d go to the corner in the back
Where you’d always be
And there you are, sittin’ as usual
With your golden notebook
Writing something about someone
Who used to be me

[Chorus: Matt Berninger & Taylor Swift, Matt Berninger]
And the last thing you wanted
Is the first thing I do
I tell you my problems
You tell me the truth
It’s the last thing you wanted
It’s the first thing I do
I tell you that I think I’m fallin’
Back in love with you

[Verse 2: Matt Berninger, Taylor Swift, Both]
I sit there silently
Waitin’ for you to look up (Ah)
I see you smile
When you see it’s me
I had to do something
To break into your golden thinking (Ah)
How many times will I do this
And you’ll still believe? (Ah)

[Chorus: Matt Berninger & Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift]
It’s the last thing you wanted
(Tell me, which side are you on, dear?)
It’s the first thing you do
(Give me some tips to forget you)
You tell me your problems
(Have I become one of your problems?)
And I tell you the truth
(Could it be easy this once?)
It’s the last thing you wanted
(Everything that’s mine is a landmine)
It’s the first thing I do
(Did my love aid and abet you?)
I tell you that I think I’m fallin’
Back in love with you

[Bridge: Matt Berninger & Taylor Swift]
And I’ll ruin it all over
I’ll ruin it for you
I’ll ruin it all over
And over like I always do
I’ll ruin it all over
(Why don’t you rain on my parade?)
I’ll ruin it for you
(Shred my evenin’ gown)
I’ll ruin it all over
(Read my sentence out loud)
And over like I always do
(‘Cause I love this curse on our house)

[Chorus: Matt Berninger & Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift]
It’s the last thing I wanted
(Tell me, which side are you on, dear?)
It’s the first thing I do
(Give me some tips to forget you)
I tell you my problems
(Have I become one of your problems?)
And you tell me the truth
(Could it be easy this once?)
It’s the last thing I wanted
(Everything that’s mine is a landmine)
It’s the first thing I do
(Did my love aid and abet you?)
I tell you that I think I’m fallin’
Back in love (Back in love)
Back in love with you

[Outro: Taylor Swift]
Back in love with you

The National & Taylor Swift’s “The Alcott” Lyrics

What Is the Conclusion of The National & Taylor Swift’s “The Alcott” Lyrics Meaning?

In conclusion, “The Alcott” lyrics by The National & Taylor Swift is a hauntingly beautiful song that explores the complexities of a complicated relationship. The lyrics are evocative and powerful. Here, each verse and chorus builds on the previous one to create a powerful narrative. The duet between Berninger and Swift is particularly effective, with their voices blending together perfectly. Overall, “The Alcott” is a must-listen for anyone who has ever been in love or experienced the pain of a broken heart.

It’s about two people with a long history returning to a place and trying to relive a certain moment in time. It’s got the feeling of a last-ditch effort to hold onto the relationship, but there’s a hint of something positive where you can see the beginnings of a reconnection.

Matt Berninger via press release

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Laviasco is an entertainment website run by a single person, the Admin himself, Mr. Suraj Marahatta, from research to blogging to website maintenance. Here, I have been providing the meaning of the lyrics of the songs little by little since 2019. My goal is to provide authentic sources for the facts and stay up-to-date.

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