The National

The National lives in the middle ground — 47 moderate songs that balance intensity with control. 15 quiet anchors and 1 song where they let go completely.

The character of The National

Across the 63 The National songs we've measured, intensity averages 41/100 — calmer than the typical song we measure (46/100).

They run from Runaway (the calmest here, 15) to Space Invader (the most charged, 67), with layered textures most common and a mix of the expected and the surprising. It spans 2004–2024.

The widest dynamic swing belongs to Space Invader.

5.8
Avg Intensity
63
Songs Decoded
0
Fan Stories
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The songs that hit hardest

The controlled burn

All the Wine moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2005
Brainy moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2007
Fake Empire moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2007
Guest Room moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2007
Mistaken for Strangers moderate
layered texture · moderate changes · DR 8 · 2007
Mr November moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2007
Racing Like a Pro moderate
layered texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2007
Slow Show moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2007
Squalor Victoria moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2007
Start a War moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2007
Afraid of Everyone moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2010
Anyone's Ghost moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2010
Bloodbuzz Ohio moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2010
Conversation 16 moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2010
England moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2010
Lemonworld moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 4 · 2010
Little Faith moderate
layered texture · moderate changes · DR 7 · 2010
Sorrow moderate
layered texture · none changes · DR 6 · 2010
Terrible Love moderate
layered texture · moderate changes · DR 8 · 2010
Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2010
Demons moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2013
Don't Swallow the Cap moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2013
Graceless moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2013
Humiliation moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2013
Sea of Love moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2013
This Is the Last Time moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2013
Born to Beg moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 5 · 2017
Carin at the Liquor Store moderate
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2017
Day I Die moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2017
Guilty Party moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2017
I'll Still Destroy You moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2017
Nobody Else Will Be There moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2017
Sleep Well Beast moderate
layered texture · moderate changes · DR 7 · 2017
The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2017
Turtleneck moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2017
Hairpin Turns moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2019
Not In Kansas moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2019
Rylan moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2019
So Far So Fast moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2019
Where Is Her Head moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2019
You Had Your Soul With You moderate
layered texture · moderate changes · DR 7 · 2019
Alien moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2023
Eucalyptus moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2023
Grease in Your Hair moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2023
Ice Machines moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2023
Tropic Morning News moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2023
Rome moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2024

The quiet ones

About Today safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2004
Apartment Story safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2007
Green Gloves safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 5 · 2007
Runaway safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2010
Fireproof safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2013
I Need My Girl safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2013
I Should Live in Salt safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2013
Pink Rabbits safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2013
Dark Side of the Gym safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2017
Light Years safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2019
Oblivions safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 5 · 2019
Quiet Light safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 3 · 2019
New Order T-Shirt safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2023
Send for Me safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2023
Your Mind Is Not Your Friend safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2023

Frequently asked about The National

Answered from our measurements of every song above.

What is the most intense The National song?

Of the 63 The National songs we've measured, “Space Invader” scores highest at 67/100 for intensity — computed from its dynamic range, texture, sudden changes and tempo.

What is the calmest The National song?

“Runaway” measures gentlest at 15/100. It runs 70 BPM. The songs here span 15–67 on our 0–100 intensity scale.

How intense is The National overall?

The National averages 41/100 intensity across 63 measured songs — calmer than the 46/100 catalog average.

What is the average tempo of The National?

The The National songs we've measured average about 107 BPM — midtempo.

Which The National songs are calm enough for background listening?

These measure in our gentlest band (steady level, no sudden shifts): “Runaway”, “Dark Side of the Gym”, “Quiet Light”, “About Today”.

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