Apartment Story

Last updated
"Apartment Story"
Apartment Story (The National single - cover art).jpg
Single by The National
from the album Boxer
ReleasedNovember 5, 2007
RecordedTarquin Studios
Genre Indie rock, post-punk revival
Length3:34
Label Beggars Banquet Records
Songwriter(s) Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner
Producer(s) Peter Katis and The National
The National singles chronology
"Mistaken for Strangers"
(2007)
"Apartment Story"
(2007)
"Fake Empire"
(2008)

"Apartment Story" is a song by Brooklyn-based indie rock band The National from their fourth studio album, Boxer . The song was released on November 5, 2007 as the album's second single. [1] The single's B-side is "Mansion on the Hill," originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen on his 1982 album Nebraska . The band's cover version was recorded live on January 14, 2006 at the opening night of that year's New York Guitar Festival. [1] [2]

Contents

The band performed "Apartment Story" at MTV's Times Square studio on May 19, 2007 as part of the channel's Human Giant 24-hour marathon special. [3] [4] The band also performed the song on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on September 26, 2007. [5]

In November 2007, Q featured "Apartment Story" in their list of 50 Essential Downloads. [6] A month later, the song ranked #5 on Gigwise's "Top 50 Singles of 2007" list. [7]

Reception

"Apartment Story" received generally positive reviews by music critics. Rolling Stone writer Rob Sheffield said of the song, "[W]hen [Matt] Berninger murmurs, 'We'll stay inside till somebody finds us,' it's both romantic and terrifying, and the drums kick it all the way home." [8] Jamie Harper of MusicOMH described the song as "moody but beautiful. Laced with melody, but understated." [9] Tom Milway of Drowned in Sound said it "hits the listener with another distinctive and expertly performed drum line courtesy of Bryan Devendorf," and called the song "another radio-friendly slice of The National." [10]

On the other hand, David Moore of Gigwise.com said that "after about ten plays it creates a personality for itself and you start to get it, but ten times is a lot." He added that the song "works much better inside the album than it does a stand alone track." However, Moore did note that as an introduction to the band, "it's a perfect place to start." [11]

Music video

The music video for "Apartment Story" was directed by Banner Gwin, and was released in September 2007. Filmed in the basement of a church a few blocks from Berninger's Brooklyn apartment, the video features the band's friends and family as extras. [12] Berninger said the band "wanted to capture the sweet but awkward vibe of a wedding reception or singles mixer." He described the video as "something between John Hughes and Krzysztof Kieslowski." [12]

The video is reminiscent of the Boxer cover photo, which depicts the band performing at producer Peter Katis's wedding. [13] "Apartment Story" ranked #14 on Stereogum's "50 Best Videos of 2007" list. [14]

Track listing

UK 7" vinyl (BBQ 407)
  1. "Apartment Story" – 3:44
  2. "Mansion on the Hill" (Live) – 4:36

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Apartment Story"
Chart (2007)Peak
position
UK Indie (OCC) [15] 45

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Springsteen</span> American rock singer (born 1949)

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen is an American rock singer, songwriter and guitarist. Nicknamed "The Boss", he has released 21 studio albums during a career spanning six decades, most of which feature his backing band, the E Street Band. Springsteen is an originator of heartland rock, a genre combining mainstream rock music with poetic and socially conscious lyrics that tell a narrative about working-class American life. He is known for his descriptive lyrics and energetic concerts, with performances that can last for more than four hours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Flowers</span> American musician

Brandon Richard Flowers is an American musician, singer, songwriter and philanthropist. He serves as the founder, lead singer, keyboardist, and occasional bassist of the Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bring Me to Life</span> 2003 song by Evanescence

"Bring Me to Life" is the debut single by American rock band Evanescence from their debut studio album, Fallen (2003). Wind-up released it as the album's lead single on April 7, 2003. The song was written by Amy Lee when she was 19 about having been desensitized in an abusive relationship and realizing things she had been missing in life. Guitarist Ben Moody and David Hodges also share songwriting credits on the song, which features guest vocals from Paul McCoy of the band 12 Stones. Produced by Dave Fortman, "Bring Me to Life" is a nu metal and rap rock song with gothic metal elements. The male vocal was forced by the label against Lee's wishes in order to market it in the musical landscape of the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The National (band)</span> American indie rock band

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 and Bryce Dessner, as well as brothers Scott Devendorf (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). Carin Besser, the wife of Matt Berninger, is not a band member but has written lyrics for the band alongside her husband since its 2007 album Boxer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen song)</span> 1984 single by Bruce Springsteen

"Dancing in the Dark" is a song written and performed by American rock singer Bruce Springsteen. Adding uptempo synthesizer riffs to his sound for the first time, the song spent four weeks at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over one million singles in the U.S. It was the first single released from his 1984 album, Born in the U.S.A., and became his biggest hit, helping the album become the best-selling album of his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Streets of Philadelphia</span> 1994 single by Bruce Springsteen

"Streets of Philadelphia" is a song written and performed by American rock musician Bruce Springsteen for the 1993 film Philadelphia, starring Tom Hanks, an early mainstream film dealing with HIV/AIDS. Released as a single by Columbia in 1994, the song was a hit in many countries, including Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, and Norway, where it topped the singles charts. In the United States, the single peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Springsteen's 12th and final top-10 hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm on Fire</span> 1985 single by Bruce Springsteen

"I'm on Fire" is a song written and performed by American rock performer Bruce Springsteen. Released in 1985, it was the fourth single from his album Born in the U.S.A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glory Days (Bruce Springsteen song)</span> 1985 single by Bruce Springsteen

"Glory Days" is a song written and performed by American rock singer Bruce Springsteen. In 1985, it became the fifth single released from his 1984 album Born in the U.S.A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Konichiwa Bitches</span> 2007 single by Robyn

"Konichiwa Bitches" is a song by Swedish singer and songwriter Robyn, taken from her self-titled fourth studio album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 26 March 2007 as the first international single from the album. The term "Konichiwa Bitches" originates from a sketch with American comedian Dave Chappelle. The song was met with positive reviews, and features a more hip-hop sound than Robyn's previous singles. An accompanying music video premiered in February 2007 and features scenes that are literal representations of the song's lyrics. "Konichiwa Bitches" reached number ninety-eight on the UK Singles Chart and number sixty-seven in Australia. It was featured in the American film R.I.P.D.. A Simlish version called "Bonichita Kitcha" was recorded for The Sims Pet Stories and The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff.

<i>Boxer</i> (The National album) 2007 studio album by The National

Boxer is the fourth studio album by American indie rock band The National, released on May 22, 2007 on Beggars Banquet Records. Following its release, the album debuted at number 68 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 9,500 copies in its first week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rising (Bruce Springsteen song)</span> 2002 single

"The Rising" is the title track on Bruce Springsteen's 12th studio album The Rising, and was released as a single in 2002. Springsteen wrote the song in reaction to the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York City. It gained critical praise and earned Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, as well as a nomination for Song of the Year. Rolling Stone named it the 35th best song of the decade, and VH1 placed it 81st on its list of the "100 Greatest Songs of the '00s". It was used as the first credit song to end the broadcast of the 2002 World Series on Fox Sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa</span> 2008 single by Vampire Weekend

"Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" is the fourth single by indie rock band Vampire Weekend, released 18 August 2008. The song was rated 67th best song of 2008 by Rolling Stone magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boy from School</span> 2006 single by Hot Chip

"Boy from School" is a song by the English indietronica band Hot Chip. It was released on 8 May 2006 in the UK as the second single from their second studio album, The Warning (2006). The original title of the song was shortened for the single release at the request of EMI. The song was covered by Portastatic in 2006, Maritime in 2007, Grizzly Bear in 2010 and Tears For Fears in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tunnel of Love (Bruce Springsteen song)</span> 1987 single by Bruce Springsteen

"Tunnel of Love" is the title song by Bruce Springsteen from his 1987 Tunnel of Love album. It was released as the second single from the album, reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Like the first single from the album, "Brilliant Disguise", "Tunnel of Love" reached number one on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and reached the top twenty in Canada peaking at number seventeen. The music video received five MTV Video Music Awards nominations, including Video of the Year and Best Male Video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mistaken for Strangers (song)</span> 2007 single by The National

"Mistaken for Strangers" is a song by Brooklyn-based indie rock band The National from their fourth studio album, Boxer. The song was released on April 30, 2007 in the UK and May 1, 2007 in the US as the album's first single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Berninger</span> American singer-songwriter

Matthew Donald Berninger is an American singer-songwriter, primarily known as the frontman and lyricist of indie rock band The National. In 2014, he also formed the EL VY project with Brent Knopf of Ramona Falls and Menomena and released the album Return to the Moon in November 2015. In May 2020, Berninger shared the title track from his solo debut album, Serpentine Prison, which was released in October 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The '59 Sound (song)</span> 2008 single by the Gaslight Anthem

"The '59 Sound" is the debut single by American rock band the Gaslight Anthem. Written by the band and produced by Ted Hutt, it is the title track of the band's second full-length album. The song reached the U.S. Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in early 2009. The song, which received mostly favorable reviews from critics, was performed live by the band with Bruce Springsteen at the Glastonbury and Hard Rock Calling festivals in June 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young the Giant</span> American rock band

Young the Giant is an American rock band that formed in Irvine, California, in 2004. The band's line-up consists of Sameer Gadhia, Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Payam Doostzadeh, and Francois Comtois (drums). Formerly known as The Jakes, Young the Giant was signed by Roadrunner Records in 2009, and they released their eponymous debut album in 2010. The band's first three singles, "My Body", "Cough Syrup", and "Apartment", all charted on the US Alternative Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apartment (Young the Giant song)</span> 2012 single by Young the Giant

"Apartment" is a song by American alternative rock band Young the Giant from their 2010 self-titled debut album. Written by the band and released as a single in 2012, it peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. Two music videos for "Apartment" were filmed, and the song was remixed in 2011 by Captain Cuts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're the One (Charli XCX song)</span> 2012 single by Charli XCX

"You're the One" is a song by British singer Charli XCX, released as her fifth single on 14 June 2012 exclusively in Australia under Warner Music, and the third single from her debut EP of the same name, and her major-label debut studio album True Romance (2013).

References

  1. 1 2 "The National Cover Springsteen on New Single". Pitchfork Media . Retrieved 4 August 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. "2006 NYGF Launches with Springsteen Tribute". New York Guitar Festival. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  3. "The National @ The Human Giant MTV Marathon 5/19/07". Stereogum . Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  4. "24 Hours Of Human Giant Live Performances". MTV . Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  5. ""The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" Episode dated 26 September 2007". IMDb.com. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  6. "The 50 Essential Tracks To Download This Month". Q . London: Bauer (November 2007). Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  7. "Gigwise's Top 50 Singles Of 2007!". Gigwise.com. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  8. "Boxer Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 18, 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  9. "The National - "Apartment Story" - Track Review". MusicOMH . Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  10. "Review - The National - "Apartment Story"". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  11. "The National - "Apartment Story"". Gigwise.com. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  12. 1 2 "Video Premiere: The National, "Apartment Story"". Spinner.com. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  13. "The National's Berninger Talks Boxer, Baseball, CYHSY". Pitchfork Media . Retrieved 4 August 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  14. "Gummy Awards: Best Video of 2007". Stereogum. 10 December 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  15. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.