Note 7: Fake Empire by The National

The national is an indie rock band that was formed in Ohio in 1999. Their lyrics are usually described as having a dark, melancholic, and ambiguous quality, and their songs' meanings are usually debated often by zealous fans. The many supported claims about the meaning of the songs add to the adoration of the band for their empowering and mind-provoking music. One of these hotly debated songs is Fake empire, one of their most popular pieces.

Right away, a piano plays the melody of the song that invites listeners to the following powerful lyrics. The first lines of the song stir up images of the first stage of romantic relationships otherwise known as the “honeymoon period”. The two people in the relationship have not reached the period of struggle and improvement, or the period of struggle and deterioration. All they have experienced with one another is the staying “out super late” at nights, the “picking [of] apples”, and “making pies”. The two parties are sang to be “half-awake in a fake empire” (the refrain), meaning that the couple chooses to ignore the upcoming tide that many romantic duos will or have endured. The mixture of the piano and the lead singer's classic baritone voice creates this sadness, yet uplifting purity of the song.

They'll “tiptoe through [their] shiny city/with [their] diamond slippers on.” They will even “do [their] gay ballet on ice [with] bluebirds on [their] shoulders.” These rhythmic and poetic lines suggest that they will not leave this dwelling of happiness that they know and love. Nothing else needs to be troubled with, and all they have endured together is enough for them. Why trouble with the kinks and defects of the relationship when everything else is going well? The last lines of the poems illustrate this image of a night's end to a date or night out. One of the partners will “turn the light out [and] say goodnight.” There will be “no thinking for a little while” and no “[trying] to figure out everything at once.” All of this represents the couple's attempt to take control and hold onto this natural “high” of their young love. 

Before the the last refrain, one dagger line “It's hard to keep track of you falling through the sky” may acknowledge the existing cracks in the relationship. The singer seems to almost beg to not discuss or think about all of this just yet. They continue to try to stay in this state of happiness even though they know that there is this very possible or even very likely end coming to them. Perhaps when they are “half-awake”, they both know that they can't stay in this state forever. The ending of the song concludes with a collection of sounds including the piano, drums, guitar, and the appropriate trumpet to wrap up the song. Building up from this emotional tension, the song closes with a much uplifting tone that may push forth the idea that it is okay to just enjoy the ride while it lasts. Love is a privilege to have with someone, and whether you both fall or rise, be glad that this lifetime experience was given to you. The beauty of the song lies in the celebration of both the happiness and the sadness of the relationship between these two people.