The National “Bloodbuzz Ohio” released

Bloodbuzz Ohio The National

Writer(s): Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Padma Newsome (see lyrics here) Released: March 24, 2010 First Charted: -- Peak: 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 0.04 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 14.6 video, 68.28 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The indie-rock band The National were from Cincinnati, Ohio, but formed in New York in 1999. Since its beginning, the band has consisted of singer Matt Berninger, multi-instrumentalist Aaron Dessner, and Devendorf brothers Scott on bass and Bryan on drums. IN 2001, Bryce Dessner – Aaron’s twin brother – joined as a another multi-instrumentalist. That same year, the group released their self-titled debut album on Brassland Records, an independent label founded by the Dessner brothers. Over the next decade, the band released four more studio albums, finally reaching #68 on the U.S. album chart with 2007’s Boxer. Their next album, 2010’s High Violet, was their commercial peak, reaching #3 and selling over 300,000 copies. The album was supported by four singles, the first of which was “Bloodbuzz Ohio.” The band talked to British music magazine Uncut about how the song came about. Matt noted that after the band toured with R.E.M. in 2008, lead singer Michael Stipe told him, “Don’t be afraid of writing pop songs.” UC Matt explained that “’Bloodbuzz Ohio’ started as a sweet little folk song, which we transformed. But we knew that was a good one right away.” UC Bryce said it “was originally written on guitars and ukulele – almost like an English ballad” UC but eventually became more of a rock song. Lyrically, Aaron considered the song “a lament, an existential nostalgic love song about [Ohio], where we’re from.” UC Bryce added that “Everything that’s wrong in America, you can find there. Ohio is a beautiful place with amazing people, but also hard problems, social, economic issues and racism.” UC Matt said the song is “about being stuck between an old version of yourself and the one you’re becoming.” UC Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for The National UC Uncut (8/18/2022). “The National: How we made ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’” by Michael Bonner WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 2/25/2024.