Terrible Love is another track by the American indie rock band The National defined by its atmospheric soundscapes and dense instrumentation. It’s a slow-burning, melodic piece that builds gradually – much like Runaway, which I featured here last year. Both songs come from the same album, High Violet (2010), and share a theme of relationships that seem destined to unravel. From the very first line, as Matt Berninger sings “It’s a terrible love and I’m walkin’ with spiders,” we’re reminded that love can hurt – that it can feel like being quietly entangled in a web that tightens until it suffocates. This kind of restrained, brooding music isn’t for everyone, but it resonates deeply with me.
High Violet is the fifth studio album by The National which they produced themselves (see image inset). They performed opening track Terrible Love on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, two months before the album’s release. High Violet was released to widespread critical acclaim receiving a score of 85 out of 100 based on 36 reviews. It appeared on several publications’ year-end lists of the best albums of 2010. Time named it the fourth best album of the year, and it also placed at number 15 on Rolling Stone‘s list of the 30 best albums of 2010.
More songs will be presented here from this record so stay tuned folks…
[Chorus 1]
It’s a terrible love and I’m walkin’ with spiders
It’s a terrible love and I’m walkin’ in
It’s a terrible love and I’m walkin’ with spiders
It’s a terrible love and I’m walkin’ in
[Post-Chorus]
This quiet company
This quiet company
[Chorus 1]
[Post-Chorus]
[Verse 1]
And I can’t fall asleep
Without a little help
It takes a while to settle down my shivered bones
Until the panic’s out
[Chorus 2]
It takes an ocean not to break
It takes an ocean not to break
It takes an ocean not to break
It takes an ocean not to break
[Post-Chorus]
[Verse 2]
But I won’t follow you
Into the rabbit hole
I said I would but then I saw your shivered bones
They didn’t want me to
[Chorus 1]
[Chorus 2]
References:
1. High Violet – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Extremely cathartic song for me. I had a dark period in my life from 2008-2010 in which I was imprisoned in a toxic, codependent relationship, and we used each other like medication to the poison from the medication. Thankfully, I knew better and finally escaped. This song came out right around then, and it perfectly defined that experience to the core. I prefer the “dubstep” beat to the alternate version, but the lyrics are what strike my soul. After this song, I became a huge The National fan, and I’ve seen them live at Red Rocks three times. What a journey.
Thanks, Bernie, for sharing your personal connection with the song and how it’s served as a cleansing force when reflecting on a darker period in your life.
It’s also interesting that the song became the catalyst for your deep dive into The National. I’m not too familiar with their music myself, but I’m a fan of ‘I Need My Girl, The Alcott, Runaway & Tropic Morning News’. After researching the article yesterday, two other tracks from the record really blew me away—“England” and “Bloodbuzz Ohio.” I’ll be writing about those down the road. Cheers, man.
I love all of those songs. Because I’m a baritone, I can sing to most of them comfortably. Most of today’s pop is tenor dominant, haha! “I Could Live in Salt” is my fave 🙂
I can see why you rate ‘I Could Live in Salt’ so highly. Very atmospheric and great instrumentals especially towards the end.
Super cool Time Signature sequence too: 4/4, 5/4, 4/4, 4/4 and then again. Those sneaky unconventional Time Signatures are so on brand with these guys.
Not being musically trained as your good self, it’s something I didn’t / couldn’t pick up on – but they are obviously so talented.
You have a splendid taste in music, and that’s all that matters, Matt. Happy Tuesday!
That’s most kind of you friend. I just sent you my feedback about ‘Together’ in case the notification didn’t arrive.
Have a great day, man!
The National remain a group I essentially know by name only. That said, my initial impression of «Terrible Love» is much more favorable than the song’s bleak title. In fact, I think it’s pretty good, which probably means I’m going to end up digging it. 🙂
nice