Turtleneck

Album: Sleep Well Beast (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This punkish number came about after vocalist Matt Berninger goaded bandmates Aaron and Bryce Dessner into a guitar duel. "We are very aware of bands trying to sound like they're 22 again. We're young and we're angry!" Bryce mocked to Q magazine. "And so in the past we've censored ourselves. It's absurd, but somehow it works."
  • Matt Berninger's world-weary stream of consciousness lyrics were inspired in part by his distress at Donald Trump's being elected as US president in 2016. He told NPR:

    "The lyrics are free association, some of its obvious references to certain inescapable people these days. A lot of it's about fashion, some of its about sex but a lot of it is all mixed with politics and just total confusion and frustration. It's a release."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.