Indie rock icons The National have been a fixture of the alternative music scene for decades, and their reputation grows with each new album. With their poetic lyrics and somber sound, The National have established a unique place for themselves in modern music history.
With their music demonstrating so much versatility, The National have often been tapped to underscore scenes in many films and TV shows with their songs. From hit series such as Game of Thrones to blockbusters such as Warm Bodies, The National has shown that their music is the perfect soundtrack for almost any kind of story.
Win Win (2011)
Though The National’s music has been included in all sorts of films, it is somber indie comedy-dramas that fit best within their wheelhouse. Win Win is the story of a down-and-out lawyer who moonlights as a high-school wrestling coach and finds his life thrown out of whack when a former client comes back into his life.
Generally regarded as one of Paul Giamatti’s best roles, Win Win puts the veteran actor in a part that he is best in. His morose character is perfectly underscored by the film’s theme song “Think You Can Wait”. With lyrics that subtly mirror the main character’s spiral out of control, the song was perfectly crafted for maximum effect.
The Vampire Diaries (2009–17)
Prime time television shows often use a smattering of different types of music to help establish their mood. The Vampire Diaries dabbled across most genres, even featuring a wide variety within the same episode. The show follows a teenage girl who’s sleepy town is besieged by monsters as she finds herself torn between two vampire brothers.
The episode “The Originals” features a soundtrack full of great tunes, but The National’s “Terrible Love” is used to the greatest effect. Though the song wasn’t written for the show, its subtle references to a love affair gone wrong perfectly underscore the character’s return home in the episode. By keeping the references vague, The National’s songs can be applied to most any situation.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)
Though The National’s music has mostly been reserved for independent features and television shows, they have occasionally appeared in Hollywood films as well. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is the true story of a journalist who recounts her time reporting on the state of affairs in war-torn Afghanistan.
Anchored by Tina Fey’s brilliant dramatic performance, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot suffers from audience expectations. With a funny actress like Fey, audiences expect a laugh-a-minute riot, but what they got was subtlety. “Green Gloves” is a lyrically vague classic from The National that lends its somber tone to some of the darker moments of the film. Evoking images of fear and loneliness, the song is just subtle enough to blend in without sticking out.
Entourage (2015)
Years after its cancelation, the hit television show Entourage was given a big screen adaptation that furthered the story from the show. Following movie star Vincent Chase and his band of friends, the film chronicles Chase’s artistic pursuits as he lands a deal that allows him to make his directorial debut.
While the show, and movie, are about a rowdy group of show business friends, it isn’t without its more somber moments. Filling in that space is The National’s eerie and sad song “I Need My Girl” which is as much a love song as it is a depressing ballad about grief. Both the song and movie tell the story of a character that is buckling under the pressures of life, and their desires for a refuge.
Nick And Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008)
Before they were the toast of the alternative music scene, The National were an underground sensation in the indie rock community. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist tells the story of a high school boy who embarks on a nighttime adventure to see a popular band that is playing a secret show somewhere in his town.
With a soundtrack packed with independent music’s best and brightest, The National were a worthy addition with their song “All The Wine”. Though it is used more for its face value appeal as a song, it isn’t without its artistic merits within the film as well. The song references the the narrator’s desire to experience life and is a mirror for the main characters adventure in the film.
Warrior (2011)
Contrast is an important part of art, and The National’s music was the perfect contrast to the hard hitting action in Warrior. The film tells the story of a man who is trained by his estranged father to be a mixed martial arts fighter. When entering a tournament, his rise to prominence leads him into direct competition with his brother.
Though it is perhaps their most famous song, “About Today” is also one of The National’s slowest and most morose tunes. While Warrior is about the dissolution of a family, the song is about the collapse of a relationship through the narrator’s bad choices. Singer Matt Berninger’s baritone voice, coupled with the sparse guitar sound, leads to an underscore that is both haunting and sad.
Game Of Thrones (2011–19)
When thinking about medieval fantasy like HBO’s Game of Thrones, indie rock isn’t usually the genre that first comes to mind. However, the creators of the show found a clever way to work in one of their favorite bands into the series. Game of Thrones tells the epic story of warring families who all aspire to rule the land–by whatever means necessary.
The song “The Rains of Castamere” recounts the bravery and cleverness of Tyrion Lannister during the war and is a musical fixture of the entire series. Though it is originally an instrumental, it is The National’s cover that is the most memorable. The droning vocals are reminiscent of ancient folk music and it manages to be both modern and antiquated simultaneously.
Warm Bodies (2013)
Quirky and romantic is a good way to describe The National’s music, and it is also an apt way to describe the film Warm Bodies. The story follows a young woman living during zombie apocalypse, who is saved by an unusual zombie. Together they form a strange relationship which threatens to change the entire post apocalyptic world.
Though it doesn’t sound like it at first listen, “Runaway” is actually one of The National’s most romantic songs. The narrator speaks about how he will not run away from the relationship, even if things get hard. As underscore for a zombie romance, it is perfect mood music because it mirrors the main character’s strange relationship.
Friday Night Lights (2006–11)
On top of being considered one of the best sports shows of all time, Friday Night Lights also featured a fair amount of great songs as well. The show follows the lives of a successful high school football team and their day to day struggles both on and off the field.
The National’s song “Star A War” was used to perfection in the episode “Keep Looking” because it mirrors the many interpersonal conflicts in the story. The narrator of the song is warning someone else that they should walk away from conflict or else they will ignite a much larger one. Within the show, the many interpersonal squabbles run the risk of escalating into much larger conflicts as well.
Dexter: New Blood (2021–22)
Further exploring the mind of its divisive main character, Dexter: New Blood was a more cerebral take on its original concept. The show follows Dexter ten years after he fled from his life in Miami. While hiding out in upstate New York, his son returns to his life and slowly begins to realize who his father really is.
Guilt is a major theme in The National’s music and it is prominently featured in their song “I Should Live In Salt”. Appearing in the finale episode “Sins of the Father”, the song is a lamentation about the narrator’s guilt for turning his back on someone, and his desire for punishment for his past mistakes. Like Dexter, the main character of the song is willing to face the music, and answer for his choices.
