"Bloodbuzz Ohio" is a single by indie rock band The National, from their fifth studio album, High Violet. It is notable for Matt Berninger's baritone vocals. It was made available for download on the band's website on March 24, 2010. The song was also released on 7" vinyl (with the exclusive B-side "Sin-Eaters") on May 3, 2010.[1] The cover art of this single is a work by artist Mark Fox, titled Jane Jacobs Understands The Beehive.[2]
| "Bloodbuzz Ohio" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The National | ||||
| from the album High Violet | ||||
| Released | March 24, 2010 (digital download) May 3, 2010 (7") | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:36 | |||
| Label | 4AD(AD 3X22) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Padma Newsome | |||
| Producer(s) | The National | |||
| The National singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Julia Stone covered the song on her 2012 album, By the Horns.
Irish artist Soak covered the song in 2019.
Goose performed a version of the song on August 18, 2022 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Critical reception
editOne Thirty BPM described the track as "the beating heart of High Violet and most alarming insight into the psyche of the album."[3] Pitchfork called it "a tense, drawn-out build with Matt Berninger's weathered baritone lording all over everything."[4] On January 26, 2011, the song was voted at number 31 on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2010, making it their highest entry on the countdown ever. In 2019, Pitchfork ranked the song at number 76 on its list of the 200 Best Songs of the 2010s.[5]
In Rolling Stone, Rob Sheffield stated that the song is "about money", emphasizing that its chorus is the phrase "I still owe money, to the money, to the money I owe", and speculating that Ohio is "mentioned only because it sounds like 'I owe'"; The band is from Ohio. Sheffield further observed that the song's lyrics are "full of throwaway clues that never add up to any coherent storyline", but that it is nonetheless "sickeningly great" and has "undeniable emotional punch". [6]
Music video
editMatt Berninger is the main focus of the first video from High Violet which shows him dapper in a suit, holding a drink, and walking the streets of New York City, seemingly lost in thought as he sings.[7] Documentary film director D.A. Pennebaker appears in a cameo in the video, playing a bartender.[8]
It was directed by Hope E. Hall, Andreas Burgess, and Berninger's wife Carin Besser.[9]
Performances
editThe National performed a special live studio performance and interview on American Public Media's Marketplace November 1, 2012.
Track listing
edit- "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (May 3, 2010)
- 4AD (AD 3X22), 7" vinyl and digital download
- "Bloodbuzz Ohio" – 4:36
- "Sin-Eaters" – 3:40
Chart history
editIt charted on the Belgian Flanders Ultratop 50 at number 49 for one week on week 25 of 2010.[10] It then re-entered the chart, and on its third week on the chart, the song peaked at number 16.[11] It has also charted on the Ultratip chart in Wallonia region at number 37.[12]
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] | 16 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[12] | 37 |
| Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[13] | 20 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Singles Sales[14] | 7 |
| UK Physical Singles (OCC)[15] | 31 |
| UK Indie (OCC)[16] | 19 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[17] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "4AD – The National – Download Free MP3 of the new single, 'Bloodbuzz Ohio'". March 25, 2010. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- ^ Fox, Mark. "News". Mark Fox. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
- ^ Barker, Ian. "Track Review: The National "Bloodbuzz Ohio"". One Thirty BPM. Archived from the original on June 26, 2010. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (March 30, 2010). "The National: "Bloodbuzz Ohio" | Tracks". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ "The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ^ The National’s Money Shot: In Praise of “Bloodbuzz Ohio”, by Rob Sheffield; in Rolling Stone; published May 17, 2010; retrieved May 8, 2024
- ^ "The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- ^ Amy Phillips (May 11, 2010). "Video: The National "Bloodbuzz Ohio"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
- ^ "The National – 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' video – News | State Magazine". State.ie. May 12, 2010. Archived from the original on May 14, 2010. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- ^ "The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- ^ a b "The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ a b "The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio" (in French). Ultratip.
- ^ "The National Chart History: Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- ^ "The National Hot Singles Sales". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2019.[dead link]
- ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. May 14, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio". Music Canada. Retrieved December 22, 2023.