Meaning of “Pink Rabbits” by The National

The lyrics of “Pink Rabbits” are for the most part painfully poetic, as in being difficult to understand. The clearest segment is the bridge, not only in that it isn’t overly metaphorical but also in terms of it being in congruence with how cowriter/vocalist Matt Berninger has described “Pink Rabbits”.

As he explained, what the narrative is based on is a romance that was dead but has since been revived. And we’re able to gather that notion from the bridge, as the vocalist puts forth that he “was getting used to living life without” the addressee being present. That is why presently, he’s so “surprised” that she “want(s) to dance with” him.  And to reiterate, those can be deemed the clearest statements in this song.

Matt went on to say that despite having been “happily married for a long time” when composing this piece, it speaks to a romance-based “fear… anxiety and confusion” he possesses nonetheless. This is something he believes exists in both short and long-term relationships. 

Or in any event, it is from that perspective that the chorus seems to be based, i.e. the vocalist being under the impression that his significant other is more interested in someone else, even though, as noted, Matt is married.

And that sentiment is indirectly reiterated in the bridge, with the singer apparently believing that even when he “was falling apart”, i.e. visibly in his feelings, the person he loved was too disinterested to notice. 

It is unclear, as far as the chorus goes, if he is relaying while they are together or on hiatus.  But we’ll conclude by saying that the one thing we can take away from this narrative, if nothing else, is that the vocalist is insecure in his relationship with the addressee.

“Am I the one you think about
When you’re sitting in your fainting chair, drinking pink rabbits?”

Release Date of “Pink Rabbits”

“Pink Rabbits” is the title of the twelfth song on the “Trouble Will Find Me” album, a project which represents the sixth studio offering of The National. The track was issued together with its album on May 17 of 2013.

Writers & Producers

Three members of this collective were responsible for writing and producing this track. Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner handled the songwriting duties, whereas production was taken care of by Aaron and Bryce Dessner.

Album

“Trouble Will Find Me” was issued through a British record label named 4AD. It produced a total of five singles, and four of them were released during the year 2013.  They are:

• “Demons”
• “Don’t Swallow the Cap”
• “Graceless”
• “Sea of Love”

The final single from this record dropped during February of 2014. It is titled “I Need My Girl”.