The National
Lyric guide

Karen

Read Karen lyrics by The National on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

The National visibility1 visits Video on page
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: The National Canonical path: /the-national/karen Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

Karen

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

Karen, I'm not taking sides

I don't think I'll ever do that again

I'll end up winning and I won't know why

I'm really trying to shine here, I'm really trying

You're changing clothes and closing windows on me all the time

Well, whatever you do, listen, you better wait for me

No, I wouldn't go out alone into America

Whatever you do

Listen, you better wait for me

No, I wouldn't go out alone

Karen, we should call your father, maybe it's just a phase

He'll know the trick to get a wayward soul to change his ways

It's a common fetish for a doting man

to ballerina on the coffee table cock in hand

Well, whatever you do

Listen, you better wait for me

No, I wouldn't go out alone into America

Whatever you do

Listen, you better wait for me

No, I wouldn't go out alone

Without warm water in my head

All I see is black and white and red

I feel mechanical and thin

Hear me play my violin again

I'm living in the target's shoes

All I see is black and white and blue.

Idle, idle, idle, idle, protect the nest

Protect the title

Karen, put me in a chair, fuck me and make me a drink

I've lost direction, and I'm past my peak

I'm telling you this isn't me

No, this isn't me

Karen, believe me, you just haven't seen my good side yet

Well, whatever you do

Listen. you better wait for me

No, I wouldn't go out alone into America

Whatever you do

Listen, you better wait for me

No, I wouldn't go out alone

Without warm water in my head

All I see is black and white and red

I feel mechanical and thin

Hear me play my violin again

I'm living in the target's shoes

All I see is black and white and blue

Idle, idle, idle, idle, protect the nest

Protect the title

I must be me, I'm in my head

Black birds are circling my bed

I must be me, I must be me

Black feathers are falling on my feet

Idle, idle, idle, idle, protect the nest

Protect the title

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "Karen"?

The National performs "Karen", and this lyric page sits inside the The National catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Karen"?

Yes. The related section below points to You Were a Kindness and Secret Meeting with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by The National?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through The National's lyric pages.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on Karen yet.