For the first half of September, I’ll be selecting my Top 15 favorite songs from The National. A band that has rarely let me down — both in the recording studio and in concert. #FaveArtistTop15

Early on, The National made a name for themselves by being loud and brash. “Abel” and “Mr. November” were both attention-grabbing and sound-defining. But as the band matured, they added new ways of creating music. The band figured out a way to write ballads in their own unique way. Even in the songs that were among their most accessible, you can still find elements that feel distinct to their unusual persona as a rock band. For proof, you don’t have to look any further than “I Need My Girl”.

The song title tells you exactly what this song is about. But it’s Matt Berninger’s way with words that makes this ballad more complex and nuanced. It’s why and when he needs his girl that makes the song unforgettable. “I'll try to call you from the party. It's full of punks and cannonballers.” The words aren’t mere song lyrics. They’re stories. And The National pairs them with a simple, yet unexpected guitar riff that catches you off guard rythmically. That’s how The National tackles pop.

“I'll try to call you from the party. It's full of punks and cannonballers.”