The National - Walk It Back Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When was 'Walk It Back' first performed?

   'Walk It Back' was first performed by The National at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on October 16, 2015. At that time, it was known as 'Roman Candle.'

2. What album features 'Walk It Back'?

   'Walk It Back' is featured on The National's seventh studio album, Sleep Well Beast, which was released on September 8, 2017.

3. Has 'Walk It Back' been released under other titles?

   Yes, the song was initially titled 'Roman Candle' and later renamed to 'Checking Out of a Collapsing Space (Roman Candle)' before finally being recorded as 'Walk It Back.'

4. Who directed the music video for 'Walk It Back'?

   The music video for 'Walk It Back' was directed by American artist Casey Reas. He had previously been in a band called Nancy with Scott Devendorf and Matt Berninger before they became members of The National.

5. Is there a spoken-word passage in the song?

   Yes, 'Walk It Back' includes a long spoken-word passage from a New York Times Magazine piece about the George W. Bush administration written by Ron Suskind. Initially attributed to an anonymous senior adviser to Bush, it was later identified as Karl Rove.

6. What themes are explored in the lyrics of 'Walk It Back'?

   'Walk It Back' uses a collapsing relationship as a metaphor for the United States under President Donald Trump. Themes include personal disillusionment and societal decay.