Don't Swallow the Cap

"Don't Swallow the Cap"
Single by The National
from the album Trouble Will Find Me
Released	April 22, 2013
Recorded	2012–13
Genre	Indie rock
Length	4:46
Label	4AD
Writer(s)	Matt Berninger Aaron Dessner Bryce Dessner
Producer(s)	Aaron Dessner Bryce Dessner
The National singles chronology
"Demons" (2013) "Don't Swallow the Cap" (2013) "Graceless" (2013)

"Don't Swallow the Cap" is a song by American indie rock band The National. Written by band members Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, and Bryce Dessner, it appears as the third track on the band's sixth studio album Trouble Will Find Me. "Don't Swallow the Cap" was released to United States modern rock radio as the album's second overall single on April 22, 2013.

Charts

Chart (2013)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[1]	7
US Rock Digital Songs (Billboard)[2]	48

Personnel

Credits adapted from Trouble Will Find Me liner notes.^[3]

• Matt Berninger – lead vocals
• Aaron Dessner – guitar, keyboards, vibraphone, harmonica
• Bryce Dessner – guitar, keyboards, e-bow, orchestration
• Bryan Devendorf – drums, percussion
• Scott Devendorf – bass guitar

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
United States[4][5]	April 22, 2013	Adult album alternative radio	4AD Beggars Group
	April 23, 2013	Modern rock radio
Europe[1]	May 13, 2013	Contemporary hit radio	4AD V2 Records

In Popular Culture

The song title is likely in reference to Tennessee Williams, who died choking on the cap of a bottle of eyedrops. Williams is frequently referenced in The National's lyrics.

References

1. "Ultratop.be – The National – Don't Swallow the Cap" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
2. "Rock Digital Songs". Billboard. June 8, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2014. (subscription required (help)).
3. Trouble Will Find Me (liner notes). The National. 4AD. 2013. CAD3315CD.
4. "Triple A Music Radio News, Pop Music, Top AAA Songs, Charts, Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
5. "Alternative Music Radio News, Pop Music, Top AAA Songs, Charts, Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2014.