Watch The National rescue a turkey in new Thanksgiving song

[Glasgow]

'Save The Bird' is the latest in the band's now-traditional 'Bob's Buskers' Thanksgiving series

The National have released a new song and a hilarious animated video as part of the band’s now-traditional tie-in with the animated sitcom Bob’s Burgers.

Part of the ‘Bob’s Buskers’ series of songs based around the cartoon, ‘Save The Bird’ features an animated version of The National driving to the woods, with a nervous-looking turkey in the front.

As singer Matt Berninger croons what seems a traditionally sombre-sounding National lament, his bandmates join in with exaggerated falsetto backing vocals in the chorus.

Spoiler alert – at the end of the video, the turkey is released happily into the countryside, walking free while Berninger is heard being mock-unhappy with the song in an audio outtake from the recording sessions.

‘Save The Bird’ is the fourth Thanksgiving song by The National in association with ‘Bob’s Buskers’, following ‘Give It To Teddy’, ‘Gravy Boat’ and ‘Kill The Turkey’.

Berninger said in a statement: “We’re honoured to continue our Thanksgiving association with Bob’s Burgers with ‘Save The Bird’, which was recorded at Public Hi-Fi in Austin and at my secluded dojo in Los Angeles.”

Referring to animated footage of The National’s brass section appearing in the video, Berninger added: “It’s especially thrilling to have our brass section finally get credit for something. Also, I’d like to thank Tom for doing the dishes.”

The National were recently confirmed to play at Mad Cool Festival in Madrid in July 2019 alongside The 1975, while the band also released a live album of early songs, ‘Cherry Tree Volume 1’ in August exclusively to the band’s fanclub members.