The National Performs Pensive ‘Eucalyptus’ On ‘Fallon’

The National swung by 30 Rock on Thursday for an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Frontman Matt Berninger led his bandmates through the haunting First Two Pages Of Frankenstein cut “Eucalyptus” on the eve of the album’s release.

Last night’s “Eucalyptus” performance came just two months after the band played “Tropic Morning News” on Fallon. Both songs were released as singles before First Two Pages Of Frankenstein arrived today. The follow-up to 2019’s I Am Easy To Find marks The National’s ninth studio album and features guest spots from Sufjan Stevens, Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers.

After working on the song at soundcheck, “Eucalyptus” was debuted live by The National last September during a concert at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. “We rehearsed it twice without ever having had a demo and played it to the audience that night, and what you hear on the album was partially recorded during that performance,” Matt Berninger shared in reference to premiering “Eucalyptus” at the famed rock palace. “It’s got this raw, immediate feeling, and it made sense to leave the rough edges instead of trying to perfect them.”

Watch The National bring “Eucalyptus” to Fallon below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrfMXtA9oGg&ab_channel=TheTonightShowStarringJimmyFallon

The National hits the road starting on May 18 in Chicago.