The Strokes

Released: June 3, 2016

Songwriter: Fabrizio Moretti Nick Valensi Julian Casablancas

Producer: Gus Oberg

[Verse 1]
80s people dancing, oooh
Always get it right
I'd listen but I can't tonight
I can't tonight, I can't tonight
Well, it's something that you do to get it right
End up reviled for it
Yeah, that's the thanks I get

[Chorus]
I don't understand
Your fucked-up system
This sinister city
Try to sell the water
Try to sell the air
Try to sell your daughter
Try to sell her hair
Verse:

[Bridge 1]
'We all want to watch the fight'
'Is it on Sunday?'
Hide in a hole with a gun in your hand in front of
Someone you want dead, I guess?
Hiding in your suit...

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 2]
I did not know that
They're bringing me back to my past
I got my head in my hands
I got my head in my—
I got my head in my hands
I got my head in my—
I got my head—
It's just something that you do to get it right
End up reviled for it
Yeah, that's the thanks I get

[Chorus]
Jail, that's what you get
Stepping to the system
Profiting from war
Fighting as the victim
Always wanting more
Trying to trick your brothers
Get them to fight it for you

[Bridge 2]
I cannot believe my eyes
Darling I can tell you lies
"Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago"
I don't know geography all that well
Yeahhh

[Outro]
Defying Western logic
Even if it shows you're wrong
I guess that's a classic
Been with us all along

The Strokes burst onto the scene at a time when rock fans were desperate for an alternative to the rap-rock that was dominating the airwaves. That the band lived up to expectations after being hailed ‘saviors of guitar rock’ solely based on the strength of a three song EP is a testament to the quality of their flawless debut, July 2001’s Is This It.

Ultimately, they are a band that truly relies on the strength of the entire lead singer Julian Casablancas, lead guitarist Nick Valensi, drummer Fabrizio Moretti, guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., and bassist Nikolai Fraiture. However, much of The Strokes' output has been influenced by the domineering vision of Casablancas' songwriting.

Before he took a small step back on their third album, January 2006’s First Impressions of Earth, and then isolated himself to record March 2011’s Angles, Casablancas was involved in almost every step of The Strokes' recording process. He wrote all of the lyrics and the music on their first two albums and was constantly involved in the mixing of the records.

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