The Strokes

Released: July 30, 2001

Songwriter: Julian Casablancas

Producer: Gordon Raphael

[Verse 1]
Leave me alone
I'm in control, I'm in control
And girls act too much and boys act too tough
Enough is enough
Well, on the minds of other men, I know she was

[Chorus]
I said just take it or leave it
And take it or leave it, and take it or leave it
And take it or leave it, oh, just take it or leave it
And take it or leave it, oh, take it

[Bridge]
I say, oh, he's gonna let you down
He's gonna let you down, he's gonna let you down
And gonna break your back for a chance
And gonna steal your friends, if he can
He's gonna win someday

[Verse 2]
I fell off the track, now I can't go back
I'm not like that
Boys act too much, girls act too tough
Enough is enough
Well, on the minds of other girls, I know he was

[Chorus]
I said just take it or leave it
And take it or leave it, and take it or leave it
And take it or leave it, oh, just take it or leave it
And take it or leave it, oh, take it

[Outro]
Oh, that's right, he's gonna let you down
He's gonna let you down, he's gonna let you down
And gonna break your back for a chance
And gonna steal your friends, if he can
He's gonna win someday, oh, he will

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.

more tracks from the album

Is This It

From the album

Is This It (2001)

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Take It or Leave ItThe Strokes

The Strokes

Is This It