The Strokes

Released: January 29, 2001

Songwriter: Julian Casablancas

Producer: Gordon Raphael

[Verse 1]
Up on a hill, here's where we begin
This little story, a long time ago
Start to pretend, stop pretending
It seems this game is simply never-ending

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, in the sun, sun, having fun, it's in my blood
I just can't help it
Don't want you here right now, let me go
Oh, let me g-g-g-g-g-g-g-go

[Chorus]
Leaving just in time, stay there for a while
Rolling in the ocean, trying to catch her eye
Work hard and say it's easy, do it just to please me
Tomorrow will be different, so I'll pretend I'm leaving

[Instrumental Bridge]

[Verse 2]
I feel so different now, we trained in avia–
I wish you hadn't stayed, my vision's clearer now, but I'm unafraid
Flying overseas, no time to feel the breeze
I took too many varieties

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, in the sun, sun, having fun, it's in my blood
I just can't help it
Don't want you here right now, let me go, woo!
Darling, let me g-g-g-g-g-g-g-go

[Chorus]
Leaving just in time, stay there for a while
Rolling in the ocean, trying to catch her eye
Work hard and say it's easy, do it just to please me
Tomorrow will be different, so this is why I'm leaving

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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