The Strokes

Released: October 28, 2003

Songwriter: Julian Casablancas

Producer: Gordon Raphael

[Verse 1]
That was you up on the mountain
All alone and all surrounded
Walking on the ground you're breaking
Laughing at the life you're wasting
One, two tries won't do it
You do it all your life and you never get through it
Everything they had to say
Had been erased in just one day

[Chorus 1]
Good try, we don't like it
Good try, we won't take that shit
Oh, I can't win

[Verse 2]
Things in bars that people do
When no one wants to talk to you
Failing can be quite a breeze
He told me that these girls were easy
Happy that you said you'd mount me
Felt unlucky when you found me
Some nights come up empty handed
Yes, I'll take it

[Chorus 2]
Wait now by the sidewalk
Hold on, yes, I'll be right back
Oh, I can't win

[Instrumental break]

[Chorus 3]
Yeah, I wait for something
Cool it, we won't take that shit
Good try, we don't like it
Hold on, yes, I'll be right back

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

Room on Fire

From the album

Room on Fire (2003)

The Strokes popular songs

I Can’t WinThe Strokes

The Strokes

Room on Fire