Tap Out
The Strokes Lyrics

The Strokes' song Tap Out appears to be about living in the moment and being disconnected from the past and future. The singer expresses a desire to move on from old things and experiences, to find something new and exciting to hold onto. The image of a city found underwater implies that the past has been buried and left behind, perhaps due to some catastrophe or event that caused it to be lost. However, there is still a sense of mystery and confusion present, as something "isn't adding up" and the singer doesn't know why they are making the choices they are making.

The chorus of "decide my past, define my life, don't ask questions 'cause I don't know why" reinforces the idea that the singer is living in the present and not concerned with the past or future, but also shows a lack of clarity or purpose in their actions. The lines "someone didn't wanna know their name, drifting, you don't wanna know what's going down" suggest a sense of anonymity and detachment from others, but also a desire to avoid being burdened by responsibility or expectations. The repetition of the phrase "somehow we don't have to know each other's name" in the chorus further emphasizes this idea of disconnectedness.

Overall, the lyrics of Tap Out convey a feeling of restlessness, a desire to move on from the past and embrace the unknown. However, there is also a sense of ambiguity and confusion, as the singer struggles to make sense of their actions and motivations. The repeated refrain of "I don't know why" reinforces this sense of uncertainty, as if the singer is simply going through the motions without a clear sense of direction or purpose.