Karima knows just what it is she does
It can't be hard for her to get a buzz
Down in the street below
You hear the drunken prophet sing
"I know what's on your mind, my boy
'Cause I can see, oh everything"

Lead pipes, your fortune's made
Well, take a tip from me
Climb up to her window ledge
Or you'll forever be

Just walking under ladders
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
As the people 'round you hear you crying please

Lead pipes, a fortune's made
Well, take a tip from me
Climb up to her window ledge
Or you'll forever be

Just walking under ladders
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
As the people 'round you hear you crying please (please, please)

Karima knows just what it is she does
It can't be hard for her to get a buzz
The rapture of vertigo
And letting go
Me myself I was never sure
Was it the liquor
Or was it my soul?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Libertines's song Vertigo could be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of being too afraid to take risks in life. The singer seems to be looking up at a woman named Karima who is situated in a window ledge above them. Karima is portrayed as someone who knows what she wants and how to get it, as she easily gets a buzz from life. However, in contrast, the singer seems to be struggling with a feeling of uncertainty and a lack of direction in life. They feel like they are just "walking under ladders" and always crying out for help, while Karima seems to embody the adventurous spirit they long for.

The song seems to suggest that to achieve the "rapture of vertigo" and truly let go, one must be willing to take risks and climb up to the window ledge. The line "Was it the liquor or was it my soul?" further reinforces this idea. The singer is unsure if their newfound courage comes from the alcohol they've consumed or if it's a deeper, more authentic part of themselves that they're tapping into. In the end, the song seems to be saying that we should all strive to be more like Karima, unafraid to take risks and live life to the fullest.

Line by Line Meaning

Karima knows just what it is she does
Karima is aware of the effects of her actions

It can't be hard for her to get a buzz
It must be easy for Karima to feel a sense of excitement

Down in the street below
In the area underneath where we stand

You hear the drunken prophet sing
A person who is heavily inebriated is singing like a predictor of the future

"I know what's on your mind, my boy
I am aware of what you are thinking, young man

'Cause I can see, oh everything"
Because I am able to perceive everything around me

Lead pipes, your fortune's made
If you possess lead pipes, you are wealthy

Well, take a tip from me
Listen to my advice

Climb up to her window ledge
Ascend to where Karima is located

Or you'll forever be
Otherwise, you will always exist

Just walking under ladders
Continuously move forward without achieving success