Artists from New York City: The Notorious B.I.G., JAY-Z, Nas, Lady Gaga, Ramones, Carole King, Sonic Youth, Blondie, The Velvet Underground (Lou Reed), Cyndi Lauper, The Strokes, Alicia Keys, Beastie Boys, Wu-Tang Clan, 50 Cent, Talking Heads, Ella Fitzgerald, Neil Diamond, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, Donna Summer,Television, Simon & Garfunkel, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Big Daddy Kane, New York Dolls, Vampire Weekend, Ka, Pop Smoke, Kiss, Big L, Big Pun, Run-DMC, Lana Del Rey, Kelis, Azealia Banks, Tony Bennett, Cam'Ron, Ma$e, Madonna (originally from Michigan), Idina Menzel, Perfume Genius, Bobby McFerrin, Swans, Glenn Branca, Luther Vandross, Regina Spektor, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, Liquid Liquid, Patti Smith, Cro-Mags, LCD Soundsystem, El-P, Jennifer Lopez, Village People, A$AP Rocky, Foxy Brown, Lil' Kim, Mos Def, KRS-One, Fivio Foreign, Billy Woods, Nicki Minaj,Ice Spice
Artists from New York state:
Albany: Rhakim Ali
Long Island: Mariah Carey, Billy Joel, LL Cool J, Aesop Rock, Public Enemy, MF DOOM (born in London), Eric B. & Rakim
Westchester County: DMX, The Lox, (Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Styles P)
Buffalo: Rick James, Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, Benny the Butcher
Schenectady: 97otis Kerell HollyHood Shumpo Denze
Hard to Explain
The Strokes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Asked me for the phone
Tried to take control
Oh, I don't see it that way
I don't see it that way
We shared some ideas
All obsessed with fame
Says we're all the same
Oh, I don't see it that way
I don't see it that way
Raised in Carolina
I'm not like that
Tryin' to remind her
When we go back
I missed the last bus, I'll take the next train
I'll try but you see, it's hard to explain
I say the right thing, but act the wrong way
I like it right here, but I cannot stay
I watch the TV, forget what I'm told
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
The joke is on you, this place is a zoo
You're right it's true
He says he can't decide
I shake my head to say
Everything's just great
Oh, I just can't remember
I just can't remember
Raised in Carolina
She says, "I'm not like that"
Tryin' to remind her
When we go back
I say the right thing, but act the wrong way
I like it right here, but I cannot stay
I watch the TV, forget what I'm told
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
Oh man, can't you see I'm nervous? So please
Pretend to be nice, so I can be mean
I missed the last bus, we'll take the next train
I'll try but you see, it's hard to explain
The Strokes's song Hard to Explain is a complex track that explores themes of identity, confusion, and frustration. The song's narrator is struggling to make sense of the world around him, and is constantly torn between his desire to fit in and his innate sense of individuality. The first verse sets the scene, with a man asking for the phone and trying to take control. The singer then rebuffs his advances, suggesting that he doesn't see the situation in the same way.
The second verse delves into the singer's own sense of identity, highlighting the fact that he was raised in Carolina and that he is not like other people. This sets up the central tension of the song - the struggle between fitting in and staying true to oneself. The chorus then provides a summation of the singer's predicament, with him admitting that he often says the right thing but acts the wrong way, and that he is too young to understand the world around him.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly frustrated, and by the end of the track he is pleading with others to pretend to be nice so that he can be mean. Overall, Hard to Explain is a powerful meditation on the challenges of fitting in, staying true to oneself, and navigating the complexities of identity in a changing world.
Line by Line Meaning
Was an honest man
Referring to someone who was truthful, straightforward or sincere
Asked me for the phone
Requested for permission to use the phone
Tried to take control
Attempted to dominate or manipulate the situation
Oh, I don't see it that way
Indicating a disagreement or difference of opinion
I don't see it that way
Reinforcing the previous statement to highlight the contrast
We shared some ideas
Exchanged thoughts or concepts with each other
All obsessed with fame
Everyone was fixated or consumed with the desire for fame
Says we're all the same
Conveys the idea that there is nothing unique or distinct about anyone
Raised in Carolina
Grew up in Carolina
I'm not like that
Asserting that they are different from the previous idea or situation mentioned
Tryin' to remind her
Making an effort to jog her memory or recollect something
When we go back
Referring to a return to a previous place or time
I missed the last bus, I'll take the next train
Acknowledging a delay or setback while making plans to continue
I'll try but you see, it's hard to explain
Attempting to express something but acknowledging its complexity or difficulty to articulate
I say the right thing, but act the wrong way
Expressing a disconnect between intentions and actions
I like it right here, but I cannot stay
Enjoying the present situation but recognizing its impermanence
I watch the TV, forget what I'm told
Viewing televised content and experiencing difficulty retaining the information heard
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
Acknowledging a generational or age gap
The joke is on you, this place is a zoo
Highlighting the absurdity or chaos of the current situation
You're right it's true
Admitting agreement with the previous statement made by another person
He says he can't decide
Referring to someone who is unable to make a choice or come to a conclusion
I shake my head to say
Using nonverbal communication to indicate a negative response or disagreement
Everything's just great
Implying that everything is going well or is satisfactory
Oh, I just can't remember
Expressing difficulty recalling something
I just can't remember
Reinforcing the previous statement to emphasize inability to remember
Oh man, can't you see I'm nervous? So please
Asking for understanding or empathy as a result of feeling anxious or worried
Pretend to be nice, so I can be mean
Asking for others to be friendly or positive so that the singer can feel comfortable exhibiting negative behavior
I missed the last bus, we'll take the next train
Acknowledging a delay or setback while making plans to continue
I'll try but you see, it's hard to explain
Attempting to express something but acknowledging its complexity or difficulty to articulate
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Julian Casablancas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@symshm
LYRICS
Was an honest man
Asked me for the phone
Tried to take control
Oh, I don't see it that way
I don't see it that way
We shared some ideas
All obsessed with fame
Says we're all the same
Oh, I don't see it that way
I don't see it that way
Raised in Carolina
I'm not like that
Tryin' to remind her
When we go back
I missed the last bus, I'll take the next train
I'll try but you see, it's hard to explain
I say the right thing, but act the wrong way
I like it right here, but I cannot stay
I watch the TV, forget what I'm told
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
The joke is on you, this place is a zoo
You're right it's true
He says he can't decide
I shake my head to say
Everything's just great
Oh, I just can't remember
I just can't remember
Raised in Carolina
She says, "I'm not like that"
Tryin' to remind her
When we go back
I say the right thing, but act the wrong way
I like it right here, but I cannot stay
I watch the TV, forget what I'm told
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
Oh man, can't you see I'm nervous? So please
Pretend to be nice, so I can be mean
I missed the last bus, we'll take the next train
I'll try but you see, it's hard to explain
@XMD5a8000
Probably the best 3:50 of content on this whole site.
My favourite part of this song:
-The no-nonsense mechanical beat
-The super catchy bassline
-The amazingly textured rhythm guitar
-The hypnotic lead guitar
-The passionately delivered vocals
-The simple-yet-evocative lyrics
-The gorgeous pseudo-lofi production
-The awesome Koyaanisqatsi-esque video
Whoops, I just described the whole damn thing!
@maryamchaudhary1577
Was an honest man
Asked me for the phone
Tried to take control
Oh, I don't see it that way
I don't see it that way
Oh, we shared some ideas
All obsessed with fame
Says we're all the same
Oh, I don't see it that way
I don't see it that way
Raised in Carolina
"I'm not like that"
Trying to remind her
When we go back
I missed the last bus, I'll take the next train
I try but you see, it's hard to explain
I say the right things, but act the wrong way
I like it right here, but I cannot stay
I watch the TV; forget what I'm told
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
The joke is on you, this place is a zoo
"You're right it's true"
Says he can't decide
I shake my head to say
Everything's just great
Oh, I just can't remember
I just can't remember
Raised in Carolina, she says:
" I'm not like that"
Trying to remind her
When we go back
I say the right things but act the wrong way
I like it right here but I cannot stay
I watch the TV; forget what I'm told
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
Oh, man, can't you see I'm nervous, so please
Pretend to be nice, so I can be mean
I miss the last bus, we take the next train
I try but you see, it's hard to explain
@henriquecouto1630
The Strokes are that kind of band that people dont like them quickly, but once go through their music, is the most amazing thing. It's hard to explain
@pugsforever5837
Stfu, trying so hard to come up with a clever and witty comment with the song title. Quit trying to copy people and come up with your own.
@henriquecouto1630
@@pugsforever5837 ?
@fabiolacerrato5383
I know!!
@olipimcs
You're wrong. I liked them quickly!
@NowhereMan7
They are an incredibly easy band to like. Their songs are short and catchy and distinct, completely lacking in pretentiousness. Just straight forward great bangers, one after the other played by good looking guys who dress cool. If I had to come up with some bands who were great but hard to get into at first the Strokes would be about as far away from making that list as possible. What part of their sound, or image do you think turns people off at first?
@limbo2587
Is This It is still one of the best rock albums that comes out during the 21st century.
@dan_noo
i forgot whats the first one is.... but i know its something new when i see the new one is a zoom in Moretti
@NightMythHunter
Yeah i see fabs face too, what was the old one?
@GageTheSpartan
laughs in remembering the old thumbnail