In 1993, California's Green Day and Bad Religion were both signed to major labels. The next year, Green Day put out Dookie, which became a huge hit, selling nine million albums in the United States in just over two years. Bad Religion's Stranger Than Fiction was certified gold. Other California punk bands on the independent label Epitaph, run by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz, also began achieving mainstream popularity. In 1994, Epitaph released Let's Go by Rancid, Punk in Drublic by NOFX, and Smash by The Offspring, each eventually certified gold or better. That June, Green Day's "Longview" reached number one on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart and became a top forty airplay hit, arguably the first ever American punk song to do so; just one month later, The Offspring's "Come Out and Play" followed suit. MTV and radio stations such as Los Angeles' KROQ-FM played a major role in these bands' crossover success, though NOFX refused to let MTV air its videos.
Following the lead of Boston's Mighty Mighty Bosstones and two California bands, Anaheim's No Doubt and Long Beach's Sublime, ska punk and ska-core became widely popular in the mid-1990s. By 1996, genre acts such as Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake were being signed to major labels. The original 2 Tone bands had emerged amid punk rock's second wave, but their music was much closer to its Jamaican roots—"ska at 78 rpm". Ska punk bands in the third wave of ska created a true musical fusion between the genres. ...And Out Come the Wolves, the 1995 album by Rancid—which had evolved out of Operation Ivy—became the first record in this ska revival to be certified gold; Sublime's self-titled 1996 album was certified platinum early in 1997. In Australia, two popular groups, skatecore band Frenzal Rhomb and pop punk act Bodyjar, also established followings in Japan.
Green Day and Dookie's enormous sales paved the way for a host of bankable North American pop punk bands in the following decade. With punk rock's renewed visibility came concerns among some in the punk community that the music was being co-opted by the mainstream. They argued that by signing to major labels and appearing on MTV, punk bands like Green Day were buying into a system that punk was created to challenge. Such controversies have been part of the punk culture since 1977, when The Clash was widely accused of "selling out" for signing with CBS Records. The Vans Warped Tour and the mall chain store Hot Topic brought punk even further into the U.S. mainstream.
Death on the Stairs
The Libertines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Came an Eritrean maiden she
Had a one-track mind and eyes for me
Half blinded in a war
With a pale, young Anglican
Who said he'd help her all he can
Showed her Jesus and his little unholy friend
She had no mind to please him
Just say 'ta-ra' and leave him behind
A little boy in a stairwell who
Says 'I hate people like you'
I got matchsticks and cable TV
Half of less than 50P
We all clambered over the balcony
Banging on the window, waking Steve
Bringing with the true love his unholy friend
Singing, 'If you really need it
You just won't leave it behind'
So, baby, please kill me
Oh, baby, don't kill me
But don't bring that ghost 'round to my door
I don't want to see him anymore
Please kill me
Oh, baby, don't kill me
Just don't bang on about yesterday
You know I wouldn't know about that anyway
Monkey asked to the mouse before
If she loved anybody more than he
Turns you into stone
Now I'm reversing down the lonely street
Cheap hotel where I can meet the past
Pay it off and keep it sweet
(aw) It's sweet and it's nothing, no
It's just like nothing at all
You know I've seen you there
How could i help but stare?
It rips the heart out of your, baby
I've taken too far too much to see or think or touch what's real
Stranded on this street that paved my only way home
If you really need it all
You just won't leave him behind
Oh please kill me
Oh no don't kill me
Don't bring that ghost 'round to my door
I don't want to see him anymore
Please kill me
Oh no don't kill me
And don't try joke about yesterday
You know I wouldn't know about that anyway
It's sweet like nothing no
It's sweet like nothing at all
It's sweet like nothing no
It's sweet like nothing at all
It's sweet like nothing no
It's sweet like nothing at all
The Libertines' song Death on the Stairs is a vivid narrative about a group of young people struggling to survive in a harsh environment. The singer of the song is caught in a love triangle with two very different women - an English woman and an Eritrean woman, who is half blinded by war. The English woman is trying to convert the Eritrean woman to Christianity, but she only wants to be with the singer.
The song also touches on themes of isolation, poverty, and addiction. The singer and his friends resort to watching cable TV with matchsticks because they can't afford anything else. They are also constantly in danger, as evidenced by the little boy who hates "people like you." The "ghost" mentioned in the chorus seems to represent the singer's troubled past, which he wants to leave behind, but is unable to do so.
Overall, Death on the Stairs is a bleak yet poignant depiction of the struggles of young people living on the fringes of society, trying to make their way in a world that often seems stacked against them.
Line by Line Meaning
From way far across the sea
A woman from Eritrea came from a far-off land to meet me.
Came an Eritrean maiden she
She was a woman from Eritrea who showed up to meet me.
Had a one-track mind and eyes for me
She was very interested in me and wasn't interested in anything or anyone else.
Half blinded in a war
She was injured in a war and is partially blind now.
With a pale, young Anglican
She was with a young Anglican man.
Who said he'd help her all he can
The Anglican man promised to help her to the best of his abilities.
Showed her Jesus and his little unholy friend
The Anglican man showed her Jesus and something that wasn't really holy.
She had no mind to please him
She wasn't interested in pleasing the Anglican man.
Just say 'ta-ra' and leave him behind
She only wanted to say goodbye and leave him behind.
A little boy in a stairwell who
There was a young boy in a stairwell who
Says 'I hate people like you'
Said that he hated the people he was with.
I got matchsticks and cable TV
I have some matchsticks and cable TV.
Half of less than 50P
I have very little money.
We all clambered over the balcony
We climbed over the balcony.
Banging on the window, waking Steve
We banged on the window and woke up Steve.
Bringing with the true love his unholy friend
We brought true love and something that wasn't really holy.
Singing, 'If you really need it
We sang, "If you really need it
You just won't leave it behind'
You won't be able to leave it behind.
So, baby, please kill me
Please get rid of me.
Oh, baby, don't kill me
Please don't actually kill me.
But don't bring that ghost 'round to my door
But please don't bring that ghost around.
I don't want to see him anymore
I don't want to see him anymore.
Just don't bang on about yesterday
Please don't talk about yesterday.
You know I wouldn't know about that anyway
I wouldn't really know about it either way.
Monkey asked to the mouse before
A monkey asked a mouse before.
If she loved anybody more than he
If the mouse loved anyone more than the monkey.
Turns you into stone
It makes you stone-faced or unfeeling.
Now I'm reversing down the lonely street
I am now backing up down the lonely street.
Cheap hotel where I can meet the past
I can revisit the past at a cheap hotel.
Pay it off and keep it sweet
Pay the hotel bill and keep it nice.
(aw) It's sweet and it's nothing, no
It's nice but it's not really anything special.
It's just like nothing at all
It's like nothing at all.
You know I've seen you there
I've seen you there before.
How could i help but stare?
How could I not stare?
It rips the heart out of your, baby
It's very upsetting, baby.
I've taken too far too much to see or think or touch what's real
I've gone too far down a path that I can't come back from and can't tell what's real anymore.
Stranded on this street that paved my only way home
I'm stuck on this street that's supposed to lead me home.
And don't try joke about yesterday
And don't make jokes about yesterday.
It's sweet like nothing no
It's nice but it's not really anything special.
It's sweet like nothing at all
It's like nothing at all.
It's sweet like nothing no
It's nice but it's not really anything special.
It's sweet like nothing at all
It's like nothing at all.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carl Barat, Peter Doherty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
신동준
내가 보려고 올리는 가사
From way far across the sea
Came an Eritrean maiden she
Had a one-track mind and eyes for me
Half blinded in a war
With a pale, young Anglican
Who said he'd help her all he can
Showed her Jesus and his little unholy friend
She had no mind to please him
Just say 'ta-ra' and leave him behind
A little boy in a stairwell who
Says 'I hate people like you'
I got matchsticks and cable TV
Half of less than 50P
We all clambered over the balcony
Banging on the window, waking Steve
Bringing with the true love his unholy friend
Singing, 'If you really need it
You just won't leave it behind'
So, baby, please kill me
Oh, baby, don't kill me
But don't bring that ghost 'round to my door
I don't want to see him anymore
Please kill me
Oh, baby, don't kill me
Just don't bang on about yesterday
You know I wouldn't know about that anyway
Monkey asked to the mouse before
If she loved anybody more than he
Turns you into stone
Now I'm reversing down the lonely street
Cheap hotel where I can meet the past
Pay it off and keep it sweet
(aw) It's sweet and it's nothing, no
It's just like nothing at all
You know I've seen you there
How could i help but stare?
It rips the heart out of your, baby
I've taken too far too much to see or think or touch what's real
Stranded on this street that paved my only way home
If you really need it all
You just won't leave him behind
Oh please kill me
Oh no don't kill me
Don't bring that ghost 'round to my door
I don't want to see him anymore
Please kill me
Oh no don't kill me
And don't try joke about yesterday
You know I wouldn't know about that anyway
It's sweet like nothing no
It's sweet like nothing at all
It's sweet like nothing no
It's sweet like nothing at all
It's sweet like nothing no
It's sweet like nothing at all
비정한세상
From way far across the sea
바다 건너 멀리서 온
Came and Eritrean maiden she
에리트리아 소녀는
Had a one track mind and eyes for me
전쟁통에 반쯤 흐릿해진 눈으로
Half blinded in the war
나만 보고, 내 생각만 했지
With a pale young Anglican
창백한 얼굴의 국교도 녀석은
Who said he'd help her all he can
그 앨 위해 최선을 다했다지만
Showed her Jesus and his little un-holy friend
예수와 *작고 무례한 친구를 보여줬을 뿐이야
She had no notion to please him
소녀는 그를 기쁘게 하고 싶지 않아
Just say "ta-ra" & leave him behind
“잘 있어”하곤 떠났지
There's a little boy in a stairwell who says
계단에 앉아 있던 어떤 녀석이 지껄이길
"I hate people like you
“난 너희같은 인간을 경멸해
Got matches and cable TV
가진 거라곤 성냥 몇 갑과 케이블 TV
Half of less than 50p."
50펜스의 반도 안되는 푼돈.”
We all clambered over the balcony
우린 함께 발코니를 기어 올라가
Banging on the window waking Steve
스티브를 깨우려 창문을 쾅쾅 두드렸지
Bringing with a true love his un-holy friend
그가 사랑하는 작고 무례한 친구도 데려 갔어
If you really need it you mustn't leave it behind
정말 필요한 거라면 절대 그냥 두고 가지 마
So baby, please kill me. Oh baby, don't kill me
제발 날 죽여. 오 안돼, 죽이지 마
But don't bring that ghost round to my door
대신 내 문 앞에 *유령따윈 얼씬도 못하게 해줘
I don't wanna see them anymore
더 이상 보고 싶지 않아
Please kill me. Oh baby, don't kill me
제발 날 죽여. 오 안돼, 죽이지 마
Just don't bang on about yesterday
대신 지난 얘기도 들먹이지 말아줘
I wouldn't know about that anyway
어차피 알고 싶지 않으니까
Monkey asked the mouse before
옛날에 원숭이가 쥐에게 말했대
If she loved anybody more than he
만약 나 아닌 누군가를 더 사랑한다면
It turns you into stone
넌 돌로 변하고 말거라고
Now I'm reversing down the lonely street
난 지금 적막한 거리를 걸어가고 있어
To a cheap hotel where I can meet the past
과거를 마주할 수 있는 싸구려 호텔을 향해
And pay it off and keep it sweet
돈을 갚고 미안하다 말하면
It's sweet like nothing, It's just like nothing at all
아무 것도 아닌 일이 되겠지
Yes, I've seen you there
그래, 거기서 널 봤었어
How could I help but stare?
그저 바라볼 수 밖에 없었지
It rips the heart out of your baby
너의 연인때문에 마음이 찢어져
Now I've taken far too much
무엇이 진실인지를
Or think or see or touch what's real
지나치게 생각하고 보고 만지려 했나봐
I'm stranded on this street that
유일하게 우리집으로 통하는
Paved my only way home
이 정돈된 거리에서 난 꼼짝도 못 하고 있네
He got nothing at all
그에겐 아무것도 없네
Yassir Ahmed
the libertines are incredible at writing simple yet life changing melodies. the riff in this song as well as the intro to don't look back into the sun are some of humanity's best musical achievements
Annie V.
still love this song, from start to finish. "Now I've taken far too much to see or think or touch what's real I'm stranded on this street that paved my only way home" only pete could string such words together. this whole album is such a gem
djk6516
Probably the best song in the history of songs.
Harvey Case
djk6516 haven’t heard many songs then!
Y Campbell
I agree
John Napier
Amazing. Also really enjoy the 'delightful' version!
George
Hmm ok
Daniel Elston
Have to agree
신동준
내가 보려고 올리는 가사
From way far across the sea
Came an Eritrean maiden she
Had a one-track mind and eyes for me
Half blinded in a war
With a pale, young Anglican
Who said he'd help her all he can
Showed her Jesus and his little unholy friend
She had no mind to please him
Just say 'ta-ra' and leave him behind
A little boy in a stairwell who
Says 'I hate people like you'
I got matchsticks and cable TV
Half of less than 50P
We all clambered over the balcony
Banging on the window, waking Steve
Bringing with the true love his unholy friend
Singing, 'If you really need it
You just won't leave it behind'
So, baby, please kill me
Oh, baby, don't kill me
But don't bring that ghost 'round to my door
I don't want to see him anymore
Please kill me
Oh, baby, don't kill me
Just don't bang on about yesterday
You know I wouldn't know about that anyway
Monkey asked to the mouse before
If she loved anybody more than he
Turns you into stone
Now I'm reversing down the lonely street
Cheap hotel where I can meet the past
Pay it off and keep it sweet
(aw) It's sweet and it's nothing, no
It's just like nothing at all
You know I've seen you there
How could i help but stare?
It rips the heart out of your, baby
I've taken too far too much to see or think or touch what's real
Stranded on this street that paved my only way home
If you really need it all
You just won't leave him behind
Oh please kill me
Oh no don't kill me
Don't bring that ghost 'round to my door
I don't want to see him anymore
Please kill me
Oh no don't kill me
And don't try joke about yesterday
You know I wouldn't know about that anyway
It's sweet like nothing no
It's sweet like nothing at all
It's sweet like nothing no
It's sweet like nothing at all
It's sweet like nothing no
It's sweet like nothing at all
Samuel Powell
cheeky and cheerful, the libertines are a British classic, I saw them live in Hyde Park with my friend when they reunited, it was one of the best shows I've been to in my life, the crowd was amazing, everyone was singing along to every song, they had to stop playing numerous time because of crowd crushing and people climbing on the light towers, my friend and I had to lift people up constantly who were getting knocked down and even lifted a girl over the barriers to security for her safety, I wanna throw my friend some love as we've been through a lot together, he's heavily influenced by The Libertines, try searching Lonely Gimmick - Grumpy Days ,you may be in for a surprise and he would love to hear your opinion