All My Friends
Gang of Youths Lyrics


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That's how it starts
We go back to your house
You check the charts
And start to figure it out

And if it's crowded, all the better
Because we know we're gonna be up late
But if you're worried about the weather
Then you picked the wrong place to stay
That's how it starts

And so it starts
You switch the engine on
We set controls for the heart of the sun
One of the ways we show our age

And if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up
And I still don't wanna stagger home
Then it's the memory of our betters
That are keeping us on our feet

You spent the first five years trying to get with the plan
And the next five years trying to be with your friends again

Oh, you're talking forty-five turns just as fast as you can
Yeah, I know it gets tired, but it's better when we pretend

It comes apart
The way it does in bad films
Except in parts
When the moral kicks in

Though when we're running out of the drugs
And the conversation's winding away
I wouldn't trade one stupid decision
For another five years of life

Oh, you drop the first ten years just as fast as you can
And the next ten people who are trying to be polite
When you're blowing eighty-five days in the middle of France
Yeah, I know it gets tired only where are your friends tonight?

And to tell the truth
Oh, this could be the last time
So here we go
Like a sales force into the night

And if I made a fool, if I made a fool
If I made a fool on the road, there's always this
And if I'm sewn into submission
I can still come home to this

And with a face like a dad and a laughable stand
You can sleep on the plane or review what you said
When you're drunk and the kids leave impossible tasks
You think over and over, "hey, I'm finally dead"

Oh, if the trip and the plan come apart in your hand
You look contorted on yourself your ridiculous prop
You forgot what you meant when you read what you said
And you always knew you were tired, but then
Where are your friends tonight?

Where are your friends tonight?
Where are your friends tonight?

If I could see all my friends tonight
If I could see all my friends tonight




If I could see all my friends tonight
If I could see all my friends tonight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Gang of Youths' "All My Friends" explore the themes of growing up and the passage of time. The song starts with a reflective and nostalgic opening couplet: "That's how it starts / We go back to your house". This phrase sets the tone for the song, which reflects on past experiences and the way that people change and evolve as they age. The following lines "You check the charts / And start to figure it out" refer to the characters trying to navigate their way through life, attempting to understand how it all works and where they fit in.


The first verse of the song is followed by a chorus that celebrates the freedom and abandon of youth. It suggests that being in crowded and wild places is preferable because it means that the night will be long and full of adventure. The second verse introduces a new image, with the characters setting off on a journey, expressing a desire to take control and explore the world. The chorus returns, reminding the listener of the exhilaration of youthful experiences that are perhaps fuelled by substances.


The final verse of the song reflects on the consequences of these experiences: "You spent the first five years trying to get with the plan / And the next five years trying to be with your friends again". These lines suggest that people go through distinct phases in their lives as they try to figure out their identity and purpose. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the line: "If I could see all my friends tonight" suggesting that even though people may grow apart and move on with their lives, there is always the possibility of reconnecting.


Line by Line Meaning

That's how it starts
The beginning of a night out


We go back to your house
Going to someone's house to party together


You check the charts
Looking at music charts to decide what to listen to


And start to figure it out
Starting to plan the night's activities


And if it's crowded, all the better
Preferring a crowded venue for a more exciting atmosphere


Because we know we're gonna be up late
Expecting a night of partying and staying up late


But if you're worried about the weather
Not caring about unfavorable weather conditions


Then you picked the wrong place to stay
Choosing the wrong location for the night


And so it starts
Continuing the night's activities


You switch the engine on
Starting a car to drive somewhere


We set controls for the heart of the sun
Embarking on a journey with no particular destination or purpose


One of the ways we show our age
Acting recklessly to show one's youth and vitality


And if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up
Not wanting the night to end


And I still don't wanna stagger home
Still wanting to continue the night's activities


Then it's the memory of our betters
The memories of our elders that inspire us


That are keeping us on our feet
Motivating us to keep on going


You spent the first five years trying to get with the plan
Spending time trying to figure out one's purpose in life


And the next five years trying to be with your friends again
Reconnecting with old friends after losing touch


Oh, you're talking forty-five turns just as fast as you can
Living life to the fullest by taking risks and seizing opportunities


Yeah, I know it gets tired, but it's better when we pretend
Acknowledging the exhaustion, but continuing to act like it's fun


It comes apart
Things start to fall apart


The way it does in bad films
Like the predictable plot of a bad movie


Except in parts
Occasionally redeemable moments


When the moral kicks in
When it becomes clear that the choices made were not the best


Though when we're running out of the drugs
Running out of substances to enhance the evening


And the conversation's winding away
Running out of things to talk about


I wouldn't trade one stupid decision
Not regretting past choices or mistakes


For another five years of life
Preferring a short, exciting life over a long, dull one


Oh, you drop the first ten years just as fast as you can
Growing up quickly and not dwelling on the past


And the next ten people who are trying to be polite
Dealing with people who try to act proper and polite


When you're blowing eighty-five days in the middle of France
Going on an extended vacation


Yeah, I know it gets tired only where are your friends tonight?
Feeling lonely and missing the companionship of friends


And to tell the truth
Being honest about one's feelings


Oh, this could be the last time
Appreciating the moment because it could be the last


So here we go
Continuing to live in the moment


Like a sales force into the night
Going out with the intention to have fun and sell oneself to others


And if I made a fool, if I made a fool
Not caring about making a fool of oneself


If I made a fool on the road, there's always this
Having memories of a good night to fall back on


And if I'm sewn into submission
Being tied down by responsibilities or commitments


I can still come home to this
Having the memories of good times to come home to


And with a face like a dad and a laughable stand
Having a father-figure image but still having fun and being youthful


You can sleep on the plane or review what you said
Going over the night's activities and having a chance to rest and recover on a plane ride


When you're drunk and the kids leave impossible tasks
Having to deal with the consequences of being inebriated


You think over and over, "hey, I'm finally dead"
Thinking about the wild night and feeling a sense of rejuvenation


Oh, if the trip and the plan come apart in your hand
When things don't go as expected


You look contorted on yourself your ridiculous prop
Feeling awkward and out of place


You forgot what you meant when you read what you said
Forgetting what one was trying to say due to being inebriated


And you always knew you were tired, but then
Feeling exhausted, but still pushing through


Where are your friends tonight?
Wondering where one's friends are and feeling lonely


If I could see all my friends tonight
Wishing to be reunited with friends


If I could see all my friends tonight
Reiterating the desire to see old friends


If I could see all my friends tonight
Emphasizing the importance of friendship and human connections


If I could see all my friends tonight
Ending the song with a final plea to be reunited with friends




Writer(s): James Murphy

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Comments from YouTube:

@itsmarcooooo

so good to have this back on youtube finally!!!

@thatdudefromthebackseat7675

Probably the best cover of all time.

@CarbonSolutions

I keep watching this and thinking that if the singer starts strumming about 2bpm too fast at the opening, this whole song collapses halfway through when the drummers can’t maintain those 16ths at the end. Absolutely epic.

@cutieowl347

This is absolutely amazing, I keep listening to it over and over again. I feel it in my soul.

@sugar-rushsue5270

So good to see this back. I voted it #1 😊 I also voted their cover of Blood in my top ten - this is better though, by a smidge

@samanthamitchell4115

Hard agree!!!!!

@narellebarrett621

Voted Blood my all time number one

@taintedtroll7051

Blood was unbelievable

@finnianjoyce-velez8079

Recently went through, my first major heart break. Left class with my heart wanting to jump out of my chest, lighting a cigarette and the line about 45 turns came in and all I could do is laugh. Somehow this song made everything feel alright in that moment

@CarRamRod1992

Saw this live at mojos in Fremantle and it honestly nearly blew the roof off! Great times ❤

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