The New
Interpol Lyrics


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I wish I could live free
I hope it's not beyond me
Settling down, it takes time
One day we'll live together
And life will be better
I have it here, yeah, in my mind
Baby, know someday you'll slow
And lately, my heart's been breaking

I gave a lot to you
I take a lot from you too
You slave a lot from me
Guess you could say I gave you my edge

I can't pretend
I need to defend
Some part of me from you
I know I've spent some time oh lying
I can't pretend
I don't need to defend
Some part of me from you
I know I've spent some time oh lying

You're looking alright tonight
I think we should go




You're looking alright tonight
I think we should go

Overall Meaning

Interpol’s “The New” features a complicated narrative and provides several possible interpretations. It begins with a wish to live free, and the artist wonders whether or not he is capable of attaining that freedom. His thoughts move towards settling down, acknowledging that it takes time, and the eventual promise of being together and living a better life. The artist then remarks on his heartbreak and the emotional work he has put into the relationship, which is both giving and taking from both parties. The phrase “Guess you could say I gave you my edge” speaks to the idea that he has lost part of himself in the course of the relationship.


In the second verse, the artist declares that he cannot pretend and that he needs to defend some part of himself from the other person. Further, he admits that he has spent some time lying. Throughout “The New”, the artist’s disillusionment builds, and the phrase “You're looking alright tonight, I think we should go” is a sort of release. Instead of dealing with his emotions, he proposes frivolity and distraction in the form of going out. There is a sense that this solution is at once temporary and entirely unsatisfying.


Line by Line Meaning

I wish I could live free
The singer wants to live a life without any restrictions or limitations.


I hope it's not beyond me
The singer wishes that it's possible for them to live their life like that.


Settling down, it takes time
The singer believes that taking the time to settle down is necessary.


One day we'll live together
The artist is hopeful that they'll be able to live with the person they're talking to.


And life will be better
The artist believes that their life will be better if they can live with that person.


I have it here, yeah, in my mind
The singer already imagines and thinks about that better life in their head.


Baby, know someday you'll slow
The singer thinks that the person they're talking to will eventually calm down and slow down.


And lately, my heart's been breaking
The artist's emotions have been shattered recently.


I gave a lot to you
The artist has given a lot of their resources and emotions to the person they're talking to.


I take a lot from you too
The artist also takes a lot from the person they're talking to in return.


You slave a lot from me
The other person has been taking too much from the singer.


Guess you could say I gave you my edge
The artist feels like they've given all of their energy and motivation to the other person.


I can't pretend
The singer is being honest and can't fake their emotions.


I need to defend Some part of me from you
The singer feels like they need to protect some part of themselves from the other person.


I know I've spent some time oh lying
The singer admits to having been dishonest with the other person previously.


You're looking alright tonight I think we should go
The artist thinks that the other person looks good, and they should go somewhere together.


You're looking alright tonight I think we should go
The artist thinks that the other person looks good, and they should go somewhere together.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Paul Banks, Daniel Kessler, Carlos Dengler, Samuel Fogarino

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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