Julian Casablancas is half American and half Danish and the son of John Casablancas and Jeanette Christiansen. His parents divorced when he was young. He attended kindergarten with future bandmate Nikolai Fraiture.
Early in his teens, Julian's father sent him to the Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland. This was where Julian first met Albert Hammond Jr. , one of few other American students on campus.
When Casablancas returned to New York, he continued his education at the Dwight School, where he met Fabrizio Moretti and Nick Valensi. Julian later dropped out because he felt like he "just wasn't learning anything" there.
During his hiatus from The Strokes, he released a solo album called "Phrazes for the Young" on the 9th of November in 2009.
To date, the Strokes have released Is This It, Room on Fire, First Impressions of Earth, Angles, Comedown Machine and The New Abnormal.
4 Chords of the Apocalypse
Julian Casablancas Lyrics
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When you don't speak
Well what's funny then,
Isn't funny anymore.
I can hear it in your voice,
There's always a catch
We're going nowhere,
Anything to watch
While we are waiting
For this apocalypse?
What more is there to do?
It's nice to be important
But so close to being despised
It's more important to be nice
I guess than being wise
I'll take you shopping
I take you dancing too
I take you out
All the thing you wanna do
And I'll give you diamonds
And I'll give you space
So be with anyone you want
It's alright with me.
Oh time is over
Don't you know that
If a time won't
Pause or burn
I'll stay right in my place
Now worry's over!
I hear it in your silence,
When you don't speak
There is a quiet, cryin' rage
Burning inside you, so deep.
I'd give you anything
But I'd give you problems
So be with anyone you want
It's alright with me.
I hear it in your voice
I see it in your lips
There's always a catch
I guess that's alright with me
When no one's around
'Cause the map says you're here
Now I can hear a loneliness
Screaming in my ear.
Oh, time is over
Don't you know that
If a time won't pause or burn
I stay right in my place
The war ain't over yet
This war ain't over yet
Being nice is only hard when others aren't
Our time is over
The lyrics of Julian Casablancas's song "4 Chords of the Apocalypse" have a melancholic tone that invites the listener to reflect on the passing of time and the difficult choices we make in our relationships. The song begins with a sense of introspection as the singer recognizes the things left unsaid in his interactions, "I hear it in your silence, when you don't speak." He then admits that the jokes that used to make him laugh have lost their charm, "What's funny then isn't funny anymore."
As the song progresses, we are presented with a feeling of dissatisfaction with the current state of things, "We're going nowhere and we're going there fast." The singer then reflects on the idea of waiting for the apocalypse as a way to pass the time, "Anything to watch while we are waiting for this apocalypse? What more is there to do?" This sense of apathy is contrasted with the desire to connect with others, as the singer promises to take his loved one shopping and dancing, "I take you out, all the things you wanna do, and I'll give you diamonds, and I'll give you space, so be with anyone you want, it's alright with me."
Ultimately, the song concludes with the realization that some things are beyond our control, and that all we can do is stay true to ourselves, "Oh time is over, don't you know that if a time won't pause or burn, I'll stay right in my place. Now worry's over!" The lyrics of "4 Chords of the Apocalypse" reflect a longing for connection, juxtaposed with the acceptance that life is fleeting, and not all problems can be solved.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear it in your silence,
When you don't speak
Well what's funny then,
Isn't funny anymore.
I can sense your true feelings from your silence because what used to be amusing is not anymore.
I can hear it in your voice,
There's always a catch
We're going nowhere,
And we're going there fast.
I can notice a hidden motive behind your words and that we're not moving forward, but rather backwards quickly.
Anything to watch
While we are waiting
For this apocalypse?
What more is there to do?
What activities should we indulge in while anticipating the end of the world? Is there anything else left to do?
It's nice to be important
But so close to being despised
It's more important to be nice
I guess than being wise
It's preferable to be kind than clever because being prominent could lead to hatred.
I'll take you shopping
I take you dancing too
I take you out
All the things you wanna do
And I'll give you diamonds
And I'll give you space
So be with anyone you want
It's alright with me.
I'll shower you with gifts and freedom to be with whoever you desire because I want to give you everything you want.
Oh time is over
Don't you know that
If a time won't
Pause or burn
I'll stay right in my place
Now worry's over!
Time has run out, and either it ceases or proceeds, I'll stay as I am, and there's nothing more to worry about.
I hear it in your silence,
When you don't speak
There is a quiet, cryin' rage
Burning inside you, so deep.
From your silence, I can sense that there's a deep but restrained anger inside you.
I'd give you anything
But I'd give you problems
So be with anyone you want
It's alright with me.
I'm willing to grant you anything, but there's a possibility of complications; nevertheless, you're free to be with anyone.
I hear it in your voice
I see it in your lips
There's always a catch
I guess that's alright with me
I can notice from your tone and expression that there's always an underlying motive, but I'm okay with it.
When no one's around
'Cause the map says you're here
Now I can hear a loneliness
Screaming in my ear.
When I'm alone, and the indicator shows that you're supposed to be there, I can hear your sense of isolation screaming at me.
Oh, time is over
Don't you know that
If a time won't pause or burn
I stay right in my place
The war ain't over yet
This war ain't over yet
Time has elapsed, but if it remains either stagnant or fervent, I'll stay rooted in my spot, ready because the battle is not yet concluded.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JULIAN CASABLANCAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind