Soma
Strokes Lyrics
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Saw pain in a new way, high stakes for a few names
Racing against sun beams, losing against their dreams
In your eyes
And I am stop and go
In your eyes
See I am stop and go
Let's go
When I saw her for the first time, lips moved as her eyes closed
Heard something in his voice
"And I'll be there", he says, then he walks out
Somehow he was trying too hard to be like them
Well I am stop and go
In your eyes
And I am stop
Oh, darling, let me go
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
Says, "I've been doing this 25 years"
But I'm not listening no more
And these friends, they keep asking for more
Oh, yeah
Oh, but that's it
The Strokes' song "Soma" appears to be a commentary on the pursuit of success and satisfaction in the face of hardship and pain. The title, Soma, is a reference to the brave new world drug that is used to numb individuals to their plight and make them more compliant with their surroundings. The lyrics suggest that the characters in the song are using a similar coping mechanism in the form of drugs. As the song moves on, the lyrics reveal that the desire for success has led individuals to lose sight of their dreams and to become consumed with their pursuit, ultimately leading to disappointment.
The lyrics reference "hard times" that have opened the characters' eyes, indicating that they have had some sort of sobering realization about their place in the world. The second line suggests that they turn to drugs (Soma, most likely) to cope with this newfound pain, and that their drug use is inextricably tied to their desire for success - "high stakes for a few names". The characters seem to be racing against "sun beams" - chasing daylight, perhaps? - but the pursuit of their dreams leaves them "losing" instead.
The repetition of "In your eyes" throughout the song suggests an address to a specific person, but it's unclear who that person might be. The singer seems to be admitting that they are "stop and go", indicating a lack of confidence and a struggle with motivation. The line "Oh, darling, let me go" suggests that the singer is asking to be released from...something, perhaps the rat race that they find themselves in. The latter part of the song implies that the characters have tried to hide their drug use in order to maintain an image of success, but have been unsuccessful. The line "But I'm not listening no more" perhaps indicates a realization that success at any cost is not worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
Soma is what they would take when hard times opened their eyes
Soma is a drug that people use to escape the pain of their difficult circumstances.
Saw pain in a new way, high stakes for a few names
Using Soma allows people to see their pain in a new light, but it also puts them at risk for a few fleeting moments of pleasure.
Racing against sun beams, losing against their dreams
Those who use Soma feel like they're competing with the sun and losing against their own hopes and aspirations.
In your eyes
The artist is speaking directly to someone and acknowledging their role in the situation.
And I am stop and go
The artist is admitting that they are indecisive and wavering in their own convictions.
See I am stop and go
The singer is once again acknowledging their own lack of resolve.
In your eyes
The singer is telling someone else that their confusion is related to their perception of the other person.
When I saw her for the first time, lips moved as her eyes closed
The first time the artist saw this woman, she was kissing someone else with her eyes closed.
Heard something in his voice
The artist is interpreting something they heard from this woman's partner, which may have indicated they were not faithful.
"And I'll be there", he says, then he walks out
Despite saying that he'll be there, the woman's partner left without fulfilling his promise.
Somehow he was trying too hard to be like them
The singer implies that the other person's behavior was motivated by their desire to fit in with others who use Soma.
Oh, darling, let me go
The artist is asking to be released from something that they feel is holding them back.
Tried it once and they liked it, then tried to hide it
People who use Soma often try to keep it secret once they realize how pleasurable it is.
Says, "I've been doing this 25 years"
Someone who has been using Soma for a long time tries to justify their habit by pointing to the fact that they have been doing it for a quarter century.
But I'm not listening no more
The singer is indicating that they no longer want to hear excuses for drug use.
And these friends, they keep asking for more
People who use Soma tend to encourage one another to continue using the drug, creating a cycle of addiction.
Oh, yeah
The artist is expressing their assent to some unidentified statement or idea.
Oh, but that's it
The singer has come to some sort of decision or realization, but it's unclear what that is.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JULIAN CASABLANCAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind