The Crookes consist of George Waite, Daniel Hopewell, Russell Bates and Tom… Read Full Bio ↴The Crookes consist of George Waite, Daniel Hopewell, Russell Bates and Tom Dakin. They are set to release their second L.P on legendary indie label Fierce Panda this summer. The band have built up a Cult Underground following known as the "Bright Young Things" and are at the forefront of the nascent NEW POP movement in the UK guitar scene.

Before the Night Falls
The Crookes Lyrics

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Charlie asked the girl why her skin was glowing,
asked her where she'd been and where she was going.
Her reply was succinct and just dripping with ink.
She left him tongued-tied, oh so weak and flustered as she – with all the apathy that she could muster - said "To Hell. Are you coming angel?"
Let's live out scenes from movie screens from our cheap seats onto the dance floor.
We'll hotbox old cars, drive ‘em just as far as we can before the night falls to its knees.
There ain't nothing here left for me.
Just for tonight, we can be all that we want to be.

Charlie said "Hey baby, I got no money,
I'm not going anywhere but I'll still take you honey.
Let's run to the shore, I don't wanna stay here no more."
Christ it seems I'm cursed to live by the moonlight.
It means I see the dawn before any of you might.
Oh, let me go, I'd rather drown than just float.
Let's live out scenes from movie screens from our cheap seats onto the dance floor.
We'll hotbox old cars, drive ‘em just as far as we can before the night falls to its knees.
There ain't nothing here left for me. Just for tonight, we can be all that we want to be.
I'm out of luck. Time won't slow I'm on the slab… so it goes! Oh comfort, I was never sold.
The night is still young but the story's so old.

We're out of time. Don't you know we've nothing left once blood runs cold?
We'll live on through the stories told. The night's on its knees oh but I can't go home…

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of The Crookes' "Before the Night Falls" pose a question to a girl about her glowing skin while also inquiring about her whereabouts and destination. The girl's response, delivered with a distinct sense of apathy and ink-like dripping language, leaves the singer Charlie feeling weak and disbanded. She proclaims her destination to be "Hell" and invites Charlie, whom she refers to as an angel, to follow her. The verses rely heavily on imagery and metaphors, creating a story with multiple layers for listeners to decipher.

The chorus takes on a more upbeat, carefree tone as Charlie and the girl decide to live out their wildest dreams for one night. They envision themselves as characters from movies, hotboxing cars and driving as far as possible before the night is over. The singer reveals a sense of disillusionment with his current life, declaring that there is nothing left for him besides this one night. The song's final verse is melancholic, with the singer acknowledging that his time is running out, as he sees the dawn before anyone else. Despite this, he rejects comfort and proclaims his desire to live in the moment, even if that means never being able to return home.

Line by Line Meaning

Charlie asked the girl why her skin was glowing,
Charlie inquired the girl about the reason behind her radiating skin.

asked her where she'd been and where she was going.
He inquired about her past and future locations.

Her reply was succinct and just dripping with ink.
The girl's response was brief and profound.

She left him tongued-tied, oh so weak and flustered as she – with all the apathy that she could muster - said 'To Hell. Are you coming angel?'
Her answer left Charlie speechless and amazed as she callously asked if he would accompany her to the underworld.

Let's live out scenes from movie screens from our cheap seats onto the dance floor.
They should live according to the cinematic depictions from their limited perspectives in a dance hall.

We'll hotbox old cars, drive ‘em just as far as we can before the night falls to its knees.
They will fill old automobiles with smoke, driving as far as possible until the night ends.

There ain't nothing here left for me.
There's nothing remaining for the singer in this location.

Just for tonight, we can be all that we want to be.
They can become anything they desire just for the duration of the night.

Charlie said 'Hey baby, I got no money, I'm not going anywhere but I'll still take you honey.
Charlie admitted to having no money and no destination, but nevertheless promised the girl a ride.

Let's run to the shore, I don't wanna stay here no more.'
They should escape to the coast, abandoning this area.

Christ it seems I'm cursed to live by the moonlight.
The singer feels doomed to live beneath the moon's light.

It means I see the dawn before any of you might.
It implies that he witnesses the morning sunrise before others.

Oh, let me go, I'd rather drown than just float.
The singer would rather suffocate in water than simply remain afloat.

I'm out of luck. Time won't slow I'm on the slab… so it goes! Oh comfort, I was never sold.
The singer lacks good fortune, and time refuses to decelerate as he approaches death. Comfort was never purchased by him.

The night is still young but the story's so old.
Despite the time remaining in the night, the story feels ancient and familiar.

We're out of time. Don't you know we've nothing left once blood runs cold?
Time has run out, and there is nothing left after death.

We'll live on through the stories told. The night's on its knees oh but I can't go home…
Their legacy will endure via storytelling, but despite the night's end, the singer cannot return home.

Contributed by Charlie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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