Championed by NME, the band's first single What a Waster charted at number 37, despite being banned from Radio 1 and commercial radio due to an overabundance of foul language; this set the trend for steadily increasing returns, culminating in a #2 single and #1 album in the UK Charts. However, the band's music was often eclipsed by its internal conflicts, many of which stemmed from Doherty's considerable drug use, and it was mostly because of this that after a final show in Paris (without Pete) that the band was disbanded at the end of 2004.
The former members of The Libertines have gone on to form three splinter bands, with varying degrees of commercial and critical success. These bands include Peter Doherty in Babyshambles, Carl Barât and Gary Powell in Dirty Pretty Things and John Hassall in Yeti.
Pete and Carl recently came back to work on Babyshambles' charity cover of The Clash's 'Janie Jones' for Strummerville. Carl and Pete also performed 13 songs together in April 2007 as Carl appeared on stage at one of Pete's shows. On the 29th of March 2010 the Libertines announced they had reunited to play the Leeds and Reading festivals in August.
On 20 April 2014 an image of London's Hyde Park was released to the band's Facebook page. Around this time both Carl Barat and Peter Doherty indicated in interviews that they had accepted an offer to play the venue on July 5, 2014. On 25 April, it was confirmed that The Libertines will play on Saturday 5 July in London's Hyde Park, headlining the day, as part of the Barclaycard British Summer Time series of concerts. Support for the concert will be provided by a number of bands and artists, most notably The Pogues, Spiritualized, Maxïmo Park, Raglans and The Enemy
On 20 May, it was confirmed that The Libertines will play on Saturday 19 July in Benicassim FIB, Spain, as headliners.
They have also announced a European tour, their first tour in 10 years, consisting of 9 dates prior to the release of a new album in 2015, 11 years after their previous studio release.
The band's reunion album was followed by a series of festival appearances, including a surprise gig during the 2015 Glastonbury Festival, as they were secretly called to replace Florence + the Machine (who were earlier announced as unscheduled headliners after Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl's injury prevented the latters from headlining the day). The Libertines were filmed as they landed down off an helicopter outside the festival site, and stated their show with a hit from their 2nd album, Can't Stand Me Now.
On the 13th of October 2023 the band released their first single in eight years, as well as announcing that their new album All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade will be arriving on March 8, 2024.[40] To celebrate the announcement of the new album the band announced "The Albionay Tour". An intimate club tour that sold out in seconds. [41]
Don’t Look Back Into The Sun
The Libertines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't look back into the sun
Well, now you know that your time has come
And they all said it would never come for you, la la lo lo
Well, oh, my friend, you haven't changed
You're looking rough and living strange
And they'll never forgive you but they won't let you go, oh no
They'll never forgive you but they won't let you go, oh no
Don't look back into the sun
You've cast your pearls but you're on the run
And all the lies you said, who did you save?
But when they played that song at the Death Disco
It started fast but then ends so slow
And all the time it just reminded me of you
They'll never forgive you but they won't let you go (let me go)
They'll never forgive you but they won't let you go, oh no
They'll never forgive you but they won't let you go, oh no
They'll never forgive you but they won't let you go, oh no (let me go)
"Thank you, Glasgow"
"Here we, here we, here we fuckin' go"
The Libertines's "Don't Look Back Into The Sun" is a song that conveys a theme of moving forward and not dwelling on the past. The lyrics open with a declaration to not look back and to acknowledge that the time has come to move on. The chorus is catchy and well-known, imploring listeners to not look back into the sun, perhaps indicating that bright times are ahead and one should not dwell on what has already happened.
The second verse implies a conversation or observation towards someone close who seems to be "rough and living strange", insinuating a lifestyle of excess in certain lines. It is then revealed that this person has secrets that may have hurt others, who may not forgive them, but at the same time, won't let them go. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus and the expression of not wanting forgiveness, only the ability to move on to what's next.
Overall, the song could be interpreted as a message from the band to themselves or to others to let go of past mistakes and focus on the present and future. The upbeat tempo and memorable riff add to the overall message and make it a fan favorite.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't look back into the sun
Do not dwell on the past, move forward with your life
Now you know that the time has come
It is time to face the consequences of your actions
And they said it would never come for you, oh-oh-oh
People doubted your success, but you have proved them wrong
Oh, my friend you haven't changed
Despite everything, you are still the same person
You're looking rough and living strange
Your lifestyle and appearance have taken a toll on you
And I know you got a taste for it too oh-oh-oh
You enjoyed the thrill of the reckless life you led
And they'll never forgive you but they won't let you go, oh no
There are those who will hold your past against you forever
She'll never forgive you but she won't let you go, oh no
Someone important to you may never forgive, but they can't let go either
You've cast your plans but you're on the run
You made decisions, but still feel like you're running away from something
And all the lies you said, who did you save?
Your dishonesty may have hurt others, but did it actually benefit anyone?
But when they played that song at the Death Disco
A past memory is triggered by a particular song
It started fast but it ends so slow
The memory may have been exciting at first, but the end result was not worth it
And all the time it just reminded me of you
The memory is linked to you, even though you may not be present
They'll never forgive you but they won't let you go (let me go!)
Continued judgement and grudges from others can be suffocating
She'll never forgive you but she won't let you go, oh no
The weight of someone's unforgiveness can be heavy, even if they can't let go
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carl Barat, Peter Doherty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
"Don't Look Back Into The Sun"
Don't look back into the sun
Now you know that the time has come
And they said it would never come for you
Oh, my friend, you haven't changed
You're looking rough and living strange
And I know you got a taste for it too
They'll never forgive you, but they won't let you go. Oh no,
She'll never forgive you, but she won't let you go. Oh, no
Don't look back into the sun
You've cast your plans, but you're on the run
And all the lies you said. Who did you save?
But then they played that song at the death disco
It started fast but it ends so slow
And all the time it just reminded me of you
Let me go!
@user-zd9gg1wm2c
One of Britain's best bands. Not given the credit they deserve, wrote some truly excellent music and fantastic live. I would give my left bollock to see these guys in concert.
@RowdyTT
finally seen them this year at glasto! still smashed it!
@ferruscx
Try the kooks
@josemariarecalde9984
the real question is, did you or did you not exchange ur left bollock for a libs ticket?
@billybeetroot8595
No you wouldn't
@mattkinsella9856
I saw them live when they were a support act for Queens of the Stone age, I think it was in 2002. The entire gig was so good, the music the energy, everything about it was awesome. One of my favourite memories from my youth.
@ngangomrahul7264
After 14 years still listening to this masterpiece what a nostalgic song!
@SpeakMouthWords
it came out in 2003 lol, not 2008
@sinceramentemente
oh yeah!
@peepeepoopooman-qs3jq
@@SpeakMouthWords hes been listening since 2008 lol.