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]
Horrorshow
The Libertines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your minds instructions
Oh how just to slowly, sharply screw myself to death
Ah yes, there is a screw
It's pointed at my head
Then look a dream peddler
"Don't get on the wrong one"
"Oh you and you what's your game"
Laying me down to waste laying me down
Pin me up or put me down
Uh uh uh uh oh
Now let it all go
It's a horror show, you should come on round
Horror show, the horse is brown
Uh uh oh left something in Moscow
She said "I'll show you a picture
A picture of tomorrow
There's nothing changing
It's all sorrow
Oh no please don't show me
I'm a swine, you don't wanna know me"
The first verse of The Libertines's song Horrorshow speaks about the idea of following someone else's instructions, leading to a self-destructive path. The singer suggests they are slowly and painfully ruining themselves, shown through the metaphor of a screw pointed at their head. The second verse introduces a different character, referred to as a "dream peddler," who may offer an escape or solution, but the singer questions their intentions with a sharp warning: "Oh, you and you, what's your game?" The chorus of the song suggests that the situation is a "horror show," and the singer invites the listener to come and witness it themselves. However, there is a glimpse of hope in the line "let it all go," perhaps indicating that the singer is ready to release themselves from this destructive cycle.
The third verse introduces a new character, "she," who claims to have a picture of the future. However, the singer is hesitant to see it, suggesting feelings of self-disgust with the line "I'm a swine, you don't wanna know me." Overall, the song is a commentary on the dangers of following someone else's lead without questioning their intentions, and the inevitable self-destruction that can result.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been following
I am blindly obeying
Your minds instructions
Your mental commands
Oh how just to slowly, sharply screw myself to death
The pleasurable pain of self-destruction
Ah yes, there is a screw
A tangible metaphor for the destructive impulse
It's pointed at my head
The object of destruction is the self
Then look a dream peddler
A seductive figure offering escape
And a stick of light through my bones
A magical weapon for liberation
"Don't get on the wrong one"
Caution against making the wrong choice
"Oh you and you what's your game"
Suspicion of ulterior motives
Laying me down to waste laying me down
Being sacrificed
Pin me up or put me down
Being subjected to control
Uh uh uh uh oh
A cry of despair
Now let it all go
Surrendering to fate
It's a horror show, you should come on round
Life is a freak show, inviting others to join in
Horror show, the horse is brown
The mundanity of horror
Uh uh oh left something in Moscow
Regret for missed opportunities
She said "I'll show you a picture
A promise for revelation
A picture of tomorrow
A vision of the future
There's nothing changing
A bleak prediction
It's all sorrow
The future is hopeless
Oh no please don't show me
I refuse to face the truth
I'm a swine, you don't wanna know me"
Self-loathing and disgust
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARL BARAT, PETER DOHERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Esther Kaulitz
I've been following
Your minds instructions
Oh how just to slowly, sharply screw myself to death
Ah yes, there is a screw
It's pointed at my head
Then look a dream peddler
And a stick of light through my bones
"Don't get on the wrong one"
"Oh you and you what's your game"
Laying me down to waste laying me down
Pin me up or put me down
Uh uh uh uh oh
Now let it all go
It's a horror show, you should come on round
Horror show, the horse is brown
Uh uh oh left something in Moscow
She said "I'll show you a picture
A picture of tomorrow
There's nothing changing
It's all sorrow
Oh no please don't show me
I'm a swine, you don't wanna know me"
Daniel gallagher
Love This Tune ,it gives you so much power long live to the Libertines Oiiii!!!
Samuel Powell
true gems, i saw them live at Hyde park a few years back before they started working on their third album, one of the best gigs i've ever been to, my band has actually just released our brand new single, we would love to know what you think, please try searching The Stumble and Shake - She Sells knives , you may be in for a surprise!
David Hay
This song is an experience...
So must energy in it.
Makes me want to go crazy.
David Hay
Mental tune, best experienced full volume.
Esther Kaulitz
I've been following
Your minds instructions
Oh how just to slowly, sharply screw myself to death
Ah yes, there is a screw
It's pointed at my head
Then look a dream peddler
And a stick of light through my bones
"Don't get on the wrong one"
"Oh you and you what's your game"
Laying me down to waste laying me down
Pin me up or put me down
Uh uh uh uh oh
Now let it all go
It's a horror show, you should come on round
Horror show, the horse is brown
Uh uh oh left something in Moscow
She said "I'll show you a picture
A picture of tomorrow
There's nothing changing
It's all sorrow
Oh no please don't show me
I'm a swine, you don't wanna know me"
Harvey Morgan
Always envisioned a crazy eyed rocking horse rocking a hundred and ten mph to this song lol
ruben carcano
2020 still the shit!
Lukas Weber
Listening to this song feels like being dragged to death behind a speeding car in the best way possible
Nicky Cotton
LOL/Aye, mad track..❤️
MOUNINE (ST MAIXENT L'ÉCOLE)
bon disque et voix sexy rock !!!!!!!!