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]
Last Post on the Bugle
The Libertines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you'll know
You will know
Thinking of your love
Sadly they whispered away
As I played the last post on the bugle
"Oh that boy's no different today
Except in every single way"
If I have to go
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you'll know
You just know
Thinking of your love
Oh, I was carried away
Caught up in an affray
As they let him away, he sang
"We'll meet again some day
And oh my boy, there's a price to pay"
If I have to go
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you'll know
I don't know how but you'll know
I'm thinking of your love
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
Inside I felt
So, so alone
Locked in a room
Waiting til kingdom come
Although I felt elated
I felt like I was scum
I was carried away
Caught up in an affray
As they let him away, he sang
"We'll meet again some day
Oh my boy, there's a price to pay"
Feels like I've never been away
Though it's been longer than I could possibly say
I've been wandering the market
Carrying a sign, saying the end of
The world is nigh
I'm glad to see we're still tight
The bonds that tie a man are tight
Yet we do what we do
With ritual hability
All through the night
The Libertines' Last Post on the Bugle tells the story of a soldier who is leaving for war and his thoughts about love during his departure. The lyrics convey the idea that despite the pain and fear of separation, love will remain a constant and everlasting source of comfort. The chorus repeats the phrase "If I have to go, I will be thinking of your love," emphasizing the soldier's unwavering devotion to his loved one. However, the song also touches upon the brutal realities of war and the toll that it takes on soldiers and their families. The final stanza of the song suggests that the bond between soldiers runs deep and that they perform the rituals of war with "ability" and "through the night."
One of the notable features of Last Post on the Bugle is the use of allusions to British military culture. The title of the song refers to the bugle call which is traditionally played at military funerals, reflecting the somber tone of the lyrics. The song also references the phrase "we'll meet again some day," which is a well-known British wartime song. This phrase emphasizes the uncertainty and danger of war and implies that the soldier might not come back alive.
Another interesting aspect of the lyrics is the use of ambiguity and symbolism. The soldier's departure is not described in detail, and the identity of the loved one is not specified. This ambiguity allows the listener to interpret the song in their own way and relate it to their personal experiences of love and loss. The use of the phrase "affray" and the mention of a man being taken away suggest that the soldier might have been involved in a fight, adding another layer of complexity to the story.
Line by Line Meaning
If I have to go
The singer is acknowledging that they may have to leave and is preparing themselves mentally.
I will be thinking of your love
The singer is assuring their loved one that they will be on their mind even if they have to go away.
Oh somehow you'll know
The singer believes that their loved one will know they are thinking of them, even if they are not physically present.
You will know
The artist is optimistic that their love will be able to feel their love, even if they cannot be with them.
Thinking of your love
The artist reiterates that they will be thinking of their loved one and their love.
Sadly they whispered away
Others are leaving or dying and the singer is acknowledging this.
As I played the last post on the bugle
The singer is performing a last tribute or goodbye to someone.
I heard them say
The artist overheard others talking while playing the last post.
"Oh that boy's no different today
Others view the artist as unchanging in their actions despite the events happening around them.
Except in every single way"
Despite appearing unchanged, the artist acknowledges that they have changed in some way.
Oh, I was carried away
The singer was swept up in an event or emotion.
Caught up in an affray
The artist was involved in or witnessed a noisy and/or violent situation.
As they let him away, he sang
Someone is being taken away and is reacting by singing or saying something meaningful.
"We'll meet again some day
The person leaving promises to meet again in the future.
And oh my boy, there's a price to pay"
The person leaving acknowledges that there will be consequences for their actions.
I don't know how but you'll know
The artist is unsure how their loved one will know they are thinking of them, but is confident that they will somehow find out.
La-la-la-la-la
The artist repeats a nonsensical sound to represent an emotional state.
Inside I felt
The singer is discussing their inner emotions.
So, so alone
The singer feels incredibly isolated and lonely.
Locked in a room
The artist is physically trapped in a space.
Waiting til kingdom come
The artist is enduring a difficult situation and waiting for it to end.
Although I felt elated
Despite feeling lonely, the artist felt tremendous joy about something.
I felt like I was scum
Despite feeling elated, the singer also felt like they were worthless and/or ashamed.
Feels like I've never been away
The artist feels like they have been away for a long time, but also feels like they were never gone.
Though it's been longer than I could possibly say
The singer acknowledges that they have been gone for an extended period without specifying how long it has been.
I've been wandering the market
The singer has been traveling and observing new things.
Carrying a sign, saying the end of
The singer is carrying a sign related to the end of something - possibly the world or a particular era.
The world is nigh
The artist's sign refers to an impending or immediate end of the world.
I'm glad to see we're still tight
Despite being away for some time, the artist is happy to see that their relationships are still strong.
The bonds that tie a man are tight
The singer acknowledges that strong relationships are built on close connections.
Yet we do what we do
The singer recognizes that people still continue to act in certain ways, even if they have been separated.
With ritual hability
People's actions and relationships are set in ritualistic routines, even if they have been separated or are otherwise experiencing change.
All through the night
These routines and relationships continue even after dark or during difficult times.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL BOWER, CARL BARAT, PETER DOHERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Esther Kaulitz
If I have to go
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you'll know
You will know
Thinking of your love
Sadly they whispered away
As I played the last post on the bugle
I heard them say
"Oh that boy's no different today
Except in every single way"
If I have to go
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you'll know
You just know
Thinking of your love
Oh, I was carried away
Caught up in an affray
As they let him away, he sang
"We'll meet again some day
And oh my boy, there's a price to pay"
If I have to go
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you'll know
I don't know how but you'll know
I'm thinking of your love
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
Inside I felt
So, so alone
Locked in a room
Waiting til kingdom come
Although I felt elated
I felt like I was scum
I was carried away
Caught up in an affray
As they let him away, he sang
"We'll meet again some day
Oh my boy, there's a price to pay"
Feels like I've never been away
Though it's been longer than I could possibly say
I've been wandering the market
Carrying a sign, saying the end of
The world is nigh
I'm glad to see we're still tight
The bonds that tie a man are tight
Yet we do what we do
With ritual hability
All through the night
Traducir al español
Owen Paul Lucas
"auditory hallucination" LMAO come on brother pack it in, dont be daft.
the chord progression is the same. the drum beat and vocal melodies have a LOT of similarities.
however, all these components are relatively very simple, so youre right that the claims its just a "rip off" are weak too. if it was a "rip off" you could claim a million and 1 songs to be rip-offs. its not, its just the nature of music. not to mention musicians since the old-time classical guys often reference other musicians work, if the libertines knowingly did that to an extent here, that'd be fine, thats music.
love both war or hands of time and this song, btw.
PS: apparently Doherty/Barat/Bower were credited writing this song, Bower being Michael Bower of The Masters Apprentices. so there we have it!
Esther Kaulitz
If I have to go
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you'll know
You will know
Thinking of your love
Sadly they whispered away
As I played the last post on the bugle
I heard them say
"Oh that boy's no different today
Except in every single way"
If I have to go
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you'll know
You just know
Thinking of your love
Oh, I was carried away
Caught up in an affray
As they let him away, he sang
"We'll meet again some day
And oh my boy, there's a price to pay"
If I have to go
I will be thinking of your love
Oh somehow you'll know
I don't know how but you'll know
I'm thinking of your love
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
Inside I felt
So, so alone
Locked in a room
Waiting til kingdom come
Although I felt elated
I felt like I was scum
I was carried away
Caught up in an affray
As they let him away, he sang
"We'll meet again some day
Oh my boy, there's a price to pay"
Feels like I've never been away
Though it's been longer than I could possibly say
I've been wandering the market
Carrying a sign, saying the end of
The world is nigh
I'm glad to see we're still tight
The bonds that tie a man are tight
Yet we do what we do
With ritual hability
All through the night
Traducir al español
Samuel Powell
cheeky and cheerful, the libertines are a British classic, I saw them live in Hyde Park with my friend when they reunited, it was one of the best shows I've been to in my life, the crowd was amazing, everyone was singing along to every song, they had to stop playing numerous time because of crowd crushing and people climbing on the light towers, my friend and I had to lift people up constantly who were getting knocked down and even lifted a girl over the barriers to security for her safety, I wanna throw my friend some love as we've been through a lot together, he's heavily influenced by The Libertines, try searching Lonely Gimmick - Grumpy Days ,you may be in for a surprise and he would love to hear your opinion
Ewan
Travis Scott ain’t got nothing on the libs
Kristian Stanley
it never occurred to me just how much they're channeling Frank Black on this track. super good.
Taurus L
Auditory hallucination.... it's a real thing . I listened to war or hands of time and this song and that song are two completely different songs . Even if the libertines took inspiration (which is normally a compliment and not an insult) the two songs are different . Not a RIP off .
Owen Paul Lucas
"auditory hallucination" LMAO come on brother pack it in, dont be daft.
the chord progression is the same. the drum beat and vocal melodies have a LOT of similarities.
however, all these components are relatively very simple, so youre right that the claims its just a "rip off" are weak too. if it was a "rip off" you could claim a million and 1 songs to be rip-offs. its not, its just the nature of music. not to mention musicians since the old-time classical guys often reference other musicians work, if the libertines knowingly did that to an extent here, that'd be fine, thats music.
love both war or hands of time and this song, btw.
PS: apparently Doherty/Barat/Bower were credited writing this song, Bower being Michael Bower of The Masters Apprentices. so there we have it!
Nallely A. R.
Cuando terminas con alguien y le dedicas esta canción xD
samuel breen
Love ya Pete x
mark haigh
Utterly butterly x
Daniel On
So underrated