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]
Plan A
The Libertines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Built it with his hands
One man left to thank
He didn't need to carve it into something
Carve it into something new
Carve it into something
And there's plan A
Watch them play
Keep a receipt
Sharpen up and carve them into something
Carve it into something
Carve 'em into something new
Tell me what it is that you see
With your stolen eyes
And your singing one two three
Open up my eyes
My twin he tends to be me
He walks abroad
He like the broads
While I soak and shake alone at home
I don't need no bit of faith
Need no human race
Though I read every review
No one's got a fucking clue
You may as well
Carve carve carve it into something new
Carve it into something
Carve it into something new
The opening lines of "Plan A" by The Libertines express gratitude towards a single person who built something with his own hands. The identity of the recipient of the gratitude is not disclosed, but the message is that they didn't have to change or reinvent anything to create something new. This sentiment is extended to the rest of the world, where the band describes a plan A, which seems to be the approach to just sit back and observe, to watch others play out their game. The action is capped off with an assertion to "sharpen up and carve them into something new." The band seems to be encouraging listeners to take advantage of the opportunity of life and contribute something that is unique and original.
The second verse of the song begins with a question to the listener asking them what they see. There is a cynicism in the lyrics "with your stolen eyes" that suggests that maybe the person being asked doesn't actually see anything but rather is just regurgitating what they have observed elsewhere. A "one two three" is then sung, opening the eyes of the singer, evoking a sense of clarity or truth. The verse then compares the singer with their twin who is more outgoing and enjoying life with "broads" while they are left "soaking and shaking" at home. The song is committed to the idea of not needing validation or approval from others to feel happy, as the chorus suggests that people should continue to create something new and original.
Line by Line Meaning
There's one man left to thank
Acknowledging the contribution of one person in creating something.
Built it with his hands
Emphasizing that the individual had personally constructed the creation.
One man left to thank
Reiterating gratitude towards that one individual.
He didn't need to carve it into something
Implying that the creation was already impressive as it was without any further embellishments.
Carve it into something new
Suggesting the possibility of improving upon the existing creation.
And there's plan A
Introducing the concept of an initial course of action or strategy.
Take a seat A
Inviting the listener to sit down and observe.
Watch them play
Encouraging the listener to watch and observe the actions of others.
Keep a receipt
Advising the listener to keep track of their own actions and transactions.
Sharpen up and carve them into something
Advocating for improvement and refinement of the actions and performance of others.
Carve 'em into something new
Reiterating the idea of improving upon existing actions and strategies.
Tell me what it is that you see
Asking the listener to share their perspective on what is being observed.
With your stolen eyes
Suggesting that the listener's view may not be wholly original.
And your singing one two three
Perhaps a nod towards the simplicity of the music being played.
Open up my eyes
A request to broaden the singer's perspective.
My twin he tends to be me
Introducing the concept of a doppelganger or alter ego.
He walks abroad
Implying that the twin may have a more adventurous or outgoing stance in life.
He like the broads
Suggesting that the twin enjoys the company of women.
While I soak and shake alone at home
Implying that the singer may be more introverted or reserved.
I don't need no bit of faith
Dismissing the need for religious or spiritual beliefs.
Need no human race
Rejecting the concept of humanity as a whole.
Though I read every review
Admitting that the artist still pays attention to the critiques and opinions of others.
No one's got a fucking clue
Expressing cynicism towards the legitimacy of others' opinions.
You may as well
Suggesting that there is no harm in trying to improve upon something.
Carve carve carve it into something new
Repeating the idea of improving or refining an existing creation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARL BARAT, PETER DOHERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind