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]
Road to Ruin
The Libertines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make you understand? (make you understand)
All you can be (all you can be)
Is given in your hand
You won't even need
Trust in me
Take me by the hand
Dreams are strewn across the sand
You won't need money
Well all the bent-back peddlers the jugglers and fools
They're driving me crazy, I'm climbing the walls
Oh show me the way, the way to my stool
Cause I'm so sick, just sick of it all
And when the penny drops
Trust in me
Take me by the hand
Don't cash in your chips (don't cash in your chips)
(Just yet)
Dreams are strewn across the sands
You won't need (you won't need money)
Well all the bent-back peddlers the jugglers and fools
They drive me crazy, it's no good at all
Oh show me the way the way to my stool
Cause I'm so sick, just so sick of it all
And when the penny drops
The lyrics of "Road to Ruin" by The Libertines express a sense of desperation and a search for direction. The repeated refrain of "Trust in me, take me by the hand" reveals a desire for someone to guide the way to a better future. The verses are filled with images of wandering and confusion, from dreams scattered on the sand to the torment of being surrounded by "bent-back peddlers, jugglers and fools." Amid this chaos, there is a plea for clarity and an end to the sickness of it all.
The line "You won't even need" hints at the possibility of a simpler life without the trappings of materialism and the stress it can bring. The song encourages listeners to hold onto their dreams and not give up, even when times are tough. The singer may feel like they're on the road to ruin, but the song suggests there is still hope for a better path.
Line by Line Meaning
How can we (how can we) Make you understand? (make you understand)
The singer is trying to convince someone to understand their perspective, but acknowledges the difficulty in doing so.
All you can be (all you can be) Is given in your hand You won't even need
The singer implies that one's potential is dependent on their own actions and abilities, and there is no need to rely on external factors.
Trust in me Take me by the hand Oh, give us a chip
The singer is asking for trust and support in navigating a difficult situation, metaphorically asking for a piece of an opportunity.
Dreams are strewn across the sand You won't need money
The artist suggests that one's dreams and aspirations are abundant and accessible, and that they do not require financial wealth to achieve them.
Well all the bent-back peddlers the jugglers and fools They're driving me crazy, I'm climbing the walls Oh show me the way, the way to my stool Cause I'm so sick, just sick of it all
The artist criticizes those who are dishonest and manipulative, and expresses frustration with their actions causing them stress and anguish. They seek guidance to overcome these challenges.
And when the penny drops Trust in me Take me by the hand
The singer notes that some realization or decision will occur, and asks for continued trust and support in the aftermath.
Don't cash in your chips (don't cash in your chips) (Just yet) Dreams are strewn across the sands You won't need (you won't need money)
The singer advises against giving up before success may be achieved, and reassures that one can still achieve their dreams without great wealth.
Well all the bent-back peddlers the jugglers and fools They drive me crazy, it's no good at all Oh show me the way the way to my stool Cause I'm so sick, just so sick of it all
The artist reiterates their frustration with those who are deceitful and manipulative, and renews their search for guidance.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CARL BARAT, PETER DOHERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind