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]
The Good Old Days
The Libertines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still then the spirit
In her children's children's children
It lives on
If you've lost your faith in love of music
Oh the end won't be long
Because if it's gone for you, I too may lose it
I've tried so hard to keep myself from falling
Back into my bad old ways
And it chars my heart to always hear you calling
Calling for the good old days
Because there were no good old days
These are the good old days
It's not about, tenements and needles
And all the evils in their eyes
And the backs of their minds
Daisy chains and school yard games
A list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
A list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
The Arcadian dream has all fallen through
But the Albion sails on course
Let's man the decks and hoist the rigging
The pig mans found the source
And there's twelve rude boys on the oars
See the good old days
The lyrics to The Libertines' song "The Good Old Days" reflect on the idea of nostalgia and how people tend to romanticize the past. The opening lines suggest that even though Queen Boadicea is no longer alive, her spirit lives on in her descendants. The song then moves on to a more personal level, as the singer talks about losing faith in love and music. He is aware that if he loses his passion, he will lose everything. He then admits that he is struggling with his past mistakes and the way people try to drag him back to the "good old days", when in reality there were no good old days, these are the good old days. The song ends with a reference to the Arcadian dream (an ideal mythical society) and how it has fallen apart, but the Albion (England) sails on course. The song suggests the idea of moving forward, rather than getting trapped in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
If Queen Boadicea is long dead and gone
Even if the historical figure Queen Boadicea is no longer alive, her spirit still lives on through her descendants.
Still then the spirit
The essence, energy, or sentiment of the Queen still persists.
In her children's children's children
In descendants who are several generations removed from her.
It lives on
Boadicea's spirit is still present and continues to have an impact.
If you've lost your faith in love of music
If you no longer believe in the power and importance of music.
Oh the end won't be long
The end or result of that loss of faith will come soon.
Because if it's gone for you, I too may lose it
If the love of music has left you, I may also lose it.
And that would be wrong
It would be negative or undesirable if we lost our appreciation for music.
I've tried so hard to keep myself from falling
I made a deliberate effort to avoid regressing or relapsing.
Back into my bad old ways
To return to my previous, negative habits or behavior.
And it chars my heart to always hear you calling
It hurts me to hear you always reminiscing or longing for the past.
Calling for the good old days
Expressing a desire to return to a bygone era.
Because there were no good old days
The past was not inherently better or more positive.
These are the good old days
The present can also be considered as a positive or happy time, despite its challenges.
It's not about, tenements and needles
This situation is not related to poverty, drugs and addiction.
And all the evils in their eyes
Neither is it about the negative judgment or beliefs of others.
And the backs of their minds
Or their concealed, subconscious thoughts and attitudes.
Daisy chains and school yard games
Rather, it's about simple or carefree activities from childhood.
A list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
Plans or goals mentioned for the future, which may or may not have been achieved.
A list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
Plans or goals mentioned for the future, which may or may not have been achieved.
The Arcadian dream has all fallen through
The ideal or perfect world we imagined has failed to materialize.
But the Albion sails on course
But we must stay on the right track or direction.
Let's man the decks and hoist the rigging
Let's work together and undertake the necessary effort.
The pig mans found the source
Someone has discovered the answer or solution to the problem.
And there's twelve rude boys on the oars
There are twelve individuals rowing forcefully, potentially towards a common goal.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carl Barat, Peter Doherty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Toma
Zoe Francescutto If Queen Boadicea is long dead and gone
Still then the spirit
In her children's children's children
It lives on
If you've lost your faith in love and music
Oh the end won't be long
Because if it's gone for you then I too may lose it
And that would be wrong
You know I've tried so hard to keep myself from falling
Back into my bad old ways
And it chars my heart to always hear you calling
Calling for the good old days
Because there were no good old days
These are the good old days
It's not about, tenements and needles
And all the evils in their eyes
And the backs of their minds
Daisy chains and school yard games
And a list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
A list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
The arcadian dream has all fallen through
But the Albion sails on course
So lets man the decks and hoist the rigging
Because the pig mans found the source
And theres twelve rude boys on the oars
Matyas Pumprla
If Queen Boadicea is long dead and gone
Still then the spirit
In her children's children's children
It lives on
If you've lost your faith in love and music
Oh the end won't be long
Because if it's gone for you then I too may lose it
And that would be wrong
I've tried so hard to keep myself from falling
Back into my bad old ways
And it chars my heart to always hear you calling
Calling for the good old days
Because there were no 'good old days'
These are the good old days
It's not about, tenements and needles
And all the evils in their eyes
And the backs of their minds
Daisy chains and school-yard games
And a list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
A list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
The Arcadian dream has all fallen through
But the Albion sails on course
So let's man the decks and hoist the rigging
Because the Pigman's found the source
And there's twelve rude boys on the oars
In the good old...days
Philip Noble the 3rd
Such a masterpiece!! Lyrically and that Tune!!
grappa0
This song always brings a tear to my eye, it has a special place deep in my heart.
lewis palmer
Gay
grappa0
@lewis palmer yup. Ain't nothing wrong with that.
Madrandomshit
@lewis palmer Oof
Madrandomshit
@grappa0 it's not normal
Juan
Underrated masterpiece
Frank Zappa
Only by the uninitiated ;)
Jasmyn Kelley
This is one of their best songs, I adore Pete Doherty and The Libertines. Thanks
rustysvelte
The Libertines never gets old