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]
Vértigo
The Libertines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It can't be hard for her to get a buzz
Down in the street below
You hear the drunken prophet sing
"I know what's on your mind, my boy
'Cause I can see, oh everything"
Lead pipes, your fortune's made
Climb up to her window ledge
Or you'll forever be
Just walking under ladders
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
Lead pipes, a fortune's made
Well, take a tip from me
Climb up to her window ledge
Or you'll forever be
Just walking under ladders
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
As the people 'round you hear you crying please (please, please)
Karima knows just what it is she does
It can't be hard for her to get a buzz
The rapture of vertigo
And letting go
Me myself I was never sure
Was it the liquor
Or was it my soul?
The lyrics to The Libertines's song Vertigo could be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of being too afraid to take risks in life. The singer seems to be looking up at a woman named Karima who is situated in a window ledge above them. Karima is portrayed as someone who knows what she wants and how to get it, as she easily gets a buzz from life. However, in contrast, the singer seems to be struggling with a feeling of uncertainty and a lack of direction in life. They feel like they are just "walking under ladders" and always crying out for help, while Karima seems to embody the adventurous spirit they long for.
The song seems to suggest that to achieve the "rapture of vertigo" and truly let go, one must be willing to take risks and climb up to the window ledge. The line "Was it the liquor or was it my soul?" further reinforces this idea. The singer is unsure if their newfound courage comes from the alcohol they've consumed or if it's a deeper, more authentic part of themselves that they're tapping into. In the end, the song seems to be saying that we should all strive to be more like Karima, unafraid to take risks and live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Karima knows just what it is she does
Karima is aware of the effects of her actions
It can't be hard for her to get a buzz
It must be easy for Karima to feel a sense of excitement
Down in the street below
In the area underneath where we stand
You hear the drunken prophet sing
A person who is heavily inebriated is singing like a predictor of the future
"I know what's on your mind, my boy
I am aware of what you are thinking, young man
'Cause I can see, oh everything"
Because I am able to perceive everything around me
Lead pipes, your fortune's made
If you possess lead pipes, you are wealthy
Well, take a tip from me
Listen to my advice
Climb up to her window ledge
Ascend to where Karima is located
Or you'll forever be
Otherwise, you will always exist
Just walking under ladders
Continuously move forward without achieving success
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
As those nearby listen to you plea for help
The rapture of vertigo
The sensation of an overwhelming feeling of dizziness
And letting go
Relinquishing control
Me myself I was never sure
I was uncertain
Was it the liquor
Did the alcohol cause it
Or was it my soul?
Or was it originating from my inner being?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carl Barat, Peter Doherty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Esther Schäfer
Karima knows just what it is she does
It can't be hard for her to get a buzz
Down in the street below
You hear the drunken prophet sing
"I know what's on your mind, my boy
'Cause I can see, oh everything"
Lead pipes, your fortune's made
Well, take a tip from me
Climb up to her window ledge
Or you'll forever be
Just walking under ladders
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
Lead pipes, a fortune's made
Well, take a tip from me
Climb up to her window ledge
Or you'll forever be
Just walking under ladders
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
As the people 'round you hear you crying please (please, please)
Karima knows just what it is she does
It can't be hard for her to get a buzz
The rapture of vertigo
And letting go
Me myself I was never sure
Was it the liquor
Or was it my soul?
Esther Schäfer
Karima knows just what it is she does
It can't be hard for her to get a buzz
Down in the street below
You hear the drunken prophet sing
"I know what's on your mind, my boy
'Cause I can see, oh everything"
Lead pipes, your fortune's made
Well, take a tip from me
Climb up to her window ledge
Or you'll forever be
Just walking under ladders
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
Lead pipes, a fortune's made
Well, take a tip from me
Climb up to her window ledge
Or you'll forever be
Just walking under ladders
As the people 'round you hear you crying please
As the people 'round you hear you crying please (please, please)
Karima knows just what it is she does
It can't be hard for her to get a buzz
The rapture of vertigo
And letting go
Me myself I was never sure
Was it the liquor
Or was it my soul?
Juan Manuel Sosa
cómo no amarlos?
Samuel Powell
I absolutely love the libertines, im so glad they are back together, I used to listen to up the bracket and the libertines album on repeat when i was a teenager, oh btw my band has just released our brand new single, we would love to hear what you think, try searching The Stumble and Shake - Haha
you may be in for a surprise!
Publique Produções
Bons tempos!!
Kristian Stanley
absolutely fantastic.
金成工太
i was addicted to this album in 2002 japan....after the world cup japan...
K C
Excellent!! Love the nod to Madnesses
Francisco Correa
That bass!!!
Alan Mayo
Otra banda que me latía un buen cuando iba en el bacho. yeah!!!
Leoknife Sawdust
Buena epoca ! Skate y Libertines