This song is not about Kate Moss, it is about Peter Doherty's other girlfri… Read Full Bio ↴This song is not about Kate Moss, it is about Peter Doherty's other girlfriend Katie Lewis. After leaving The Libertines, Doherty formed Babyshambles, and released the song "What Katy Did Next" on their 2005 album Down in Albion, which is about his fling with Kate Moss.
The beginning of his song is Doherty singing about doing lots of heroin after the break up, and how there was nothing she could do about it.
This is recorded in an early '60s style, with the "Shoop Shoop" lyrics a reference to the 1964 hit "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)" and the mention of "Mrs. Brown" conjuring "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter." This is done with a hint of irony.

What Katie Did
The Libertines Lyrics

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Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang

Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang

Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang

Oh whatcha gonna do, Katie?
You're a sweet sweet girl
But it's a cruel, cruel world
A cruel, cruel world

My pins are none too strong, Katie
Hurry up, Mrs Brown
I can feel it coming down
And it won't take none too long

But since you said goodbye
Polka dots fill my eyes
And I don't know why

Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang

Whatcha gonna do, Katie?
You're a sweet, sweet girl
But it's a cruel, cruel world
A cruel, cruel world

Safety pins are none too strong, Katie
They hold my life together
And I'll never say never
And I'll never say never again

But since you said goodbye
Polka dots fill my eyes
And I don't know why

Since you said goodbye
Polka dots fill my eyes
And I don't know why

Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang

Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang

Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang

Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang
Shoop shoop shoop de-lang-a-lang

But since you said goodbye

Polka dots fill the skies
And I don't know why

Overall Meaning

The Libertines’ “What Katie Did” is about a girl named Katie who is living in a world that may be cruel to people like her. The song’s opening lines, “Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang,” serve as an introduction to the upbeat, bouncy tune that follows. Throughout the song, the lead vocalist Peter Doherty wonders what Katie will do in this cruel world, and he sings about the safety of his own pins, which are none too strong either. He also mentions a feeling of coming down, possibly referring to a sense of impending doom that is prevalent when one is in a vulnerable state.

The lyrics of the song suggest that Katie might be a young girl who is not ready for the harsh realities of the world, and who may be struggling to find her place in it. Meanwhile, Peter Doherty sings about his own struggles and the way that the polka dots fill his eyes since Katie left. He seems to be looking for answers, and in doing so is able to convey the sense of vulnerability that both he and Katie share. The song is a testament to the power of a catchy tune and upbeat melody in getting across a deeper message.

Line by Line Meaning

Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang
Repetition of a nonsensical phrase for emphasis

Oh whatcha gonna do, Katie?
Asking Katie what she plans to do in a difficult situation

You're a sweet sweet girl
Complimenting Katie's character

But it's a cruel, cruel world
Acknowledging the harsh realities of life

My pins are none too strong, Katie
Referring to the artist's safety pins and how they are becoming vulnerable

Hurry up, Mrs Brown
Urging someone to act quickly

I can feel it coming down
Sensing a looming disaster

And it won't take none too long
Implying the disaster will happen soon

But since you said goodbye
Referring to a past breakup and its aftermath

Polka dots fill my eyes
Seeing polka dots as a metaphor for feeling dizzy or confused

And I don't know why
Expressing confusion and uncertainty