Lead singer Julian Casablancas has said the song’s title is a reference to the habit of people looking at clocks before they have sex.
The music video, which was directed by Roman Coppola, is very heavily influenced by the Disney movie Tron.
The song is known for the distinctive tone of Valensi’s lead guitar, which somewhat resembles a synthesised keyboard.
12.51
The Strokes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your friend told you 'cause I told her
Friday nights have been lonely
Change your plans and then phone me
We could go and get forties
Fuck goin' to that party
Oh, really, your folks are away now?
12:51 is the time my voice
Found the words I sought
Is it this stage I want?
The world is shutting out for us
Oh, we were tense for sure
But we was confident
Kiss me now that I'm older
I won't try to control you
Friday nights have been lonely
Take it slow but don't warn me
We'd go out and get forties
Then we'd go to some party
Oh, really, your folks are away now?
Alright, I'm coming
I'll be right there
The Strokes’ “12:51” is a song that reflects the bittersweet nostalgia of the past and the uncertainty of the future. The lyrics are filled with the yearning for something that once was, and that feeling lingers throughout the song. “Talk to me now I’m older, your friend told you ’cause I told her” is an example of a line that implies a shared understanding between two people who were once close but have grown apart. The song speaks of loneliness and the need for a connection that seems to have faded from existence. The chorus “12:51 is the time my voice found the words I sought, Is it this stage I want?” highlights the confusion and hopelessness that comes with trying to figure out one’s place in the world.
The verse “The world is shutting out for us, Oh, we were tense for sure, But we were confident” is a reminder of a time when anything seemed possible. It evokes the nostalgia of youth and the sense of being invincible. The song’s overall tone is one of longing and regret but also acceptance of the present moment. All in all, “12:51” is a song that speaks to the complexities of life, the ups and downs, and the inevitable passage of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Talk to me now I'm older
The singer is more mature and experienced now and wants to communicate
Your friend told you 'cause I told her
The singer confided in someone close to their crush to express their interest
Friday nights have been lonely
The singer is lonely and seeks companionship on special nights
Change your plans and then phone me
The artist wants the crush to prioritize them by adjusting their schedule to spend time together
We could go and get forties
The artist suggests an activity they both enjoy as an alternative to a planned party
Fuck goin' to that party
The singer dismisses the idea of attending a party in favor of spending time with their crush
Oh, really, your folks are away now?
The singer confirms that their crush's parents are out of town, making it easier to spend time together
Alright, let's go, you convinced me
The artist agrees to spend time with their crush since they successfully convinced them to do so
12:51 is the time my voice
The artist reflects on a specific moment in time when they found the words they were searching for
Found the words I sought
The artist finally expressed themselves accurately and effectively
Is it this stage I want?
The singer questions if this is their desired path in life or if they want something else
The world is shutting out for us
The artist feels disconnected from the outside world, prioritizing their relationship above everything else
Oh, we were tense for sure
The singer acknowledges the tension and difficulty of the situation
But we was confident
Despite the tension, the singer and their crush feel secure and self-assured
Kiss me now that I'm older
The singer requests intimacy from their crush now that they are more mature
I won't try to control you
The artist promises to respect their crush's autonomy and not manipulate them
Take it slow but don't warn me
The artist wants to proceed with the relationship at a comfortable pace but does not want to be cautioned against it
Then we'd go to some party
The singer and their crush would attend social events together after getting forties
Alright, I'm coming
The singer confirms that they will join their crush and be there for them
I'll be right there
The artist reassures their crush that they will be present and available
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Julian Casablancas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dzeuqra723
LYRICS
Talk to me now I'm older
You're friend told you 'cause I told her
Friday nights have been lonely
Change your plans and then phone me
We could go and get 40's
Fuck goin' to that party
Oh really, you're folks are away now?
Alright, lets go, you convinced me
12:51 is the time my voice
Found the words I sought
Is it this stage I want?
The world is shutting out for us
We were tense for sure
But we was confident
Kiss me now that I'm older
I won't try to control you
Friday nights have been lonely
Take it slow but don't warn me
We would go and get 40's
Then wed go to some party
Oh really your folks are away now?
Alright I'm coming
I'll be right there
@biassp
Talk to me now I'm older
Your friend told you 'cause I told her
Friday nights have been lonely
Change your plans and then phone me
We could go and get forties
Fuck goin' to that party
Oh, really, your folks are away now?
Alright, let's go, you convinced me
12:51 is the time my voice
Found the words I sought
Is it this stage I want?
The world is shutting out for us
Oh, we were tense for sure
But we was confident
Kiss me now that I'm older
I won't try to control you
Friday nights have been lonely
Take it slow but don't warn me
We'd go out and get forties
Then we'd go to some party
Oh, really, your folks are away now?
Alright, I'm coming
I'll be right there
@bladeeshotgf5500
It’s criminal how short this song is
@emillybiaggio6443
Pois é
@MedalionDS9
Right.. the song title's is false advertising
@emillybiaggio6443
@@MedalionDS9 olá
@Haselfuchs
It more than deserves a 12:51 x-version!
@moto-fl3rd
That's why it's catchy, it leaves you wanting more. Songs used to be short. Lots of elvis hits are around the 3min mark.
@crashingpuppets5935
There's something special about this song... it's hard to explain
@alamp.8271
no, that's their other song. this is "12:51" ;)
@Andyface79
Eh it's kind of both haha. They are both good songs but they do sound kind of similiar.
@Bah-bv1yz
i say the right thing but act the wrong way