Members
Julian Casablancas (vocals), Nick Valensi (guitar), Albert Hammond Jr. (guitar), Nikolai Fraiture (bass), and Fabrizio Moretti (drums)
Formation
The founding process of The Strokes was a serendipitous convergence of childhood connections and a shared musical vision. Julian Casablancas, Fabrizio Moretti, and Nick Valensi, childhood friends with varying musical experiences, came together in the late '90s. The trio's dynamic was enriched with the addition of guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. and bassist Nikolai Fraiture. Bonded by a mutual love for garage rock, punk, and new wave, the quintet officially formed The Strokes in 1998, embarking on a journey to synthesize their diverse influences into a sound that would later redefine the indie rock landscape. The amalgamation of their individual talents and shared passion for music set the stage for The Strokes' rise to prominence in the early 2000s.
Is This It (2001)
"Is This It" The Strokes" debut album released in 2001 under the reputable record label RCA, is an electrifying sonic manifesto that not only redefined the landscape of indie rock but also garnered widespread critical acclaim. Infused with a raw and unfiltered energy, the album became an instant classic, hailed for its gritty exploration of New York City's underground music scene. Featuring iconic tracks like "Last Nite" and "Someday," Julian Casablancas' charismatic vocals, Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr.'s guitar interplay, and the band's overall swagger made "Is This It" a timeless masterpiece. Its critical acclaim propelled The Strokes to the forefront of the early 2000s indie rock revival, cementing their status as trailblazers in the genre.
Room On Fire (2003)
"Room On Fire" the sophomore album by The Strokes released in 2003, seamlessly follows the success of their groundbreaking debut, "Is This It" The Strokes" (2001). While "Is This It" The Strokes" quickly became a cultural touchstone and achieved widespread acclaim, "Room On Fire" faced the challenge of living up to its predecessor's legacy.
From the rhythmic urgency of "12:51" to the infectious guitar riffs of "Reptilia," each track on "Room On Fire" showcases The Strokes' continued commitment to crafting catchy, yet substantive, rock anthems. While not eclipsing the commercial success of their debut, the album solidified The Strokes' standing as stalwarts of the early 2000s rock revival, demonstrating their artistic growth and ability to sustain their unique sound.
Juicebox and First Impressions Of Earth (2005 - 2006)
"Juicebox" by The Strokes, released as a single on November 14, 2005, ahead of their album "First Impressions of Earth," faced an early online leak, adding to the anticipation. Despite this, the track's bold guitar riffs and Julian Casablancas' charismatic vocals contributed to its positive reception, marking a significant moment in The Strokes' musical journey. They also released a catchy B-side "Hawaii".
"First Impressions Of Earth" The Strokes' third studio album released in January 2006, received a mix of reviews. Critics praised the album's experimental departure from the band's earlier sound, commending Julian Casablancas' introspective lyrics, dynamic guitar work, and rhythmic innovation. Standout tracks like "Juicebox" and "You Only Live Once" showcased The Strokes' ability to evolve while retaining their signature coolness. Despite differing opinions, the album marked a bold exploration of new musical territories and sparked conversations about the band's artistic evolution within the indie rock landscape.
Angles (2011)
"Angles" released by The Strokes in 2011, is a pivotal album in the band's journey, receiving a mix of reviews. Critics lauded its experimentation and collaborative nature, showcasing a departure from their previous works. Standout tracks like "Under Cover of Darkness" and "Machu Picchu" received praise for blending The Strokes' signature sound with fresh influences. While some critics found the album's diversity refreshing, others felt it lacked cohesion. Despite mixed reviews, "Angles" signaled The Strokes' return with a revitalized energy, sparking conversations about their evolving musical direction.
Comedown Machine (2013)
"Comedown Machine" released by The Strokes in 2013, is a unique entry in their discography. The album showcases a departure from their traditional sound, embracing a more synth-driven and experimental approach. Tracks like "One Way Trigger" and "Tap Out" demonstrate The Strokes' willingness to evolve, dividing critics but still affirming their capacity for sonic exploration. "Comedown Machine" adds another layer to The Strokes' musical evolution, inviting listeners into a realm of unexpected sounds and creative divergence. The Strokes adopted a media blackout strategy, refraining from interviews and traditional promotional activities. This intentional approach added an air of mystery to the album's release, sparking curiosity and discussions about the band's creative intentions.
Future Present Past EP (2016)
"Future Present Past" is a 2016 EP by The Strokes, featuring tracks like "Drag Queen", "OBLIVIOUS" and "Threat Of Joy" offering a glimpse into the band's evolving sound during the period between their albums "Comedown Machine" and "The New Abnormal".
The New Abnormal (2020)
Produced by legendary music producer Rick Rubin, "The New Abnormal" is The Strokes' sixth studio album, released in 2020 after a seven-year hiatus. The album represents a return to the spotlight for the band and showcases a blend of their signature rock sound with fresh and contemporary elements. Notable tracks include "The Adults Are Talking" and "Selfless". "The New Abnormal" received critical acclaim for its maturity, experimentation, and the band's ability to evolve while staying true to their distinctive style. The album's release was a highly anticipated moment for fans, marking a successful comeback for The Strokes after their extended hiatus.
Albert Hammond Jr. confirmed, that The Strokes are working on a new album, a follow-up to the succesful "The New Abnormal".
Here are the band members' side projects along with their released albums:
Julian Casablancas:
Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young (2009).The Voidz - Tyranny (2014), Virtue (2018).
Albert Hammond Jr.
Albert Hammond Jr. - Yours To Keep (2006), Como Te Llama? (2008), Momentary Masters (2016), Francis Trouble (2018).
Nick Valensi
CRX - New Skin (2016), Peek (2018).
Fabrizio Moretti
Little Joy - Little Joy (2008).machinegum - Conduit (2019).
Nikolai Fraiture
Nickel Eye - The Time Of The Assassins (2008).SUMMER MOON - With You Tonight (2017), Casino Days (2023).
Barely Legal
The Strokes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I spent the money that I saved up
Oh, mama runnin' outta luck
But like my sister, don't give a fuck
I wanna steal your innocence
To me, my life, it don't make any sense
Those strange manners, I love 'em so
Why won't you wear your new trench coat?
I should've worked much harder
I should've just not bothered
I never show up on weekdays
That's something that you learned yesterday
Drive you to work and you will be on time
These little problems, they're not yours, they're mine
Come on, listen to what I say
I got some secrets that'll make you stay
I just want to turn you down
I just want to turn you around
Oh, you ain't never had nothin' I wanted, but
I want it all, I just can't figure out
Nothin'
And altogether, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, you're a freak"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
For the record, it's between you and I
Oh, I didn't take no shortcuts
I spent the money that I saved up
Oh, mama runnin' outta luck
And like my sister, don't give a fuck
I wanna steal your innocence
To me, my life, it just don't make any sense
Those strange manners, I love 'em so
Why won't you wear your new trench coat?
I just want to misbehave
I just want to be your slave
Oh, you ain't never had nothin' I wanted, but
I want it all, I just can't figure out
Nothin'
And altogether, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, I can wait"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
But for the record, it's between you and I
The Strokes’s “Barely Legal” is a song that has been crafted to capture the ideas of adolescent exploration and sexual curiosity. The song discusses a youth who spends his saved-up money, perhaps to explore more of life’s pleasures. The opening lyrics reveal that he believes he didn’t take any shortcuts whilst spending his money. The character is confident with the person that he is becoming and seems to relish in the freedom of choice. The idea of ‘mama running out of luck’ suggests that his mother may not approve of his life decisions, like his sister who the character claims ‘doesn’t give a f*ck’.
One of the more controversial lines in the song, ‘I wanna steal your innocence’ is believed to be a metaphor for sexual exploration. Other lyrics also suggest that the character wants to bring the girl out of her shell and take her away from her sweet and innocent perspective. The character seems to want the girl to be bad with him- to act out and make mistakes. The song seems to be about two people who have found something in each other that they both enjoy- the feeling of being alive and reckless. The character claims he has secrets that will make the girl stay, indicating that the attraction might be balanced with need.
At the end of the song, the character sings: ‘The things we did, the things you hide, For the record, it's between you and I.’ These lines, along with the sexualised lyrics throughout the song, indicate that the scenarios and explorations in the song are meant to stay between them. Overall, the song is an exploration of sexual curiosity and experimentation, told through the lens of youth culture and irresponsibility.
Line by Line Meaning
I didn't take no shortcuts
I didn't cheat or take any easy ways out
I spent the money that I saved up
I worked hard to save my money and spent it wisely
Oh, mama runnin' outta luck
My mother is having some bad luck lately
Like my sister, don't give a fuck
Just like my sister, I don't care what others think
I wanna steal your innocence
I want to corrupt you and take away your innocence
To me, my life, it don't make sense
My life feels empty and meaningless
Those strange manners, I love 'em so
I find your strange mannerisms endearing
"Why won't you wear your new trench coat?"
I don't understand why you won't wear your new coat that I bought you
I should've worked much harder
I know I should have worked harder to achieve my goals
I should've just not bothered
I regret even trying because I failed anyway
I never show up on weekdays
I'm always absent from work or school on weekdays
That's something that you learned yesterday
You just found out about my tendency to miss weekdays
Drive you to work, you will be on time
I'll drive you to work to ensure you arrive on time
These little problems they're not yours and mine
Don't worry about these small issues, they're my responsibility
Come on and listen to what I say
Please pay attention to me
I've got some secrets that'll make you stay
I have some secrets to tell you to make you want to stay with me
I just want to turn you down
I want to reject you and make you feel bad
I just want to turn you around
I want to change your mind and opinion about something
Oh, you ain't never had nothin' I wanted, but
You've never had anything I wanted before
I want it all
But now I want everything from you
I just can't figure out
I can't understand or comprehend something
Nothin'
I can't figure out anything
And all together it went well
Overall, everything turned out fine
We made pretend we were best friends
We pretended to be close friends with each other
Then she said, "oh, you're a freak"
But then she insulted me and called me a freak
They ordered me to make mistakes
Others are pressuring me to mess up or fail
Together again, like the beginning
We're back together again like we were at the start
It all works somehow in the end
In the end, everything seems to work out
The things we did, the things you hide
The actions we took and the secrets you keep
For the record it's between you and I
Just so you know, this is between us only
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Julian Casablancas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind