The song was the first written by Hammond Jr. following rehabilitation for his drug addiction. It is synth-driven, similarly to several tracks on the band's previous album, Angles, and features unusual falsetto vocals from singer Julian Casablancas, as well as the first instance of an acoustic guitar on a Strokes recording.
One Way Trigger
The Strokes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get dressed in your bed, while she's asleep
It isn't right but it isn't hard
Tell me, tell me, won't you understand?
Show me, show me, show me a better plan
It's summer lies, it's someone else's nothing
Here it comes now
You asked me to stay
You asked me to stay
You asked me to stay
But there's a million reasons to leave
Find a job, find a friend
Find a home, find a dog
Settle down, out of town
Find a dream, shut it down
Please, please don't point it that way
It's just a trigger that goes once and you'll be unafraid
I wish that I'd been noticed, but it never goes that way
The silence that you brought has gone, gone, gone
Tell me, tell me, won't you understand?
Show me, show me, show me
You asked me to stay
You asked me to stay
You asked me to stay
But there's a million reasons to leave
Show me what to say, show me what to be
Show me what to see, show me what to be
Find a job, find a friend
Find a home, find a dog
Settle down, out of town
Find a dream, shut it down
I don't wanna be in there with you
I don't wanna be in there without your loving either
I waited for your thoughts
Can't wait no longer
The Strokes’ song “One Way Trigger” is a high energy, fast-paced rock song accompanied by Julian Casablancas’ signature falsetto voice. The lyrics tell the story of a relationship that is on the brink of ending, but the singer is torn about whether to leave or stay. The song begins with an image of getting dressed while their partner sleeps, which suggests a disconnect between the two. Despite the connection being frayed, the singer struggles with the idea of leaving because of the potential for a better plan.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase “You asked me to stay, but there’s a million reasons to leave,” emphasizing the singer’s internal battle. The lyrics mention finding a job and friend, and settling down, but none of these options seem to satisfy the singer. The bridge shifts to a more introspective tone, as the singer contemplates their own fears and the silence that their partner brings. In the final chorus, the lyrics call out for guidance and direction, asking to be shown what to say, do, and see.
Overall, “One Way Trigger” is a raw and emotional song that expresses the complexities of relationships and the struggle to make decisions when faced with uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Get dressed in your bed, while she's asleep
Start your day with a sense of rebellion, dressing up quietly while your partner is still sound asleep
It isn't right but it isn't hard
Breaking rules can be difficult, but it's not impossible
Tell me, tell me, won't you understand?
Make me understand by explaining the situation to me
Show me, show me, show me a better plan
Don't just talk, provide a solution that works
It's summer lies, it's someone else's nothing
Everything seems brighter in summer, but all that energy is meaningless if it's not yours
Here it comes now
The moment of truth or reality has arrived
You asked me to stay
You requested that I continue to stay with you
But there's a million reasons to leave
Despite the request, there are numerous reasons to end the relationship
Find a job, find a friend
Searching for purpose and companionship in life
Find a home, find a dog
Settling down in a comfortable, stable environment, possibly with a pet
Settle down, out of town
Looking for a quieter, less chaotic existence outside of the city
Find a dream, shut it down
When it's difficult to achieve your dreams or you feel lost, it's easier to abandon them
Please, please don't point it that way
Don't aim that weapon in my direction
It's just a trigger that goes once and you'll be unafraid
It only takes one act of bravery to put your fears behind you
I wish that I'd been noticed, but it never goes that way
Hoping for recognition or attention, but it's not always granted
The silence that you brought has gone, gone, gone
The communication breakdown that caused the silence has ended
Show me what to say, show me what to be
Provide guidance on how to communicate and who to be
Show me what to see, show me what to be
Provide direction on what to focus on and who to become
I don't wanna be in there with you
I don't want to be involved with you in this situation
I don't wanna be in there without your loving either
I don't want to face this challenge without your support and affection
I waited for your thoughts
I was hoping for your input
Can't wait no longer
I can't continue to wait without any response
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fabrizio Moretti, Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi, Nikolai Fraiture, Albert Jr. Hammond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nahu7855
Get dressed in your bed, while she's asleep
It isn't right, but it isn't hard
Tell me, tell me, won't you understand?
Show me, show me, show me a better plan
It's summer lies, it's someone else's nothing
Here it comes now
You ask me to stay
You ask me to stay
You ask me to stay
But there's a million reasons to leave
Find a job, find a friend
Find a home, find a dog
Settle down, out of town
Find a dream, shut it down
Please, please don't point it that way
It's just a trigger that goes once and you'll be unafraid
I wish that I'd been noticed, but it never goes that way
The silence that you brought has gone, gone, gone
Tell me, tell me, won't you understand?
Show me, show me, show me
You ask me to stay
You ask me to stay
You ask me to stay
But there's a million reasons to leave
Show me what to say, show me what to be
Show me what to see, show me what to be
Find a job, find a friend
Find a home, find a dog
Settle down, out of town
Find a dream, shut it down
I don't wanna be in there with you
I don't wanna be in there without your loving either
I waited for your thoughts
Can't wait no longer
@juliacastillo8359
Lyrics :
Get dressed in your bed, while she's asleep
It isn't right, but it isn't hard
Tell me, tell me, won't you understand?
Show me, show me, show me a better plan
It's summer lies, it's someone else's nothing
Here it comes now
You ask me to stay
You ask me to stay
You ask me to stay
But there's a million reasons to leave
Find a job, find a friend
Find a home, find a dog
Settle down, out of town
Find a dream, shut it down
Please, please don't point it that way
It's just a trigger that goes once and you'll be unafraid
I wish that I'd been noticed, but it never goes that way
The silence that you brought has gone, gone, gone
Tell me, tell me, won't you understand?
Show me, show me, show me
You ask me to stay
You ask me to stay
You ask me to stay
But there's a million reasons to leave
Show me what to say, show me what to be
Show me what to see, show me what to be
Find a job, find a friend
Find a home, find a dog
Settle down, out of town
Find a dream, shut it down
I don't wanna be in there with you
I don't wanna be in there without your loving either
I waited for your thoughts
Can't wait no longer
@KenM_1987
Severely underrated song
@RayyanKhanRayyanKhan
+Ken M. We are all severely underrated songs on this blessed day
@kd013n
@@RayyanKhanRayyanKhan No truer words have ever been spoken.
@spider-hamnoir7311
Indeed
@Isaac-jd6vr
;D responds 1,300 days later
@awesometavares
2020 now can confirm
@marxjumper8066
3:33 I love how the bass guitar volume slowly increases to make that part sound darker.
@taithangcong4704
Nikolai is a master man
@serenarena1981
I love that!!!!
@onemeg
Julian has an amazing vocal range