The track features a mostly bass-centric instrumental with very peppy snares drums providing the main percussion on the track. Julian sings in a more muffled tone than usual on the track as well, almost emulating that he is sneaking up on those he wants to rebel against, elevating his vocal volume over the track’s progression.
The band premiered the song on the first night of their “global comeback” tour during their first show at the Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA, on Monday, May 13, 2019. The music video, directed by Roman Copolla was released on December 1, 2020.
The Adults Are Talking
The Strokes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're complainin', overeducated
You are saying all the words I'm dreaming
Say it after me
Say it after me
They will blame us, crucify and shame us
We can't help it if we are a problem
We are tryin' hard to get your attention
I'm climbin' up your wall
Climbin' up your wall
Don't go there 'cause you'll never return
I know you think of me when you think of her
But then it don't make sense when you're tryin' hard
To do the right thing but without recompense
And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
And now you don't know how you could ever complain
Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to
But then you want me to do it the same as you
You were waitin' for the elevator
You were sayin' all the words I'm dreaming
No more askin' questions or excuses
Information's here
Here and everywhere
Don't go there 'cause you'll never return
I know you think of me when you think of her
But then it don't make sense when you're tryin' hard
To do the right thing but without recompense
And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
And now you don't know how you could ever complain
Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to
But then you want me to do it the same way as you, and, but
I don't, I don't want anything
I know it's not, it's not your fault
I don't want anyone
Always I do, it's not for you
Ah
Ooh
Stockholders
Same shit, a different lie
I'll get it right sometime
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Hello?
Yeah, boy, here we go
And a-one, and a-two, and a-three
Here we go, friends
Hold on, I can't-
Maybe that's kooky situation
So, let's go back to the old key, old tempo, everything
Okay
The lyrics to The Strokes's song "The Adults Are Talking" seem to be touching on the idea of being misunderstood and judged by others. The opening lines speak to the idea of being labeled as "sophisticated" and "overeducated," which can often lead to criticism and ostracism from others who may not understand a certain way of thinking or living. Despite this, the singer seems to find solace in the fact that the person they are speaking to can understand their words and thoughts, saying "You are saying all the words I'm dreaming / Say it after me."
The second half of the song delves into the idea of conflicted emotions and desires, highlighting the confusion and frustration that can come from trying to do the right thing without receiving any recognition or reward. The lines "And then you did something wrong and you said it was great / And now you don't know how you could ever complain / Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to / But then you want me to do it the same as you" speak to the complex and often contradictory nature of human relationships.
Overall, the song seems to be grappling with themes of miscommunication, misunderstanding, and the complexities of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
They've been sayin', "You're sophisticated"
People are complimenting us and saying we're smart and polished
They're complainin', overeducated
But others are whining that we're too educated and a little bit annoying for that reason
You are saying all the words I'm dreaming
You're reading my mind and saying everything I'm thinking
Say it after me
Say it after me
Repeat it with me, let's stay in sync
They will blame us, crucify and shame us
We can't help it if we are a problem
We are tryin' hard to get your attention
Others are going to attack us and try to make us feel bad, but we can't always help that we're causing disruptions because we're just trying to get people to notice us
I'm climbin' up your wall
Climbin' up your wall
I'm making a lot of effort to get closer to you and get your attention
Don't go there 'cause you'll never return
I know you think of me when you think of her
But then it don't make sense when you're tryin' hard
To do the right thing but without recompense
And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
And now you don't know how you could ever complain
Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to
But then you want me to do it the same as you
If you start going down this path again, you're going to regret it and never come back. I know you associate me with her, but it doesn't make sense why you're trying so hard to do what's right without getting anything in return. Then you did something wrong but convinced yourself it was good, and now you're confused because you want me to join you but also want me to be exactly like you.
You were waitin' for the elevator
You were sayin' all the words I'm dreaming
No more askin' questions or excuses
Information's here
Here and everywhere
I saw you waiting for the elevator and noticed that you were echoing everything I was thinking. Stop questioning and making excuses; the answer is here and everywhere.
I don't, I don't want anything
I know it's not, it's not your fault
I don't want anyone
Always I do, it's not for you
I don't want anything or anyone, and I know that's not your fault or something you can give me. This is something I want for myself, not for you.
Stockholders
Same shit, a different lie
I'll get it right sometime
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Stockholders and businesspeople always say the same things that are never true. I'll eventually get it right, but maybe not tonight or anytime soon.
Hello?
Yeah, boy, here we go
And a-one, and a-two, and a-three
Here we go, friends
Hold on, I can't-
Maybe that's kooky situation
So, let's go back to the old key, old tempo, everything
Okay
Hello? Yes, let's get started. And a-one, and a-two, and a-three - here we go, friends! Wait, I can't quite follow you. Maybe this is a strange situation. Let's revert back to something more familiar and comfortable, okay?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Albert Jr. Hammond, Fabrizio Moretti, Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi, Nikolai Fraiture
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MarcoPolo-YogurtSlinger
Lyrics
They've been sayin', "You're sophisticated"
They're complainin', overeducated
You are saying all the words I'm dreaming
Say it after me
Say it after me
They will blame us, crucify and shame us
We can't help it if we are a problem
We are tryin' hard to get your attention
I'm climbin' up your wall
Climbin' up your wall
Don't go there 'cause you'll never return
I know you think of me when you think of her
But then it don't make sense when you're tryin' hard
To do the right thing but without recompense
And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
And now you don't know how you could ever complain
Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to
But then you want me to do it the same as you
You were waitin' for the elevator
You were sayin' all the words I'm dreaming
No more askin' questions or excuses
Information's here
Here and everywhere
Don't go there 'cause you'll never return
I know you think of me when you think of her
But then it don't make sense when you're tryin' hard
To do the right thing but without recompense
And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
And now you don't know how you could ever complain
Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to
But then you want me to do it the same way as you, and, but
I don't, I don't want anything
I know it's not, it's not your fault
I don't want anyone
Always I do, it's not for you
Ah
Ooh
Stockholders
Same shit, a different lie
I'll get it right sometime
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Hello?
Yeah, boy, here we go
And a-one, and a-two, and a-three
Here we go, friends
Hold on, I can't-
Maybe that's kooky situation
So, let's go back to the old key, old tempo, everything
Okay
@lizziedoll7378
They've been sayin', "You're sophisticated"
They're complainin', overeducated
You are saying all the words I'm dreaming
Say it after me
Say it after me
They will blame us, crucify and shame us
We can't help it if we are a problem
We are tryin' hard to get your attention
I'm climbin' up your wall
Climbin' up your wall
Don't go there 'cause you'll never return
I know you think of me when you think of her
But then it don't make sense when you're tryin' hard
To do the right thing but without recompense
And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
And now you don't know how you could ever complain
Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to
But then you want me to do it the same as you
You were waitin' for the elevator
You were sayin' all the words I'm dreaming
No more askin' questions or excuses
Information's here
Here and everywhere
Don't go there 'cause you'll never return
I know you think of me when you think of her
But then it don't make sense when you're tryin' hard
To do the right thing but without recompense
And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
And now you don't know how you could ever complain
Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to
But then you want me to do it the same way as you, and, but
I don't, I don't want anything
I know it's not, it's not your fault
I don't want anyone
Always I do, it's not for you
Ah
Ooh
Stockholders
Same shit, a different lie
I'll get it right sometime
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Hello?
Yeah, boy, here we go
And a-one, and a-two, and a-three
Here we go, friends
Hold on, I can't-
Maybe that's kooky situation
So, let's go back to the old key, old tempo, everything
Okay
Traducir al español
@obabaisbaba
Lyrics :
They've been sayin', "You're sophisticated"
They're complainin', overeducated
You are saying all the words I'm dreaming
Say it after me
Say it after me
They will blame us, crucify and shame us
We can't help it if we are a problem
We are tryin' hard to get your attention
I'm climbin' up your wall
Climbin' up your wall
Don't go there 'cause you'll never return
I know you think of me when you think of her
But then it don't make sense when you're tryin' hard
To do the right thing but without recompense
And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
And now you don't know how you could ever complain
Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to
But then you want me to do it the same as you
You were waitin' for the elevator
You were sayin' all the words I'm dreaming
No more askin' questions or excuses
Information's here
Here and everywhere
Don't go there 'cause you'll never return
I know you think of me when you think of her
But then it don't make sense when you're tryin' hard
To do the right thing but without recompense
And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
And now you don't know how you could ever complain
Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to
But then you want me to do it the same way as you, and, but
I don't, I don't want anything
I know it's not, it's not your fault
I don't want anyone
Always I do, it's not for you
Ah
Ooh
Stockholders
Same shit, a different lie
I'll get it right sometime
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Oh, maybe not tonight
Hello?
Yeah, boy, here we go
And a-one, and a-two, and a-three
Here we go, friends
Hold on, I can't-
Maybe that's kooky situation
So, let's go back to the old key, old tempo, everything
Okay
@NicoleRafiee
we want strokes jerseys in the merch shop boys
@raissaaroucha
i knew you would be here
@melaniesimpson9519
Right? Somebody take my moneyyy
@TheFelixxx16
exactly my thoughts
@allieee9628
lmao i just came from ur vlogmas video!
@Meerzie
yes please
@Mateus505
while listening to the album I thought of a thousand different possibilites for a music video of this song
not a single one of them were baseball with robots
@angelagaubeca455
Same
@Marvell3000
That should have been the video idea for Ode to the Mets tbh. Missed opportunity
@angelagaubeca455
I thought they did it cause of ode to the mets 🤣 but seeing them being this silly does put a smile on my face 🤣