Threat Of Joy
The third track of The Strokes' new Future Present Past EP. The song was fi… Read Full Bio ↴The third track of The Strokes' new Future Present Past EP. The song was first made available for streaming via the Cult Records website on May 26th, 2016.

Threat Of Joy
The Strokes Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Okay

I see how it is now
You don't have time to play with me anymore
That's how it goes, I guess
Fuck the rest
Be right there honey!
I'm gonna take my time to say
Take my time today
I'm gonna take what comes my way
Take what they give me

Yeah, I want my money now
But he is not around
You better hold my money safe
What's your emergency?

And for the first time in my life
I'm gonna get myself right
Just get into trouble
Be there on the double

Place your bets this time
Just has to let it ride
I tr-I tried to take a roll
But the dice are on parole
I won't look down your dress
Bet you bend down as a test
I cannot wait to chase it all
Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball

Friday night, the shining light
The secret for a spy
I got a better idea
I'll bet you on the side
When I get up in your face
You know it's no surprise
Ah baby, why's it so hard to read the sentence in my eyes?

And for the fourth time
Chains on your legs
I spent a while
Then decided on you
My baby doll
You ignored your life
We'll do it together
I'll be there whenever

Oh, you took a minute break
And said, "thumbs up, they're okay."
I'm going to watch the tidal wave
It's hard to chase away

Ohhhhhh
Ohhhhhh

(Got to chase away)




(Hard to chase away)
(It's hard to chase away)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Strokes's song Threat of Joy can be interpreted in a number of ways, as they are relatively abstract and open to interpretation. In general, the song seems to be about the ups and downs of relationships, as well as the challenges of navigating life in general. The first stanza, for example, suggests that the singer is feeling neglected or ignored by their partner, with lines like "You don't have time to play with me anymore" and "Fuck the rest / Be right there honey!" These lines suggest that the singer is frustrated by the fact that they are not receiving the attention and affection that they desire from their partner.


In the second stanza, the singer seems to be reflecting on their life more broadly, with lines like "I'm gonna take my time to say / Take my time today" and "I'm gonna take what comes my way / Take what they give me." These lines suggest that the singer is trying to adopt a more laissez-faire attitude towards life, accepting whatever comes their way rather than trying to control or manipulate their surroundings. However, this resolve is somewhat undermined by the lines "Yeah, I want my money now / But he is not around / You better hold my money safe / What's your emergency?" These lines suggest that the singer is struggling financially, and that they are still trying to exert some degree of control over their circumstances.


The remainder of the song features a series of cryptic and somewhat disconnected images and phrases, including references to betting, troublemaking, and chains on legs. These lines are difficult to parse in a literal sense, but they all seem to be connected to the song's broader theme of living life on one's own terms, even in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

I see how it is now
I understand what's happening now


You don't have time to play with me anymore
You are no longer interested in spending time with me


That's how it goes, I guess
I accept that this is the way things are


Fuck the rest
I don't care about anyone else


Be right there honey!
I'll be there very soon


I'm gonna take my time to say
I'm going to speak slowly and thoughtfully


Take my time today
I don't feel rushed today


I'm gonna take what comes my way
I'll accept whatever happens without resisting


Take what they give me
I'm open to receiving what others have to offer


Yeah, I want my money now
I need to get paid


But he is not around
The person who owes me money is not available


You better hold my money safe
Make sure my money is secure


What's your emergency?
I need to know if there's a problem


And for the first time in my life
This is a new experience for me


I'm gonna get myself right
I'm going to take care of myself


Just get into trouble
I don't mind getting into some difficulty


Be there on the double
I'll arrive very quickly


Place your bets this time
Let's take a chance


Just has to let it ride
We need to see this through


I tr-I tried to take a roll
I attempted to gamble


But the dice are on parole
Chance is not on my side right now


I won't look down your dress
I won't be disrespectful


Bet you bend down as a test
I'm interested to see if you'll try to trick me


I cannot wait to chase it all
I'm really excited about what's to come


Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball
I've had a vision of what will happen


Friday night, the shining light
The weekend is almost here


The secret for a spy
This information is only for those in the know


I got a better idea
I have a new plan


I'll bet you on the side
Let's make a private wager


When I get up in your face
When I'm really close to you


You know it's no surprise
You should have expected me to be like this


Ah baby, why's it so hard to read the sentence in my eyes?
Why can't you understand what I'm saying without me spelling it out for you?


And for the fourth time
I've been through this before


Chains on your legs
You're feeling trapped


I spent a while
I've dedicated a lot of time to you


Then decided on you
I've chosen you


My baby doll
My beloved


You ignored your life
You weren't taking care of yourself


We'll do it together
We'll face this challenge as a team


I'll be there whenever
You can count on me to be there at all times


Oh, you took a minute break
You paused for a moment


And said, thumbs up, they're okay.
You gave a positive assessment


I'm going to watch the tidal wave
I'm going to observe the coming changes


It's hard to chase away
It's difficult to avoid the inevitable


Ohhhhhh
A vocalization of emotion


Ohhhhhh
A vocalization of emotion


(Got to chase away)
I need to get rid of something


(Hard to chase away)
It's not easy to get rid of something


(It's hard to chase away)
This is a difficult situation to leave behind




Contributed by Ruby B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

clumsyezo

Okay, I see how it is now
You don't have time to play with me anymore
That’s how it goes, I guess
Fuck the rest
Be right there, honey!

[Verse 1]
I’m gonna take my time to say
Take my time today
I’m gonna take what comes my way
Take what they give me
Yeah, I want my money now
But he is not around
You better hold my money safe
What's your emergency?

[Chorus]
And for the first time in my life
I’m gonna get myself right
Just get into trouble
Be there on the double

[Verse 2]
Place your bets this time
Just has to let it ride
I tr- I tried to take a roll
But the dice are on parole
I won't look down your dress
I bet you bend down as a test
I cannot wait to chase it all
Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball

[Bridge]
Friday night is shining like
A secret for a spy
I got a better idea
I'll bet you on the side
When I get up in your face
You know it’s no surprise
Ah baby, why's it so hard to read the sentence in my eyes?

[Chorus 2]
And for the first time
Chains on your legs
I spent a while
Then decided on you
My baby doll
You ignored your life
We’ll do it together
I’ll be there whenever

[Verse 3]
Oh, you took a minute break
And said, "thumbs up, they’re okay."
I’m going to watch the tidal wave
It’s hard to chase away

[Outro]
Oh-ohh
Oh-ohh
Oh-ohh
Oh-ohh

(Got to chase away)
(Hard to chase away)
(It’s hard to chase away)



ajaxmuse

Okay, I see how it is now
You don't have time to play with me anymore
That's how it goes, I guess
Fuck the rest
Be right there, honey!

I'm gonna take my time to say
Take my time today
I'm gonna take what comes my way
Take what they give me
Yeah, I want my money now
But he is not around
You better hold my money safe
What's your emergency?

And for the first time in my life
I'm gonna get myself right
Just get into trouble
Be there on the double

Place your bets this time
Just has to let it ride
I tr- I tried to take a roll
But the dice are on parole
I won't look down your dress
I bet you bend down as a test
I cannot wait to chase it all
Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball

Friday night is shining like
A secret for a spy
I got a better idea
I'll bet you on the side
When I get up in your face
You know it's no surprise
Ah baby, why's it so hard to read the sentence in my eyes?

And for the first time
Chains on your legs
I spent a while
Then decided on you
My baby doll
You ignored your life
We'll do it together
I'll be there whenever

Oh, you took a minute break
And said, "Thumbs up, they're okay"
I'm going to watch the tidal wave
It's hard to chase away

Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh



Blank YD

I couldn't find the lyrics in the comments section, so here it is.

Okay, I see how it is now
You don't have time to play with me anymore
That's how it goes, I guess
Fuck the rest
Be right there, honey!

I'm gonna take my time to say
Take my time today
I'm gonna take what comes my way
Take what they give me
Yeah, I want my money now
But he is not around
You better hold my money safe
What's your emergency?

And for the first time in my life
I'm gonna get myself right
Just get into trouble
Be there on the double

Place your bets this time
Just has to let it ride
I tr- I tried to take a roll
But the dice are on parole
I won't look down your dress
I bet you bend down as a test
I cannot wait to chase it all
Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball

Friday night is shining like
A secret for a spy
I got a better idea
I'll bet you on the side
When I get up in your face
You know it's no surprise
Ah baby, why's it so hard to read the sentence in my eyes?

And for the first time
Chains on your legs
I spent a while
Then decided on you
My baby doll
You ignored your life
We'll do it together
I'll be there whenever

Oh, you took a minute break
And said, "Thumbs up, they're okay"
I'm going to watch the tidal wave
It's hard to chase away

Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh



ARCTIC

Okay, I see how it is now
You don't have time to play with me anymore
That's how it goes, I guess
Fuck the rest
Be right there, honey!

I'm gonna take my time to say
Take my time today
I'm gonna take what comes my way
Take what they give me
Yeah, I want my money now
But he is not around
You better hold my money safe
What's your emergency?

And for the first time in my life
I'm gonna get myself right
Just get into trouble
Be there on the double

Place your bets this time
Just has to let it ride
I tr- I tried to take a roll
But the dice are on parole
I won't look down your dress
I bet you bend down as a test
I cannot wait to chase it all
Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball

Friday night is shining like
A secret for a spy
I got a better idea
I'll bet you on the side
When I get up in your face
You know it's no surprise
Ah baby, why's it so hard to read the sentence in my eyes?

And for the first time
Chains on your legs
I spent a while
Then decided on you
My baby doll
You ignored your life
We'll do it together
I'll be there whenever

Oh, you took a minute break
And said, "Thumbs up, they're okay"
I'm going to watch the tidal wave
It's hard to chase away

Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh



cinizam •

Okay, I see how it is now
You don't have time to play with me anymore
That's how it goes, I guess
Fuck the rest
Be right there, honey!

I'm gonna take my time to say
Take my time today
I'm gonna take what comes my way
Take what they give me
Yeah, I want my money now
But he is not around
You better hold my money safe
What's your emergency?

And for the first time in my life
I'm gonna get myself right
Just get into trouble
Be there on the double

Place your bets this time
Just has to let it ride
I tr- I tried to take a roll
But the dice are on parole
I won't look down your dress
I bet you bend down as a test
I cannot wait to chase it all
Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball

Friday night is shining like
A secret for a spy
I got a better idea
I'll bet you on the side
When I get up in your face
You know it's no surprise
Ah baby, why's it so hard to read the sentence in my eyes?

And for the first time
Chains on your legs
I spent a while
Then decided on you
My baby doll
You ignored your life
We'll do it together
I'll be there whenever

Oh, you took a minute break
And said, "Thumbs up, they're okay"
I'm going to watch the tidal wave
It's hard to chase away

Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh



M a r a u d e r

Okay, I see how it is now
You don't have time to play with me anymore
That's how it goes, I guess
Fuck the rest
Be right there, honey!


I'm gonna take my time to say
Take my time today
I'm gonna take what comes my way
Take what they give me
Yeah, I want my money now
But he is not around
You better hold my money safe
What's your emergency?


And for the first time in my life
I'm gonna get myself right
Just get into trouble
Be there on the double


Place your bets this time
Just has to let it ride
I tr- I tried to take a roll
But the dice are on parole
I won't look down your dress
I bet you bend down as a test
I cannot wait to chase it all
Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball

Friday night is shining like
A secret for a spy
I got a better idea
I'll bet you on the side
When I get up in your face
You know it's no surprise
Ah baby, why's it so hard to read the sentence in my eyes?


And for the first time
Chains on your legs
I spent a while
Then decided on you
My baby doll
You ignored your life


We'll do it together
I'll be there whenever
Oh, you took a minute break
And said, "Thumbs up, they're okay"
I'm going to watch the tidal wave
It's hard to chase away
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh



Temsu Jamir

"Threat Of Joy"

Okay, I see how it is now
You don't have time to play with me anymore
That's how it goes, I guess
Fuck the rest
Be right there, honey

I'm gonna take my time to say
Take my time today
I'm gonna take what comes my way
Take what they give me
Yeah, I want my money now
But he is not around
You better hold my money safe
What's your emergency?

And for the first time in my life
I'm gonna get myself right
Just get into trouble
Be there on the double

I place your bets this time
Just has to let it ride
I tr-I tried to take a roll
But the dice are on parole
I won't look down your dress
I bet you bend down as a test
I cannot wait to chase it all
Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball

Friday night, the shining light
The secret for a spy
I got a better idea
I'll bet you on the side
When I get up in your face
You know it's no surprise
Ah baby, why is it so hard to read the sentence in my eyes?

And for the fourth time
Chains on your legs
I spent a while
Then decided on you
My baby doll
You ignored your life
We'll do it together
I'll be there whenever

Oh, you took a minute break
And said, "Thumbs up, they're okay"
I'm gonna watch the tidal wave
It's hard to chase away

Ohhhhhh Ohhhhhh
Ohhhhhh Ohhhhhh

(Got to chase away)
(Hard to chase away)
(It's hard to chase away)



O TEU AMOR ME SALVOU DE MIM

Okay
I see how it is now
You don't have time to play with me anymore
That’s how it goes, I guess
Fuck the rest
Be right there, honey!

I’m gonna take my time to say
Take my time today
I’m gonna take what comes my way
Take what they give me

Yeah, I want my money now
But he is not around
You better hold my money safe
What's your emergency?

And for the first time in my life
I’m gonna get myself right
Just get into trouble
Be there on the double
Place your bets this time
Just has to let it ride
I tr-I tried to take a roll
But the dice are on parole

I won't look down your dress
I bet you bend down as a test
I cannot wait to chase it all
Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball

Friday night is shining like
The secret for a spy
I got a better idea
I'll bet you on the side

When I get up in your face
You know it’s no surprise
Ah baby, why's it so hard to read
The sentence in my eyes?

And for the fourth time
Chains on your legs
I spent a while
Then decided on you

My baby doll
You ignored your life
We’ll do it together
I’ll be there whenever

Oh, you check them in the grave
And said: Thumbs up, they’re okay
I’m going to watch the tidal wave
It’s hard to chase away

Ooh
Ooh

(Got to chase away)
(Hard to chase away)
(It’s hard to chase away



Andres Felipe Garcia Jimenez

"Threat Of Joy"

Okay, I see how it is now
You don't have time to play with me anymore
That's how it goes, I guess
Fuck the rest
Be right there, honey

I'm gonna take my time to say
Take my time today
I'm gonna take what comes my way
Take what they give me
Yeah, I want my money now
But he is not around
You better hold my money safe
What's your emergency?

And for the first time in my life
I'm gonna get myself right
Just get into trouble
Be there on the double

I place your bets this time
Just has to let it ride
I tr-I tried to take a roll
But the dice are on parole
I won't look down your dress
I bet you bend down as a test
I cannot wait to chase it all
Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball

Friday night, the shining light
The secret for a spy
I got a better idea
I'll bet you on the side
When I get up in your face
You know it's no surprise
Ah baby, why is it so hard to read the sentence in my eyes?

And for the fourth time
Chains on your legs
I spent a while
Then decided on you
My baby doll
You ignored your life
We'll do it together
I'll be there whenever

Oh, you took a minute break
And said, "Thumbs up, they're okay"
I'm gonna watch the tidal wave
It's hard to chase away

Ohhhhhh Ohhhhhh
Ohhhhhh Ohhhhhh

(Got to chase away)
(Hard to chase away)
(It's hard to chase away)



Quilt Quilt

Okay, I see how it is now
You don't have time to play with me anymore
That's how it goes, I guess
Fuck the rest
Be right there, honey!

I'm gonna take my time to say
Take my time today
I'm gonna take what comes my way
Take what they give me
Yeah, I want my money now
But he is not around
You better hold my money safe
What's your emergency?

And for the first time in my life
I'm gonna get myself right
Just get into trouble
Be there on the double

Place your bets this time
Just has to let it ride
I tr- I tried to take a roll
But the dice are on parole
I won't look down your dress
I bet you bend down as a test
I cannot wait to chase it all
Yeah, I saw it in my crystal ball

Friday night is shining like
A secret for a spy
I got a better idea
I'll bet you on the side
When I get up in your face
You know it's no surprise
Ah baby, why's it so hard to read the sentence in my eyes?

And for the first time
Chains on your legs
I spent a while
Then decided on you
My baby doll
You ignored your life
We'll do it together
I'll be there whenever

Oh, you took a minute break
And said, "Thumbs up, they're okay"
I'm going to watch the tidal wave
It's hard to chase away

Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh

(Got to chase away)
(Hard to chase away)
(It's hard to chase away)



All comments from YouTube:

Lawrence Scales

They seriously are one of the most consistent rock bands I've ever listened to. There's not an album I don't enjoy

Lucian13

wow you haven't listened to nothing

Mr Mcmuffin

@Flowerbud ew

Leonardo Cisneros

True

Silly Goose

Same. For me, it's The Strokes, Ash, Cake, and Amon Amarth. But if I don't know what I'm in the mood to listen to, my go-to is The Strokes.

Flowerbud

me crying as a weezer fan

4 More Replies...

Public Execution

I love how the Strokes got tired of being a band and then each branched out with their own solo shit (which is all good btw); only to come back stronger than before with music that is informed by each of their solo endeavors. Not many bands are capable of that.

Jonnatan Betancur

That's cause they're family

Matt Willoughby

@alva boy One grammy win later..

Detlef Shrempf

@alva boy oh yes they are I don’t know if the new abnormal came out when you wrote that but it is much better than angles and comedown machine

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