The vinyl release retained the original track list and it also appears in the film Spider-Man as well as the film's soundtrack.
When It Started
The Strokes Lyrics
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Said, "Thanks my friend, thought it was too late"
Oh, why, oh, why?
I don't know
So you think things move pretty fast down here?
Well, just wait, my dear, 'til you look up there
Oh, maybe someday you'll know
Had his second kid, was an early night
Got to be well-dressed 'cause he hates to fly
Oh, loves his job, takes it home
Anything they wanted
They could have it, have it
Didn't even notice
I don't mind it, mind it
Won't decide, but he won't debate
Said, "Thanks my friend, thought that we was dead"
Oh, why, oh, why?
I don't know
Think things move pretty fast down here
But just wait, my dear, 'til we get up there
Oh, maybe someday they'll know
Come on, tell me does she warm the room
When he comes?
Or does he just know how to leave
When it gets cold?
Well, I don't care, I don't care
'Cause it's free
The lyrics to The Strokes’ song “When It Started” are a mix of thoughts and observations about life, the pace of change and relationships in contemporary society. The lines “Won't decide, but he won't debate/Said, "thanks my friend, thought it was too late"/Oh, why, oh, why?/I don't know” suggest that the singer is considering something deeply personal, but is unsure of what to think or do about it. They are seemingly grateful for the input of a friend who has helped them, but they still don’t know what action to take. The next verse continues down this track of contemplation with the lines “So you think things move pretty fast down here?/Well, just wait, my dear, 'til you look up there/Oh, maybe someday you'll know”, indicating that the singer is considering the pace of life on a larger scale and the perspective that it brings.
The song then shifts to a more mundane setting, with the observation that the singer has had a second child, and that they like to dress well, but dislike flying. It suggests that he is content with his job and takes it home with him, which contrasts with the earlier, perhaps more existential musings. The lines “Anything they wanted/They could have it, have it/Didn't even notice/I don't mind it, mind it” take on a slightly sarcastic tone and imply that despite this comfortable lifestyle, there is still some kind of trade-off or sacrifice being made to maintain it.
The final verse brings the song back round to a more personal level, with the question of whether someone in the singer’s life brings warmth to the room or if they just know how to leave when things get cold. The closing lines “Well, I don't care, I don't care/’Cause it's free” suggest a kind of resignation or acceptance of whatever the situation is, perhaps because the singer is too stuck in their own thoughts to make a change. Overall, “When It Started” is a snapshot of contemporary life, exploring themes of pace and change, contentment versus sacrifice and personal relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't decide, but he won't debate
He won't make any decisions, but he also won't discuss them.
Said, "thanks my friend, thought it was too late"
He expressed gratitude to his friend, stating that he thought things could not be changed.
Oh, why, oh, why?
He is left in confusion and does not understand.
I don't know
He admits to not being sure or knowledgeable about the situation.
So you think things move pretty fast down here?
He's asking a rhetorical question implying, do you think things are happening quickly for us?
Well, just wait, my dear, 'til you look up there
Waiting will reveal that things actually move much faster up above.
Oh, maybe someday you'll know
Perhaps in the future, she'll come to understand.
Had his second kid, was an early night
He became a father for the second time, and it was an uneventful evening.
Got to be well-dressed 'cause he hates to fly
He dislikes flying, but he still needs to be dressed well.
Oh, loves his job, takes it home
He really enjoys his work and brings it home with him.
Anything they wanted
They could obtain whatever they desired.
They could have it, have it
Their wants were easily accessible.
Didn't even notice
The abundance of stuff was so great that it went unnoticed.
I don't mind it, mind it
He doesn't have any problems with this situation.
Said, "thanks my friend, thought that we was dead"
He shows gratitude again, saying that he thought everything was already finished.
Think things move pretty fast down here
He reiterates that things seem to move quickly in this world.
But just wait, my dear, 'til we get up there
However, upon going above it will be faster.
Oh, maybe someday they'll know
It's possible that everyone will come to realize this in the future.
Come on, tell me does she warm the room
Asking whether she brings warmth in the relationship.
When he comes?
Is it straightforward, or is there anything else going on there?
Or does he just know how to leave
Does he just know how to walk away when it gets cold?
Well, I don't care, I don't care
Regardless of whatever is happening, he doesn't care.
'Cause it's free
Because it's free, he is not concerned.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Julian Casablancas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind