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).
clear skies
The Strokes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wait for clear skies
To tell us how changes come about
With the sunlight
So we'll count every drop that falls
While you throw us some old line
This will pass
This will pa-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-as
Wasting your time
You will, that's all you ever wanted
And I'm spending your time
Wasting your time
You will, that's all you ever
The Strokes’s song Clear Skies is a commentary on the elusive nature of promises and changes. The lyrics suggest that someone is unreliable and often promising things they cannot deliver until the circumstances are perfect, and the road is clear. The image of “clear skies” is a metaphor for a clear path or a perfect scenario. The person being addressed in the song, however, is waiting for this perfect scenario to happen, and only then decides to enact change or fulfill promises.
The lines “So we'll count every drop that falls/While you throw us some old line” suggest that people around this person are keeping track of every small development while constantly being fed with empty promises. The following lines “This will pass/This will pa-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-as” reveal the current situation as temporary and fleeting. The singer is wasting their time and the time of the one being addressed, who always seems to be looking for the perfect moment to fulfill their promises.
On a deeper level, the song is about human behavior and how people react when faced with difficulties. Clear Skies is a commentary on people who often wait for the stars to align before acting upon anything. It is a criticism of the inaction and lack of foresight that sometimes defines people.
Line by Line Meaning
Knowing you
Having an understanding of who you are
You wait for clear skies
You are hesitant to take action until everything seems perfect
To tell us how changes come about
You think you have the answers and want to share them with us
With the sunlight
You only see things in a positive light
So we'll count every drop that falls
We are trying to make the most of every situation, even if it's not ideal
While you throw us some old line
You give us the same tired advice over and over again
This will pass
You believe that everything will get better with time
This will pa-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-as
Repeating the idea that things will get better through the use of an extended vocal sound
And I'm spending the time
I am dedicating my time and energy
Wasting your time
You are not using your time effectively or making progress
You will, that's all you ever wanted
You are content with the status quo and don't want to make any changes
And I'm spending your time
I am wasting the time that you are giving me
Wasting your time
You are not making the most of your time or making progress
You will, that's all you ever
Repeating the idea that you are not interested in making changes or taking risks
Contributed by Maria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Duncan Proctor
Knowing you
You wait for clear skies
To tell us how changes come about
With the sunlight
So we'll count every drop that falls
While you throw us an old line
This will pass
This will pass
[Drum break]
[Fire Guitar solo]
And Im spendin the time
Wasting your time
You have all you ever wanted
And Im spendin the time
Wasting your time
You have all you ever wanted
Knowing you
You wait for clear skies
To tell us how changes come about
With the sunlight
So we'll count every drop that falls
While you throw us an old line
This will pass
This will pass
[Fire Guitar Solo 2]
And Im spendin the time
Wasting your time
You have all you ever wanted
And Im spendin the time
Wasting your time
You have all you ever wanted
Duncan Proctor
Knowing you
You wait for clear skies
To tell us how changes come about
With the sunlight
So we'll count every drop that falls
While you throw us an old line
This will pass
This will pass
[Drum break]
[Fire Guitar solo]
And Im spendin the time
Wasting your time
You have all you ever wanted
And Im spendin the time
Wasting your time
You have all you ever wanted
Knowing you
You wait for clear skies
To tell us how changes come about
With the sunlight
So we'll count every drop that falls
While you throw us an old line
This will pass
This will pass
[Fire Guitar Solo 2]
And Im spendin the time
Wasting your time
You have all you ever wanted
And Im spendin the time
Wasting your time
You have all you ever wanted
Allan Ostermann
Only The Strokes could toss away a song this good.
TAI ANDERS
Not toss away, it just doesn't belong anywhere on their discography. Maybe an ep.
Darius Talaat
Who is it then?
coinless
@Darius Talaat strokes or juliano e os amigos… i mean, the strokes.
A Morales
Fabrizio Moretti wrote it for his band and the strokes just covered it
Micheal Holt
10 years later and I'm still discovering Strokes songs I've never heard before. Fucking love this band
Mall Cats
Imagine this being the last song on Room On Fire, after “I Can’t Win” it would be like riding into the sunset
Akell Ahmed
but the sound and voice sounds like FIOE
Dadbot
This must be the only way to listen to it. After listening to the album "room on fire"