You were
Modern girls always have to go (right on time)
Old-fashioned men always want a mistress (you were right)
Modern girls always get their way (I was wrong)
Modern men dream of what they can't say (that's alright)
Right? Right? Right? Right? Right?
I don't belong (I don't belong)

Why you gotta say it if you know it's something wrong? (Why're you sitting over there?)
Says that he'll apologize and it won't take too long
Well, you don't wanna trust nobody else (always thinking 'bout yourself)

(Time)
There's a few things that are gonna have to change (I'm your son)
Everyone has the same opinion (won't you please?)
Your time is almost over (don't be mean)
We won't get the chance to do this over (that's alright)
Right? Right? Right? Right? Right?
I don't belong (I don't belong)

I don't want the imprint of your key upon my nose (why're you sitting over there?)
You don't have to tell no one 'cause no one wants to know
That you don't have no happiness at all (always thinking 'bout yourself)

Oh yes, we're falling down
Oh yes, we're falling down
Oh yes, we're falling down
Oh yes, we're falling down
Oh yes, we're falling down
Oh yes, we're falling down
Oh yes, we're falling down
So fucking help me up

Always thinking 'bout yourself (you don't love me)
Always thinking 'bout yourself (I am an animal)
Always thinking 'bout yourself (I am not practical)

Was I?


Lyrics submitted by geekusa, edited by sarahl86

Modern Girls & Old Fashion Men Lyrics as written by Julian Casablancas

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Modern Girls & Old Fashion Men (with The Strokes) song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

20 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment

    This song is great! It does sound like us nowa days. Them voicing at the same time brings up the whole argument idea. Could be between a couple or even the entire different genders. Regina not having as many lines seems like a representation of the importance of women in the eyes of men, and it also seems like they're calling each other out. I think everything they're saying is right, only they're both looking at it from their own side. They both always think about themselves. The male is trying to analyze everything while not giving a crap about what anyone else has to think or say, and the woman, as the song goes on, realizes it but then only plays the victim and being sarcastic which is equally unintelligent. Then the end of the song is the best! We don't know who their directing their question towards, they could be questioning themselves which could be the end of all that nonsense, and it leaves us with that, with the rest of their lives being a mystery for them as they both take a step out of their old ways, together as human beings. It ALSO, could be a regress, them questioning each other and having the whole song start over. Both of these things happen all the time, beautiful beautiful song.

    mirrorbearon June 20, 2011   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song: Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.” That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.