| The Strokes – You Only Live Once Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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You know, I've never really understood this when people say they still wish a band had remained "indie". I mean why exactly? It just strikes me as being extremely selfish, not to mention pretentious in thinking you "own" the band in some way and don't want anyone else to find out about them. The most ironic part about it all is if bands like The Strokes never signed onto a major label, some of their current music/albums may not even have been released - at least in the capacity to where it is now. So while I can respect different opinions and points of view, it just boggles my mind why so many people take this side of the issue. I just think if anything, we should all be so happy that their popularity has gained so much over the past couple years or so, because this helps to ensure that there will be MORE Strokes albums! |
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| The Strokes – You Only Live Once Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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First of all, let me just say that this song is easily one of favorites right now - I have it pretty much constant repeat =) But anyways, this song is basically highlighting the fallacies humans often share, especially in regards to taking life way too seriously. This is supported in the title itself. It's saying you only live once, so why dwell on all your "problems" and put yourself into a depression, especially when most of the time they're not even that important in the long run as you make it sound at the time. The first verse is describing different types of people, and how we all have problems at times with being ourselves completely. Some of the people that seem like they are "nice nice nice" and have it all together, may be the ones who at the time are the most messed up inside. The next verse supplements the first by now saying how people can be so critical of themselves. By saying we have 29 attributes, but we only like 7 of them, Julian's pointing out how people tend to focus and magnify what they perceive to be their faults, instead of either working on what they think is wrong with them or simply just appreciating the good traits they do have. The chorus is really my favorite part of the song cause it is so tongue-in-cheek with mocking these melodramatic people to an extent. The lines "don't don't don't get up" is saying how these people let such simple things get to them so much that they don't even want to get up anymore...then they further exaggerate everything by whining and saying "they can't see the sunshine" or any positive aspects to their life, when there really may be many good things happening to them if they'd only start having fun and open their eyes. The mentionings of religion in the latter verses are there I believe to point out yet another way we humans screw up things. Religion can be a great thing and give someone balance, but he's saying that so many of us practice it wrongly and therefore, it only serves to segregate us even further and cause even more hurt. The lines "there are 1000 ways to please your man, but only one requires a plan" are once again another example to quit overanalyzing EVERYTHING and quit trying so hard...especially when it comes to relationships. Finally, the lines "sit me down/shut me up, i'll calm down" are what Julian feels melodramatic people like this are really feeling. Deep down they just really want someone to sit them down and appreciate them for who they are. Once this feeling of acceptance comes, they'll be satisfied and actually start enjoying life, instead of constantly feeling sorry for themselves and putting themselves into a state of unnecessary depression. Just my two cents so remember "you only live once." =) |
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