The Strokes: Under Cover of Darkness Meaning

Under Cover of Darkness Lyrics

Slip back out of whack at your best.
It's a nightmare,
So I'm joining the army.

Know how folks back out, I still call.
Will you wait for me now?

We got the right to live, fight to use it
Got everything but you can just choose it
I...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Mar 21st 2011 !⃝

   I think that joining the army is a metaphor for Julian going solo, because tension was growing in The Strokes. He then says that folks back out, but he'll still call. Does this mean that he won't leave The Strokes just because of a few bumps along the road?
   
   He then says he won't be a puppet on a string. I believe this means that he will stick to what he believes to be right (The Strokes) and will not become a cookie cutter pop star with meaningless lyrics.
   
   When he says "Don't go that way, I'll wait for you" I think it means that he doesn't want The Strokes to break up. He is just taking a break for a while, and then will return to them.
   
   He is referring to their hit single from Is This It when he says that they have been singing the same song for ten years. It made them popular, and they may be getting a little tired of singing it.
   
   The main theme of the song is, "I'll wait for you, will you wait for me?" They may have thrown us off track with the mention of going to the army, but I believe it is really about how The Strokes have done solo things, but are ready to be back together.
2. anonymous

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   Apr 14th 2013 !⃝

   I think that this song is about teo teenage friends and one of them wants to run away. One of them pleads "don't go that way" and "I'll wait for you" to try to convince the other not to leave. However, the one who is running says "so long my friend". I think the verses are the friend that's running away telling why they're running away. He/she says "I won't just be a puppet on a string... I've been all around this town everyone's been singing the same song for ten years." This shows the one who is leaving is not only bored of the town and their life as it is but they want to be independent and their own person. When they say "I'm joining the army", I think that's the excuse that they will tell people why they're leaving.
3. anonymous

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   Sep 12th 2011 !⃝

   Frontman Julian Casablancas explained the song's meaning to NME: "I guess it's about someone who works in the military and has a girlfriend. It's cheesy, I guess, but it's about having to leave a loved one behind."
4. anonymous

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   Jul 13th 2011 !⃝

   ^ Just saying, the person above me, it could just mean he was writing a song about their roadblocks. I dunno, think a little kid.
5. anonymous

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   Jul 11th 2011 !⃝

   Just saying, the comment below me makes no sence. He is already back with the Strokes. They came back and made THAT song.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
6. anonymous

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   Jun 9th 2011 !⃝

   I think its about a lover who's really troubled and wants to be with his love but never got time as being with friends n all.

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