Bad Decisions by The Strokes Lyrics Meaning – Diving Deep into Nostalgia and Consequence
Lyrics
Moscow, 1972
Always singin’ in my sleep
I will leave it in my dreams
Oh, makin’ bad decisions
Oh, makin’ bad decisions
Makin’ bad decisions for you
Yeah, makin’ bad decisions
Uh, makin’ bad decisions
Oh-oh-oh, makin’ bad decisions for you
Pick up your gun
Put up your gloves
Save us from harm
Safe or alone
Oh baby, I hang on everything you say
I wanna write down every word
Do me a favor when you come through
When I look around, don’t wanna see you
I don’t take advice from fools
Never listening to you
Oh, makin’ bad decisions
Yeah, makin’ bad decisions
Oh, makin’ bad decisions with you
Oh, makin’ bad decisions
Oh, oh-oh-oh, makin’ bad decisions
Uh, makin’ bad decisions with you
Pick up your gun
Put up those gloves
Save us from harm
Safe or alone
You, you didn’t listen to me
But I, I didn’t listen to you
I waited so long
Listening for
Something to join
I’m making bad decisions
Really, really bad decisions
Oh, oh-oh-oh, making bad decisions
Oh, yeah, oh
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Ooh, ooh
I’m not gonna give a lot of credit
I don’t know how to use, how
‘Cause I can’t, I can’t
I can’t, can’t make anymore
The Strokes have long been the purveyors of garage rock revival, harking back to an era where guitar riffs ruled and lyrical ambiguity was trademark. ‘Bad Decisions’, a track off their album ‘The New Abnormal’, is a riveting homage to the sounds of the past while encapsulating a contemporary struggle with choice and consequence.
With a title that at once conjures a sense of foreboding and a nod to the ever-relatable human flaw of erring, ‘Bad Decisions’ offers listeners more than just a catchy tune—it presents a profound exploration of the human condition. Let’s dive into a track that’s as thought-provoking as it is melodically infectious, uncovering the layers of meaning beneath the surface.
The Labyrinth of Nostalgia
Setting the stage in ‘Moscow, 1972’, The Strokes immediately immerse us into a time warp, blending the personal with the historical. This unexpected setting raises questions: Why Moscow? Why 1972? It’s a line that pulls the listener into a narrative that is both intimate and obscure, melding dreams with waking life.
Nostalgia is at the heart of this, as memories—both good and bad—play a crucial part in the decision-making process described in the song. It is as if the band is hinting at the cyclic nature of history and individual experience, suggesting that the proverbial ‘bad decisions’ are an inescapable part of our personal and collective journey.
The Dangerously Catchy Chorus
‘Oh, making bad decisions’—the hook is as infectious as it is central to the theme of the song. The repetition isn’t just a stylistic choice; it’s a reflection of the cyclical pattern of mistakes. The frontman, Julian Casablancas, croons with a tongue-in-cheek detachment that is undercut with sincerity—a classic Strokes ambivalence.
This infectious chorus also hides a darker truth: that sometimes, knowing full well the consequences, we still make choices that are detrimental to ourselves and others. There’s a certain masochism in repeating the same missteps, a theme that resonates deeply as the song progresses.
The Conflict and Comfort in Companionship
Throughout the song, there is a tension between the longing for connection and the fear of isolation. Lines like ‘I hang on everything you say’ clash with ‘When I look around, don’t wanna see you,’ expressing a dichotomy that’s often felt in human relationships.
This love-hate dynamic paints a picture of the complexities involved in emotional dependency, hinting that some of the ‘bad decisions’ stem from a place of seeking solace in others, even when it may not be the best for us.
Unraveling The Song’s Hidden Meaning
At a first glance, ‘Bad Decisions’ seems to bemoan personal errors in judgment, yet a deeper listen reveals a meta-commentary on the band’s—and perhaps the music industry’s—reliance on past successes. Riffs reminiscent of Billy Idol’s ‘Dancing With Myself’ serve as more than just inspiration; they’re a nod to the double-edged sword of vintage influence in contemporary music.
The Strokes acknowledge their own musical lineage, making ‘bad decisions’ by leaning into their ancestors’ sounds, showing that even in the pursuit of art, creators are subject to the same cyclical choices that plague their everyday lives. There’s a subtle irony here, too, because these ‘bad decisions’ in composition and style are what often lead to a band’s resurgence and acclaim.
The Echo of Memorable Lines
Certain lines resonate with the listeners long after the song ends: ‘Pick up your gun, Put up your gloves,’ evoking a sense of conflict and self-defense while ‘I don’t take advice from fools, Never listening to you’ reflects a stubborn self-reliance throughout the ordeal of making choices.
These lines stick because they capture the defiance and independence that often lead us to make ‘bad decisions’ in the first place. The Strokes brilliantly encapsulate this trait not only through their lyrics but through the delivery—each word is imbued with a mix of apathy and urgency, a combination that defines much of the human spirit.
