Up on a hill, here's where we begin
This little story, a long time ago
Stop to pretend, stop pretendin'
It seems this game is simply never-endin'

Oh, in the sun, sun, havin' fun, it's in my blood
I just can't help it, don't want you here right now, let me go
Oh, let me a-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-go

Leaving just in time, stay there for a while
Rolling in the ocean, tryna catch her eye
Work hard and say it's easy, do it just to please me
Tomorrow will be different, so I'll pretend I'm leaving

I feel so different now, we trained at A-V-A
I wish you hadn't stayed, my vision's clearer now but I'm unafraid
Flying overseas, no time to feel the breeze
I took too many varieties

Oh, in the sun, sun, havin' fun, it's in my blood
I just can't help it, don't want you here right now, let me go
Woo, darlin' let me a-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-go

Leaving just in time, stay there for a while
Rolling in the ocean, tryna catch her eye
Work hard and say it's easy, do it just to please me
Tomorrow will be different, so this is why I'm leaving


Lyrics submitted by mudfly

The Modern Age Lyrics as written by Julian Casablancas

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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The Modern Age song meanings
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37 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment

    I have to say this song's one of my favourite songs of all time (the way the drums open up on the chorus kills me every time).

    I think the song might be about drugs (heroin?), and a struggle with over dependence. A lot of the lyrics refer to being high ("up on a hill", "we train in AVA"), and then there are the more clear references ("I took too many varieties", "it's in my blood, don't want you here right now let me go")

    Another thing is Jules miming snorting off Fab's drumkit in the $2 bill concert.

    P.S has anyone seen the performance on Conan O'Brian? It's even better than $2 Bill. So fucking soulful!

    G.Threepwoodon February 04, 2006   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    this has got to be my favourite song off the album.

    starla500on June 28, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This is by far the best Strokes song in my opinion, they truly capture the essence of the velvet underground and sixties protopunk. People criticize the strokes for being too repetitive and sounding the same, etc. but there isnt another band out there that sounds like them. I cant wait to see what they do on their third album.

    barelylegal32on December 19, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    For me this song is about Julian Casanblanca's dad, John Casablancas, who was divorced from Julian's mother from an early age, and lived lavishly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, driving an elite model agency. His dad was the guy that discovered Gisele Bundchen.
    On this song Julian tells about a person that doen't have time for him and wants to be in the sun, overseas: "Oh, in the sun, sun havin' fun It's in my blood I just can't help it Don't want you here right now" So little Julian wants to be with his dad, but John wants to be "in the sun having fun", which is perceived badly by Julian. "Leavin' just in time Stayin' for a while Rollin' in the ocean Tryin' to catch her eye Work hard and say it's easy Do it just to please me Tomorrow will be different So this is why I'm leavin'"

    sergio1113on June 07, 2020   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song rocks

    sungoddesson May 01, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Why are The Strokes one of the best bands out there? I think they deserve their sudden stardum.

    eathemenuon May 10, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this song is about flirting with a girl that you will never see again and just enjoying the moment while you can.

    scubasheteveon May 13, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yes good meaning, scuba! that makes the song 10 times better with that interpretation

    sean7711on August 11, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    the guitar solo here is fucking amazing

    disco_blows_dogs_on March 13, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think its a fabulous song! I can't believe anyone can resist the urge to tap their foot to the drum beat during the solo....In terms of general meaning I think they are expressing the challenge presented when ur a free spirit and fame catches up with you.

    MalFunkton March 18, 2003   Link

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