Last Nite

Song Meaning of Last Nite by The Strokes

Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas was inspired to come up with “Last Nite” after listening to the Velvet Underground, the song was the breakout tune for the band.

The song borrowed heavily from Tom Petty’s “American Girl,”

“People would say, ‘You know that song “American Girl” by Tom Petty?’” Casablancas said. “‘Don’t you think it sounds a little like that?’ And I’d be like, ‘Yeah, we ripped it off. Where you been?’”

In a 2006 interview with Rolling Stone, Petty commented, "The Strokes took 'American Girl' [for 'Last Nite'], there was an interview that took place with them where they actually admitted it. That made me laugh out loud. I was like, 'OK, good for you.' It doesn't bother me".

The single was the group's first to enter the American charts, reaching the top five on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart in late 2001. Meanwhile, the single obtained moderate success in the UK, peaking at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.

Lyrics of Last Nite by The Strokes

Last night, she said

"Oh, baby, I feel so down

Oh, it turns me off

When I feel left out"

So I, I turned 'round

Oh, baby, don't care no more

I know this for sure

I'm walking out that door

Well, I've been in town for just 'bout fifteen, oh, minutes now

And baby, I feel so down

And I don't know why

I keep walking for miles

And say, people, they don't understand

No, girlfriends, they can't understand

Your grandsons, they won't understand

On top of this, I ain't ever gonna understand

Last night, she said

"Oh, baby, don't feel so down

Oh, it turns me off

When I feel left out"

So I, I turned 'round

Oh, baby, gonna be alright

It was a great big lie

'Cause I left that night, yeah

Oh, people, they don't understand

No, girlfriends, they don't understand

In spaceships, they won't understand

And me, I ain't ever gonna understand

Last night, she said

"Oh, baby, I feel so down

See, it turns me off

When I feel left out"

So I, I turned 'round

Oh, little girl, I don't care no more

I know this for sure

I'm walking out that door, yeah