THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

450-The Strokes-Last Nite.

2001-Number 14 single.

Best Bit-At 1.58. As I have said many times before, and surely will again, nothing in Pop Music is totally original, but when you can cherry pick from the past and add your own new ideas, and come up with something so good, how can anyone complain.

The Strokes were formed in New York City, New York, United States, in 1998, and remain active at this present time. The three original members Julian Casablancas (singer/songwriter) Nick Valensi (guitar) and Fabrizio Moretti (drums) started playing together as teenagers while attending Dwight School in Manhattan. They were soon joined by Nikolai Fraiture (bass) who had been a childhood friend of Casablancas, and the quintet was completed in late 1998 when Casablancas invited Albert Hammond Jr. (guitar) (see also best songs 369 and 33) another old school acquaintance. The Strokes have released six studio Albums to date between 2001-2020, and a total of 17 singles. Their debut Album ‘Is This It’ which has sold in excess of two million copies worldwide has received several accolades including best Album of the decade by the British magazine the New Musical Express.

‘Last Nite’ was written by Julian Casablancas, and borrows heavily from the song ‘American Girl’ by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers from 1976. Casablancas when interviewed freely admitted to basing the songs opening guitar riff, and the songs overall structure on that track. On hearing Casablancas’ admission, Tom Petty (1950-2017) (see also best songs 769) said,’ That made me laugh out loud. I was like, OK good for you, it doesn’t bother me.’ In 2006 The Strokes were invited to be the opening act for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on some that years tour dates.

‘Last Nite’ is a song about a romantic relationship that has broken down. The narrator thinks that he is entering in to a long term commitment, and decides that it is time to bail out. In no time at all he becomes confused not really knowing what he wants, he doesn’t want commitment, and he also might not want to leave his girl. He is also concerned about what she, and others may think of him.

‘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.’