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 are considered to be one of the most influential groups of the early 21st Century, with their sound being described as ‘Indie Rock,’ ‘Garage Rock revival,’ and ‘Post-Punk revival.’ The American musical journalist Lizzy Goodman wrote that The Strokes are ‘As influential to their era as the Velvet Underground (see also best songs 219 and 165) or the Ramones (see also best songs 707 and 102) were to theirs.’

The discography of The Strokes includes six studio Albums released between 2001-2020, and 17 singles released within the same time period, there are also two extended plays, (EP’s) and one official compilation Album available. In America on Billboard three of their studio Albums have reached the Number 4 position, and although none of their singles have reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, most have charted on the ‘Alternative Airplay’ chart. In the UK, The Strokes have had one Number 1 Album, ‘First Impressions of Earth,’ (2006) and eight top 40 singles, with ‘Juicebox’ from 2005, peaking the highest at Number 5.

‘Last Nite’ was the second of three singles released from ‘Is This It,’ the debut studio Album by The Strokes from July 2001, the song was written by Julian Casablancas, with the production being by Gordon Raphael. The Album has been critically acclaimed, appearing frequently in ‘best of’ lists by numerous music magazines, including being ranked as the best record of the 2000’s by the British music publication the ‘NME’ in 2009. ‘Last Nite’ borrows heavily from the song ‘American Girl’ by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers from 1976. Julian 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 of that years tour dates. Julian Casablancas has also spoken about his songwriting, ‘I just wanted to write music that could touch people. As a songwriter, you play a few chords and sing a melody that’s been done a thousand times, and now you’re a singer-songwriter. I think it takes a little more than that to do something that matters. And I wish I could write a song where all the parts work. When you hear a song like that, it’s like finding a new friend.’

Julian Casablancas was born Julian Fernando Casablancas, on August 23rd, 1978, in New York City, United States, as well as his work with The Strokes, he has also released one solo studio Album ‘Phrazes for the Young,’ in 2009, and four singles between 2008-2015, he has appeared as a featured artist on a further three singles between 2007-2023. In 2013 he co-founded the Experimental Rock band ‘Julian Casablancas + The Voidz,’ which from 2017 have been known as ‘The Voidz.’ With ‘The Voidz’ he has released three studio Albums between 2014-2024, and 11 singles within the same time period.

‘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.’