Barely Legal Lyrics

[Chorus]
And all together, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, you're a freak"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
But for the record, it's between you and I

[Verse 1]
Oh, I didn't take no shortcuts
I spent the money that I saved up
Oh, Mama runnin' out of luck
And like my sister, don't give a fuck

I wanna steal your innocence
To me, my life, it just don't make any sense
Oh, strange manners, I love 'em so
Why won't you wear your new trenchcoat?

[Pre-Chorus 2]
I just want to misbehave
I just want to be your slave
Oh, you ain't never had nothing I wanted, but
I want it all, I just can't figure out
Nothing
[Chorus]
And all together, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, I can wait"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
But for the record, it's between you and I

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About

Genius Annotation

One of three tracks originally included on The Modern Age EP that prompted a record label bidding war and would later appear on their debut album Is This It.

“Barely Legal” is about a girl who’s just turned 18 and is extremely naive in everything she does. The narrator is talking about her and how he doesn’t see anything in her but is obsessed with her still for some reason.

Interestingly enough, Julian’s father John Casablancas infamously had an affair with a 16 year old model when he was 41. The irony of the situation could be a jab at his father who he was known to have issues with or a mere coincidence.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did The Strokes say about "Barely Legal"?
Genius Answer

In a 2018 interview, Julian Casablancas said:

“Barely Legal” kind of makes me cringe a little bit. I get it. It’s sassy and youthful and I don’t judge it or think about it, but these days I make what I feel like I want to hear.

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