The best Libertines lyrics

6 June 2019, 11:56 | Updated: 11 March 2022, 17:03

The Libertines in 2002: Pete Doherty, Carl Barat, Gary Powell and John Hassall
The Libertines in 2002: Pete Doherty, Carl Barat, Gary Powell and John Hassall. Picture: Eva Edsjo/Redferns/Getty Images

The wit and wisdom of Pete Doherty and Carl Barat: which are the best lyrics from the Libs? Let's take a trip through their back catalogue.

  1. "We will die in the class we were born, but that’s a class of our own my love."

    Time For Heroes (2002)

    The Libertines - Time For Heroes (Official Video)

  2. "Cornered the boy kicked out at the world, the world kicked back a lot fucking harder."

    Can't Stand Me Now (2004)

    The Libertines - Can't Stand Me Now (Official Video)

  3. "If you’ve lost your faith in love and music then the end won’t be long."

    The Good Old Days (2002)

    The Libertines - Can't Stand Me Now (Official Video)

  4. "If you’ve lost your faith in love and music then the end won’t be long."

    Music When The Lights Go Out (2004)

    Music When The Lights Go Out

  5. “I've never seen those flowers in the barrel of your gun, all I've ever seen you do is run.”

    Boys In The Band (2002)

    The Libertines - Boys in the Band + lyrics (HQ)

  6. "Strike a light / Raise your glasses / Drink a toast to the boring classes."

    Love Is On The Dole (2015)

    Love On The Dole

  7. "Me myself I was never sure / Was it the liquor or was it my soul?"

    Vertigo (2002)

    The Libertines - Vertigo

  8. "What became of forever?"

    What Became Of The Likely Lads? (2004)

    The Libertines - What Became Of The Likely Lads

  9. "Poor kids dressing like they're rich (mods) / Rich kids dressing like they're poor (Oh my God)"

    Campaign Of Hate (2004)

    The Libertines - Campaign of hate

  10. "Wouldn’t it be nice to be Dorian Gray just for a day?"

    Narcissist (2004)

    Narcissist

  11. "You're like a journalist / How you can cut and paste and twist / You're awful."

    Tell The King (2002)

    Tell the King

  12. "I lived my dream today I lived it yesterday / And I'll be living yours tomorrow / So don't look at me that way!"

    The Man Who Would Be King (2004)

    The Man Who Would Be King

  13. "Oh whatcha gonna do, Katie? / You're a sweet sweet girl / But it's a cruel, cruel world."

    What Katie Did (2004)

    The Libertines - What Katie Did @ Reading Festival 2015

  14. "New York city's very pretty in the night time / But don't you miss Soho?"

    The Boy Looked At Johnny (2002)

    The Libertines - The Boy Looked at Johnny

  15. "But it's just like we're all in another world."

    Up The Bracket (2002)

    The Libertines - Up The Bracket

More on The Libertines

Up The Bracket - 20 Years of The Libertines is a new podcast, out on 14th October

The making of The Libertines' Up The Bracket album told in new podcast

The Libertines' Carl Barât on Radio X

The Libertines on Up The Bracket 20th anniversary gigs, Mick Jones and Glastonbury

Pete Doherty and Carl Barat performing live with The Libertines in December 2003

How did The Libertines come up with their name?

The Libertines' Pete Doherty Perform At O2 Forum Kentish Town

Pete Doherty gives update on The Libertines' fourth album

00s Live Playlists

Radio X 00s