One Way Trigger

Album: Comedown Machine (2013)
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Songfacts®:

  • This track finds Julian Casablancas drawling about leaving a relationship as his lover wants to settle down and just be a normal family. He looks back to the days where he could sleep until noon, but now has to get up early to fulfill his duties. "While she's asleep. It isn't right," he adds, "But it isn't hard."
  • A number of reviewers compared the song's busy synth line to that of a-ha's '80s chart-topper "Take On Me."
  • Guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr. commented to NME regarding the song: "To me it feels sad, but it feels good that it's sad. I imagine we sound different from the first record. It's a different time in life."

Comments: 1

  • Mw from UsaThis song is about an impasse between a man and a woman who are in a relationship. It's the age-old tale- she wants to settle down and he doesn't.
    He has a dream, and she is going to "shut it down" if he gives in and stays with her. The pain in this song is palpable. They both seem to feel conflicted. Someone feels they can't live with the other person or without them. An ultimatum is given by one of the partners in the last line of the song.
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