Under Cover Of Darkness

Album: Angles (2011)
Charted: 47
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the first single from Angles, the fourth studio album by New York rock band The Strokes. The single was released on February 9, 2011 and offered for the first 48 hours as a free download from the band's homepage.
  • Angles was the first Strokes album to be written by all five band members. Guitarist Nick Valensi told NME he was glad that the record company chose this as the first single, "because that was a song where literally all of us contributed to the writing. It made me think, 'Wow, maybe we'll do our best work when we put all our ideas together.'"
  • Frontman Julian Casablancas explained the song's meaning to NME: "I guess it's about someone who works in the military and has a girlfriend. It's cheesy, I guess, but it's about having to leave a loved one behind."
  • Casablancas admitted that Clarence Clemons' 1985 duet with Jackson Browne, "You're A Friend Of Mine," was an inspiration for this song. Said the singer: "I weirdly like the bridge and the chorus of that Clarence Clemons song. So that was the vibe we were going for." He then sheepishly added, "I shouldn't confess to these things!"
  • The Strokes performed this on Saturday Night Live on March 5, 2011.

Comments: 2

  • Asdzfg from TrontoThe guitar solo hits hard.
  • Gember Dinarte from Washington, DcLove this song
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.