On “Drag Queen,” the narrator is clearly having a dialogue with another person, but who this might be remains open to interpretation.
In The Stroke’s 2017 Lollapalooza set in Brazil, Julian Casablancas dedicated this song to his little brother, Fernando.
[Verse 1]
80's people dancing, oooh
Always get it right
I'd listen but I can't tonight
I can't tonight, I can't tonight
Well, it's something that you do to get it right
End up reviled for it
Yeah, that's the thanks I get
[Chorus]
I don't understand
Your fucked-up system
This sinister city
Try to sell the water
Try to sell the air
Try to sell your daughter
Try to sell her hair
Verse:
[Bridge 1]
'We all want to watch the fight'
'Is it on Sunday?'
Hide in a hole with a gun in your hand in front of
Someone you want dead, I guess?
Hiding in your suit...
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 2]
I did not know that
They're bringing me back to my past
I got my head in my hands
I got my head in my—
I got my head in my hands
I got my head in my—
I got my head—
It's just something that you do to get it right
End up reviled for it
Yeah, that's the thanks I get
[Chorus]
Jail, that's what you get
Stepping to the system
Profiting from war
Fighting as the victim
Always wanting more
Trying to trick your brothers
Get them to fight it for you
[Bridge 2]
I cannot believe my eyes
Darling I can tell you lies
"Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago"
I don't know geography all that well
Yeahhh
[Outro]
Defying Western logic
Even if it shows you're wrong
I guess that's a classic
Been with us all along
Drag Queen was written by Fabrizio Moretti & Nick Valensi & Julian Casablancas.
Drag Queen was produced by Gus Oberg.
The Strokes released Drag Queen on Fri Jun 03 2016.