“When It Started” is the 9th track on the US release of Is This It. The track replaced “New York City Cops”, which was the 9th track on the releases outside of the US out of respect to the New York City Police Department and their heroic actions during 9/11, which occurred just over a month before...
[Verse]
Won't decide, but he won't debate
Said, "Thanks, my friend, thought it was too late"
Oh, why, oh, why? I don't know
So you think things move pretty fast down here?
Well, just wait, my dear, 'til you look up there
Oh, maybe some day you'll know
Had his second kid, was an early night
Gotta be well dressed 'cause he hates to fly
Oh, loves his job, takes it home
[Chorus 1]
Anything they wanted, they could
Have it, have it
Didn't even notice, I don't
Mind it, mind it
[Instrumental Bridge]
[Verse]
Won't decide, but he won't debate
Said, "Thanks, my friend, thought that we was dead"
Oh, why, oh, why? I don't know
Think things move pretty fast down here?
But just wait, my dear, 'til we get up there
Oh, maybe some day they'll know
[Chorus 2]
Come on, tell me, does he warm the
Room when he comes?
Or does he just know how to leave
When it gets cold?
[Outro]
I don't care
I don't care 'cause it's free
When It Started was written by Julian Casablancas.
When It Started was produced by Gordon Raphael.
The Strokes released When It Started on Mon Jul 30 2001.