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The Libertines Oh Shit Meaning and Review


Hedonism and Hustle: A Snapshot of Reckless Youth

"Oh Shit" bursts with the frenetic energy of youth and a hunger for immediate pleasure.  The lyrics paint a picture of characters like Imo, Niki, and Jamie, who thrive on excitement and chase fleeting highs. There's a reckless pursuit of "rolling in the sun," intense love, and the "flame too hot to handle" – all fueled by the constant desire to "make some money." This blend of hedonism and hustle suggests a life lived on the edge, embracing the lows just as much as the ecstatic moments.



Indie Energy Mirrors the Pursuit of Pleasure

The song's upbeat indie vibe perfectly mirrors this chaotic energy. The catchy guitar riffs and insistent repetition of "Oh Shit" feel more like an exclamation of excitement than a cry of desperation.  The focus on immediate gratification and "dollars in your eyes" aligns with the driving rhythm, creating a soundtrack for a relentless pursuit of pleasure with a disregard for future consequences.


Celebration or Critique?

Whether "Oh Shit" is purely a celebration of youthful recklessness or a subtle critique is left to the listener. Perhaps the constant refrain is a playful nod to the inevitable trouble these characters might find themselves in.  Regardless of the deeper meaning, the song captures a uniquely youthful spirit of impulsiveness and a defiant determination to chase instant gratification.


Fun, Restless Energy

This high-energy track feels both fun and restless, a perfect snapshot of a specific kind of youthful experience fueled by love, desire, and a touch of recklessness.


Listen to The Libertines Oh Shit


The Libertines Oh Shit Lyrics Meaning

The meaning of Oh Shit by The Libertines is a celebration and exploration of youthful hedonism. The song starts by introducing Imo, a thrill-seeker who revels in immediate pleasures but always finds momentary highs crashing down. The song then focuses on her chaotic relationship with Jamie, who seems drawn to her destructive energy. Niki enters the picture, contrasting Imo with her raw passion and fierce loyalty. At its core, the song reveals a shared hunger for instant gratification–– chasing money, thrills, and intense love with little thought for long-term consequences.


The characters chase fleeting dreams, symbolized through references to lottery tickets. Their defiance shines with images of rebellious attire and living on the edge with little money. "Oh Shit" embodies the reckless abandon of youth. This constant chase for immediate gratification is fueled by the thrill of young love and impulsiveness. The song ultimately explores different facets of hedonism—from seeking sensory pleasures and risky romances to taking financial gambles–all set to a soundtrack of youthful energy.



The Libertines Oh Shit Lyrics 

Imo loves the feeling of rolling in the sun

Rolling in the oceans she rolls until she's numb

But it's never too long before a swell comes crashing in

And you're gonna go down if you don't learn how to swim


Every moth to a candle finds a flame too hot to handle

And Jamie broke down at Imo's every scandal

Imo went west and Jamie sang the blues

It was Niki's raw heart that lit her fuse


And she said

Oh shit, oh shit

Let's make some money

Just enough to get us by

I want you when you smile

You got the dollars in your eyes


Our love is

So sick, so sick

Just takes a minute to obliterate a mind

I want you when you smile

From today until you die


They love rocky crystal in a lottery ticket

Unfortunate events (she's his Jiminy Cricket)

Carving out initially (they did on a wall)

And and I, in the world of a heart shaped scrawl


Guides a finger across his hairline

As his head rests on the bar

He's stone cold cut

And she hotter than a star


But Niki loves the fire

And Niki loves the fight

And Niki's got a heart

That will love you through the night


And they go

Oh shit, oh shit

Let's make some money

Just enough to get us by

I want you when you smile

I want the dollars in your eyes

And they gh to get us by

I want you when you smile

I want the dollars in your eyes


Tank top, boots

No money

Living on the stubs

What's it even mattero

Oh shit, oh shit

Let's make some money

Just enoug

You're just young and in love


(Oh shit, oh shit

Oh shit, oh shit

Oh shit, oh shit

Just enough to get us by)


And we go

Oh shit, oh shit

We need some money

Just enough to get us by

And everybody goes, whoa

We got the dollars in our eyes

We go oh shit, oh shit

We need some money

Just enough to get us by

Oh I want you when you smile

I want the dollars in your eyes

Oh shit, oh shit



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