Call It Fate, Call It Karma

The Strokes' 'Call It Fate, Call It Karma' is a song that wraps listeners in a blanket of wistful melancholy and introspective thought. The lyrics, delivered with a sense of detachment and a dreamy cadence, evoke a feeling of longing and a desire for connection that is just out of reach. The repeated lines 'Can I waste all your time here on the sidewalk? Can I stand in your light just for a while?' suggest a yearning to be close to someone, to share in their presence, even if it means doing nothing more than simply existing alongside them. The song's title itself hints at a resignation to the whims of destiny or the inexplicable forces that bring people together or pull them apart.

The song's structure, with its gentle, almost haunting melody, complements the lyrical content, creating an atmosphere of introspection and quiet contemplation. The Strokes are known for their garage rock and post-punk revival sound, but in this track, they take a softer, more experimental approach. The music, combined with the lyrics, paints a picture of someone who is observing from a distance, perhaps too hesitant or unable to bridge the gap between themselves and the object of their affection. The lines 'I don’t know a thing' and 'some of us remember and some run out of place' could be interpreted as an acknowledgment of the complexities of human relationships and the limitations of our understanding.

Ultimately, 'Call It Fate, Call It Karma' is a song that resonates with anyone who has experienced the bittersweet nature of unfulfilled desire or the quiet desperation of unrequited love. It's a reflective piece that invites listeners to ponder their own experiences with longing, connection, and the role of fate in their lives. The Strokes, through this song, offer a moment of solace for those who find themselves waiting on the sidelines, hoping for a chance to step into the light of someone else's world, if only for a brief moment.