Ode To The Mets

At its core, "Ode to the Mets" is a profound meditation on disappointment, nostalgia, and unconditional love. While the title references the New York Mets, lead singer Julian Casablancas and drummer Fabrizio Moretti have explained that the team serves as a metaphor for "something that you set your heart to and that you love unconditionally, but that continues to disappoint you." This could apply to a romantic relationship, a creative endeavor, or even the band's own tumultuous history.

The lyrics navigate the tension between the past and the present. The "old times" mentioned are likely a reference to the early 2000s New York rock scene that birthed The Strokes, contrasting that "innocent time" with the complex reality of their present. The narrator grapples with a sense of loss and the realization that the past cannot be reclaimed ("The old time is forgotten").

There is also a strong theme of resignation paired with acceptance. The narrator acknowledges being "under his thumb" and "on his back," suggesting a struggle for control, yet the soaring musical finale implies a cathartic release. It is a farewell to an era, a shedding of old skin, and a somber acceptance of the truth, whatever that may be.

The song opens with a lone, distorted melody, setting a scene of solitary reflection. The narrator begins by describing a figure—perhaps himself or a rival—riding high on a horse, confident and unwilling to wake up from their dream. He warns that this confidence is misplaced, dismissing it as just a story he's telling, one that is easy to say but hard to live by.

As the music swells, the narrator reflects on his own boredom and mastery of 'tricks,' suggesting a weariness with the game of life or fame. He promises that this is the last time he will be in this position and vows to uncover the truth once he returns. He describes waiting by the door, making phone calls, and asserting his control, even as he admits to being under someone's thumb.

The perspective shifts to a nostalgic look at 'old times.' The narrator recalls a past era that has been forgotten or replaced, urging someone to hold on as the world changes. He speaks to an 'innocent heart' and 'innocent time,' acknowledging that while their actions weren't necessarily wrong, they weren't right either. He asserts his independence, refusing to be controlled or 'do that' anymore.

In the powerful crescendo of the song, the narrator addresses the passage of time directly. He laments that the 'old time' is gone and forgotten. He mentions finding something he lost, perhaps his own sense of self or purpose. The song concludes with a mix of resignation and defiance, as he declares that he will not show his teeth too quickly but acknowledges that he needed someone there, a realization he hadn't accepted until now.

The song was written by Julian Casablancas on a subway platform in New York City on October 5, 2016. He was waiting for the 7 train at the Mets–Willets Point station immediately following the New York Mets' loss to the San Francisco Giants in the National League Wild Card Game. The defeat was particularly stinging for fans, and Casablancas, a lifelong supporter, channeled that specific feeling of deflation into the song's melody and initial lyrics.

Initially, the title "Ode to the Mets" was intended as a placeholder or a joke. Casablancas planned to change it, but drummer Fabrizio Moretti insisted they keep it. Moretti felt the title perfectly encapsulated the song's theme of loving something that constantly lets you down. The track was produced by the legendary Rick Rubin at his Shangri-La studio in Malibu, California. It was the closing track on their 2020 album, The New Abnormal, and was first performed live on New Year's Eve 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where Casablancas famously improvised the line "Drums please, Fab," which was kept in the final studio recording.

Rhyme Scheme: The lyrics follow a loose, conversational rhyme scheme. While there are instances of AABB (e.g., "guitar/hard") and ABAB, Casablancas often relies on slant rhymes and assonance (e.g., "truth/you", "door/phone") to maintain a casual, stream-of-consciousness flow. This lack of rigid structure reflects the song's introspective and wandering nature.

Rhythm and Meter: The song is in 4/4 time with a tempo of approximately 92 BPM. The rhythm section plays a crucial role in the song's narrative arc. The drums are absent initially, entering only after the spoken cue "Drums please, Fab." Once they enter, they provide a steady, driving backbeat that propels the song out of its dreamy haze into a triumphant rock anthem, symbolizing a shift from passive reflection to active emotion.

Musical Arrangement: The song employs a stark contrast between its sections. It begins with a lo-fi, synthesized flute melody (created using an Electro-Harmonix Mel9 pedal) that evokes a dusty, nostalgic atmosphere. This transitions into a driving, full-band rock ballad, creating a sense of dramatic buildup and release.

Vocal Delivery: Casablancas utilizes a wide range of vocal techniques. He starts with a detached, almost bored croon in a lower register (Sprechgesang), characteristic of his "too cool to care" persona. As the song progresses, he shifts into a powerful, straining falsetto and full-belted high notes, mirroring the emotional escalation from indifference to desperate longing.

Rubato Feel: The introduction has a free-flowing, rubato quality, where the tempo feels elastic and unanchored, before the drums kick in to establish a steady, driving pulse. This technique enhances the feeling of a wandering mind eventually finding its resolve.

"Ode to the Mets" was instantly hailed as a standout track on The New Abnormal, an album that won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. It has been widely interpreted as a return to form for The Strokes, capturing the magic of their early days while maturing their sound. The song's music video, directed by Warren Fu, references the opening sequence of the sitcom Cheers and visually chronicles the history of New York City, further cementing the band's intrinsic link to NYC culture.

For Mets fans, the song has become an unofficial anthem of resilience, played by fans on social media after tough losses. Musically, it is cited as a prime example of the "dream pop" influence on modern indie rock. It reached #27 on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart and remains a fan favorite in their live setlists.

The Mets: The central metaphor of the song. They represent any entity—a lover, a dream, a career path—that commands loyalty despite repeated failure. It elevates the specific pain of sports fandom into a universal human experience of devotion.

The Horse: The line "Up on his horse, up on his horse" suggests arrogance, a "high horse," or perhaps a statue of a historical figure, symbolizing a rigid, outdated form of glory or confidence that the narrator is observing from a distance.

"Drums please, Fab": A meta-moment that breaks the fourth wall. By keeping this spoken instruction in the final mix, the band symbolizes their renewed camaraderie and the raw, unfiltered nature of their "new abnormal" era. It acts as a bridge between the lo-fi intro and the full-band outro.

Underwater NYC (Video): The music video depicts New York City eventually submerged underwater. This serves as a metaphor for the passage of time, climate anxiety, and the inevitable washing away of history and "old times."

"Old times": The repetition of this phrase anchors the song's theme of nostalgia. It is used to contrast the "innocent" past with the knowing, perhaps cynical, present.

"Drums please, Fab": Though said only once, this line has become a central motif for fans and a defining characteristic of the track. It represents the human element within the production and the band's internal bond.

"I'm gonna find out the truth": This line recurs as a statement of intent. It suggests a quest for closure or understanding amidst the confusion of the relationship or situation being described.