Fame and Fortune is the title of a Libertines track, released on their third album in September 2015. An NME interview confirms that writing and singing duties were "split 50/50" between Doherty and Barat. The song was first heard by fans when The Libertines played it live, prior to their album release.
The song reportedly traces the band's story, from their early days to their tabloid notoriety. Pete explains that they've been carrying around the melody since the very beginning of the band, but have "finally put it to bed". "We scuttled off and did the lyrics one afternoon," he says. "Then everyone decided it needed a chorus, and Gary and John mucked in for that. It's even got a scooter solo." Carl decided that what the song really needed was the sound of a engine revving, so wheeled one into the studio to record it.
First NME review of the song:
"This’ll be the one that splits opinion the most. If you’re someone who’s fond of scepticism about bands reuniting, about The Libertines' unrelenting lionisation of Chas & Dave or “junkie rockers” in general, it’s probably not for you. For everyone else, it’ll recall the kind of theatrical absurdity that made The Small Faces such a weird, important band in the '60s. Clearly influenced by Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake, it’s as "cock-er-ney/how’s yer father?" as they’ve ever sounded. Even back in 2002/2004 there was a sense they didn’t ever quite go 100% down this road, but here, they have. It seems like the band are in on the joke too, importantly, because lyrically it’s ALL about them and their time coming of age in the capital. So, we get tales of being lured to legendary '00s indie clubs (“Down to Trash and Lordy Lord,” Pete and Carl sing), signing their 2001 record deal (“The deal was done/ the trade was rough”) as well as the story they recounted in their first ever NME interview about the girl who used to chase them around with scissors when they lived together in a flat above NME staffers Steven Wells and Roger Sargent back in the '90s (“There’s a slasher in a Holloway boulevard / Screaming monkey, monkey, monkey”).
The chorus, meanwhile, sees Pete and Carl comparing themselves to “Tin soldiers responding to a call / To Camden we will crawl / One and all”. It’s banal, but then again, banal circus songs are littered throughout British pop history, from ‘Being For The Benefit Of My Kite’ to the middle bit in ‘To The End’ by Blur. This song aims to walk that tightrope alongside them.”.
Live at O2 Academy Glasgow (1) | The Libertines | Album | 2016-02-19 |
Anthems for Doomed Youth | The Libertines | Album | 2015-09-11 |
Festival SOS 4.8 | The Libertines | Murcia | 2016-05-07 |
AB brussels 2016 | The Libertines | Ancienne Belgique, Brussels | 2016-05-03 |
Live @ Olympia | The Libertines | Music Hall, Paris | 2016-03-09 |
O2 London (1) | The Libertines | 2016-01-30 | |
Reading Festival 2015 | The Libertines | Reading | 2015-08-30 |
Rock en Seine 2015 | The Libertines | Domaine national de Saint-Cloud, Saint-Cloud | 2015-08-29 |
[Verse 1: Pete Doherty]
Seeking fame and fortune
We walk the streets of London
Looking for the crossroads everywhere
Hold up in squats in teater bars
There’s a slasher on the Holloway boulevard
Screaming: "Monkey, monkey, mon-key everywhere"
[Chorus: Pete Doherty/Carl Barât]
Like tin soldiers responding to the call
To Camden we will crawl
One and all
Oh (?) lordie-lords
By icons we were lured
One and all
[Verse 2: Carl Barât]
Seeking fame and fortune
All they say’s: ”come on then, I’ll meet you in the shadows by rochester square”
The deal was done, the trade was rough
Dublins down for a dubble bluff
Dipp your quill in your bleeding heart
Sign there and there and there
[Chorus: Pete Doherty/Carl Barât]
Like tin soldiers responding to the call
To Camden we will crawl
One and all
Oh (?) lordie-lords
By icons we were lured
One and all
[Pete Doherty/Carl Barât]
Oh they were as boys, tell me what then did they know
What was it they learned and where did they go
Now listen to the voice of the city morning air
If you’re looking for something that’s never been there
[Verse 3: Pete Doherty]
If you’re seeking fame and fortune
Walking the streets of London
Looking for the crossroads everywhere
Hold on to your dreams, however bleak it seems
The world they may not listen, but the devil may care
[Chorus: Pete Doherty/Carl Barât]
Like tin soldiers responding to the call
To Camden we will crawl
One and all
Oh (?) lordie-lord
By icons we were lured
One and all
NameFame and Fortune
BandThe Libertines
CreditsCarl Barat
Peter Doherty