Friday Song: “Reptilia”
The Strokes wrote a song about our reptilian brain — and it works
The “reptilia” is what scientists call the reptilian part of our brains, where breathing and some other basic functions are controlled. When this part of the brain remains, people can linger a long time in a vegetative state. Our dog brains (limbic systems) and prefrontal cortexes round out our stack of cognitive wetware.
“Reptilia” is off the Strokes’ 2003 album Room On Fire, and its lyrics provided the album title (“The room is on fire as she fixes her hair.”) The song title never occurs in the song, however, because of course the protagonist is only using his reptilian brain.
The video was a departure for the Strokes, being their first not directed by Roman Coppola. Instead, it was shot by the child of another film luminary Jake Scott, son of Ridley Scott. It features close-ups of the band’s hands, faces, and feet as they play the song — a musician’s view, in a way.
The song was not a major hit, but has grown in renown over time, and remains a favorite of Strokes fans and music fans in general.
Enjoy!
