Misplaced Pages

"What Became of the Likely Lads"
Single by The Libertines
from the album The Libertines
Released	25 October 2004
Genre	Garage rock
Length	3:23
Label	Rough Trade
Songwriter(s)	Doherty, Barât
Producer(s)	Mick Jones
The Libertines singles chronology
"Can't Stand Me Now" (2004) "What Became of the Likely Lads" (2004) "Gunga Din" (2015)

"What Became of the Likely Lads" is a song by the Libertines, which was released as the final single from their self-titled, second album, The Libertines. The lyrics in this song ("What became of the dreams we had?", "What became of forever?") refer to the breakdown of the friendship between Pete Doherty and Carl Barât, and the subsequent collapse of the band. The song's title (and the chorus's lyrics) echo the title of a popular British situation comedy from the 1970s: Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? The song reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart when released.

Pete Doherty claimed in an interview with Newsnight that he had no input for the video of the song, which does not feature the band but two young boys on a council estate (Thamesmead), implied to be a young Pete and Carl. This is incorrect to the story of the two, because they did not meet each other until their late teens.

Track listings

CD 1

1. "What Became of the Likely Lads"
2. "Skag & Bone Man" (Live, Brixton, 6 March 2004)
3. "Time for Heroes" (Live, Brixton, 6 March 2004)

CD 2

1. "What Became of the Likely Lads" (Re-worked)
2. "The Delaney" (Live, Brixton, 6 March 2004)

7"

1. "What Became of the Likely Lads"
2. "Boys in the Band" (Live, Brixton, 6 March 2004)

US CD EP

1. "What Became of the Likely Lads" (Reworked version)
2. "Skag And Bone Man" (Live Brixton Sat 6/3/04)
3. "Time For Heroes" (Live Brixton Sat 6/3/04)
4. "The Delaney" (Live Brixton Sat 6/3/04)
5. "Boys in the Band" (Live Brixton Sat 6/3/04)
6. "Don't Look Back into The Sun" (Mick Jones Version)
7. "What Became of the Likely Lads" (Album Version)

Charts

References

1. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
2. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
3. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 December 2018.

• 2004 songs
• 2004 singles
• The Libertines songs
• Rough Trade Records singles
• Songs written by Pete Doherty
• Songs written by Carl Barât
• Song recordings produced by Mick Jones (The Clash)
• Music videos directed by Johan Renck
• UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles