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Here James Murphy is referring to The Neptunes. A production duo comprised of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, they were taking over the music scene at the time this song was written.
Murphy introduced himself to the two once backstage during a Beastie Boys performance, and sincerely complimented them on their work – but expected them to be jerks. Turns out, they were both sincerely nice guys and were familiar with Murphy’s own production work.
Witness, for yourself, the dashing looks of Williams and Hugo:
Does it really solely refer to them?
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@JamesKendall was there.
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I think they would fall under the umbrella, but I don’t think Murphy is directly referencing the Neptunes. I think it’s more a general feeling of being outclassed, and then they have to be NICE too. So you can’t even hate on the kids for being snobs.
I’m with JamesKendall. I’m not sure how you can authoritatively state this!
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in the live version he says “and they’ve got a great web plan” which I love tbh
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Is this true? By the time this debut LCD single came out James Murphy’s big claim to fame was that he’d co-engineered a David Holmes LP (Bow Down To The Exit Sign) and been in some punk bands. The line is meant more generally, of the younger generation. He honestly felt this, that he was on the way out. Obviously this single changed all that – but it was honestly meant (I interviewed him around the time of release).