Discover the story of the song > Last of the English Roses – Pete Doherty

The song is about the protagonist's memories of a friend from their youth in the 90s. They recall how dapper he looked in his mom's old scarf and his aunt's trousers, and how they all laughed when he got slapped by a girl. He was charming and would say things like "cheeky" and "saucy", making everyone fall around laughing. The protagonist also mentions a girl who they call "the last of the English roses" because she knows her way around slang and can tell one thing from another. They all used to dance and sing together around a snooker table and toast to beauty. The song ends with the protagonist speaking in French and saying "leave me alone."