I found this British band several years ago (I think I was in seventh grade at the time), listened to them for a while and then I stopped (don't ask why; I have no idea). I had three of their songs on my little iPod Nano. They've released a couple more albums since then and I'm really obsessing over them right now. The lead singer's voice and songwriting have improved tremendously and I'm kinda in love. Also I watched a bunch of their live videos five nights in a row last week, yes I did.
So anyway, I was like, "dang I need to do a spotlight on them because Alex Turner is truly amazing". I'll be listing them by date, not by favorites, since it's already hard enough choosing only 10.
i bet you look good on the dancefloor (whatever people say i am, that's what i'm not, 2006)
Lil me probably gave this one the most listens. It's loud and upbeat and I just thought it was fun. It's also a great classic that they play at pretty much every show. Not a fan of all the lyrics, but I used to know almost all of them haha. I'm embedding the original recorded version of it since that's the one I heard first but in more recent live versions, you can tell that Alex's voice has matured and it sounds really great.
Your shoulders are frozen (cold as the night) | |
old yellow bricks (favourite worst nightmare, 2007)
This is another one I must have listened to a hundred times back in the day. I always liked the line "You're like a fugitive but you don't know what you're running from".
| I know I said 'who wants to sleep in a city that never wakes up' but Dorothy was right though |
crying lightning (humbug, 2009)
Oh my goodness just listen to this. The music pulled me in immediately and then the lyrics are just...gah. "Crying lightning" is referring to people who only cry for sympathy. People also cry lightning shapes if they're crying a lot while wearing mascara (if that makes sense; it's just suggesting that this person cries enough to ruin their makeup).
The next time that I caught my own reflection it was on its way to meet you thinking of excuses to postpone | |
cornerstone (humbug, 2009)
This is a pretty straightforward and concise ballad about Alex going insane seeing his ex-girlfriend everywhere. To me, it seems like he's talking about a girl who is deceased, especially at the end when he sees her sister in the Cornerstone, which is apparently the name of a counseling center in the band's hometown. I love how Alex sings it. It's just beautiful.
| I'm beginning to think I imagined you all along |
she's thunderstorms (suck it and see, 2011)
This song is so pretty because Alex was trying to find a new way to compliment someone and I just think he did a wonderful job. She's "thunderstorms". Not just one, but many. She is dangerous and striking and impactful.
She came and substituted | |
piledriver waltz (suck it and see, 2011)
This song was originally written for the soundtrack of a movie called "Submarine" (I've never seen it, but now I need to because Alex wrote/sang other songs for it as well). It's pretty obviously about a heartbreak/break-up. I really love this acoustic version of it because Alex's voice is so smooth and there aren't any other instruments to distract from that or the lyrics. I've had "I heard the news that your plannin' to shoot me out of a cannon" in my head all week.
| If you're gonna try and walk on water, |
suck it and see (suck it and see, 2011)
Oh, good, now I get to explain to everyone that the meaning of the song/album title is not what Americans think. The phrase means something very different in Britain - it means to "try it out". Now that that's all cleared up, this is just such a nice song. I love his descriptions and comparisons (for the most part). He says he "couldn't get the hang of poetry", and I'm here like, "puhLEASE"!!
You're rarer than a can of dandelion and burdock | |
arabella (AM, 2013)
I just recently found a video of Alex saying that he's most proud of this one lyrically (As well as "Cornerstone"). I love everything - the tune, the sound, the lyrics, the Alex (HAHA).
| It's much less picturesque without her catching the light |
why'd you only call me when you're high?
Not the best message, obviously, but this one has a pretty great bass-line and groovy feel. They decided to experiment with some R&B sounds. It just makes me want to dance like Alex does in this video hahaha.
Sort of feels like I'm running out of time | |
knee socks
KNEE SOCKS. Definitely one of my favorite Arctic Monkeys songs. Somehow they're able to create a laid-back feeling with the combination of these beautiful lyrics, drums, and insane guitar riffs. I just...Ahhh!
| I got a feeling I might have lit the very fuse |
bonus: you're so dark (2013 single)
Man, I love bonuses. This was the B-side to the "One for the Road" single. I just thought it would be interesting to add. I love the references to Lovecraft and Poe and just the overall description of this mysteriously morbid person. It's amusing.
And I know I'm not your type cause I don't shun the daylight | |
bonus: strange (patsy cline cover)
I HAVE to add this!! British rock icon Alex Turner covering a classic American country singer, whaaa?! It's perfect. His voice is so beautiful :')
| Strange you're still in all my dreams |
Most of the Arctic Monkeys music is...well some people describe it as "sexy". That's cool. What else would it be? Beautiful? Stunning? Sensational? Yes.
I'm obsessed. And you should be, too.
Anyway, I read recently that they are currently working on writing a new album (finally), so hopefully that will be coming out around the end of this year or sometime next year. I can't wait to hear more of Alex's alluring voice and lyrics!
Thanks so much for reading!!
~Say Love <3
I'm obsessed. And you should be, too.
Anyway, I read recently that they are currently working on writing a new album (finally), so hopefully that will be coming out around the end of this year or sometime next year. I can't wait to hear more of Alex's alluring voice and lyrics!
Thanks so much for reading!!
~Say Love <3