A year ago today was the best day of my life. In 40 years if you ask me to recall the best day of my life, May 9th 2014 may overtake my wedding on the list.
A year ago today, I was serenaded by Alex Turner, Matt Helders, Nick O’Malley and Jamie Cook- Arctic Monkeys (from High Green Sheffield) at Rod Laver Arena.
I may love Tame Impala, I may love The Black Keys, I may love Mark Ronson, but Arctic Monkeys will always be my one true love, the band that I will never retire from listening to.
I remember the exact moment when I listened to my first Arctic Monkeys song- the classic ‘I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor’/ At the time, I hadn’t really discovered this thing called ‘good music’, well until I heard that song. But it wasn’t until the release of my now all-time favourite song ‘Crying Lighting’ in 2009 that I jumped on the band wagon… and I never looked back.
How would I describe Arctic Monkeys?
Sexy, smokin’ rock ‘n’ roll.
I even struggled to formulate that phrase- they are indescribable; too perfect for words.
There is a song for every mood, every situation, every moment. Music videos that make you weak at the knees, accents that make your eyes light up, bass lines that absolutely melt my heart AND ALEX TURNERS THAT MAKE YOUR ALEX TURNERS TURNERS AHSUIGJKHDSGJAKHSFLK
I love them more than I love free things, cuddles and protein bars (if you know me, you will know that that is a big call)
Their music helped me through some shit times and enhanced the good times and I will forever hold them close to my heart.
*ALSO: Quick tip: The key to my heart is possessed by Alex Turner- if you go fetch him you can unlock my heart… or let him do it, yeh actually let him do it*
Anyways, before I go all fan-girl on you *I AM CONTROLLING MYSELF SO MUCH RIGHT NOW OMG* I shall now honour them in the best way possible, well besides a shrine… Saturday Spotlight…
It is hard to count all my favourite Arctic Monkeys songs on one hand, but I’ll give it a go…
1. R U Mine?– AM (2013)
I’ll start you off with a recent one that you have a) probably heard on the radio or b) probably heard me drumming or singing in the shower/toilet/other
It’s the perfect combination of golden lyrics, crazy good drums, catchy bass line and ALEX TURNER ASKING ME IF I AM HIS.
If this song was a person, it would be Alex Turner- it is smooth, sexy, crisp and deliciously perfect.
Each element of this song is executed at a 1000/10 standard- each note, each word, everything and I can tell you from personal experience- it is just as bloody incredible live.
I consider it a lullaby, dance party song and drum out your anger tune- categorise it for yourself.
2. Cornerstone– Humbug (2009)
A song off my favourite album of all time, that is sure to break your heart and glue it back together in 3 minutes and 9 seconds. This song is the perfect example of why Alex Turner is the lyrical legend of all generations past and present. I am trying so hard to describe this song to you but it is currently playing in the background and my heart is breaking, making it terribly difficult to write. Luckily, the beauty and sadness of this song is pretty obvious, listen and you shall hear.
3. 505– Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
A loaded number…
This song is a beautiful exhibition of love and desperation combined. No matter where his love is *COUGH ALEXA CHUNG COUGH*, he is willing to travel to her despite the distance.
When the song breaks into the rock heavy part, feel your heart shatter into tiny little pieces and then again with guitar riff that weaves itself into the song and builds and builds then echoes away … bloody incredible
Before I get too fangirly, turn off the lights, plug in your earphones and experience this song for yourself. It is in my top 3 Arctic Monkeys songs ever released and in the Top 10 of my Favourite Songs Ever playlist. It is the perfect balance of emotion, drums and Alex Turner. Farrr outttttt I love it
4. Fireside– AM (2013)
Whilst we are in the feelsy state, I’m gonna enhance it, extend it and melt your heart a couple more times. This song is loaded with sadness, emotion and depth and the detail not only in the lyrics, but through the instrumental aspects of the song too. The echoes of the vocals represents the repetition of these thoughts that circle around Alex’s head and the ‘shoowaps’ that are layered throughout adds a 70s feel and the tamborine adds the perfect finishing touch- shakiness related to the uncertainty Alex is describing.
I love it, and yes, please do listen to it fireside…
5. I Wanna Be Yours– AM (2013)
Here is the final song of the feels trilogy. I can’t listen to this song without crying, you can even play it for me and watch me struggle to contain the tears.
The lyrics of this song originate from a poem by John Cooper-Clarke that was hardly intended to be as dark and deep as it is in the form of this song. Somehow, Alex Turner makes these desperate and crazy acts to prove his love, such as becoming a vaccuum cleaner ‘breathing in your dust’ sound so terribly romantic- acting as an instant lasso around your heart. The slow drums and backup vocals pull your heart strings too and then the final reverb and echo of the guitar just ahhhhhhh *melts*
6. Brianstorm– Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)
And for something a little different 😉
This song is still the reason why I want to take up the drums. Its completely wicked in every way- lyrics made of gold, drums that dreams are made of and everything good in the world all combined.
AIR DRUM YOUR LITTLE HEART OUT SON
7. All My Own Stunts– Suck it and See (2011)
This song is just awesome. It has those golden Alex Turner lyrics, drums from the heavens with the added hint of Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age. I love the transitions from the darker rock to the lighter chorus and back to the darker rock- its so simple, but so loaded.
I don’t even know where to begin with this song. Its so great and definitely should make an appearance in your winter playlist.
Oh and how sick is the guitar riff!!!!
8. Knee Socks– AM (2013)
God this song is so silky smooth and sexy.
The deep bass and simple drums in conjunction with that cute little guitar riff- I just can’t.
I literally went and purchased about 5 pairs of knee socks after I heard this song and my darling mother returned from an overseas trip with a sky blue Lacoste, just like the one referenced int he song.
This is just the silkiest, sexiest, greatest little song. I love it so much and its AMAZING LIVE
9. Piledriver Waltz– Suck it and See
This song is simply beautiful. It is a perfect little lullaby and so utterly romantic. Alex reworked it for the soundtrack of one of my favourite films, Submarine, and if you thought it couldn’t get anymore beautiful, whoops- that version just did.
The simplicity of the instruments allows for the intricate poetry that is the lyrics to become evident and enhance the serenading quality of the song.
10. Crying Lightning– Humbug (2009)
My favourite song ever, coincidently off my favourite album ever.
This song takes me back to the days where I had found good music, great music; music that I could relate to, music that made me feel something through its lyrics or bass or something, music that I loved. I love how this song takes a narrative approach, and how every instrumental aspect just enhances the mood of the story and listening to the song becomes like this atmospheric experience. Every time I listen to this song, I pick up on another little detail that makes me weak at the knees or that just slaps me in the face with its awesomeness and excellent execution.
The last minute or so of this song is just perfect…it, to me, is an instrumental expression of a storm- not only complimenting the title of the song, but just proving once again, why Arctic Monkeys are the best band of all time.
I could go on for thousands of words about Arctic Monkeys, their albums, songs, style, vibes, sound etc but I shall have to retire for now. I can’t believe that one year ago, I went to the greatest concert I have ever been too, saw my soon to be husband in the flesh and heard all those songs that hold a special place in my heart.
Arctic Monkeys- please hurry up and release another album. K, Thanks, Bye <3
