Arctic Monkeys

Released: January 23, 2006

Songwriter: Alex Turner

Producer: Jim Abbiss

[Verse 1]
I've seen your eyes as they fix on me
What is he doing? What on earth's the plan, has he got one?
You better give me some pointers
Since you are the big rocket launcher and I'm just the shotgun
I ain't got no dollar signs in my eyes
That might be a surprise but it's true, said, I'm not like you
And I don't want your advice or your praise
Or to move in the ways you do and I never will

[Chorus]
'Cause all you people are vampires
And all your stories are stale
And though you pretend to stand by us
I know you're certain we'll fail

[Verse 2]
I've seen your eyes as they fix on me, full of confusion
Your snarl is just so condescending!
Trying to explain that we're on to a win
If the fee we get in near recoups what we're spending
He said, "I can't believe that you drove all that way
Well how much did they pay ya? How much did they pay ya?
You'd have been better to stay round our way"
Thinking about things but not actually doing the things

[Chorus]
'Cause all you people are vampires
And all your stories are stale
And though you pretend to stand by us
I know you're certain we'll fail
'Cause all you people are vampires
And all your stories are stale
And though you pretend to stand by us
I know you're certain we'll fail

[Instrumental break]

[Shouted]
All you people are vampires!

Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, England. The band consists of Alex Turner (lead vocals, rhythm/lead guitar), Matt Helders (drums, vocals), Jamie Cook (lead/rhythm guitar) and Nick O'Malley (bass, backing vocals). Former band member Andy Nicholson (bass guitar, backing vocals) left the band in 2006 shortly after their debut album was released. Their sound has changed extensively from album to album, gradually evolving from raw, youthful post-punk revival music to R ‘n’ B and jazz-inspired experiments.

All four original members of the band were devoted fans of hip-hop when they were younger, a genre that would have an immense influence on their later work, but it was the sound of The Strokes and The Libertines that would help shape their early style. The Arctic Monkeys became one of the first bands to find fame and recognition purely through internet publicity and social media; the Arctics used to sell their demos CDs at a bar where Alex Turner used to work, but due to the limited number of CDs, their fans started to upload them on the internet.

Initially, they refused to sign a record contract with any label through fear that they would want the band to change their songs, going as far as to refuse scouts guaranteed entry into their gigs. However, they eventually signed with Domino because of the “do it yourself” attitude of founder, Lawrence Bell, who ran the label from his own house.

more tracks from the album

Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

From the album

Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)

Arctic Monkeys popular songs

Perhaps Vampires Is a Bit Strong But...Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys

Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not