Arctic Monkeys

Released: January 23, 2006

Songwriter: Alex Turner

Producer: Jim Abbiss

[Verse 1]
One look sends it coursing through the veins
Oh, how the feeling races
Back up to their brains
To form expressions on their stupid faces
They don't want to say hello
Like I want to say hello
Well, the heartbeat's at its peak
When you're coming up to speak
And oh, I'm so tense, never tenser
Could all go a bit Frank Spencer
And I'm talking gibberish
Tip of the tongue but I can't deliver it
Properly, oh, it's all getting on top of me
And if it weren't this dark
You'd see how red my face has gone, yeah

[Verse 2]
Everybody's trying to crack the jokes and that
To make you smile
Those that claim that they're not showing off
Are drowning in denial
But they're not half as bad as me
Say anything and I'll agree
'Cause when it comes to acting up
I'm sure I could write the book
And now that you're more than a part in the play
It's slightly easier to think what to say
You had us all standing on our heads
Doing our best tricks, yeah

[Verse 3]
Never again
Well, never again, no
Will there be another one quite as desirable as you
One look sends it coursing through the veins
Oh, how the feeling races
Back up to their brains
To form expressions on their stupid faces

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

You Probably Couldn’t See for the Lights But You Were Staring Straight at MeArctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys

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