You Probably Couldn’t See For the Lights But You Were Looking Straight At Me - Arctic Monkeys

 

In 2005 the Arctic Monkeys released an album that rocked the European Music charts.  What Ever People Say I Am, Thats What Im Not was their debut album, that set a solid foundation for the bands success and was surely going to be one of the bands greatest releases. The song You Probably Couldn’t See For the Lights But You Were Looking Straight At Me was a fast paced narrative that discussed the narrators attempts to attract a lady. He however, was accompanied by some competition, and was quick to use imagery to judge there expressions, stating that “One look sends...the feeling... coursing through the veins. back up to their brains to form expressions on there stupid faces.” When he finds a chance to speak to the pretty girl, his words come out in “Gibberish” (Figurative Language), and alludes to a popular, british, television character by regarding his situation as “go[ing] a bit Frank Spencer”. A hyperbole is also created when he exclaims, “You had us all standing on our heads, doing our best tricks,” in order to convey his disgruntled state. But these lyrics create more then just a story, they also create a rhythm using the repetition, “Never again, Never again”. The lyrics also repeat themselves once more when using the first two lines of the song as the last two lines as well.

By using fast paced lyrics and relatable songs the Arctic Monkeys have become a hit around the world. Today they released a new album called Suck It and See that will (this reporter hopes) will send them hurtling further into success.

Lyrics:

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

My 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

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

Never again

Never again

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