It’s hard to pick the best amongst Alex Turner’s explosive lyrics. So far, Turner’s repertoire does not only consist of Arctic Monkeys’ albums but also The Last Shadow Puppet’s and an OST for a movie titled Submarine. Turner’s lyrics capture moments pretty sincerely in different wavelengths. It jabs right to heart with unthinkable metaphors and word choices. Often inspired by his girlfriend at the time, it’s always interesting to see how Turner’s lyrics evolve through the year. He wrote a lot of lyrics inspired by Alexa Chung (She’s Thunderstorms, Knee Socks), Arielle Vandenberg (Arabella), and Taylor Bagley (Sweet Dreams, TN). One thing that connects them all, it’s always left us with a lot of awes and ‘how come’.
In an interview with NME back in 2013, Turner was asked what song he’s most proud of lyrically, after questioning it for a while (asking, “Does anyone even wanna know what I think about it?“), he’s throwing Arabella and Cornerstone as an answer. I need to agree wholeheartedly because Arabella displays Turner’s poetic approach really well and Cornerstone puts up his storytelling forefront.
It’s funny that I think, the weakest album from Arctic Monkeys (Suck It and See, 2011) is the best one in terms of lyrical choices. And if you’re wondering which album you should start listening if you’re not a big fan of Rock, I’d recommend you the Submarine OST. All the songs feel light but meaningful, it’s easy listening kind of album with simple instruments often found in indie songs. It’s a good album to listen to in the midst of rainy seasons.
While I think in terms of storytelling, Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured (2006), Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweethearts (2005), and Cornerstone (2009) are still at the top, I want to highlight some songs that display Turner’s songwriting talent really well.
This House Is a Circus (2007)
There’s a room full of trouble and there’s lovers to be had
Those ones who make sinners out of such lovely lads
Scaling the corridors for maidens in the maze
And the anomaly is slipping into familiar ways
And we’re forever unfulfilled and can’t think why
Like a search for murder clues in dead man’s eyes
Crying Lightning (2009)
Outside the cafe by the cracker factory
You were practicing a magic trick
And my thoughts got rude as you talked and chewed
On the last of your pick and mix
Said, “You’re mistaken if you’re thinking that I haven’t been called ‘cold’ before”
As you bit into your strawberry lace
And then offered me your attention in the form of a gobstopper
It’s all you had justify and it was going to waste
Piledriver Waltz (2011)
You look like you’ve been for breakfast at the heartbreak hotel
And sat in the back booth by the pamphlets
And the literature on how to lose
Your waitress was miserable and so was your food
If you’re gonna try and walk on water
Make sure you wear your comfortable shoes
Reckless Serenade (2011)
Topless models doing Semaphore
Wave their flags as she walks by and get ignored
Illuminations on a rainy day
When she walks, her footsteps sing a reckless serenade
The type of kisses where teeth collide
When she laughs, the heavens hum a stun gun lullaby
Those twinkling vixens with the shining spiral eyes
Their hypnosis goes unnoticed when she’s walking by
She’s Thunderstorms (2011)
She’s been loop-the-looping around my mind
Her motorcycle boots give me this kind of
Acrobatic blood concertina
Cheating heartbeat, rapid fire
Arabella (2013)
Arabella’s got some interstellar-gator skin boots
And a Helter Skelter ’round her little finger and I ride it endlessly
She’s got a Barbarella silver swimsuit
And when she needs to shelter from reality
She takes a dip in my daydreams
Arabella’s got a ’70s head
But she’s a modern lover
It’s an exploration she’s made of outer space
And her lips are like the galaxy’s edge
And her kiss the color of a constellation falling into place
What’s your favorite Turner’s piece?
PS: Excuse me for being a fanatic, but I wrote a lot of posts inspired by Alex Turner and the Arctic Monkeys before, like this one, this one, or even this one.