Well, oh, they might wear classic Reeboks
Or knackered Converse
Or tracky bottoms tucked in socks
But all of that's what the point is not
The point's that there ain't no romance around there

And there's the truth that they can't see
They'd probably like to throw a punch at me
And if you could only see 'em, then you would agree
Agree that there ain't no romance around there

You know, oh, it's a funny thing you know
We'll tell 'em if you like
We'll tell 'em all tonight
They'll never listen
Because their minds are made up
And course it's all okay to carry on that way

'Cause over there, there's broken bones
There's only music, so that there's new ringtones
And it don't take no Sherlock Holmes
To see it's a little different around here

Don't get me wrong, though, there's boys in bands
And kids who like to scrap with pool cues in their hands
And just 'cause he's had a couple o' cans
He thinks it's all right to act like a dickhead

Don't you know, oh' it's a funny thing you know
We'll tell 'em if you like
We'll tell 'em all tonight
They'll never listen
Because their minds are made up
And course it's all okay to carry on that way

But I said no
Oh no
Well, you won't get me to go
Not anywhere, not anywhere
No, I won't go
Oh no no

Well, over there, there's friends of mine
What can I say? I've known 'em for a long long time
And, yeah, they might overstep the line
But you just cannot get angry in the same way
No, not in the same way
Said, not in the same way
Oh no, oh no no


Lyrics submitted by newsboyhat, edited by ghostyyy, acperez, cburja

A Certain Romance Lyrics as written by Alex Turner

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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A Certain Romance song meanings
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120 Comments

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  • +14
    General Comment

    I do agree that's it not about chavs now, it's just about anyone who hasn't got any 'romance'. It's not pegging down anyone who wears those kinds of shoes ('it's what the point is not') but it's just on segregation society. Especially youth culture. Or just the lack of romance in all of it. The way people are sort of pinned down to following trends like Reeboks/Fighting with pool cues for Townies, and Converse/Boys in bands for Indie/Emo kids. That's where the lack of romance is, that people conform to the common form.

    What's beautiful about the song is that he's resigned to saying that he's part of the whole thing; the Monkeys are arguably a 'scene' band, and they do normal lad things like get pissed and try to pull on the weekends so he's really not much different from the rest. I personally, and I know others have, felt an affinity with this part of the song, because we've all got mates who like to soup up cars with sub woofers and act like dicks when pissed, and still have that Craig David ringtone from 3 years ago but we've also all got mates who are posers and act like twats just because they're in a band and they think they're better than you. And often we distance ourselves from it because in our own mind we're different. But we've all known these people for years, from primary school and they're all still the same people they always were, but have all been slightly misguided in some way or another along that way. Me included. But they're mates, and they always will be. There's no point getting angry with it all. . . Anyone can get angry about the 'idea' of chavs, for example, but when you know them well enough to be your mate, it's very very different.

    The last verse really add some harmony to it all, I can see why they play it last in the sets.

    Does anyone else think Alex nicked the Classic Reeboks line from 'Albion' by The Libs? He fuckin' did y'know!

    saveourcityon October 02, 2005   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    have you even taken the time to listen to the song? it's immense. the arctic monkeys have a future. ppl on radio 1 are finally beginning to notice them. they deserve it- they're an amazing band

    rockmyheartouton October 04, 2005   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    There's probably no worse a place to attempt to make an 'impact' than the comment section for some random indie tune on songmeanings.net.

    saveourcityon January 15, 2006   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This songs about the Arctic Monkeys view on America and how they don't like it. They'd probably like to throw a punch at me also shows Americas views of Britain.

    darianlgon July 25, 2008   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    First, let me say that this is the most moving song in the Arctic Monkeys catalogue. It's wonderful.

    Second, if you listen to the lyrics it is abundantly clear that it is not about America or any such nonsense. It's an intensely British song, and I say this as a Yank. At the same time it could be about young people anywhere.

    It is literally about the "Chav" subculture in Britain, and the songwriter's sympathetic view of those who were part of it.

    Yes, he makes fun of them, for their silly sheep-like choices of clothing, classic Reebok sneakers, "tracky bottoms tucked in socks", as well as obsession with cell-phone ringtones, and says there is no romance in the numbing conformity of their lockstep moves, something they would surely sock him for pointing out.

    But he also says that some of them are his friends, he grew up with them, and is not going to judge them or put himself above them because he understands where they came from.

    This is actually what makes the song brilliant, as others have noted--he does not judge. He cannot "get angry in the same way" about them, because these are his people, and his milieu. He hung out at these bars, went to school with these guys, and he understands. Brilliant song.

    igglooon August 06, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i dont think its about just chavs, about emos and rockers too because it mentioned converse. i think its basically saying that in youth groups and music groups today theres no romanceand they have no magic in them basically. i think its partly about how they all hate each other aswell

    welsh_oneon September 19, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i dont think its about just chavs, about emos and rockers too because it mentioned converse. i think its basically saying that in youth groups and music groups today theres no romanceand they have no magic in them basically. i think its partly about how they all hate each other aswell

    welsh_oneon September 19, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I love this song. 'Don't get me wrong, oh there's boys in bands...' The lyrics are so good and the whole song is just great. It's pretty self explanatory with its meaning.

    ghostmusicon June 03, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Testify. 100% agree. That's what I meant above. This song criticises and celebrates what constitutes being a young person in 2005.

    saveourcityon October 29, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Best Artic Monkeys song by far.

    Lemmonon March 07, 2006   Link

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