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.
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.