Riot Van
Rebellion Echoes: Arctic Monkeys' Riot Van Chronicles
Lyrics
So up rolls a riot van
Introduction of a riot van arriving
And sparks excitement in the boys
Generates excitement among boys witnessing the van
But the policemen look annoyed
Police officers appear annoyed by the situation
Perhaps these are ones they should avoid
Suggests individuals involved might be ones to avoid
Got a chase last night
Recalls a recent chase involving men with truncheons
From men with truncheons dressed in hats
Describes the pursuers as law enforcement with specific attire
We didn't do that much wrong
Claims innocence, minimal wrongdoing in the past incident
Still ran away though, for the laugh
Admits to fleeing for the sake of amusement or thrill
Just for the laugh
Reiterates the motive behind the escape
And please just stop talking
Requests someone to stop talking to avoid detection
'Cause they won't find us if you do
Suggests eluding law enforcement by maintaining silence
Oh, those silly boys in blue
Refers to the police as "silly boys in blue"
Well, they won't catch me and you
Expresses confidence in evading capture
"Have you been drinking, son?
Police questioning the person's age and potential drinking
You don't look old enough to me"
Challenging the perceived age of the individual
"I'm sorry, officer
Polite response to the officer's query
Is there a certain age you're supposed to be?
Questions if there's a specific age requirement
'Cause nobody told me"
Expresses ignorance about age restrictions
And up rolls the riot van
Reintroduction of the riot van in the narrative
And these lads just wind the coppers up
Describes the individuals provoking or teasing the police
They ask why they don't catch proper crooks
Asks why police aren't focusing on more serious criminals
They get their address and their names took
Police gather information but individuals remain indifferent
But they couldn't care less
Indifference towards the consequences or police actions
Thrown in the riot van
Reference to someone being thrown into the riot van
And all the coppers kicked him in
Describes physical aggression from the police towards the person
And there was no way he could win
The person faces overwhelming odds with no chance of winning
Just had to take it on the chin
The person accepts the situation without resistance
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