When The Sun Goes Down
Nocturnal Tales: Unveiling the Underworld in Arctic Monkeys' 'When The Sun Goes Down'
Lyrics
I said, who's that girl there?
The speaker notices a girl and wonders about her situation.
I wonder what went wrong so that she had to roam the streets
Suspecting something went wrong in her life, leading her to wander the streets.
She don't do major credit cards, I doubt she does receipts
The girl doesn't deal with conventional financial transactions, suggesting an unconventional lifestyle.
It's all not quite legitimate
The girl's activities are not entirely legal or legitimate.
And what a scummy man
The speaker describes a dubious man who might resort to robbery.
Just give him half a chance, I bet he'll rob you if he can
Suggests that the man would take the opportunity to rob someone.
Can see it in his eyes, yeah, that he's got a driving ban
The man shows signs of having a driving ban and other offenses.
Among some other offences
Additional confirmation of the man's questionable background.
And I've seen him with girls of the night
The speaker has seen the man with sex workers.
And he told Roxanne to put on her red light
Reference to the song "Roxanne" by The Police, implying the man's involvement with sex workers.
They're all infected but he'll be alright
Suggests that despite being infected (morally), the man will be okay.
'Cause he's a scumbag, don't you know?
Explicitly labels the man as a scumbag.
I said, he's a scumbag, don't you know?
Reiterates that the man is a scumbag.
Although you're trying not to listen
The speaker advises someone to ignore the situation.
Avert your eyes and staring at the ground
Suggests avoiding eye contact and looking down to ignore the undesirable scene.
She makes a subtle proposition
The girl makes a suggestive offer to the speaker.
I'm sorry, love, I'll have to turn you down
The speaker politely declines the proposition.
And oh, he must be up to summat
The speaker suspects that something is suspicious or deceitful.
What are the chances? Sure it's more than likely
The chances of suspicion are high, and it's likely something dubious is happening.
I've got a feeling in my stomach
The speaker feels a gut instinct that prompts curiosity about the man's story.
And start to wonder what his story might be
The speaker starts to wonder about the man's background and narrative.
What his story might be, yeah
Repetition emphasizing the curiosity about the man's story.
'Cause they said it changes when the sun goes down
Repetition of the idea that things change when the sun goes down in the depicted area.
Yeah, they said it changes when the sun goes down
-And they said it changes when the sun goes down
-Around here
Emphasizes the changes occurring in the depicted area around the speaker.
Around here, oh
-Look, here comes a Ford Mondeo
The speaker observes a Ford Mondeo, a typical and inconspicuous car.
Isn't he Mister Inconspicuous?
The speaker comments on the car owner's inconspicuous nature.
And he don't even have to say owt
The car owner doesn't need to say anything; his actions speak for themselves.
She's in the stance ready to get picked up
Suggests the girl is waiting to be picked up by the car owner.
Bet she's delighted when she sees him
Anticipation of the girl's reaction when she sees the car owner approaching.
Pullin' in and givin' her the eye
The car owner pulls in and shows interest in the girl.
Because she must be fuckin' freezin'
Remarks on the cold weather, suggesting the girl is scantily clad.
Scantily-clad beneath the clear night sky
Describes the girl's attire under the night sky.
It don't stop in the winter, no
Indicates that the activities depicted continue even in winter.
And they said it changes when the sun goes down
Repetition of the idea that things change when the sun goes down.
Yeah, they said it changes when the sun goes down
-And they said it changes when the sun goes down
-Around here
Emphasizes the changes in the depicted area.
Well, they said it changes when the sun goes down
Changes are highlighted as the sun goes down over the river.
Over the river going out of town
-And they said it changes when the sun goes down
-Around here
Reiteration of the changes occurring around the speaker.
Around here, oh
-And what a scummy man
Reiteration of the scummy nature of the man.
Just give him half a chance, I bet he'll rob you if he can
Repeats the idea that the man would rob if given the chance.
Can see it in his eyes, yeah, that he's got a nasty plan
Suggests the man has a malicious plan, visible in his eyes.
I hope you're not involved at all
Expresses hope that the listener is not involved in the depicted situation.
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