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Arctic Monkeys are an English Rock band that rose to prominence thanks to the internet and social media. The band consists of four members and they have won many awards since their start in 2002.
With that being said, here is my list of the best Arctic Monkeys songs.
Let’s get to it!
List of the Best Arctic Monkeys Songs
1. Do I Wanna Know? (2013)
Clocking in at over 1billion plays on YouTube, Do I Wanna Know? Is one of Arctic Monkeys’ most popular songs. It is a timeless, legendary classic from their album AM in 2013.
The song is about a paranoid lover in a relationship. The sound is so smooth and has an incredibly catchy beat. The song genre is indie, blues, and psychedelic rock.
This is just a perfect song that is sure to be a classic forever.
2. R U Mine? (2012)
R U Mine? Is the second track in their album AM. It’s about the transition between casual flirting to lust and begging for a woman’s affection. The song’s structure sounds like common text speak.
The production of this track is brilliant and makes fantastic use of stereo audio. This song is a perfect karaoke song or road trip song.
It’s a fast-paced rock song that is unbeatable.
3. Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High? (2013)
Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High is a sexy track that sounds reminiscent of R&B, blues, and funk sounds. It reminds me a little of the first track from the album AM.
The meaning of this song is clear, about an on and off relationship between two people. The guy is clearly in love with this girl, but she has substance abuse issues. Sometimes people can relate to being used by others as a comfort when they’re under the influence of a substance.
The guitar riff and rhythmic background make this a banger, mixed in with some pop influence and psychedelia.
A definite favorite from the album.
4. 505 (2007)
505 is an important song because Alex Turner’s songwriting and lyricism properly explore emotional depths. This is a real, raw love song from the album Favourite Worst Nightmare.
I think the song fits in perfectly with the feeling of many struggling lost and toxic relationships. It has a nostalgic feeling, with a building tension throughout the song that reaches a climax with the third verse.
The increase in intensity makes it an explosive track.
5. Arabella (2013)
Arabella is the fourth track from their album AM. Overall the album’s theme is about relationships with various women and the constant back and forth experience of that.
The song is reminiscent of 80s sounds and modern music. The bass in this song is incredible and the solo is epic.
6. I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor (2005)
I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor is an Arctic Monkeys breakout single from their debut album. It’s about seeing a girl in regular mundane life and wondering what she would look like on a night out.
The drumming is the star of this track. This is a classic, oldie but goodie. One of the original Arctic Monkeys songs that are overshadowed by some of their later songs.
7. When The Sun Goes Down (2006)
When The Sun Goes Down is a literal song about the prostitution around them when they were recording in Sheffield. The track is a commercial success.
The music video is a literal depiction of the story as well. It’s a very English song that tugs on your heartstrings due to the brutal reality it depicts.
The guitar and bass make this song for me along with the social commentary.
8. I Wanna Be Yours (2013)
I Wanna Be Yours sounds like a sung poem, a classic love song. “I wanna be your vacuum cleaner” as a lyric I think is hilarious and iconic.
I think the random inanimate objects the lyrics talk about are a clever way to reference the absurdity of love, whether a vacuum cleaner or portable heater. It’s a soulful track that closes their album AM.
The melody and sexy slow jam make this a lovely song.
9. Fluorescent Adolescent (2007)
Fluorescent Adolescent is a track about getting older and finding that life can sometimes be unfun, describing a woman who dreams of her youth and reflecting on her sex life being boring and unsatisfying.
This track is one of Arctic Monkeys’ most popular songs and is often played in concerts.
The song is catchy and upbeat and has a fun energy to it, but the lyrics convey a different meaning.
10. Knee Socks (2013)
Knee Socks is a sexy rock track from their album AM. The track is filled with vivid imagery. The cymbals combined with the guitar work beautifully together.
Coupled with the laid-back energy and suggestive lyrics makes a perfectly sensual song. It gives me nostalgic vibes and gives me goosebumps every time Alex sings up to the lyric ‘knee socks’.
11. Crying Lightning (2006)
Arctic Monkeys got struck by lightning in a bus while on tour. This song is from their third album Humbug.
The song sounds dark and psychedelic. The bassline is cool and the use of crash cymbals in the song represents a strike of lightning. The song’s meaning is a bit more abstract.
I think it is up to personal interpretation.
12. Old Yellow Bricks (2007)
Old Yellow Bricks is the second last song from Arctic Monkeys album Favourite Worst Nightmare. The song title references Dorothy’s yellow brick road.
The track has many references to the idea that what Dorothy said ‘there’s no place like home’ is true. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
A person wants to travel and explore and find somewhere else, but they don’t realize there’s nothing wrong with where they were in the first place.
I think it’s about running away from a feeling that manifests itself as a real exploration.
13. Snap Out Of It (2013)
Snap Out Of It is a popular, pop-sounding song from their album AM. It’s about Alex Turner telling a girl to get over him. Or maybe it’s about him telling the girl to dump another guy.
The music video for this song is worth giving a watch. There are some elements that you can piece together from the video. I think if it’s about the girl being infatuated with another guy, the song is Alex waiting for her to ‘snap out of it’ so she can come back to him who is waiting.
This song has a fun positive beat to it that is catchy and infallible.
14. Brianstorm (2007)
Brianstorm is often mistaken as Brainstorm and is a fun first track from their album Favourite Worst Nightmare. It’s a song about some guy called Brian that left a significant impact on the band members one day.
This song is so fast-paced and filled with energy; it makes me want to do things quickly. The drumming is insane and carries the song.
I love the sarcastic tone in the song and the lyric “see ya later, innovator!” I think it’s mocking a weirdly dressed Brian person which I think is funny that a random man had so much impact to get a song written about him.
15. Mardy Bum (2006)
Mardy Bum is from Arctic Monkeys’ 2006 album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. It’s a popular fan favorite and since the song, the word ‘mardy’ has become a popular term meaning sulky.
The song is about arguing with your lover and dealing with moodiness and ‘mardy’ behavior. The point of the song is that there’s nothing you can do about a stubborn woman who’s made her mind up.
The song is sad but sounds cheerful and the vocals have a heavy accent which I think is charming.
16. From the Ritz to the Rubble (2006)
From the Ritz to the Rubble is the 12th song from their first album. It’s about a clubbing experience. The song has a lively rock sound.
It’s not a deep song, just a purely enjoyable party song. The outro of the song is my favorite part.
This song always gets me pumped to do stuff for some reason.
17. Do Me a Favour (2007)
Do Me a Favour is from the band’s second album and is another classic well-written love song. It’s from the perspective of the person who is in the wrong in the relationship and is aware of that fact.
The song is about saying goodbyes and it takes you along the ride as the song tells a story.
The lyrics are smart and the drop, in the end, is killer!
18. Fake Tales of San Francisco (2006)
Fake Tales of San Francisco is a classic, signature track from Arctic Monkeys. This song is high-energy and a straight-up banger.
It’s a popular song in the United States. It’s about the story of the band and their comparison to others. There’s a sorrowful meaning to the lyrics, and the song is a self-reflection of the band itself.
19. The View from the Afternoon (2006)
The View from the Afternoon is one of their best songs. Arctic Monkeys often write literal lyrics. The meaning is straightforward, and a story is told in this song.
The story is very simply about wanting to get laid by this girl who pays him no mind. The reference to old tech in this song makes it a little nostalgic to me.
20. A Certain Romance (2006)
A Certain Romance is the last song on their first-ever album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. The songwriting on this track is on another level.
The style of the song is a little different from their other music. I think this song is a piece of art, with amazing lyricism and a cool intro.
The solo is a banger, and the bass is clear and awesome. This song is nostalgic as it has an old sound that isn’t heard as much with their newer music. It makes me think of old summers as a kid with friends and those simple times.
I don’t think it’s about relationship romance at all.
21. Cornerstone (2009)
Cornerstone is the seventh track from their album Humbug from 2009. The narrative and story as usual are straightforward as the song talks literally about what it means.
The narrator explores different pubs and places and in each of them, finds a woman who resembles his ex. It’s been confirmed this song isn’t based on a true story. So, I think it’s about the feeling of love.
“Please, can I call you her name?” makes me think that it’s not about literally calling the new girl his ex’s name but in a symbolic way. That the new girl is going to be his attempt at filling the void left in him by his ex.
I think many of us can relate to this song which is what makes it so powerful.
Alexandra loves playing the piano and guitar. She has always been a music lover, but it wasn’t until she was in high school that she realized how much she loved to play. It allowed her to express herself without having to be verbally expressive, which is something she found very empowering.