For each month of 2023 thus far, a different artist has taken to the spotlight for a comprehensive top ten list, and all three up until this point have been 20th century legends, Queen, David Bowie, and Fleetwood Mac. This month, we move forward, with one of the most iconic bands of the 21st century, who defined the growing Indie scene, and inspired practically every artist you hear on Radio 6 these days, while also taking inspiration from the likes of the Libertines and the Jam.
With great, unconventional lyrics, killer guitar riffs, and atypical vocals, it’s easy to see why The Arctic Monkeys, led by Alex Turner, have become such big hitters. From their early days as straighter and heavier rockers, to their more solemn and mature tracks in their more modern albums, it is again difficult to choose a favourite track, but below is the ranking that made sense, of the ten best songs from one of the greatest Indie bands of all time.
- When the Sun goes down
The opening is perfectly slow, and the ending matches that tempo, but the middle goes insane, with a boisterous, dirty punk ballad with manic electric guitar and lyrics that are simple enough to be able to sing along to. This is a proper pop tune that finds the perfect balance between being commercial and Indie, and stands as the greatest of their more promotive material.
- Arabella
What the Arctic Monkeys do best is their ability to track the movement of sounds across their songs, and the way that sound matches with their unorthodox lyricism. Launching with a slow percussion of the drum beat, building in the guitar, and setting up instruments across the debut minute, this is one of the most iconic openings to any of their tracks which clearly pays off in the chorus, all a song about this woman who Turner is clearly entranced by.
- Do I Wanna Know?
Classic Arctic Monkeys, with another fine example of percussion building into more stellar guitar work and helping to track the development of the artist. They started off as heavier, rockier artists, before trailing into this more subtle focus on lyrics and sound, and eventually ending up in their sort of Bowie-inspired state with the likes of Tranquility Base Hotel Casino. A classic pop tune, as dirty and sleazy a love song as ever it is in Turner’s case.
- R U Mine?
Arctic Monkeys tracks are both perfect as background music and for the forefront of your situation, and would also make great action piece soundtracks. The music video starts off in an iconic way, with a fictional DJ leading into the Monkeys themselves dancing to their own tunes with air drums and air guitars in the backseat of a car, and that’s true: It’s easy to dance to the hooks of these classic songs, and this one is among the best of their 2013 works.
- Fluorescent Adolescent
Probably the most critically acclaimed song from the band aside from number seven on this list, this is a ballad that represents age, youth, and sexual maturity, which were themes all prevalent to these artists as they grew up, and their music matured with them. In this sense, this era of Monkeys music is still the boys in their infancy, but also at their purest. Check out the video, which is a fight between old bald people and a clown. It’s great, though it doesn’t have anything to do with the song whatsoever.
- Brianstorm
One of the interesting features is the sight rhymes, which in this case are almost comical: “Brian, top marks for not tryian”, not one of the best works of lyricism in history, but the tune is killer, so much so that it even appeared on the soundtrack to Gavin and Stacey, alongside some of the artists that inspired them, like the Libertines. It must be imminently clear that this is a song that does not take itself seriously, proven by the eponymous pun.
- I bet you look good on the dancefloor
Definitely the most famous Monkeys song, but the most overplayed. That’s not to say it’s overrated. It’s catchy, iconic, easy to dance to, hard to get bored of, and it’s easy to understand the reason behind the hype. It’s the one that made their name, and it’s another killer with a lot of shouting and heavy guitar work, and the Monkeys work together to make that sublime.
- Why’d you only call me when you’re high
One of the longer tracks in their back catalogue, given that Indie songs are often regarded for being shorter, especially mainstream ones like the Strokes, and even more modern ‘copies’ like The Bug Club, but it’s one of those songs that you can instantly recognise as quintessential Arctic Monkeys. You can recognise their songs from a mile off, due to the style of vocals, lyrics and instruments, but each one offers something new to the table, and the meaning’s obvious from the title. It’s about the downbeat and the drunken, which are themes that this grungy and dirty music is frequently inspired by.
- Snap out of it
Apologies for leaving this one here. It will probably be in your head for a long time now. It’s perhaps not the best song from The Monkeys on a lyrical, or even musical, perspective, but it’s one of their most popular for a reason. It’s very catchy, and that’s the key to its victory.
- Old Yellow Bricks
Not so often heard, given that it’s only got twenty two million views on YouTube, but it’s another competent track from The Monkeys with great guitar work and lyrics, and it’s well worth the listen. I only found it because of this article, but is possibly the only one on this list that doesn’t represent ‘Iconic’ Arctic Monkeys status.
Honourable mentions: Crying Lightning is a forgotten cracker, despite the title being quite infuriating. I Wanna Be Yours, 505 is a bit quieter but well worth the listen, Mardy Bum is naturally iconic, From the Ritz to the Rubble is a great parable about fame and fortune. I’m not so fond of the more recent stuff, because it doesn’t have as much life to it, but the lyrics and vocals still have their merit. Perhaps the glory days of the Arctic Monkeys have passed, though their recent sell out tour would beg to differ.
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