“Shall I keep rolling?”
Well oh they might wear classic Reeboks
Or knackered Converse
Or tracky bottoms tucked in socks
But all of that’s what the point is not
The point’s that there ain’t no romance around there
And there’s the truth that they can’t see
They’d probably like to throw a punch at me
And if you could only see them, then you would agree
Agree that there ain’t no romance around there
You know, oh, it’s a funny thing, you know?
We’ll tell them if you like
We’ll tell them all tonight
They’ll never listen
Because their minds are made up
And course it’s all OK to carry on that way
‘Cause over there there’s broken bones
There’s only music, so that there’s new ringtones
And it don’t take no Sherlock Holmes
To see it’s a little different around here
Don’t get me wrong though there’s boys in bands
And kids who like to scrap with pool cues in their hands
And just ’cause he’s had a couple of cans
He thinks it’s alright to act like a dickhead
Don’t you know, oh it’s a funny thing you know
We’ll tell them if you like
We’ll tell them all tonight
They’ll never listen
Because their minds are made up
And course is all OK to carry on that way
But I said no, oh no!
Well, you won’t get me to go
Not anywhere, not anywhere
No, I won’t go, oh no, no
But over there there’s friends of mine
What can I say, I’ve known them for a long long time
And they might overstep the line
But you just cannot get angry in the same way
No, not in the same way
Said, not in the same way
Oh no, oh no, no!
Exploring the Heart of “A Certain Romance”
“A Certain Romance” by Arctic Monkeys paints a raw and vivid picture of British urban youth culture. With sharp observational lyrics, Alex Turner highlights the habits, fashion, and attitudes of his peers—tracky bottoms tucked in socks and classic trainers—while lamenting the lack of genuine connection and romance in his environment. The song deftly balances criticism and affection, revealing how easy it is to judge from the outside, but also how difficult it is to escape the bonds of familiarity and old friendships. This nuanced perspective is what makes the track resonate so deeply, capturing both frustration and nostalgia for a place that is both home and a source of disappointment.
Song Credits
- Artist: Arctic Monkeys
- Songwriters: Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Andy Nicholson, Matt Helders
- Release Year: 2006
- Label: Domino Recording Company