You got the lights on in the afternoon
And the nights are drawn out long
And you’re kissing to cut through the gloom
With a cough-drop-coloured tongue
And you were sitting in the corner with the coats all piled high
And I thought you might be mine
In a small world on an exceptionally rainy Tuesday night
In the right place and time
When the zeros line up on the 24 hour clock
When you know who’s calling even though the number is blocked
When you walked around your house wearing my sky blue Lacoste
And your knee socks
Well you cured my January blues
Yeah you made it all alright
I got a feeling I might have lit the very fuse
That you were trying not to light
You were a stranger in my phone book I was acting like I knew
‘Cause I had nothing to lose
When the winter’s in full swing and your dreams just aren’t coming true
Ain’t it funny what you’ll do
When the zeros line up on the 24 hour clock
When you know who’s calling even though the number is blocked
When you walked around your house wearing my sky blue Lacoste
And your knee socks
The late afternoon
The ghost in your room that you always thought didn’t approve of you knocking boots
Never stopped you letting me get hold of the sweet spot by the scruff of your
Knee socks
You and me could have been a team
Each had a half of a king and queen seat
Like the beginning of Mean Streets
You could Be My Baby
[4x]
(All the zeros lined up but the number’s blocked when you’ve come undone)
When the zeros line up on the 24 hour clock
When you know who’s calling even though the number is blocked
When you walked around your house wearing my sky blue Lacoste
And your knee socks
[2x]
A Snapshot of Fleeting Romance
“Knee Socks” by Arctic Monkeys captures the spellbinding energy of a fleeting romance, set against a backdrop of rainy evenings and quiet longing. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of two people finding comfort in each other’s company, with intimate details like “sky blue Lacoste” and “knee socks” grounding the narrative in personal memory. The song’s clever use of time and blocked calls evokes the thrill of secret connections and the bittersweet nature of desire that never quite settles into certainty.
The Intimacy of the Everyday
Alex Turner’s lyricism shines as he explores mundane moments—walking around the house, winter blues, and late afternoon ghosts—and elevates them into symbols of intimacy. Through references to classic films and pop culture, the song draws listeners into a private universe where even small gestures have emotional weight. The refrain and repetition reinforce the nostalgia and longing at the heart of this indie classic.
Song Credits
- Songwriters: Alex Turner
- Release Year: 2013
- Label: Domino Recording Company