Anticipation has the habit to set you up
For disappointment in evening entertainment but
Tonight there’ll be some love
Tonight there’ll be a rawkus, regardless of what’s gone before
I want to see all of the things that we’ve already seen
The lairy girls hung out the window of the limousine
Of course it’s fancy dress
And they’re all looking quite full on
In bunny ears and devil horns and how
Anticipation has the habit to set you up
For disappointment in evening entertainment but
Tonight there’ll be some love
Tonight there’ll be a rawkus, regardless of what’s gone before
I want to see all of the things that we’ve already seen
I wanna see you take the jackpot out the fruit machine
And put it all back in
You’ve got to understand that you can never beat the bandit, no
And she won’t be surprised and she won’t be shocked
When she’s pressed the star after she’s pressed unlock
And there’s verse and chapter sat in her inbox
And all that it says is that you’ve drank a lot
And you should bear that in mind tonight
Bear that in mind
You should bear that in mind tonight
Bear that in mind
And you can pour your heart out but her reasoning will block
Owt you send her after nine o’clock
Anticipation has the habit to set you up
For disappointment in evening entertainment but
Tonight there’ll be some love
Tonight there’ll be a rawkus, regardless of what’s gone before
And she won’t be surprised and she won’t be shocked
When she’s pressed the star after she’s pressed unlock
And there’s verse and chapter sat in her inbox
And all that it says is that you’ve drank a lot
And you should bear that in mind tonight
Bear that in mind
You should bear that in mind tonight
Bear that
And you can pour your heart out around 3 o’clock
When the 2-for-1s undone the writer’s block
Unpacking Urban Anticipation
“The View From The Afternoon” by Arctic Monkeys brilliantly captures the restless energy of youthful nights out, brimming with expectation and the inevitable letdowns that follow. The lyrics paint a vivid scene of anticipation before an evening of chaos, reflecting the hope that each night will offer something memorable, even if history suggests otherwise. Through clever imagery—lairy girls in bunny ears, the allure of fruit machines, and late-night texts—the song explores the repetitive cycles of urban nightlife and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it. The refrain reminds listeners that, despite our hopes, disappointment often lingers just beneath the surface, especially when alcohol and unfiltered confessions are involved.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Alex Turner
Release Year: 2006
Label: Domino Recording Company