I said, “Who’s that girl there?”
I wonder what went wrong
So that she had to roam the streets
She don’t do major credit cards
I doubt she does receipts
It’s all not quite legitimate
And what a scummy man
Just give him half a chance
I bet he’ll rob you if he can
Can see it in his eyes,
Yeah, that he’s got a driving ban
Amongst some other offences
And I’ve seen him with girls of the night
And he told Roxanne to put on her red light
They’re all infected but he’ll be alright
‘Cause he’s a scumbag, don’t you know?
I said he’s a scumbag, don’t you know?
Although you’re trying not to listen
Avert your eyes and staring at the ground
She makes a subtle proposition,
“I’m sorry, love, I’ll have to turn you down”
He must be up to something
What are the chances? Sure it’s more than likely
I’ve got a feeling in my stomach
I start to wonder what his story might be
What his story might be, yeah
‘Cause they said it changes when the sun goes down
Yeah, they said it changes when the sun goes down
They said it changes when the sun goes down
Around here
Around here
Look here comes a Ford Mondeo
Isn’t he Mister Inconspicuous?
And he don’t even have to say ‘owt
She’s in the stance ready to get picked up
Bet she’s delighted when she sees him
Pulling in and giving her the eye
Because she must be fucking freezing
Scantily clad beneath the clear night sky
It doesn’t stop in the winter, no
And they said it changes when the sun goes down
Yeah, they said it changes when the sun goes down
And they said it changes when the sun goes down
Around here
Well, they said it changes when the sun goes down
Over the river going out of town
And they said it changes when the sun goes down
Around here
Around here
And what a scummy man
Just give him half a chance
I bet he’ll rob you if he can
Can see it in his eyes that he’s got a nasty plan
I hope you’re not involved at all
Observing the Nighttime Underbelly
“When The Sun Goes Down” by Arctic Monkeys offers a gritty, observational narrative of life on the fringes of urban society. The song paints a vivid picture of street life after dark, where unsavory characters and vulnerable individuals cross paths. Through sharp storytelling, lead singer Alex Turner exposes the harsh realities faced by women involved in street work and the predatory men who lurk nearby. The lyrics’ conversational tone and specific details evoke a sense of immediacy, drawing listeners into the late-night world the band describes.
Changing Faces After Dark
The recurring refrain, “it changes when the sun goes down,” highlights how the city transforms at night, revealing a hidden side filled with danger, desperation, and survival. Turner’s keen observations and pointed commentary challenge the listener to acknowledge what often goes unseen or ignored in daylight. The song’s raw realism and empathy for its subjects have made it a standout track in Arctic Monkeys’ discography.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Alex Turner
Release Year: 2006
Label: Domino Recording Company