7 Best Arctic Monkeys songs of all time

From Sheffield, back in the early 2000s, Arctic Monkeys burst onto the scene. Their mix of rough guitar sounds, witty lyrics, and nods to old rock styles caught many ears. Arctic Monkeys' first big album came out in 2006 and made headlines as the quickest-selling debut UK album at that time.

The main singer, Alex Turner, developed a distinctive vocal style and sharp, wise song words to show what the band was all about: tales of nights out, young times, and everyday chaos. Over time, Arctic Monkeys kept their sound fresh, evolving from raw rock to more layered and experimental compositions, as in their 2018 album, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.

With seven big albums, a lot of Brit Awards, and Grammy nods, the band keeps fan love and high marks. Their songs, with top hits like Do I Wanna Know? and 505, show a group that wants to continue to evolve while staying true to their roots. This blend keeps them in the light. This step shows Arctic Monkeys' fight to not stay the same in a music world that's always on the move.

From their start with online buzz to being big in rock all over the world, the band has kept showing they're open to changing their own ways. The Arctic Monkeys didn't just stick to the loud, wild style that first made them known. Over time, they took on more tricky, new ways of making music, changing who they are instead of sticking to it.

Not everyone loved these changes, but they showed the band cared more about making their own art than just being liked by all. Instead of just doing what everyone else thought they should, or trying to redo past wins, the band chose to take on what was tough and full of unknowns.

Their long-term plan has kept them in the game, not stuck to one way of doing things, and has let them stay loved not just as artists, but as bold music makers ready to change. In a field where lasting is not common and trying new things can go wrong, Arctic Monkeys have made moves their own way, slowly, with thought, and without giving up what sets them apart.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. The reader's discretion is advised!

Here are the top 7 Arctic Monkeys songs of all time

Picking the best Arctic Monkeys songs isn't just about how many times they were played or sold, it's about the big moments that show the group's growth and big mark. Over time, their music has shown changes from wild youth to deep tries, making it hard to pick the top songs.

Here, seven songs don't just stand out for being liked, but for how they show key times in the group's path, each one brings a change in style, view, or sound. Whether pushed by smart words, new setups, or big effects, these picks show why Arctic Monkeys are still one of the top names in modern rock.

1) Do I Wanna Know? (2013)

Arctic Monkeys' song Do I Wanna Know? is not just about love; it's a slow dive into unsure feelings. It came out in 2013 on their AM album. This song is quieter and draws you in, unlike their past loud songs. It has a deep guitar sound that goes on and on, and the song moves slowly, making room for the lead singer, Alex Turner's deep words.

He does not just say how he feels. Instead, he asks about it, doubts it, and shows a soft side that you feel more than hear. The song's feel mixes blues and a hint of mind-bending sounds, adding a heavy mood that fits the words well.

Not only a big win with critics, the song rose up global charts, got a Grammy nod, and turned into one of the band's key hits. It's a track that sticks around, not as it calls for your focus, but as it lingers long after it ends.

2) Arabella (2013)

Arabella is more than just a top song on Arctic Monkeys' AM; it's a clear sign of the band's move from plain indie rock to a mood that's darker, smoother, and more sure. The tune starts with a chill, fun riff that soon turns into loud, heavy sounds, setting up a mix that goes on in the song: cool, calm meets strong force. In words, it's about a woman who seems not real, secret, from another world, and draws you in.

Arabella isn't shown in gentle or love-filled ways; she's strong, filled with space-like pictures and a rock vibe that makes her more of a star than just someone to love. As the lyrics unfold gradually, the chorus bursts out strong, pushed by deep beats and clear voices that just call for everyone to sing with them.

The charm of Arabella isn't just in its fun setup, it's in how the tune mixes many old music styles. You can hear bits of stony rock, old 70s lines, and some fast rap-like singing, but it all blends into something new.

It seems careful but not too much, cool but real. Arctic Monkeys use this song to show what they can now do, moving from fast jokes to a tight grip, and cute indie to a full, bold rock sound. Arabella doesn't just follow their AM style, it sets it.

3) I Wanna Be Yours (2013)

The track I Wanna Be Yours by Arctic Monkeys, from their 2013 record AM, shows us a deep yet soft side of real love. It makes simple things stand for deep care and trust. Not using old love talk, this song picks a light but real style. Every day home items like a vacuum, a Ford Cortina, or a tiny heater, turn into big signs of love.

These word images are more than just fun; they show the singer's big wish to be a huge part of their loved one's life, to be wanted, to bring heat, and to never leave. The words, "I wanna be your vacuum cleaner / Breathing in your dust," tell us about a deep need to take in even the messy parts of love. On the other hand, "I wanna be your Ford Cortina / I will never rust" hints at a vow to endure.

As the song plays, we see a more open side, mostly when it says, "Secrets I have held in my heart / Are harder to hide than I thought." This shows how love can break down the walls we build.

In what follows, the chat moves in. The one who sings aims to be like a "portable heater" or a "setting lotion," stuff you don't see but make you feel nice each day. It points to a love that's gentle yet needed.

The song's cry of "wanna be yours" says more than just a want; it speaks of being there for good and feeling safe and sure. It ends by saying love is "deep as the Pacific Ocean," tying real-life things to something big and deep. It makes you feel a love that's clear but hits you hard.

4) Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High? (2013)

The 2013 hit by Arctic Monkeys moves away from their wild, old sound to slower grooves with funk influences. The tune mirrors the dizzy feel of being up too late. With its deep bass and light, offbeat drums, it plays out with a hypnotic balance of restraint and chaos.

It fits a state of mind torn by want and doubt. Alex Turner's way of singing is low and smooth, near-talking, which fits the talking style of the song's words. Instead of talking big about sad love or a sweet tale, they sing about a real thing we get - those late calls and texts slid in more from old habits or wanting than a real feel.

The storytelling is soft yet sharp. Turner turns his soft side into sharp words, asking a key, heavy question: why now? This cool distance, mixed with the song's slick sound and catchy beat, made it shine in both sales and reviews. It rose into the top 20 in many lands and marked a key time for the band during their AM phase. This was when they mixed rock with soul, hip-hop beats, and deep late-night thoughts.

5) The Jeweller's Hand (2009)

The Jeweller's Hand makes a soft say from Arctic Monkeys, a tune that does not run after big sales but goes for a sound that's dark and deep on purpose. From the first sound, you can tell the band is not trying to follow what is hot or grab quick wins. The chord moves here are complex and chilling, some of the best in their work, making a feel that's both dream-like and full of deep feels.

Instead of relying on loud guitars or catchy hooks, the band makes drama with mood and calm. With words, it shows well how Alex Turner can mix hidden poems and clear pictures. His words in this song don't just give out their meaning; they invite deep interpretation and reflection. The Jeweller's Hand doesn't aim to set who the Arctic Monkeys are, but it shows they don't want to be boxed in by others.

6) Dancing Shoes (2006)

Dancing Shoes is an early hit by the Arctic Monkeys that shows off their wild energy and smart humor well, making them hard to miss. The song tells of the jittery feel of getting ready for a night out, not the glamorous kind, but the awkward and all-too-familiar moments of meeting people.

It's not just about big party fun; it's about the pull of wanting to chill out and feeling a bit wrong in the spot. The music moves with thin guitar sounds and a sharp drum beat that keeps it all tight and fast, while Alex Turner's singing cuts in with a cool step-back and a smile at what he sees.

His words don't paint a perfect picture; instead, they show the awkward ways people try to attract each other and the silent play of rules that come with it. The line "get on your dancing shoes" is less an ask and more a sly push at how silly it all is. The song hits the mark because it's so bare, no need for showy sounds or many layers.

Every bit is sharp, meant to be there, and has life. It captures the feel of young nights in loud clubs, where sure and unsure meet, and Arctic Monkeys catch that air with clear style and grace. Dancing Shoes is not just a fun indie rock song; it's a fast, smart look at a person put to music. It shows off how the band could turn simple things into art early on.

7) One For the Road (2013)

One for the Road, from Arctic Monkeys' fifth big work, AM, is a song that takes its time but draws you in with its feel and rhythm. It starts with a slow, sure guitar play that keeps hold, making a hot, late-night air. The band does not burst into high vibe right off, but lets the song warm up, gaining force with each line before hitting a strong, catchy tune.

There's a clear shift from the cool air of the music to the deep, heartfelt feeling of the words. The song shows a man stuck in a wish to find someone again who has gone on, putting a soft side behind the tough show. The song has an old rock sound, it tips its hat to the rough vibe of the young Rolling Stones and the showy style of T. Rex, but wraps it in a new, clean sound work.

The music mix balances old and new: deep guitar tunes, strong beats, and light tech parts blend in a way that feels new but still has an old touch. The Arctic Monkeys keep it cool and sharp but still give the song room to flow, not filling it with too much show. What sets One for the Road apart is not just its smooth sound or its slick catch, but its way of showing both an emotional pull and want.

It's like a night drive through old memories you can't yet leave behind. This mix of sureness and sadness, and the band's skill in changing their style yet keeping their core, is why many fans love this song. It’s a picture of Arctic Monkeys at a grown-up time in their work, calm, put together, and fully in charge of their art.

Arctic Monkeys' song list shows a group always changing its look, but never losing its main charm. From the sharp, fast feel of their first songs to the deeper, new ways of their later work, they've kept a rare skill to change yet stay true to their sound. Each album stands out as its own tale, whether it's in rough indie rock, smooth desert sounds, or deep, calm songs.

They don't chase what's hot, but rather, they remake themselves, letting their music deepen and shift in style as time goes on. This wild need to make new things and not stay the same is why their music is not just mixed, but stays loved.

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