Top 10 Arctic Monkeys Songs
Formed in 2002 in England, the Arctic Monkeys found success with their debut album thanks to the hit single “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.” Since then, the indie rock band has been steadily releasing albums and attracting critical acclaim and fans around the world. For this list, we've chosen our entries based on a combination of the artist's fan favorites with their most commercially successful songs. Join WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top Ten Arctic Monkeys Songs.
Special thanks to our users Matty Cadney, Hykel Mohamed and leoncatterall for submitting the idea on our Suggest Page at WatchMojo.comsuggest
We bet they look good on the dancefloor. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top Ten Arctic Monkeys Songs.
For this list, we’ve chosen our entries based on a combination of the artist’s fan favorites with their most commercially successful songs.
#10: “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor”
Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)
The band’s first single from their debut is also one of their most famous tracks. Opening with a spiky guitar solo, it perfectly personifies the band's early sound: while describing the comings and goings of club life and eagle-eyed flirting, it combines fast rhythmic chord progressions and an upbeat tempo that’s infectiously catchy. These guys sure know how to bang out a straight-up boppy hit.
#9: “R U Mine?”
AM (2013)
With this explosive 2012 single, the Arctic Monkeys arguably returned to the sound fans were missing on previous albums. “R U Mine?” also gave admirers a taste of what was to come on their fifth effort. With raw ‘70s-style rock guitar and frontman Alex Turner spitting out some of his classic tongue-twisting lyrics, this single brought the band back to the limelight and was accompanied by a killer, award-winning music video.
#8: “Do Me A Favour”
Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
“Do Me A Favour” is a straight-up song about failed relationships and growing up. But it also combines atmospheric drumming from Matt Helders, cool bass lines from Nick O’Malley and some distant echoing guitar, all of which creates a palette for Turner to construct yet another thought-provoking tale. From its narrative-styled beginning to its explosive conclusion, it’s a wonderful showcase of how well the band members play off each other and how dramatically they can shift the tone of a song.
#7: “Do I Wanna Know?”
AM (2013)
Led by a spine-chilling riff that’s eventually met by mantra-esque chanting, this song manages to merge Turner’s delicate lyrics with a head-bouncing beat. Yet another single used to tease fans before the release of their fifth record, “Do I Wanna Know?” offers a variation of the Arctic Monkey’s styles acquired over each of their albums and ultimately displays how they’ve matured as a band and as individuals.
#6: “Crying Lightning”
Humbug (2009)
Entering a new era of influence and sound, the Arctic Monkeys released “Crying Lightning” as the first single off Humbug. As an attempt to explore new sonic possibilities under producer Josh Homme, it’s quite different from their previous material. But its highly psychedelic vibe and Turner’s experimentation with conceptual lyrics also injected the band with a new sense of creativity and possibilities.
#5: “505”
Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
You may fail to detect the band’s hallmark sound when you first hear the album closer to Favourite Worst Nightmare. That’s because the organ intro is taken from “‘The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.” Regardless, “505” has become an encore favourite. And though the band’s sound was still evolving, this number is a great showcase of their lyrical and instrumental storytelling, since it becomes more layered and complex as it goes on.
#4: “Dance Little Liar”
Humbug (2009)
Another unforgettable tune from the sonic experimentation that is Humbug, “Dance Little Liar” is led by booming drums and rather eerie backing guitar. With the band laying down a repetitive beat, Turner has a canvas to express himself lyrically. Even though the song’s structure is quite linear, its anxious guitar solo and powerful drumming towards the end reminds us how any of their songs could go anywhere at any time.
#3: “Cornerstone”
Humbug (2009)
With its lovelorn story, this surprisingly upbeat sounding track also comes from the Arctic Monkey’s darker album, Humbug. Released as the disc’s second single, “Cornerstone” features a groovy bass riff and carefully plucked guitar. This gives the track a dreamier feel that was almost completely absent from the rest of the band’s third record. It also showcased a newfound confidence and maturity in Turner's songwriting.
#2: “Fluorescent Adolescent”
Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
This track highlights the chemistry between Turner and Helders, as the essence of its sound is found in the guitar’s bouncy connection with the drums. While this and ‘Brianstorm’ were both hits off Favourite Worst Nightmare, it’s “Fluorescent Adolescent”’s catchy sound and memorable lyrics that makes our list. Also notable is its clown-filled music video, which later inspired the band to dress up as clowns during a live performance.
Honourable Mentions
“When The Sun Goes Down” Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)
“The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala” Suck It And See (2011)
“No. 1 Party Anthem” AM (2013)
”Fake Tales Of San Francisco” Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)
“The View from the Afternoon” Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)
#1: “A Certain Romance”
Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)
This is the track from the band’s debut to which many critics directed their praise. Starting off upbeat and thunderous, the album closer mellows out into a more melodic sound and is accompanied by Turner’s masterfully observational and detailed lyrics. With its up-and-down nature, “A Certain Romance” is a perfect example of how the Arctic Monkeys can pull off multiple sounds and create their very own.
Do you agree with our list? What is your favourite Arctic Monkeys song? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
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