Archie Marry Me
Alvvays Lyrics
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You've student loans to pay and will not risk the alimony
We spend our days locked in a room, content inside a bubble
And in the nighttime we go out and scour the streets for trouble
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
During the summer, take me sailing out on the Atlantic
I won't set my sights on other seas, there is no need to panic
So honey take me by the hand and we can sign some papers
Forget the invitations, floral arrangements and bread makers
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Too late to go out, too young to stay in
They're talking about us living in sin
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Hey, hey, A-R-C-H-I-E, hey
The song "Archie, Marry Me" by Alvvays is a clever and playful exploration of the themes of love, commitment, and social expectations. The song is built around a sweet, almost childlike melody, and features lead singer Molly Rankin's gentle, wistful vocals. The lyrics tell the story of a young couple who are deeply in love but struggling to find their place in the world. The first verse highlights the fact that the male character in the song is hesitant to get married due to the financial burden it can cause, with the line "You've expressed explicitly your contempt for matrimony. You've student loans to pay and will not risk the alimony". Despite this, the couple is content to spend their days together in their own little bubble, and at night they venture out into the world together to have fun and experience life.
The chorus of the song is a simple and catchy call to action, with the repeated line "Hey, hey, marry me, Archie" representing the female character's desire for a deeper commitment from her partner. In the second verse, the couple is depicted as dreaming of adventure and excitement, with the female character longing to sail out on the Atlantic. She reassures her partner that she is fully committed to him and does not need to explore other possibilities, saying "I won't set my sights on other seas, there is no need to panic". The couple then decides to forego the traditional trappings of a wedding, with the female character urging her partner to simply take her hand and sign some papers, saying "Forget the invitations, floral arrangements and bread makers".
The final verse of the song reflects the anxieties of youth, with the couple worrying that society will judge them for their unconventional lifestyle. They feel caught between the desire to explore the world and the pressure to conform to social norms, with the line "Too late to go out, too young to stay in. They're talking about us living in sin". Despite these concerns, the female character remains steadfast in her desire for commitment from her partner, repeating the chorus once more and spelling out his name with the line "Hey, hey, A-R-C-H-I-E, hey".
Line by Line Meaning
You've expressed explicitly your contempt for matrimony
You have made it clear that you dislike the concept of marriage.
You've student loans to pay and will not risk the alimony
You have financial obligations and do not want to risk paying alimony if things go wrong.
We spend our days locked in a room, content inside a bubble
We are happy being alone together and don't need much else.
And in the nighttime we go out and scour the streets for trouble
We like to have fun and be adventurous at night.
During the summer, take me sailing out on the Atlantic
In the summer, I want to go on an adventure with you out on the open water.
I won't set my sights on other seas, there is no need to panic
I am committed to you and will not stray from our relationship.
So honey take me by the hand and we can sign some papers
Let's make our commitment official by getting married.
Forget the invitations, floral arrangements and bread makers
We don't need an elaborate wedding with fancy decorations and food.
Too late to go out, too young to stay in
We are at a point where we are too old to be going out all the time, but also too young to settle down.
They're talking about us living in sin
Others may judge our relationship because we are not married.
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
I am serious about wanting to get married to you, Archie.
Hey, hey, A-R-C-H-I-E, hey
An excited call to Archie, repeating his name.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: Alec O'Hanley, Molly Rankin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kashmir1799
just gonna leave this here
You've expressed explicitly your contempt for matrimony
You've student loans to pay and will not risk the alimony
We spend our days locked in a room content inside a bubble
And in the night time we go out and scour the streets for trouble
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
During the summer take me sailing out on the Atlantic
I won't set my sights on other seas, there is no need to panic
So honey take me by the hand and we can sign some papers
Forget the invitations, floral arrangements and bread makers
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Too late to go out, too young to stay in
They're talking about us living in sin
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Hey, hey, marry me, Archie
Hey, hey, A.R.C.H.I.E, hey
@paperstarred
Same. After having listened to it a lot, I think it's because it sounds like a farewell to youth, like a beautiful summer that you knew wouldnt last forever.
In this case, that beautiful, fleeting something is the relationship with Archie. The proposition, "Marry me, Archie," is a request to extend that feeling of carefreeness and of the freedom that comes with youth before the responsibilities of full adulthood hit you like a bag of bricks.
And while adulthood does creep in, with the mention of "Student loans to pay," the singer and Archie are still young enough to live life "in a bubble" and "scour the streets for trouble."
Aging and youth comes up again in the lyrics, "too late to go out, too young to stay in," which indicate that, yes, they are growing up, and are on that cusp of adulthood where staying up all night becomes a costly thing to do.
The other people who talk about them "living in sin" is symbolic of society's pressure to "grow up" and be more responsible.
But the singer wants to hold onto youth and the carelessness that comes with it. "Marry me, Archie," expresses this, considering that marriage seems like such a typical thing that young couples jump into impulsively.
There's an understanding however, that Archie has "expressed explicitly [his] contempt for matrimony," just as there is an understanding that the singer can't keep just living in the moment without consideration of obligations. Which is the fate of growing up.
@fraouel
this has broken my solid 3-year obsession with black metal. melt my cold black heart, archie's lover!
@midnightchurningspriteshaq8533
What he means is that there should be a metal version of this song.
@BloodyArmourKnight
Francois Ouellette you can still listen black metal and admire the beauty and talent of Alvvays, i love Travis, oasis, soundgarden, slayer, and creedence and i hear that kind of bands too
@KingCarrot500
No reason not to have both in your life man. I'm not a metal fan personally but I listen to all sorts of Drum&Bass. Gotta make time for beauties like this too :)
@empr3ssoftheun1verse
no matter how much i love black metal it doesn't define my entire taste. it's always nice to have some diversity, more genres more happiness
@fvnk_buddha
I used to be a "purist" too, stoner metal or anything heavy and aggressive. But as im getting older, I just dont give a shit anymore. If it sounds good, I'll listen to it no matter the gerne. Music is music.
@solita777
I feel like in those aesthetic like old movies when listening to this. Flowers everywhere, late night movies, young love, sorrow nights. The teenage life.
@2ndnickthegreek992
This comment warmed my heart a little bit. Sending you a hug wherever you are.
@VardaoftheStars
I totally think of Mary Kate and Ashley’s old movies. Especially ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’ when they go to Luna Park in Sydney, AUS
@sulladrum
62-year-old post-punk, alt-rock listener who is absolutely in love with this song. I only wish I'd heard it 6 years ago