When the Sun Goes Down
[Arctic Monkeys] Lyrics

I said, who's that girl there?
Asking about a girl that catches the attention of the singer.

I wonder what went wrong so that she had to roam the streets
Thinking about why the girl is on the streets in the first place.

She don't do major credit cards, I doubt she does receipts
Assuming that the girl lacks financial security and doesn't keep track of her money.

It's all not quite legitimate
Suggesting that the girl's activities may not be entirely legal.

And what a scummy man
Commenting on the character of a shady male figure.

Just give him half a chance, I bet he'll rob you if he can
Predicting that the man is capable of stealing from people given the opportunity.

Can see it in his eyes, yeah, that he's got a driving ban
Observing that the man seems to have a criminal record or has broken the law in some way.

Among some other offenses
Implying that the man may have committed other illegal acts.

And I've seen him with girls of the night
Referring to the man's tendency to hang around with sex workers.

And he told Roxanne to put on her red light
Making reference to the song 'Roxanne' by The Police, which is about a man paying a sex worker to turn on a red light outside her window.

They're all infected but he'll be alright
Claiming that the man is probably aware that he's engaging with risky behavior but thinks he'll be okay despite it.

'Cause he's a scumbag, don't you know?
Reiterating that the man in question is not a good person.

Although you're trying not to listen
Noticing that the person being spoken to is avoiding the conversation.

Avert your eyes and staring at the ground
Encouraging someone to ignore what they're seeing or hearing.

She makes a subtle proposition
The girl on the street attempts to offer something to the singer, potentially sex for money.

I'm sorry, love, I'll have to turn you down
Politely but firmly declining the girl's offer.

And oh, he must be up to summat
Thinking that the scummy man is plotting or scheming something underhanded.

What are the chances? Sure, it's more than likely
Curiously pondering the probability that the man is involved in something bad.

I've got a feeling in my stomach
Experiencing intuition or a gut feeling about the unsavory man.

And start to wonder what his story might be
Speculating on the motivations, experiences, and circumstances contributing to the man's behavior.

'Cause they said it changes when the sun goes down
Referring to the idea that once it gets dark outside, different things can happen and people behave differently.

And they said it changes when the sun goes down
Repeating the same idea about changes in behavior during nighttime from earlier in the song.

Around here
Implying that this specific area or town has a different vibe or set of rules after dark.

Look, here comes a Ford Mondeo
Pointing out the arrival of an unremarkable car.

Isn't he Mister Inconspicuous?
Sarcastically suggesting that the man driving the car is trying to blend in and avoid drawing attention to himself.

And he don't even have to say owt
Noticing that the man is able to communicate with the girl on the street without language or words.

She's in the stance ready to get picked up
Referring to the girl's body language or posture indicating she is waiting to be chosen.

Bet she's delighted when she sees him
Suggesting that the girl is excited to be picked up by the man in the car.

Pullin' in and givin' her the eye
The man in the car signals to the girl his interest in her.

Because she must be fuckin' freezin'
Observing that the girl is wearing little clothing and is likely cold in the chilly night air.

Scantily-clad beneath the clear night sky
Describing the girl on the street as wearing little clothing on a clear night.

It don't stop in the winter, no
Imagining that the business of prostitution continues year-round, even in cold weather.

Over the river going out of town
Pointing out that as one travels into the outskirts of town or into less-populated areas, the behavior of people may change too.

And what a scummy man
Labeling the man driving the car as a scumbag too.

Just give him half a chance, I bet he'll rob you if he can
Repeating the earlier prediction that the man is capable of thievery.

Can see it in his eyes, yeah, that he's got a nasty plan
Believing that the man is scheming and potentially harmful.

I hope you're not involved at all
Worrying that someone else might have gotten caught up in the unsavory situation.

Around here
Repeating the same implication about how behavior changes in certain geographic areas.

Around here, oh
Repeating the same phrase to emphasize the idea of local changes in behavior.