Do Me a Favour
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics
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Where there was tears on the steering wheel, dripping on the seat
Several hours or several weeks
I'd have the cheek to say they're equally as bleak
It's the beginning of the end
The car went up the hill and disappeared around the bend
Ask anyone, they'll tell you that
To start to breaking up, to start to fall apart
Hold on to your heart
And do me a favor, will you break my nose
And do me a favor, and tell me to go away
Oh, do me a favor, stop asking questions
Well she walked away while her shoes were untied
When the eyes were all red
You could see that we'd cried
And I watched, and I waited till she was inside
Forcing a smile and waving goodbye
Curiosity becomes a heavy load
Too heavy to hold, too heavy to hold
Curiosity becomes a heavy load
Too heavy to hold, will force you to be cold
And do me a favor, and ask, if you need some help
She said, do me a favor, and stop flattering yourself
And to tear apart the ties that bind
Perhaps 'fuck off' might be too kind
Perhaps 'fuck off' might be too kind
The Arctic Monkeys’ “Do Me A Favour” is a song about an ending relationship, specifically the time when the unraveling starts to occur. The opening lines set the tone for the entire song, as the singer is driving with tears on the steering wheel and seeking some way to come to terms with the inevitable change that’s coming. The use of the word “bleak” in these lines draws a stark picture of the future, evoking emotions of sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness.
The chorus of the song is where the lyrics become interesting. Here, the singer is asking for someone to do them a favor by breaking their nose, telling them to go away, or stop asking questions. These requests indicate that the singer is struggling with how to deal with the situation and wants someone else to make the hard decisions. The second verse further shows this struggle, as the singer is waiting for the other person to leave and is trying to force a smile and waves goodbye when they do.
The repetition of the phrase “Do me a favour” throughout the song highlights the desperation to take some action, to do something or to have something done, in order to alleviate the pain of the situation. However, it appears as though no such resolution is possible, and the relationship will end with both parties walking away. The final lines of the song - “Perhaps 'fuck off' might be too kind” - suggest there are strong emotions involved that might hurt or make the situation worse.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the morning was complete
It was a perfect morning.
Where there was tears on the steering wheel, dripping on the seat
Someone had been crying in the car.
Several hours or several weeks
Time feels the same whether it's been hours or weeks.
I'd have the cheek to say they're equally as bleak
Both hours and weeks are equally depressing.
It's the beginning of the end
Things are starting to fall apart.
The car went up the hill and disappeared around the bend
The car drove away and out of sight.
Ask anyone, they'll tell you that
Everyone knows this to be true.
It's these times that it tends
During these hard times.
To start to breaking up, to start to fall apart
Things begin to break down and deteriorate.
Hold on to your heart
Stay strong during difficult times.
And do me a favor, will you break my nose
Do something painful to distract from emotional pain.
And do me a favor, and tell me to go away
Request to be left alone.
Oh, do me a favor, stop asking questions
Stop probing and questioning.
Well she walked away while her shoes were untied
She left in a hurry.
When the eyes were all red
From crying.
You could see that we'd cried
It was evident that tears had been shed.
And I watched, and I waited till she was inside
Watched until they were safely inside.
Forcing a smile and waving goodbye
Acting happy while feeling sad.
Curiosity becomes a heavy load
Being too nosy is a burden.
Too heavy to hold, too heavy to hold
Can't bear the weight of curiosity.
And do me a favor, and ask, if you need some help
Offering help to someone in need.
She said, do me a favor, and stop flattering yourself
Stop thinking so highly of yourself.
And to tear apart the ties that bind
To break free from connections and responsibilities.
Perhaps 'fuck off' might be too kind
Leaving is the best thing to do, even if it seems harsh.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALEX TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind