19 Leave Before The Lights Come On
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics


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Well, this is a good idea
He wouldn't do it if it wasn't
He wouldn't do it if it wasn't one
Well, my friend fancies you
Oh, what a way to begin it all
You said, "They're always exciting words to hear"
And they woke up together not quite realizing how
Awkwardly stretching and yawning
It's always hard in the morning

And I suppose that's the price you pay
Well, oh, it isn't what it was
She's thinking he looks different today
And now there's nothing left to guess now

They left before the lights came on
Because they didn't want to ruin what it was that was brewing
Before they absolutely had to
And how can you wake up with someone you don't love
And not feel slightly fazed by it?
Oh, he had a struggle
And they woke up together not quite realizing how

Awkwardly stretching and yawning
It's always hard in the morning

And I suppose that's the price you pay
Well, oh, it isn't what it was
She's thinking he looks different today
And now there's nothing left to guess now

Well, quick, let's leave before the lights come on
'Cause then you don't have to see
'Cause then you don't have to see what you've done



Well, quick, let's leave before the lights come on
'Cause then you don't have to see
'Cause then you don't have to see what you've done

I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
I'll walk you up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Arctic Monkeys' song "Leave Before The Lights Come On" depict a story of two people who had a one-night stand but wake up regretting it. The mood of the song is melancholic and reflective, capturing the hazy feeling of the morning after. The opening lines "Well, this is a good idea, he wouldn't do it if it wasn't" is a play on the fact that the main character is trying to convince themselves that the previous night was a good idea and that he wouldn't have done it otherwise.


The lyrics in the chorus "And how can you wake up with someone you don't love? And not feel slightly phased by it" speak to the disconnect felt by the two characters, who clearly don't have any emotional attachment to each other. The lyrics also suggest the fear of facing the reality of what they have done and not wanting to ruin the fleeting moment by avoiding the morning-after confrontation. The concluding lines of the song "I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?" suggest that though it may not have been the perfect night, the two characters share a sense of camaraderie and are attempting to move forward from their one night of passion.


Overall, "Leave Before The Lights Come On" is an introspective take on the aftermath of a one-night stand, showcasing Alex Turner's skills in crafting vivid and reflective lyrical narratives.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, this is a good idea
Beginning of the story, someone is about to do something


He wouldn't do it if it wasn't
The person is confident in their decision to do what they're about to do


He wouldn't do it if it wasn't one
Reiteration that the person is convinced doing what they're doing is a good idea


Well, my friend fancies you
A confession that the artist's friend finds the person they're talking to attractive


Oh, what a way to begin it all
Acknowledgement that this could be the beginning of something exciting


You said they're always exciting words to hear
The person they're talking to said the right thing to make the moment exciting


They woke up together
The two people slept together


Not quite realizing how
They weren't entirely sure how they ended up sleeping together


Awkwardly stretching and yawning
They woke up feeling awkward and tired


It's always hard in the morning
A common understanding that mornings can be tough after a night like the one they had


And I suppose that's the price you pay
Suggesting that there are consequences to their actions and they have to face them


Well, oh, it isn't what it was
Acknowledging that the situation isn't as great as they thought it would be


She's thinking he looks different today
One of the two people is starting to have second thoughts


And oh, there's nothing left to guess now
The situation is clear and there's no more pretending


They left before the lights came on
The two people didn't want to confront the reality of their situation


Because they didn't want to ruin
The two people wanted to preserve the moment they had shared


What it was that was brewing
They wanted to preserve their possible romance


Before they absolutely had to
They wanted to delay having to confront their feelings


And how can you wake up
A rhetorical question about the difficulty of waking up beside someone you don't have feelings for


With someone you don't love?
The question is clarified


And not feel slightly phased by it
Expressing surprise that faced with the situation, they're not feeling more conflicted


Oh, he had a struggle
One of the people is struggling with their feelings


Quick, let's leave
The two people make a quick exit


What time's the bus come?
The person who's leaving wants to know when the bus is coming


'cause then you don't have to see
It becomes clear they don't want to face their emotions


'cause then you don't have to see what you've done
Leaving before the lights come on avoids having to see the aftermath of their actions


I'll walk you up
One of the people offers to accompany the other to the bus stop




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Turner

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

c o

Alex Turner is pure class

Declan Hayes

I need to stop saying ladies and gentlemen that must be the 14th time

Avacado Man

Matt Helders is amazing he comes up with some incredible stuff.

Gavin Furey

That pause at 1:26 gets me everytime

rarethen9

haha it's mind-blowing

Alicia Anthony

This version FUCKING bangs!!!!!!

charlie hudson

Amazing

Carla Ann

Did he say, I’m gonna have a slice of toast? 😂

Saturn Studios

ankyou very muh

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