2013
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics

In the first verse of Arctic Monkey's song "2013," the singer reflects on the rapid pace of technological changes and how they have impacted our lives. The line "Well, the times are so a'changing" is an allusion to Bob Dylan's famous song of the same name, which highlights the cultural and social change of the 1960s. The singer of "2013" notes that even when things are happening live, we have the ability to pause and rewind them. This reference to technology highlights the idea that in today's world, we have access to everything instantly and have the power to control and manipulate our experiences. The line "You knew it would go amazing, but is this what you had in mind?" questions whether the current state of things is what we intended when we embraced such rapid progress.

The chorus of "2013" serves as a commentary on the state of the world in the year 2013. The repetition of "It's two thousand and thirteen" serves to emphasize the time in which the song is set, while the phrase "all across the galaxy" creates a sense of universality to the lyrics. This lyric seems to suggest that the technological advancements that have occurred over the past decade have had a global impact, and it's not just a local phenomenon.

In the second verse, the singer uses fantastical, sci-fi imagery to describe the impact of technology on our lives. The line "On the back of a transmitter, there's a little shiny fruit" is a reference to Apple's logo, while the "little shiny fruit" may represent the temptation of technology. The singer then describes how social media, in the form of Instagram and Twitter, has ensnared the subject, leaving her unable to break free.

Overall, "2013" is an astute commentary on the rapid pace of technological change and its impact on society. The Arctic Monkeys use vivid imagery and descriptive language to perfectly capture the wonder and unease that goes along with living in an era of constant technological progress.