The organ sample is taken directly from Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack for the iconic Western, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, where Angel Eyes enters before the final standoff.
The title could be an allusion to “Flight 505” by The Rolling Stones, with both songs sharing the theme of going somewhere to recapture a feeling or moment… or a person.
"505" is a term for something that is killing you and keeping you alive at the same time (often used for a loved person that might be bad for you).
505
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics
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If it's a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive
In my imagination, you're waitin' lyin' on your side
With your hands between your thighs
Stop and wait a sec
When you look at me like that, my darlin', what did you expect?
I'd probably still adore you with your hands around my neck
Or I did last time I checked
Not shy of a spark
The knife twists at the thought that I should fall short of the mark
Frightened by the bite, though it's no harsher than the bark
The middle of adventure, such a perfect place to start
I'm going back to 505
If it's a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive
In my imagination, you're waitin' lyin' on your side
With your hands between your thighs
But I crumble completely when you cry
It seems like once again you've had to greet me with goodbye
I'm always just about to go and spoil the surprise
Take my hands off of your eyes too soon
I'm going back to 505
If it's a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive
In my imagination, you're waitin' lyin' on your side
With your hands between your thighs and a smile
Arctic Monkey's "505" is a song about longing and nostalgia. The lyrics describe the singer's desire to return to a place and time where he was happy and in love. The title of the song "505" is actually a reference to a hotel room number where the singer and his lover had stayed before, and now he is wanting to go back there for a reunion.
The song's opening line, "I'm going back to 505," repeats itself throughout the song, indicating the singer's obsession with this one singular moment. He describes the distance between him and his lover, but declares that he doesn't mind traveling long hours to be reunited with her. His vivid imagination fuels his longing and makes him see her lying on the bed with her hands between her thighs, waiting for him.
The line "Stop and wait a sec when you look at me like that", suggests that the singer feels the intensity of his lover's gaze and realizes that she has a hold on him. The knife, the bark, and the bite imagery points to the difficulties that the singer faces in his relationship. Although being with his lover is often a frenzy, he wouldn't want it any other way because the relationship helps him escape from his mundane life.
In the end, the singer admits to being weak for his lover, saying that he crumbles completely when she cries. He doesn't want to ruin any surprises, yet his love for her often causes him to get over-excited and blurts out things too soon. Evidently, the song reflects a complicated relationship full of ups and downs, but nonetheless, the singer still wants to go back to that moment of pure happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going back to 505
The singer is returning to a place or moment in their past.
If it's a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive
The distance or time it takes to reach this place is not important to the singer.
In my imagination, you're waitin' lyin' on your side
The singer is picturing someone they care about resting comfortably.
With your hands between your thighs
The artist finds the person they are imagining attractive.
Stop and wait a sec
The artist is addressing someone and asking them to pause and listen.
When you look at me like that, my darlin', what did you expect?
The singer is curious about the meaning behind a specific gaze.
I'd probably still adore you with your hands around my neck
Despite the danger or risk involved, the singer still loves the person holding them tightly.
Or I did last time I checked
The artist is not sure if their feelings have changed since the last time they checked.
Not shy of a spark
The artist is not afraid of taking risks or being spontaneous.
The knife twists at the thought that I should fall short of the mark
The artist is afraid of disappointing those around them.
Frightened by the bite, though it's no harsher than the bark
The singer is scared by the potential consequences of their actions, even if they are not as bad as they seem.
The middle of adventure, such a perfect place to start
The artist believes that taking risks and going on adventures is a great way to start something new.
But I crumble completely when you cry
The singer is emotional when they see the person they care about upset.
It seems like once again you've had to greet me with goodbye
The singer has experienced this kind of separation before and it upsets them.
I'm always just about to go and spoil the surprise
The singer struggles to keep a secret or surprise from the person they care about.
Take my hands off of your eyes too soon
The artist regrets revealing something too quickly or ruining the suspense.
With your hands between your thighs and a smile
The artist imagines the person they care about is happy and enjoying themselves.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Turner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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