“Bat phone” is business jargon for a private phone line whose calls take priority over official channels. The term had its genesis in the late 1960s Batman television series.
The song speaks of technology, and gives both an analysis and criticism of modern day use of devices. Interestingly enough, songwriter Alex Turner doesn’t associate himself with any form of social media outside using Twitter for promotion and updates. He warned “technology is worth keeping an eye on” during his interview with Billboard promoting the album.
Batphone
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To describe this thing
That you say we're all grandfathered in
I'll use the search engine (we've got much to discuss)
Too much to discuss
Over a bucket of balls
I can recall the glow of your low beams
It's the big night in Tinsel City
I launch my fragrance called "Integrity"
I sell the fact that I can't be bought
Have I told you all about the time
That I got sucked into a hole through a hand held device?
I will flashback now and again but I'm usually alright
Thankfully the process has been simplified
Since the last time you tried
I've recognized the glow of your low beams numerous times
I'll be by the Batphone if you need to get a hold
Making a selection
Opening credits roll
Panoramic windows looking out across your soul
You go in through the door
Vengeance trilogy wallpaper walls
They have re-decorated it all
They've changed all the lights and the bar's down the side
I've recognized the glow of your low beams numerous times
Through fairly opaque blinds in the sitting room
Vehicles will pass by but I know when it's you
I'll be in a nose dive in my flying shoes
Right behind your closed eyes like a memory from your youth
I'll be by the Batphone if you need to get a hold
Making a selection
Opening credits roll
Killer pink flamingos
Computer controlled
Panoramic windows looking out across your soul
The lyrics of Batphone by Arctic Monkeys are cryptic and full of imagery, leaving room for multiple interpretations. The song is about the superficiality and shallowness of modern society, with references to technology and Hollywood culture. The first verse speaks of the difficulty in finding the right word to describe the situation, the grandfathered-in attitude that we have towards the world. The search engine mentioned hints at the dependence on technology, and the bucket of balls possibly represents the disposable and replaceable nature of things in our culture.
The chorus has the singer speaking of recognizing the glow of low beams, implying a sense of familiarity with someone, and leaving the Batphone open for communication. The second verse describes a place that has undergone changes, adorned with wallpaper and high-tech features like panoramic windows and computer-controlled pink flamingos, yet still recognizable. The vague mention of the vengeance trilogy wallpaper walls could refer to the violent and bloody themes present in films, often sold as entertainment. The last two lines suggest that the singer is embedded in the memory of someone from their youth.
The refrain of the song ends with a repeated phrase of "making a selection, opening credits roll," perhaps underscoring the performative nature of society, where we constantly make choices that are showcased like movie credits.
Line by Line Meaning
I want an interesting synonym
I seek a fascinating replacement term
To describe this thing
To describe the unspecified matter we're discussing
That you say we're all grandfathered in
That it is a fact you claim we all have legal rights to access
I'll use the search engine (we've got much to discuss)
I'll browse the web since we have a lot to deliberate
Too much to discuss
Too much subject matter to debate
Over a bucket of balls
At a golf course for diversion
I can recall the glow of your low beams
I remember the bright headlights of your vehicle
It's the big night in Tinsel City
It's an eventful evening in Hollywood
Life became a spectator sport
Life has become like a game to observe
I launch my fragrance called 'Integrity'
I introduce my brand of honesty
I sell the fact that I can't be bought
I advertise the idea that I can't be purchased
Have I told you all about the time
Have I shared the tale with you
That I got sucked into a hole through a hand held device?
When I was vacuumed into a passage through a gadget
I will flashback now and again but I'm usually alright
I may recollect the episode occasionally, but usually it doesn't affect me
Thankfully the process has been simplified
Fortunately, the procedure has been made simpler compared to before
Since the last time you tried
Since you last attempted it
I've recognized the glow of your low beams numerous times
I've seen your car headlights shine on multiple occasions
I'll be by the Batphone if you need to get a hold
I'll be near the hotline if you want to contact me
Making a selection
Choosing a course of action
Opening credits roll
The film's opening titles appear
Panoramic windows looking out across your soul
Large windows viewing into your innermost thoughts
You go in through the door
You enter through the entrance
Vengeance trilogy wallpaper walls
The wall covering features images from a film trilogy on retribution
They have re-decorated it all
They've revamped everything
They've changed all the lights and the bar's down the side
They've replaced the lights and shifted the bar to its edge
Through fairly opaque blinds in the sitting room
Through somewhat see-through window coverings in the living area
Vehicles will pass by but I know when it's you
Cars will drive by but I can tell which one is yours
I'll be in a nose dive in my flying shoes
I'll be flying rapidly towards you
Right behind your closed eyes like a memory from your youth
Inside your mind like an experience you once had
Killer pink flamingos
Decorative pink flamingos that have a deadly appearance
Computer controlled
Operated by a computer system
Panoramic windows looking out across your soul
Large windows viewing into your innermost thoughts
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Turner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alisha 1033
Lyrics:
I want an interesting synonym to describe this thing
That you say we're all grandfathered in
I'll use the search engine
(We've got much to discuss)
Too much to discuss over a bucket of balls
I can recall the glow of your low beams
It's the big night in Tinsel City
Life became a spectator sport
I launch my fragrance called 'Integrity'
I sell the fact that I can't be bought
Have I told you all about the time that I got sucked into a hole
Through a handheld device?
I will flashback now and again, but I'm usually alright
Thankfully, the process has been simplified
Since the last time you tried
I've recognised the glow of your low beams numerous times
I'll be by the Batphone if you need to get a hold
Making a selection, opening credits roll
Panoramic windows looking out across your soul
You go in through the door
Vengeance trilogy wallpaper walls
They have re-decorated it all
They've changed all the lights and the bar's down the side
I've recognised the glow of your low beams numerous times
Through fairly opaque blinds in the sitting room
Vehicles will pass by, but I know when it's you
I'll be in a nose dive in my flying shoes
Right behind your closed eyes like a memory from your youth
I'll be by the Batphone if you need to get a hold
Making a selection, opening credits roll
Killer Pink Flamingos, computer controlled
Panoramic windows looking out across your soul.
Carlos Medina
What I love about this song is that it almost has no chorus, it's like one long poem so I never get tired of it.. easily replayable
Jorge
Totalmente de acuerdo¡¡¡ :D
Arctic Caligari
Agree, but I think it's A LOT more than just an easily replayable song. I'd say "easily LOVABLE". Yes, getting tired of a song like this would be like getting tired of taking a breath of fresh air in the morning .
Robert Dominguez
it's a trick Turner picked up from Leonard Cohen
Vanilla Killa
Yes but actually no there is a chorus, sick tune nonetheless
Facundo
Hay coro, pero por una vez alex no usa el V o VI grado para hacer el coro, si no usó el VII menor, por eso el coro no les suena a coro.
Este album es donde alex mas "exploro" otras formas de componer las partes de una cancion
sibehburnedtofu
I'm part of that minority who really loves this album. It's slow, soothing and relaxing to listen to. Sure, it's completely different from their previous albums but it's Arctic Monkeys, there's always a drastic change in their music style between albums.
MexicanNascar
I didn’t like it initally but it grew on me really fast
Archie Spindler
Same
Alef Ander
we are