Black Treacle
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics

Lately I've been seeing things
I have been experiencing some unusual thoughts and visions lately.

Belly button piercings in the sky at night
I am seeing things that are beyond ordinary, something surprising and peculiar like belly button piercings in the sky.

When we're side by side
When we are together.

And I don't mean to rain on anybody's cabaret
I do not intend to spoil or ruin anyone's fun.

One of those games you're gonna lose
Sometimes, we play games that we know will end up with us losing in the end.

But you wanna play it just in case
Even though we know we are going to lose, sometimes we still want to try just in case we end up winning.

Now it's getting dark and the sky looks sticky
It is almost nighttime and the sky seems to have a dense and heavy appearance.

More like black treacle than tar
The sky seems thicker and denser than what we would imagine tar to be like, almost like black treacle.

Somebody told the stars you're not coming out tonight
The stars are not shining tonight, as if they were informed that you will not be visible tonight.

And so they found a place to hide
The stars are nowhere to be seen, as if they are hiding from us.

Does it help you stay up late?
Does it keep you awake and alert for a longer time?

Does it help you concentrate?
Does it aid in improving your focus?

Is it true you win when you chew your chin?
Is it true that if you chew your chin, you will end up being successful?

Am I ruining your fun?
Am I spoiling your entertainment or enjoyment?

And you talk the talk alright
You sound impressive and persuasive when you talk.

But do you walk the walk or catch the train?
Do your actions align with your words or are you just bluffing and missing out on opportunities?

You wanted it, you got it
You have achieved what you wanted.

But you don't want it now
Now that you have what you wanted, you have lost interest in it.

And now I'm out of place and I'm not getting any wiser
I feel uncomfortable and confused, and I am not learning anything new or useful.

I feel like the Sundance Kid behind a synthesizer
I feel like a lost and confused person, similar to the character Sundance Kid behind a synthesizer.

And I tried last night to pack away a laugh
I tried my best to hide my laughter and pretend like everything is fine.

Like a key under the mat
I was trying to hide my emotions and feelings like a key under a doormat, out of sight.

But it never seems to be there when you want it
However, I always fail at hiding my emotions, and it ends up showing when I least want it to.

Black treacle
The reference to black treacle throughout the song is a metaphor for the thick, leaden heaviness that you can feel when things aren't going right. It's like the weight of a heavy syrup or molasses clinging to you.