Cigarette Smoke
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics

Get out the way, mister
The singer is telling someone to move out of their way

With your short sharp tips
The person being asked to move has something pointy or sharp that implies danger

No, I won't read your lips right now
The singer does not want to pay attention to the other person's words or message

And baby, hey
The artist addresses someone they consider attractive or endearing in a familiar way

You send a shiver down my spine
The person being addressed has an effect on the artist, both physical and emotional

But do you read my mind
The singer questions if the other person understands their intentions or thoughts

Do you...
The singer leaves the question open-ended

And you're looking pretty suspicious
The person being addressed has a demeanor or behavior that is unsettling to the artist

And probably planning a heist
The artist imagines that the other person is involved in some type of illegal activity

He's wanting to go to the strippers
A third person (not addressed directly) wants to go to a strip club

It makes him feel all nice
This activity brings pleasure or satisfaction to the third person

(Cigarette smoke yeah)
The chorus begins

The cigarette smoke in your eyes
The singer observes that the other person has smoke in their eyes

Watching a stripper and
The third person is looking at someone performing a striptease

(Smacking a bloke yeah)
The third person hits or slaps someone else

Smacking a bloke here tonight
The third person engages in a physical altercation with someone else present that evening

He's prob'ly got stopped by a panda
The third person gets pulled over for speeding by the police (represented by a 'panda')

For speeding on his way there
The third person was driving too fast on their way to a destination

... flashing of digital cameras
The scene shifts to a different location

From tourists in Trafalgar Square
The artist describes people taking pictures in a specific area of London

(Snortin' some coke yeah)
The chorus is repeated

Snortin' some coke off her thighs
The third person is using drugs in the presence of someone else

(Cigarette smoke yeah)
The chorus is repeated again

And I just can't see for the
The artist is blinded by

The cigarette smoke in your eyes
The smoke from the other person's cigarette

Lalalalalala laaaaaaaoooo
The song ends with a nonsensical vocalization

Oww
An additional vocalization to indicate pain or discomfort