Fright Lined Dining Room
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics


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You thrive on dancing in our laps
Before the more familiar chaps
Who know the curtain leads to fever
We watched the womaniser cry
And in the last sip you and I declared we
Might require a breather
I am the truth's true truant
I can feign excitement fluently as solid
As I can busk shock
With well-presented merriment
And I know all too well I shouldn't
Break the key off in the lock

And the tumble split's the frame
Revealing silk and fit's
In the fright lined dining room
Throw a gaze towards them while they feast

The days drag their heels
When you're not there to crack the whip
And the weeks wait to burst
Like a sachet of brats
The old pantomime villain follows my coat
And he hides where it hangs
And he spies through the slats
And meanwhile in the desert's
Only costume shop
The cowls hang and wait to rot
Away the identities of the willing

So I'm back to sugar in the night
Rocketing shutter doors despite the shop
Not opening for hours you can itch
Flap and whistle and try to avoid the tock
As I scribbled over drivel
You were snoring showing off

The tumble split's the frame
Revealing silk and fit's




In the fright lined dining room
Throw a gaze towards them while they feast

Overall Meaning

The song "Fright Lined Dining Room" by Arctic Monkeys is a commentary on societal tendencies towards shallow and consuming lifestyles. The opening lines "You thrive on dancing in our laps, before the more familiar chaps" suggest the insatiable desires and need to be the center of attention that the singer observes in others. The line "And oh the curtain leads to fever" may suggest the feverish nature of the consumption and desire that the singer observes in others. The singer then observes someone who is typically a womanizer breaking down and crying, which may indicate the toxicity and dangers of such hedonistic lifestyles.


The singer then introspects and comments on their own ability to feign excitement and busk shock, indicating a sort of nihilistic and cynical perspective. The line "And I know all too well, I shouldn't break the key off in the lock" suggests an awareness of their own potentially destructive tendencies. The line "The days drag their heels when you're not there to crack the whip" may suggest the need for external validation and the stagnation that comes from lacking it.


The singer then observes the societal tendency to villainize people, as evidenced by the "old pantomime villain" following their coat. The lines "And meanwhile in the desert's only costume shop, the cowls hang and wait to rot away the identities of the willing" suggest the conformism that leads one to willingly abandon their identity in order to fit in with societal norms. The line "Drowned bags of sugar in the night, rocketing shuttered doors despite, the shop not opening for hours" may suggest the violent tendencies that arise from this conformism.


Overall, "Fright Lined Dining Room" is a social critique on the societal tendencies towards hedonistic lifestyles, conformism, and violence.


Line by Line Meaning

You thrive on dancing in our laps
You enjoy being the center of attention and captivating those around you with your dancing skills.


Before the more familiar chaps
You seek out the attention of those who are well-known or well-liked, hoping to gain validation and approval from them.


And oh the curtain leads to fever
The thrill of putting on a show or performance can be addicting, leading to a sense of euphoria and excitement.


We watched a womanizer cry
We witnessed someone who is known for seducing and manipulating women break down emotionally, revealing a more vulnerable side.


And in the last sip you and I
As we finished our drinks, we both realized that we need a break from the pressure and expectations of the situation.


Declared we might require a breather
We openly admitted that we need the space and time to recharge and reflect on what we've experienced.


I am the truth true through and I
I am someone who always tells the truth and remains authentic to myself and my values.


Can feign excitement fluently
I am capable of pretending to be excited or interested in something, even if I'm not, in order to avoid conflict or please others.


As solid as I can busk shock
I am confident in my ability to shock or surprise people through my actions or words, but only when I feel it aligns with my true self.


With well presented merriment
I have a knack for putting on a happy or cheerful facade in public, but it doesn't always reflect my internal state.


And I know all too well
I am aware and experienced in the fact that some actions or decisions can have negative consequences.


I shouldn't break the key off in the lock
I should avoid taking actions that can have detrimental effects or permanently damage a situation, even if it may be tempting in the moment.


And the tumble splits the frame, revealing silk and fit
A sudden event or revelation can expose the true nature or underlying beauty of a situation or object.


In the fright lined dining room
The setting of the scene is a dining room with a spooky or unsettling atmosphere.


Throw a gaze towards them while they feast
Take a moment to observe and analyze those who are enjoying themselves or benefiting from a situation.


The days drag their heels when you're not there to crack the whip
Time seems to move more slowly and unproductively when there isn't someone in charge or motivated to keep things moving.


And the weeks wait to burst like a sache of brass
There is a sense of built-up tension or anticipation that is waiting to explode or break free.


The old pantomime villain follows my coat
A metaphorical figure or persona that represents deceit or negativity is always present and trying to bring me down.


And he hides where it hangs and he spies through the slots
This harmful figure keeps a watchful eye on me, even when I think I'm alone or safe.


And meanwhile in the desert's only costume shop
In a barren or desolate environment, there is still the presence of creativity and the desire to express oneself through fashion or art.


The cowls hang and wait to rot away the identities of the willing
The clothes and costumes have the power to obscure or strip away one's true identity, and some people are willing to let that happen.


Drowned bags of sugar in the night
A surreal or mysterious image of bags of sugar submerged in water, possibly representing something sweet that has been ruined or wasted.


Rocketing shuttered doors despite
Despite obstacles or barriers, there is still a sense of speed or urgency to move forward or escape a situation.


The shop not opening for hours
The setting is a shop that is closed or inaccessible, representing a missed opportunity or dream that can't be realized.


You can itch, flap, and whistle
There are many ways to distract or entertain oneself, but they may not necessarily be productive or fulfilling.


And try to avoid the talk
One may try to avoid difficult or uncomfortable conversations, but they are often necessary to resolve conflicts or move forward.


As I scribbled over drivel you were snoring, showing off
While I was trying to focus or be productive, you were sleeping or not taking things seriously, possibly even boasting about it.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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pax


on 505

yo this is sick

robin


on When the Sun Goes Down

DAMNNN THEY ARE GOOD GOOD

robin


on Old Yellow Bricks

damn looking at these comments remind me that there is so many things to understand about the lyrics

Birgit Eierhoff


on Do I Wanna Know

The sound goes into the blood. :)

Jeannie Smith


on Do I Wanna Know

I like it.

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