Plastic Tramp
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics
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His hair is purposely unkept
In many doorways, people wept
When you crafted your plan
Shadows underneath the eyes
And everywhere the bastard lies
My lack of proof is your disguise
There's nothing really I can say
But "Sorry, mate" and walk away
I could be wrong on this, you play your game
This world is full of most unkind
And horrible is redefined
I can't imagine that you'd mind at all
You're lying again, your conscience isn't your friend
And the only thing you're sobbing at is your imagination
Lying again, your conscience isn't your friend
And the only thing you're sobbing at is your imagination
Is he really on the street?
Desperation or deceit?
And what he's wearing on his feet
Won't solve our mystery
And I am baffled by how you stand there, soaking it in
And do you hide your identity where you hide your grin?
You'd better hide your grin
Shadows underneath the eyes
And everywhere the bastard lies
My lack of proof is your disguise
You won't remember me
There's nothing really I can say
But "sorry, mate" and walk away
I could be wrong on this, you play your game
This world is full of most unkind
And horrible is redefined
I can't imagine that you'd mind at all
You're lying again, your conscience isn't your friend
And the only thing you're sobbing at is your imagination
Lying again, your conscience isn't your friend
And the only thing you're sobbing at is your imagination
The lyrics of Arctic Monkeys’ “Plastic Tramp” describe a man who looks tired, disheveled, and possibly homeless. The singer wonders if the man is genuinely in dire straits or if he is putting on an act for sympathy. The lyrics also suggest that the man may be a con artist trying to deceive people out of their money. The singer is suspicious of the man’s intentions and lack of proof of his situation.
The singer’s frustration with the man’s deception is evident in the repetition of the lines “you’re lying again, your conscience isn’t your friend and the only thing you’re sobbing at is your imagination.” The sorrow in the voices of the people crying in the doorways is a stark contrast to the man’s possible false narrative. The singer is bothered by the fact that he feels helpless and cannot do anything to change the man’s circumstances or help him if he is genuinely in need.
The lyrics of “Plastic Tramp” seem to explore themes of deception, appearances, and the helplessness of not being able to do anything to change someone’s situation. The song’s somber tone and haunting instrumentals reflect the feeling of hopelessness that the singer experiences as he watches the situation unfold.
Line by Line Meaning
He looks as if he hasn't slept
The subject of the song appears tired and haggard
His hair is purposely unkept
The subject has intentionally neglected his appearance
In many doorways, people wept
The subject's actions have caused suffering for many
When you crafted your plan
The subject has made a calculated decision
Shadows underneath the eyes
The subject appears haunted or distressed
And everywhere the bastard lies
The subject is dishonest and deceptive
My lack of proof is your disguise
The subject is able to hide their wrongdoing due to a lack of evidence
You won't remember me
The subject expects not to be held accountable for their actions
There's nothing really I can say
The singer feels powerless to change the situation
But "Sorry, mate" and walk away
The singer can only offer a half-hearted apology and leave
I could be wrong on this, you play your game
The singer acknowledges there may be more going on than they know
This world is full of most unkind
The world can be a cruel place
And horrible is redefined
The subject has done something particularly reprehensible
I can't imagine that you'd mind at all
The subject seems indifferent to the harm they have caused
You're lying again, your conscience isn't your friend
The subject knows they are being deceitful but is not bothered by it
And the only thing you're sobbing at is your imagination
Any remorse or regret the subject feels is not genuine
Is he really on the street?
The lyrics question the authenticity of the subject's situation
Desperation or deceit?
The question remains as to whether the subject is truly in need or is manipulating the situation
And what he's wearing on his feet
The singer notes that the shoes the subject is wearing are not significant
Won't solve our mystery
The true nature of the subject's behavior is still unknown
And I am baffled by how you stand there, soaking it in
The singer is perplexed by the subject's attitude towards their actions
And do you hide your identity where you hide your grin?
The lyrics question whether the subject is hiding their true identity or feelings
You'd better hide your grin
The subject's lack of remorse is alarming
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Turner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.