Humbug has been considered a very important piece in Arctic Monkeys' catalogue. It marked the first time they recorded material under Queens of The Stone Age frontman, Josh Homme’s, influence. In an article by NME magazine, Mike Williams writes:
"If Arctic Monkeys had never walked into the desert with Josh Homme to record Humbug in 2009, they could never have made AM‘. Humbug was as much about subverting people’s impressions of who the band were as it was an album in its own right."
Potion Approaching
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we embellished the banks of our bloodstreams
And threw caution to the colorful
Then we fell asleep in the car
Until the bumps woke me up in your grip
And the tide took me to your mouth
And then swept me back down to your palms
That yours is the only ocean (yours is the only ocean)
That I wanna swing from
Yours is the only ocean
That I wanna hang on
I've got this ego mechanic
She's always trying to give me vitamins
Ah, she'd be frightened of your reflection
I preferred her as a cartoon
If I could be someone else for a week
I'd spend it chasing after you
'Cause she's not shattering my attitude
No matter how she folds the potion
Yours is the only ocean (yours is the only ocean)
That I wanna swing from
Yours is the only ocean
That I want to hang on to
(I'm swinging on)
Yours is the only ocean
Yours is the only ocean
Yours is the only ocean
Yours is the only ocean
Potion approaching, shield your eyes
Potion approaching, visualize
Holding a token, swollen in size
Potion approaching, shield your eyes
Oh, but if we're gonna escape though
We really ought to think it through
Would you like me to build you a go-kart?
The lyrics of "Potion Approaching" by Arctic Monkeys talk about being in a dream-like state, wherein the singer finds themselves lost in time and space. The imagery in the first verse suggests that they were inebriated by something potent and carefree. They fell asleep in a car and found themselves being drawn to their lover. The metaphor surrounding the "ocean" appears to perpetuate that the singer's love interest is the only one they need. The singer finds themselves being pursued by an "ego mechanic" who is trying to reinforce their self-esteem. However, the singer prefers their love interest and wishes they could be with them all the time.
The bridge, "potion approaching," seems to suggest that the singer is aware of something happening or coming, and they need to prepare themselves. The last line of the song is humorous and maybe a reference to a potential escape plan. The song is open to interpretation, but the overall theme is about being lost in love and finding a sense of belonging in that love.
Line by Line Meaning
I was biting the time zone
I was eagerly waiting for the right time to do something
And we embellished the banks of our bloodstreams
We indulged in drugs and altered our state of mind
And threw caution to the colorful
We took risks and lived life to the fullest
Then we fell asleep in the car
We were exhausted and needed rest
Until the bumps woke me up in your grip
The movement of the car woke me up while I was in your embrace
And the tide took me to your mouth
I was pulled towards your lips as we kissed
And then swept me back down to your palms
I went back to holding your hand after the kiss
It's them that put me inside the reminder
Someone else made me remember
That yours is the only ocean (yours is the only ocean)
No one else can give me the same feeling as you do
That I wanna swing from
I want to experience the thrill of being with you
I've got this ego mechanic
I have this inner voice that boosts my confidence
She's always trying to give me vitamins
The voice keeps trying to motivate me
Ah, she'd be frightened of your reflection
The voice is scared of your impact on me
I preferred her as a cartoon
I preferred to ignore the voice
If I could be someone else for a week
If I could change who I am
I'd spend it chasing after you
I would spend the time pursuing you
'Cause she's not shattering my attitude
The voice is not affecting my outlook on life
No matter how she folds the potion
The voice cannot change my mind
Yours is the only ocean (yours is the only ocean)
No one else can give me the same feeling as you do
That I wanna swing from
I want to experience the thrill of being with you
Potion approaching, shield your eyes
Be careful, something dangerous is coming
Potion approaching, visualize
Prepare yourself for what's coming
Holding a token, swollen in size
Holding onto something valuable that has grown in importance
Potion approaching, shield your eyes
Be careful, something dangerous is coming
Oh, but if we're gonna escape though
If we're going to run away
We really ought to think it through
We need to plan our escape carefully
Would you like me to build you a go-kart?
Do you want to make a quick getaway in a makeshift vehicle?
Yours is the only ocean
No one else can give me the same feeling as you do
Yours is the only ocean
No one else can give me the same feeling as you do
Yours is the only ocean
No one else can give me the same feeling as you do
Yours is the only ocean
No one else can give me the same feeling as you do
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.