Take It Or Leave It
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics


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Leave me alone
I'm in control, I'm in control
And girls act too much and boys act too tough
Enough is enough

We're on the minds of other men I know she was
And take it or leave it
And take it or leave it
And take it or leave it
Oh just take it or leave it
And take it or leave it
Oh, take it

I say, hes going to let you down
He's going to let you down
He's going to let you down
And going to break your back for a chance
And going to steal your friends if he can
He's going to win someday

I fell off the track
Now I can't go back
I'm not like that
Boys act too much, girls act too tough
Enough is enough

Well on the minds of other girls iIknow he was
I said just take it or leave it
And take it or leave it
And take it or leave it
And take it or leave it
Oh just take it or leave it
And take it or leave it
Oh, take it

I say, he's going to let you down
He's going to let you down
He's going to let you down
And going to break your back for a chance
And going to steal your friends if he can




He's going to win someday
Oh he will

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Take It or Leave It" by Arctic Monkeys seem to be exploring the idea of relationships and the power dynamics within them. The singer seems to be speaking to a female friend, warning her both about her own behavior ("girls act too much and boys act too tough") and about the behavior of men she may be interested in ("he's going to let you down" and "going to break your back for a chance"). The repeated refrain of "take it or leave it" seems to be a way of encouraging this friend to take control of her own life and not let herself be used by others.


The song also has a somewhat melancholic feel, with the singer lamenting that he himself has "fallen off the track" and can't go back. This could be interpreted as him feeling like he's lost control of his own life or relationships.


Interestingly, the song's structure is somewhat unusual - it has no chorus, instead relying on the repetition of the "take it or leave it" refrain. This is not uncommon in Arctic Monkeys songs, which often play with traditional song structures.


Line by Line Meaning

Leave me alone
I want to be left alone and have control over my own life.


I'm in control, I'm in control
I have the power to make my own decisions and be responsible for my own life.


And girls act too much and boys act too tough
Both genders often feel the need to act in certain ways that are not true to themselves.


Enough is enough
I have reached my limit and can't tolerate it anymore.


We're on the minds of other men I know she was
People are talking about us and our situation.


And take it or leave it
Accept my offer or reject it, it's up to you.


Oh just take it or leave it
I'm not going to beg you, the decision is yours.


I say, hes going to let you down
I believe he will disappoint you.


And going to break your back for a chance
He will do anything to get what he wants, even if it hurts you.


And going to steal your friends if he can
He will manipulate others and use them against you to get what he wants.


He's going to win someday
He may be successful in his pursuits, but it won't be worth it in the end.


I fell off the track
I made a mistake and got derailed from my path.


Now I can't go back
I can't undo what's been done and go back to how things were.


I'm not like that
I am not one to pretend or put on a false persona.


Well on the minds of other girls iIknow he was
Other girls are also aware of his reputation.


I said just take it or leave it
I made it clear that there are no conditions or exceptions to my offer.


Oh, take it
If you want it, take it. If not, don't waste my time.


He's going to win someday
He may succeed in the short term, but his tactics will eventually catch up to him.


Oh he will
I have no doubt that he will eventually face the consequences of his actions.




Contributed by Natalie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Ricardo Oo

[Verse 1]
Can't you see I'm trying? I don't even like it
I just lied to get to your apartment
Now I'm staying there just for a while
I can't think, 'cause I'm just way too tired

[Chorus]
Is this it?
Is this it?
Is this it?

[Verse 2]
Said they'd give you anything you ever wanted
When they lied, I knew it was just stable
Children trying hard not to realize
I was sitting right behind you

[Bridge]
Dear, can't you see? It's them, it's not me
We're not enemies, we just disagree
If I was like him, all dissing his pa
He changes his mind, says I went too far
We all disagree, I think we should disagree, yeah

[Chorus]
Is this it?
Is this it?
Is this it?

[Verse 1]
Can't you see I'm trying? I don't even like it
I just lied to get to your apartment
Now I'm staying there just for a while
I can't think, 'cause I'm just way too tired



Júlia Rodrigues

Can't you see I'm trying?
I don't even like it. I just lied to
Get to your apartment, now I'm staying
Here just for a while
I can't think 'cause I'm just way too tired
Is this it?
Is this it?
Is this it?
Said they'd give you anything you ever wanted
When they lied, I knew it was just stable children
Trying hard not to realize I was sitting right behind them
Oh dear, can't you see? It's them it's not me
We're not enemies; We just disagree
If I was like them all pissed in this bar
He changes his mind, says I went too far
We all disagree
I think we should disagree, yeah
Is this it
Is this it
Is this it
Can't you see I'm trying?
I don't even like it. I just lied to
Get to your apartment, now I'm staying
Here just for a while
I can't think 'cause I'm just way too tired



All comments from YouTube:

Black Phoenix 89

I love that the fans knew right from the opening drum beat what song it was.
Iconic music.

Kameraa

Lol I really doubt they knew it was is this at the first second. They were just cheering cause they started to play another song

Débora Meyer

Black Phoenix 89 they knew it cause everyone knows that alex is the biggest strokes’ fan💗

frstbite

Kameraa I mean if you listen to Arctic Monkeys enough to go to one of their shows you probably listen to at least some of The Strokes, shouldn’t be too hard to recognise one of their most popular songs then

Billy Mouxt.

Yeah because NYC

6 More Replies...

Kiahra Sanchez

The way he knows the lyrics by heart like an absolute fan girl

Giselle

Alex is the biggest Strokes fanboy there is ♡

Sean Joyce

Now look at the mess you made me make

Antonina Virduzzo

I love Alex and Julian too

theNurhusni

"I just wanted to be one of The Strokes"

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