The song uses conceptual and political imagery to give the listener a firsthand view of the âCasinoâ and its features.
A couple of months after the albumâs release, the track was released as the second and final single for the LP.
"'Tranquility Base, in reality, is the site of the first lunar landing. But whether weâre actually talking about a sort of hotel-casino complex on the moon or not is debatable. I like the idea that the record be named after a place. It isnât something that Iâve done before, but I do consider many of my favorite records almost being like places that you can visit.'"
- Alex Turner in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Filling out the information form
Mama got her hair done
Just popping out to sing a protest song
I've been on a bender back to that prophetic esplanade
Where I ponder all the questions
But just manage to miss the mark, hoo-hoo
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
This magical thinking
Feels as if it really might catch on
Mama wants some answers
Do you remember where it all went wrong?
Technological advances
Really bloody get me in the mood
Pull me in close on a crisp eve, baby
Kiss me underneath the moon's side boob
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
And do you celebrate your dark side
And then wish you'd never left the house?
Have you ever spent a generation
Trying to figure that one out?
Hoo-hoo
Good afternoonTranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
The lyrics of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino by Arctic Monkeys are open to interpretation, and different listeners may have varying takes. However, the song seems to be about detachment, isolation, technological advances, and anything else that contributes to modern-day society's collective ennui. The song opens with an image of Jesus in the day spa--a slightly unconventional start, but a fitting one considering that the rest of the song is equally experimental and unorthodox. The first verse moves on to images of Mama getting her hair done and singing a protest song, and the singer himself being on a bender. He returns to a place where he has pondered questions but has never found satisfactory answers. The pre-chorus, sung by a man named Mark, confirms the location as the Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino, and asks the listener how he can help.
The second verse focuses on the singer's interest in technological advances, and how they put him in a mood. He also mentions kissing someone beneath the moon's side boob - another strange image that challenges conventional ideas of romance. The chorus sung by Mark returns, addressing the listener once more and hinting at darker aspects of human nature. The final verse wonders if anyone has ever spent a generation figuring out their "dark side" before repeating the chorus a third time.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus in the day spa
Here, the singer is likely referring to someone who is indulging in physical pleasures and relaxation in a spa-like environment.
Filling out the information form
The singer is possibly filling out some kind of intake or registration form required for this spa experience.
Mama got her hair done
The singer may be referring to someone who has recently had a change in their appearance, feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
Just popping out to sing a protest song
Here, the artist could be referring to a person who is motivated by social and political issues, willing to speak up for their beliefs and values.
I've been on a bender back to that prophetic esplanade
This line likely describes the artist's indulgent, excessive behavior, and perhaps a return to a place they associate with creative inspiration or intuitive insights.
Where I ponder all the questions
The singer reflects on various existential and philosophical questions that arise when they revisit this place.
But just manage to miss the mark, hoo-hoo
Despite the singer's attempts to find meaning and answers, they feel as though they are still falling short or failing to understand something important.
Good afternoon
An unremarkable, polite greeting given in a professional context.
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
The name of the hotel or resort being called.
Mark speaking
The name of the person answering the phone or speaking to the caller.
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
A standard question asked in many professional settings to determine why the caller is trying to reach the business or organization.
This magical thinking
Describes a mindset or attitude of optimism, hope, and almost delusional or fanciful imagination.
Feels as if it really might catch on
The singer is suggesting that their idealistic way of thinking could become popular or widespread.
Mama wants some answers
The singer may be talking about someone who is seeking clarity or solutions to some problems or dilemmas they are facing.
Do you remember where it all went wrong?
The singer is asking a pointed, rhetorical question about the origins of some kind of conflict or failure.
Technological advances
Refers to the rapid evolution and proliferation of new technologies and innovations in modern society.
Really bloody get me in the mood
The artist is expressing enthusiasm and passion about technology and its potential to inspire or motivate them.
Pull me in close on a crisp eve, baby
This line could be interpreted as the singer expressing a desire for physical intimacy or affectionate closeness with someone special to them.
Kiss me underneath the moon's side boob
This is a humorous, whimsical way of expressing a romantic or sexual desire in a playful and slightly absurd manner.
And do you celebrate your dark side
The artist is asking a deeper, existential question about whether the listener acknowledges and embraces their inner darkness, flaws, or negative tendencies.
And then wish you'd never left the house?
This line could be interpreted as the artist acknowledging that exploring one's dark side or exposing vulnerabilities can be uncomfortable or even regrettable at times.
Have you ever spent a generation
There is a sense of time and longevity implied here, as if the artist is referring to a long period of personal growth or self-discovery.
Trying to figure that one out?
The song ends on this rhetorical question, leaving the listener to ponder the same existential questions and uncertainties that the singer has been wrestling with throughout the lyrics.
Lyrics Š Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Turner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@myfavouritecolorisgreen
LYRICS:
Jesus in the day spa filling out the information form
Mama got her hair done
Just popping out to sing a protest song
I've been on a bender back to that prophetic esplanade
Where I ponder all the questions but just manage to miss the mark
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
This magical thinking
Feels as if it really might catch on
Mama wants some answers
Do you remember where it all went wrong?
Technological advances
Really bloody get me in the mood
Pull me in close on a crisp eve baby
Kiss me underneath the moon's side boob
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
Do you celebrate your dark side
Then wish you'd never left the house?
Have you ever spent a generation trying to figure that one out?
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
@pantheafrisk2250
theory:
what if alex is living in a futuristic era where he's rich enough to live in an island, alone, where he went officially insane (made his own hotel, replaying the tapes of his bandmates, and made the hotel vintage with the theme of being 'this is what 70s people think the future would look like', even taking on the personality of a 70s-80s guy, who's name is mark and happens to be a hotel manager)
futuristic idea: most animals went extinct, such as horses and such, which is why he can be seen at 2:35 taking pictures of horses with a vintage camera (again, him trying to replicate the past as he misses living in the past).
evidence of the idea of 'living in a 70s futuristic world':
0:59 him having to use video tapes to reminisce the past even though online video clouds had already been invented?
1:03 him using a rotary phone to talk to the audience 'good afternoon, tranquility base, hotel and casino, mark speaking, please tell me how can i direct your call'
3:20 and more are just box tv screens (or perhaps old computers?) reappearing, showing that alex is in fact, trying to recreate the past
and for the infamous motorcycle scene, is where this is going to sound super *sTRETCHED*.
basically at 3:00 and onwards for a couple of seconds, alex can be seen at a deserted highway. as he sits on the motorcycle still, a guy with another motorcycle happens to pass him by. this may show that alex is trying to escape the mistakes of his past, trying to escape from his whole 'mark' personality because living out his best life alone may not be what he wanted. which is why he can be seen at a highway with another guy, and then seen chasing after him with the motorcycle. this mat imply alex's subconcious trying to escape back to reality. but at the 3:30 scene, it shows alex's subconcious wandering an empty road, with clear signs of civilization being around (the lit cinema theatre lights implies that human life may still be active there), trying to find his way back to civilization and leaving the island (thru the highway).at the end, it is up to the viewer to decide how the story ends, which is whether or not alex finds his way to civilization, or the sad reality of him having to live with his mistakes and having to succumb to be forever alone in the abandoned hotel, playing the personality of Mark.
anyways i made this because i thought that the MV itself was super cryptic and i was really bored so i thought that this theory might be really interesting to share. cheers!
@kiradanh605
Lyrics
Jesus in the day spa
Filling out the information form
Mama got her hair done
Just popping out to sing a protest song
I've been on a bender back to that prophetic esplanade
Where I ponder all the questions
But just manage to miss the mark
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
This magical thinking
Feels as if it really might catch on
Mama wants some answers
Do you remember where it all went wrong?
Technological advances
Really bloody get me in the mood
Pull me in close on a crisp eve, baby
Kiss me underneath the moon's side boob
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
Do you celebrate your dark side
Then wish you'd never left the house?
Have you ever spent a generation
Trying to figure that one out?
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
@jonnathanmike4684
LYRICS..
Jesus in the day spa
Filling out the information form
Mama got her hair done
Just popping out to sing a protest song
I've been on a bender back to that prophetic esplanade
Where I ponder all the questions
But just manage to miss the mark
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
This magical thinking
Feels as if it really might catch on
Mama wants some answers
Do you remember where it all went wrong?
Technological advances
Really bloody get me in the mood
Pull me in close on a crisp eve, baby
Kiss me underneath the moon's side boob
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
Do you celebrate your dark side
Then wish you'd never left the house?
Have you ever spent a generation
Trying to figure that one out?
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
@bagaimanajika5635
Lyrics:
Jesus in the day spa
Filling out the information form
Mama got her hair done
Just popping out to sing a protest song
I've been on a bender back to that prophetic esplanade
Where I ponder all the questions
But just manage to miss the mark
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
This magical thinking
Feels as if it really might catch on
Mama wants some answers
Do you remember where it all went wrong?
Technological advances
Really bloody get me in the mood
Pull me in close on a crisp eve, baby
Kiss me underneath the moon's side boob
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
Do you celebrate your dark side
Then wish you'd never left the house?
Have you ever spent a generation
Trying to figure that one out?
Good afternoon
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
Mark speaking
Please tell me how may I direct your call?
@guilhermealencar3891
I love the way he runs upstairs to answer the phone, Mark is such a dedicated guy
@darie7361
SAME
@jweezy9994
Other companies would just stare at the phone, and laugh at your pain, but not mark!
@cyberpunk5056
HAAJAHAHAHHAHSHA
@nettiehunt7764
Seriously hahaha
@andressadiascarvalhodesouz6135
hahahah
@eclectic505
How can something be so vintage yet so futuristic at the same time
@lidia8884
mood
@sambickerstaff4774
оНокŃŃик I guess the killjoy answer is it's a simple case of copying or parodying the past's visions of the future.
@giangerd3686
I said the same thing when I first heard the album songs