The organ sample is taken directly from Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack for the iconic Western, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, where Angel Eyes enters before the final standoff.
The title could be an allusion to “Flight 505” by The Rolling Stones, with both songs sharing the theme of going somewhere to recapture a feeling or moment… or a person.
"505" is a term for something that is killing you and keeping you alive at the same time (often used for a loved person that might be bad for you).
505
Artic Monkeys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it's a 7-hour flight or a 45-minute drive
In my imagination, you're waiting, lying on your side
With your hands between your thighs
Stop and wait a sec
Oh, when you look at me like that, my darling, what did you expect?
I'd probably still adore you with your hands around my neck Or I did last time I checked
Not shy of a spark
A knife twists at the thought that I should fall short of the mark
Frightened by the bite, no, it's no harsher than the bark
The middle of adventure, such a perfect place to start
I'm going back to 505
If it's a 7-hour flight or a 45-minute drive
In my imagination, you're waiting, lying on your side
With your hands between your thighs
But I crumble completely when you cry
It seems like once again you've had to greet me with goodbye
I'm always just about to go and spoil the surprise
Take my hands off of your eyes too soon
Well, I'm going back to 505
If it's a 7-hour flight or a 45-minute drive
In my imagination, you're waiting, lying on your side
With your hands between your thighs and a smile
The first verse of Arctic Monkeys’ “505” depicts the singer reflecting on returning to a place or a person from their past. He describes the journey back, whether it’s a long flight or a quick car ride, and imagines the person he’s returning to lying on her side, hands between her thighs. This hints at a sexual and emotional connection between them. Then the second verse describes how the person he’s returning to is the kind to draw all attention with just one glance. He adds that he would still adore her even if she put her hands around his neck. The following lines say that he’s not afraid of a spark. This spark is symbolic of taking a chance on love, even if failure is a possibility. It’s a risk worth taking.
The third verse goes on to talk about how adventure is the perfect starting point for something meaningful. And so, the singer is going back to that place or person to rekindle the adventure they once had. The fourth verse follows on a bittersweet note – how he crumbles when the person he speaks of cries over goodbye. The singer implies that they always say goodbye and never manage to have a happy ending.
Overall, the song describes a powerful desire to reconnect with someone from the past. It explores the range of emotions that come with taking the risk to rekindle something that has long been gone.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going back to 505
I want to return to the place where things were happier.
If it's a 7-hour flight or a 45-minute drive
Distance is not a barrier for me to reach you, no matter the measures it might take.
In my imagination, you're waiting, lying on your side
With your hands between your thighs
I long to be close to you, exploring every inch of your body, every moment of the day.
Stop and wait a sec
Oh, when you look at me like that, my darling, what did you expect?
I cannot resist your gaze, your beauty is shining so bright.
I'd probably still adore you with your hands around my neck
Or I did last time I checked
Even if you are controlling, I still love everything about you.
Not shy of a spark
A knife twists at the thought that I should fall short of the mark
Frightened by the bite, no, it's no harsher than the bark
The middle of adventure, such a perfect place to start
There is always a danger in trying, but it is better to experience things instead of living in regret.
But I crumble completely when you cry
It seems like once again you've had to greet me with goodbye
I'm always just about to go and spoil the surprise
Take my hands off of your eyes too soon
It hurts me to see you in pain, and I struggle to keep the surprises exciting.
With your hands between your thighs and a smile
You are happy and content when you are near me, and it is all I could ask for.
Contributed by Charlotte F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@harlem9828
" But i crumble completely when you cry " hits everytime.
@amybishop666
It's the climax of the whole song. Not like a chorus that's said multiple times. Thats my favorite type of song. I kinda hate choruses, it makes a song repetitive. I remember when I was a lil teenager and "Panic! at the disco" came out and their music was so different because the titles of their songs aren't lyrics within the song. I know bands did it long before them, but growing up on Britney Spears, Nsync, and the ICONIC Back Street Boys, I had never heard anything like it before 😂
@Ghq-mm
@@amybishop666 will I hope you can do your chores now😭😭
@bbsecuritysysyem
It really does 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯
@roro-wrecks8364
That line makes me cry because my friends brother literally tried to kill him and it hurt him emotionally and when he cried it was the worst thing I've ever heard. I sat crying all night even after we stopped talking
@Shamiknight8
Any other songs like this? I love the energy in this song..
@geographicalnerd
I love this song so much and the fact that it only uses two chords ( Dm and Em) makes it absolutely FABULOUS
@harvey7353
Yeah haha that’s so true. I recently picked up the guitar and that’s the first song I can play. The strumming pattern also is easy for beginners
@joshuagoulden823
🥳🔥🔥😊
@OakVolcano7858
Yeah, uncreative repetitive music is absolutely FABULOUS