Produced by Saint Etienne
Rel… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs
Produced by Saint Etienne
Released January 1993 on You're in a Bad Way
Notes The introductory sample is Richard Attenborough as Pinkie in the film Brighton Rock. The drum sample is taken from the Marshall Jefferson remix of the Pet Shop Boys' Being Boring, the original of which was sampled on She's The One. The 68 London bus route mentioned in the second verse runs from West Norwood to Euston, stopping at Tulse Hill, Herne Hill, Camberwell, Walworth, Elephant & Castle, Waterloo, Aldwych, Holborn and Russell Square. Bob Stanley commented in 2016: "remembers how 1993 B-Side ‘Archway People’ – “and I blame Pete for this because he wrote it!” – has led to him meeting two people who moved to Archway as a direct result. “Which is weird,” he muses “because the lyrics of the song aren’t meant to be particularly chirpy…”.
Archway People
Saint Etienne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You asked me to make a record of my voice. Well here it is. What you want me to say is I love you. Here's the truth. I hate you, you little slut. You make me sick!
When you told me your dream (when you told me your dream)
I wanted to cry.
You almost looked happy (you almost looked happy)
Please don't tell me it's true.
All our neighbors are old (all our neighbors are old)
There are some nice parts of London, (there are some nice parts of London)
You can see them from here (you can see them from here, you can see them from here.)
You're not going to change,
We're not moving away.
Were staying here, (staying here.)
Were staying here, (staying here.)
We both work 'til late,
Catch the fifty-eight.
Usually asleep by eleven, (asleep by eleven)
But somehow it didn't seem right
When you turned and said (when you turned and said)
Let's go mad tonight.
So we drank and danced; (so we drank and danced)
For once I felt close to you (for once I felt close to you, for once I felt close to you.)
You're not going to change.
We're not moving away.
We're staying here, (staying here.)
We're staying here, (staying here.)
We're staying here, (staying here.)
We're staying here, (staying here.)
We're staying here, (staying here.)
We're staying here, (staying here.)
We're staying here, (staying here...)
The song Archway People by Saint Etienne tells the story of a couple living in Archway, a neighbourhood in North London. The lyrics of the song recount the daily routine of the couple, which involves working late and catching the fifty-eight bus. The couple is seemingly content with their life, despite disliking their neighbours and the constant buzzing of the street lamps.
However, the dynamics of their relationship change when one night, the couple decides to "go mad" and drink and dance. The singer feels a moment of connection with their partner, but ultimately, they realize that nothing has changed, and they will continue their routine in Archway. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "We're staying here," emphasizing the couple's resigned acceptance of their life's circumstances.
Overall, the song's lyrics seem to portray a sense of frustration and boredom with daily life, but also a resignation to the mundanity of things. Despite the desire to break free and experience something new, the couple ultimately decides to stay where they are and make the best of their situation.
Line by Line Meaning
When you told me your dream (when you told me your dream)
The singer expresses sadness upon hearing their partner's dream.
I wanted to cry.
The singer's reaction to their partner's dream made them feel emotional.
You almost looked happy (you almost looked happy)
The partner appears to have been happy when telling their dream.
Please don't tell me it's true.
The artist is in disbelief about the possibility of the dream coming true.
All our neighbors are old (all our neighbors are old)
The artist and partner live in a neighborhood with elderly residents.
Street-lamp buzzes all night.
The singer describes an annoying sound that persists throughout the night.
There are some nice parts of London, (there are some nice parts of London)
Despite the current surroundings, the singer acknowledges the existence of good areas in London.
You can see them from here (you can see them from here, you can see them from here.)
The good areas of London are visible from where the artist and partner live.
You're not going to change,
The artist does not believe their partner will change.
We're not moving away.
The couple has no intention of leaving their current home and neighborhood.
Were staying here, (staying here.)
The couple has decided to stay in their current home and not move elsewhere.
We both work 'til late,
Both the artist and their partner work late hours.
Catch the fifty-eight.
The couple takes the fifty-eight bus home from work.
Usually asleep by eleven, (asleep by eleven)
The couple goes to bed early most nights.
But somehow it didn't seem right
Something about the current situation did not feel right to the singer.
When you turned and said (when you turned and said)
The partner said something that caught the artist's attention.
Let's go mad tonight.
The partner suggests doing something wild and crazy that night.
So we drank and danced; (so we drank and danced)
The couple proceeded to drink alcohol and dance together.
For once I felt close to you (for once I felt close to you, for once I felt close to you.)
The night of drinking and dancing brought the couple closer together.
We're staying here, (staying here.)
The couple reiterates their decision to stay in their current home.
We're staying here, (staying here.)
The couple reiterates their decision to stay in their current home.
We're staying here, (staying here.)
The couple reiterates their decision to stay in their current home.
We're staying here, (staying here.)
The couple reiterates their decision to stay in their current home.
We're staying here, (staying here.)
The couple reiterates their decision to stay in their current home.
We're staying here, (staying here.)
The couple reiterates their decision to stay in their current home.
We're staying here, (staying here...)
The couple concludes the song by continuously stating their intention to stay in their current home.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB STANLEY, PETER STEWART WIGGS, ROBERT STANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Neil M
This song is absolute perfection. Even their b-sides are better than most musicians normal songs.
Gun Dark
agree. it is a well constructed song that incorporates 1990 indie basslines.and the drum track is 25 years ahead of its time talking electro house circa 2006
Foxbase Alpha
One of the best. I wish they'd digitally remaster this.
Rodrigo Valenzuela
The drum sample is taken from the Marshall Jefferson remix of the Pet Shop Boys' Being Boring, the original of which was sampled on She's The One. The 68 London bus route mentioned in the second verse runs from West Norwood to Euston, stopping at Tulse Hill, Herne Hill, Camberwell, Walworth, Elephant & Castle, Waterloo, Aldwych, Holburn and Russell Square. Bob Stanley commented in 2016: "remembers how 1993 B-Side ‘Archway People’ – “and I blame Pete for this because he wrote it!” – has led to him meeting two people who moved to Archway as a direct result. “Which is weird,” he muses “because the lyrics of the song aren’t meant to be particularly chirpy…”.
Michael Helme - HEAR HERE!
I wonder if the two people managed to find a flat near that street-lamp that "buzzes all night" ? 🤔😁
Alan True
A gem from the.. enne!? Loved them forever and all their fans who so obviously have class.