Well, oh, they might wear classic Reeboks
Or knackered Converse
Or tracky bottoms tucked in socks
But all of that's what the point is not
The point's that there ain't no romance around there

And there's the truth that they can't see
They'd probably like to throw a punch at me
And if you could only see 'em, then you would agree
Agree that there ain't no romance around there

You know, oh, it's a funny thing you know
We'll tell 'em if you like
We'll tell 'em all tonight
They'll never listen
Because their minds are made up
And course it's all okay to carry on that way

'Cause over there, there's broken bones
There's only music, so that there's new ringtones
And it don't take no Sherlock Holmes
To see it's a little different around here

Don't get me wrong, though, there's boys in bands
And kids who like to scrap with pool cues in their hands
And just 'cause he's had a couple o' cans
He thinks it's all right to act like a dickhead

Don't you know, oh' it's a funny thing you know
We'll tell 'em if you like
We'll tell 'em all tonight
They'll never listen
Because their minds are made up
And course it's all okay to carry on that way

But I said no
Oh no
Well, you won't get me to go
Not anywhere, not anywhere
No, I won't go
Oh no no

Well, over there, there's friends of mine
What can I say? I've known 'em for a long long time
And, yeah, they might overstep the line
But you just cannot get angry in the same way
No, not in the same way
Said, not in the same way
Oh no, oh no no


Lyrics submitted by newsboyhat, edited by ghostyyy, acperez, cburja

A Certain Romance Lyrics as written by Alex Turner

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

A Certain Romance song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

120 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +14
    General Comment

    I do agree that's it not about chavs now, it's just about anyone who hasn't got any 'romance'. It's not pegging down anyone who wears those kinds of shoes ('it's what the point is not') but it's just on segregation society. Especially youth culture. Or just the lack of romance in all of it. The way people are sort of pinned down to following trends like Reeboks/Fighting with pool cues for Townies, and Converse/Boys in bands for Indie/Emo kids. That's where the lack of romance is, that people conform to the common form.

    What's beautiful about the song is that he's resigned to saying that he's part of the whole thing; the Monkeys are arguably a 'scene' band, and they do normal lad things like get pissed and try to pull on the weekends so he's really not much different from the rest. I personally, and I know others have, felt an affinity with this part of the song, because we've all got mates who like to soup up cars with sub woofers and act like dicks when pissed, and still have that Craig David ringtone from 3 years ago but we've also all got mates who are posers and act like twats just because they're in a band and they think they're better than you. And often we distance ourselves from it because in our own mind we're different. But we've all known these people for years, from primary school and they're all still the same people they always were, but have all been slightly misguided in some way or another along that way. Me included. But they're mates, and they always will be. There's no point getting angry with it all. . . Anyone can get angry about the 'idea' of chavs, for example, but when you know them well enough to be your mate, it's very very different.

    The last verse really add some harmony to it all, I can see why they play it last in the sets.

    Does anyone else think Alex nicked the Classic Reeboks line from 'Albion' by The Libs? He fuckin' did y'know!

    saveourcityon October 02, 2005   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    have you even taken the time to listen to the song? it's immense. the arctic monkeys have a future. ppl on radio 1 are finally beginning to notice them. they deserve it- they're an amazing band

    rockmyheartouton October 04, 2005   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    There's probably no worse a place to attempt to make an 'impact' than the comment section for some random indie tune on songmeanings.net.

    saveourcityon January 15, 2006   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This songs about the Arctic Monkeys view on America and how they don't like it. They'd probably like to throw a punch at me also shows Americas views of Britain.

    darianlgon July 25, 2008   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    First, let me say that this is the most moving song in the Arctic Monkeys catalogue. It's wonderful.

    Second, if you listen to the lyrics it is abundantly clear that it is not about America or any such nonsense. It's an intensely British song, and I say this as a Yank. At the same time it could be about young people anywhere.

    It is literally about the "Chav" subculture in Britain, and the songwriter's sympathetic view of those who were part of it.

    Yes, he makes fun of them, for their silly sheep-like choices of clothing, classic Reebok sneakers, "tracky bottoms tucked in socks", as well as obsession with cell-phone ringtones, and says there is no romance in the numbing conformity of their lockstep moves, something they would surely sock him for pointing out.

    But he also says that some of them are his friends, he grew up with them, and is not going to judge them or put himself above them because he understands where they came from.

    This is actually what makes the song brilliant, as others have noted--he does not judge. He cannot "get angry in the same way" about them, because these are his people, and his milieu. He hung out at these bars, went to school with these guys, and he understands. Brilliant song.

    igglooon August 06, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i dont think its about just chavs, about emos and rockers too because it mentioned converse. i think its basically saying that in youth groups and music groups today theres no romanceand they have no magic in them basically. i think its partly about how they all hate each other aswell

    welsh_oneon September 19, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i dont think its about just chavs, about emos and rockers too because it mentioned converse. i think its basically saying that in youth groups and music groups today theres no romanceand they have no magic in them basically. i think its partly about how they all hate each other aswell

    welsh_oneon September 19, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I love this song. 'Don't get me wrong, oh there's boys in bands...' The lyrics are so good and the whole song is just great. It's pretty self explanatory with its meaning.

    ghostmusicon June 03, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Testify. 100% agree. That's what I meant above. This song criticises and celebrates what constitutes being a young person in 2005.

    saveourcityon October 29, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Best Artic Monkeys song by far.

    Lemmonon March 07, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Album art
Midnight
Ed Sheeran
“Midnight” is a song about finding a love that is so true that it provides a calming feeling through every storm. Ed Sheeran reflects on his good fortunes in landing someone with such peace and support and speaks of not fearing the dark days because he knows they’ll all end in the safety nets of her arms. “Well, good morning there / What a way to start the day / With everything laid bare,” Ed Sheeran sings in the first verse, enthusiastic to be waking up beside his woman. He apologizes for missing her calls in the second verse and promises to return them because for him, speaking to her is the most important thing. “Well, I get lost inside my head / In this chaos, you’re my calm / And I will find my feet again / ‘Cause еven the worst days of my life will always еnd / At midnight in your arms,” sings Ed Sheeran in the chorus, revelling in his good luck.