Well, now then, mardy bum
I've seen your frown and it's like looking down
The barrel of a gun
And it goes off
And out come all these words
Oh, there's a very pleasant side to you
A side I much prefer

It's one that laughs and jokes around
Remember cuddles in the kitchen, yeah
To get things off the ground
And it was up, up and away
Oh, but it's right hard to remember that
On a day like today
When you're all argumentative
And you've got the face on

Well, now then, mardy bum
Oh, I'm in trouble again, aren't I?
I thought as much
'Cause you turned over there
Pulling that silent disappointment face
The one that I can't bare

Well, can't we just laugh and joke around?
Remember cuddles in the kitchen, yeah
To get things off the ground
And it was up, up and away
Oh, but it's right hard to remember that
On a day like today
When you're all argumentative
And you've got the face on

And, yeah, I'm sorry I was late
But I missed the train
And then the traffic was a state
And I can't be arsed to carry on in this debate
That reoccurs, oh, when you say I don't care
But, of course I do, yeah, I clearly do

So laugh and joke around?
Remember cuddles in the kitchen, yeah
To get things off the ground
And it was up, up and away
Oh, but it's right hard to remember that
On a day like today
When you're all argumentative
And you've got the face on


Lyrics submitted by obsessed, edited by potnoodles, llnnss, TheJawa

Mardy Bum Lyrics as written by Alex Turner

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Mardy Bum song meanings
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  • +7
    General Comment

    Mardy is a Nottingum [Nottingham] expression

    Mardy bum - is said to a girl Mardy bugger - is said to a boy

    Its another word for grumpy or downbeat.

    Other Nottingum expressions that may be included in a forthcoming Monkey's album include:

    Tabs = ears Tegs = teeth Geggs = glasses A-up me duck = Hello there Monk On = feeling of unhappiness It's a bit black over bills mothers = weathers awful Youf = young person

    :-)

    BoHoon February 06, 2006   Link
  • +6
    General Comment

    Nothing I can really add to this discussion. I'm in an 8 year relationship with my now-fiancee and [more than often!] she has these moments where she's in a right mood which really irks me off, but I still remember I love her to bits and remember these laughs and jokes.

    The end of the second verse sums it up -

    "And I can't be arsed to carry on in this debate That reoccurs ,oh when you say I don't care Well of course I do, yeah I clearly do! "

    tommyhaychon July 26, 2010   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    This song has got relationships down to a tee.

    'That reoccurs, oh when you say I don't care Well of course I do, yeah I clearly do!'

    One of the best lyrics I've heard for a long time.

    saveourcityon September 10, 2005   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    Mardy = Childish, sulky. Easily upset and wants their own way all the time. Mainly from the East Midlands although it does appear to have some use in the Manchester area.

    Sarkon January 31, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    firstly mardy isnt nottingham slang its northen slang lol. theyr from rotherham. n my mate knows them it is about alexs ex-gf n aparently shes wel mardy. howevr this relationship song is relevant 2 any relationship wudnt u say?

    mrsjcasablancason February 28, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I like the way each chorus is started differently.

    'It's one that laughs and jokes around'

    'Can't we laugh and joke around'

    'To laugh and joke around'

    Very nice.

    saveourcityon November 06, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    just the use of the word 'mardy' in this song makes me love it!! a word i've always used frequently and many people have no idea what it means!!! the monkeys are ace!

    neurotic_chickon December 23, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I love the lines 'remember cuddles in the kitchen, Yeah to get things off the ground'

    It's like every relationship thats been on the go for a while and someone might start a wee cuddle and then things move up stairs (off the ground).

    scappaflowon July 14, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Lou Lou, Mardy bum was never limited to north, I live near birmingham and my mom used to call it me all the time.

    Violentpacifiston October 14, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i always thought it was about this guy named marty who was a bum. i wasnt sure why he was so grumpy all the time at alex, tho... i'm not kidding.

    GoochyLittlePigon October 20, 2006   Link

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