He's pining for her in a people carrier
There might be buildings and pretty things to see like that
But architecture won't do

Although it might say a lot about the city or town
I don't care what they've got, keep on turning them down
It don't say the funny things she does
Don't even try and cheer him up, because it just won't happen

He's got the feeling again, this time on the aero plane
There might be tellies in the back of the seats in front
But Rodney and Del won't do

Although it might take your mind off the aches and the pains
Laugh when he falls through the bar but you're feeling the same
'Cause she isn't there to hold your hand
She won't be waiting for you when you land

It feels like she's just nowhere near
You could well be out on your ear
This thought comes closely followed by the fear
And the thoughts of it makes you feel a bit ill

Yesterday I saw a girl who looked like someone
You might knock about with
And almost shouted

And then reality kicked in within us
It seems as we become the winners
You lose a bit of summat
And half wonder if you won it at all

And don't say ow 'cause you've got no idea
And she's still nowhere near
And the thought comes closely followed by the fear
And the thoughts of it makes you feel a bit ill

Despair in the departure lounge
It's one and they'll still be around at three
No signal and low battery, what's happened to me?


Lyrics submitted by dave_1987

Despair in the Departure Lounge Lyrics as written by Alex Turner

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Despair in the Departure Lounge song meanings
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35 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    this song is pretty clear cut. the man in the song is recently broken up with a close girlfriend, and is now traveling (probably on tour)

    "he's pining for her in a people carrier there might be buildings and pretty things to see like that but architecture won't do" he misses the girl, all the pretty places they're going through aren't helping him forget

    he's so sad that, "don't even try to cheer him- because it just won't happen."

    he gets the feelign again on a plane... and wants to call her... but he can't, they're broken up, it would do no good. he can call his friends rodney and dell, but he needs her, not them.

    we've all had that feeling of near illness over a girl we want to be with and just... can't.

    greta song.

    sgt.peppperon October 18, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    The reference to Rodney and Del is about the TV programme Only Fools And Horses - Alex says that he's watching Only Fools And Horses on the plane ("there may be tellys on the back of the seats in front") but it doesn't cheer him up as he's still pining for his girlfriend. The most famous scene in OFAH is where Del Boy's trying to impress two women in a wine bar and falls flat on his face when leaning against the bar ("like when he falls through the bar, but you're feeling the same").

    Great song, one of the Arctics' finest.

    Murph_500on November 06, 2006   Link
  • +2
    My Opinion

    Listening to this song makes me wonder why their new stuff cannot capture this kind of poignancy; or maybe I'm just looking at it favourably because I liked it so much back in the day.

    Turner uses relatively few words and describes quite disaparate, simple feelings and situations, but captures perfectly how it actually feels to be separated from someone you love. Particularly the lines "the thought comes closely followed by the fear, and the thought of it makes you feel a bit ill", which will speak volumes to anyone who has broken up with someone they truly love and suffers that anxious jolt of sickness and fear when the thought of them and all you don't have anymore creeps back into your mind.

    Or even if you haven't split up, but you're separated by distance (being on tour, for example), that vulnerable fear that she's going to somehow forget about you, or meet someone else, and suddenly you realise just how dependent you are on her. They're feelings everyone might have at some point or another, but the song is beautiful because it captures the essence of those feelings perfectly.

    Skam33on October 01, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    I'm reading the comments and it seems like most people interpret this as him having a girl break up with him or something, but the first line makes me think someone close to him died? "He's pining for her in a people carrier", just the fact that people refer to coffins as "the old pine box" and how a coffin would be carrying a person... Just a thought, I don't know if it's correct. I just happened upon this song, and an old friend of mine passed away early yesterday morning and it just fit the scenario a bit..

    masonwilliamhon November 17, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Fantastic. Due out on 24th April.

    dave_1987on March 31, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Btw, Im aware there will probably be some lyrics wrong, but I can't be arsed to change them, me.

    dave_1987on March 31, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it's pretty obvious from the lyrics what this song is about. Turner is on tour and missing his bird. All the attractions and perks of travelling can't substitute for her. Even though they've hit the big time and become "winners," they've lost some parts of their lives. I like this track and the other tracks on the new EP. A nice alternative to the fast tracks on the album. With the exception of Riot Van, of course.

    dollmeupon April 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    He wrote it on the way to America I imagine as it was first heard in Texas. I think he's seeing/was seeing a girl from Peterborough and presume its about missing her.

    It sums up perfectly the feelings of missing someone when away. Brilliant

    GamlaStanon April 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song. Alex writes some amazing stuff.

    ifyouleaveon August 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Just love the way he sings it acoustically. Great voice. Great end.

    terri kayeon October 27, 2006   Link

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