What If You Were Right the First Time? Lyrics

the tricks stand between (?)
the fantastic dream
and the fear
d'you wonder where she is
this afternoon?

and does it get on your nerves
make you slightly perturbed
that there's things that you don't know about her?
and even the places that she's never been with you, seem awful empty without her

you can't look into those eyes
down no telephone line
what if you were right first time?

you can't look into those eyes
down no telephone line
what if you were right first time?

the tricks stand between(?)
the fantastic dream
and the fear
d'you wonder where she is
this afternoon?

and with the needle in groove
its there all too prove
and they tell me are your feet still tappin?(?)
i know theres a first for the trip over the water
was this the worst that could happen?

you can't look into those eyes
down no telephone line
what if you were right first time?
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Cover art for What If You Were Right the First Time? lyrics by Arctic Monkeys

I love this song, shoulda been on the album with Temptation...

The meaning is basically about Alex having uncertainty about a girl, not knowing where she is or what she's up to, and thinking she's off having a better time without him...the first line is "betwixt and between", also the third line of the bridge is "is there owt (anything) to prove" and i heard the last line as "what is the worst that could happen"

I love the way the last three lines are sung. Man I love this band.

Cover art for What If You Were Right the First Time? lyrics by Arctic Monkeys

the first line should be "betwixt and between", and it should be "is there owt (northern slang for anything) to prove" instead of "all to prove".

How do YOU get two thumbs up when there's no way of knowing if you didn't just pull bull poop out from your arse;) UNFAIR! What does "betwixt" mean and who says "is there owt" is northern slag. I'm a northern gurl and I have NEVER heard that expression. Me thinks you're bull pooping, and I ain't buyin' it! As for the song, I heard it for the very first time (today). It's good, but most of what the band puts out is good. Does sound like 'separation anxiety" as nocturnal activity (cute:) said below. (I shall now subtract one...

I'm back. Here's what "betwixt" means..."Between: in the interval; "dancing all the dances with little rest between". However, I cannot find any unifying definition of OWT or IS THERE OWT. So pony up and prove your comment or lose more points, Buster:)

@gabjopp @UseSomeoneElse 13 years late but oh well... owt definitely means anything. source: im from sheffield its more accurate to say that its yorkshire slang than northern, you just might not be from yorkshire theres another word too, nowt, which means nothing. you can hear it in the arctic monkeys song settle for a draw

Cover art for What If You Were Right the First Time? lyrics by Arctic Monkeys

sounds brilliant, ill try and find it(Y) ive felt like this enough times before so i know exactly what he means and i can relate to it... great(Y)

Cover art for What If You Were Right the First Time? lyrics by Arctic Monkeys

turner's vocals are especially amazing in this one.

i think it's about him on tour (prolly overseas) without his girl and faces separation anxiety (i know theres a first for the trip over the water was this the worst that could happen?). he wants to look into her eyes when they speak not through the impersonal phone convos (you can't look into those eyes down no telephone line). basically, he still misses her ;wonders what shes doing when he's away/ they're apart (d'you wonder where she is this afternoon?). i may be way off but i think the "fantastic dream" is the band and the "tricks" are deterrences that get in the way.

but i'm still a little shady on what the first time means/ is. very mischievous great song though.

spot on

 
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