The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I was biting the time zone
And we embellished the banks of our bloodstreams
And threw caution to the colorful
Then we fell asleep in the car
Until the bumps woke me up in your grip
And the tide took me to your mouth
And then swept me back down to your palms
It's them that put me inside the reminder
That yours is the only ocean (yours is the only ocean)
That I wanna swing from
Yours is the only ocean
That I wanna hang on
I've got this ego mechanic
She's always trying to give me vitamins
Ah, she'd be frightened of your reflection
I preferred her as a cartoon
If I could be someone else for a week
I'd spend it chasing after you
'Cause she's not shattering my attitude
No matter how she folds the potion
Yours is the only ocean (yours is the only ocean)
That I wanna swing from
Yours is the only ocean
That I want to hang on to
(I'm swinging on)
Yours is the only ocean
Yours is the only ocean
Yours is the only ocean
Yours is the only ocean
Potion approaching, shield your eyes
Potion approaching, visualize
Holding a token, swollen in size
Potion approaching, shield your eyes
Oh, but if we're gonna escape though
We really ought to think it through
Would you like me to build you a go-kart?
And we embellished the banks of our bloodstreams
And threw caution to the colorful
Then we fell asleep in the car
Until the bumps woke me up in your grip
And the tide took me to your mouth
And then swept me back down to your palms
It's them that put me inside the reminder
That yours is the only ocean (yours is the only ocean)
That I wanna swing from
Yours is the only ocean
That I wanna hang on
I've got this ego mechanic
She's always trying to give me vitamins
Ah, she'd be frightened of your reflection
I preferred her as a cartoon
If I could be someone else for a week
I'd spend it chasing after you
'Cause she's not shattering my attitude
No matter how she folds the potion
Yours is the only ocean (yours is the only ocean)
That I wanna swing from
Yours is the only ocean
That I want to hang on to
(I'm swinging on)
Yours is the only ocean
Yours is the only ocean
Yours is the only ocean
Yours is the only ocean
Potion approaching, shield your eyes
Potion approaching, visualize
Holding a token, swollen in size
Potion approaching, shield your eyes
Oh, but if we're gonna escape though
We really ought to think it through
Would you like me to build you a go-kart?
Lyrics submitted by gemmalouise89
Potion Approaching Lyrics as written by Alex Turner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I'm not convinced Didier. I know where you are coming from, but some of the explanations are a bit weak.
My first thought is he shagged a girl abroad
"I was biting the timezone and we embellished the banks of our bloodstreams and threw caution to the colourful."
Fairly obvious why, I think, and he's getting a obsessive about her. "But if we’re gonna escape though, we’d really ought to think it through"- regrets.
The LSD explanation is probably better, I just don't see the Arctic Monkeys as the sort of band who'd write a song about a drug. I'm not saying they don't use them, but I don't think they are hardcore users.
I mean one explanation you've given for a line is "He realises now under it's effect that it's the only drug he wants. That's quite a strong statement of endorsement.
Doesn't fit with my idea of Alex and the boys, but then again, I don't know them.
LSD has such strong emotional effects on users to make artists write whole songs about them, hence the whole late 60's psychedelic rock movement even the best bands such as the beatles and the rolling stones wrote whole songs about LSD.<br /> <br /> Also if you go on wikipedia you will find they listened to Hendrix and Cream while making the album huge psychedelic gods. Plus the whole album is laced with trippiness and subtle acid hints, not to mention the crying lightning video.<br /> <br /> I do admit some of my points may have been a bit outlandish but ego mechanic, close your eyes and visualise, and commit yourself to the colourful really seem very LSD to me, I'm sure the other points are just to personal to work out.
After a couple more listens, I reckon you are probably right. I love all that sixties LSD stuff, but that's not my impression of the Arctic's, they aren't exactly Pink Floyd, are they? But considering how quick superstardom's hit them, they'd be unusual amongst great rock stars if they hadn't had a dabble. Like you say, lines like<br /> <br /> Maybe i'll have to try it for myself to get a better understanding, lol.
I would ver much reccommend that, I have tried LSd a few times and it really helps you understand the meanings of songs about LSD, I didn't have a clue what the beatles were talking about in there psychedelic songs till I tripped.