Hi there!

Just so you know, this is another one of my music blogs, where I discuss songs that leave an impression on me.

Tonight's focus:

Mardy Bum

by The Arctic Monkeys

Lyrics:

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

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 bear

Why 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

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, I clearly I do!

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

Now, I don't like a lot of alternative rock out there today, and when I think of bands who I perceive to be true talents that haven't been big for a long time, there's only two that immediately come to mind: Muse and the Arctic Monkeys.

The Arctic Monkeys, if you don't know them, are an indie rock band hailing from Sheffield, England - they've released 5 studio albums, if I can recall, with their debut album, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" being the fastest selling debut album in British music history - it's a really damn good one, and I'd recommend it to anyone look for a rock-solid album that's through and through good - one that you can listen to without skipping tracks on, per se

In any case, their best song on that album, and their best song overall, in my opinion, is "Mardy Bum." Mardy Bum is slang in Northern England for someone who complains a lot - which, is fitting the meaning of the song quite well.

It depicts a couple who quarrel quite a bit - their peace, love and harmony is disrupted by the female's argumentative nature and the constantly disappointed look in her eyes, that the male in the relationship hates to see because it's intimidating, as well as painful for him to see.

There's something romantic about this song, however, as the narrator - the male in the marriage - is reminiscent of the early days of their relationship.

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

That screams sweetness to me - she's arguing with him constantly, but he wants things to be like they were back in the days when they first started off. That's being a good husband, and, honestly, that makes me smile to talk about - that's the way people SHOULD be.

But, one of my favorite things about this song is that it isn't just a sweet romance song about how he wants things to be like they were when they were young, nor is it just expressing disappointment in a failing relationship - it's both, as shown here:

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, I clearly I do!

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

It's real - he doesn't want to sit there and take her crap, even though he still cares for her like he did back when they were still madly in love at the start of this relationship. That's something that's real - a department that the music industry today is lacking in.

One of my favorite things about this song, though, apart from the romantic realism, is the fact it's a narrative story. He's not speaking from personal experience, he's telling the story of this couple, and how this man feels about his "Mardy Bum" of a wife, and that's something that, when executed in this manner, is just flooringly beautiful, and that's a reason to love this song - it executes the storytelling element that doesn't work out all the time

Dear god, I love this song!

*A-HEM*

The guitar is very clean - it adds to the element. I like how the two guitars you hear in this song are playing similar, yet different, parts simultaneously - it really creates a nice vibe, and the simple but supreme bass you hear at the same volume is refreshing - it's an indie rock song you can turn the bass up on and you can actually hear a difference in the sound of the song's bassline!

Shocking, right?

The drumline is executed just as well as the rest of the parts of the song, creating a nice, soft rhythm during the slower parts, but a hard hitting rhythm in the faster parts - overall, the instruments backing the story the lyrics are telling really help add to the beauty this story provides.

They have a lot of other songs, but I doubt any capture any sort of feelings as this song does - I listen to a LOT of music every day, and this is easily one of the best songs I've ever heard. It fits a romantic, yet realistic story and has backing music that captures the essence of the feelings the story is portraying, from somber, to anger, to happiness - all in 2 minutes and 55 seconds.

This song is a small epic, and one that you will NOT be disappointed in once you hear it One of the best songs I've ever heard, from one of the best bands - and, in my opinion, one of the last true talents of the music industry - you'll hear in your life.

Don't stop at this song, though - the whole album is amazing. Easily top 10 albums I've ever listened to; right now, I'd probably place it at #7, and, as I've said earlier, I listen to a lot of music

Anyway, hope you liked this blog, and leave a comment telling me what you think!