Arctic Monkeys, the Sheffield quartet fronted by the unmistakable Alex Turner, have a knack for capturing the raw nerve of modern relationships. If you find yourself recoiling from uncomfortable truths and questions that linger in the back of your mind, then you might want to brace yourself before diving into their discography. Especially if you’re dating an artist. And particularly when the question is as direct as “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”.
Artist – ARCTIC MONKEYS
Song – “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”; “R U Mine?”; “Do I Wanna Know?”
Album – AM (2013)
For those familiar with explorations into the artist’s psyche and relationship dynamics, welcome back. For newcomers, prepare for an unfiltered look at the lyrical genius of some of your favorite musicians. The premise is simple, yet profound: Never Date an Artist. It sounds straightforward, but the implications are complex and often hilariously (and sometimes painfully) relatable.
This isn’t just a deep dive into a single track; it’s the first part of a trilogy, “Arctic Monkeys and the Art of Asking Inconvenient Questions.” Unlike typical analyses, this series focuses on three songs from Arctic Monkeys’ seminal album AM (2013). Why dedicate three separate pieces to one album? Because AM is a lyrical goldmine of questions we often avoid asking in relationships, questions that surface when things are already complicated. These questions are blunt, honest, and undeniably uncomfortable: “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”, “R U Mine?”, and “Do I Wanna Know?”.
Now, a moment of honesty. While respect for Arctic Monkeys has always been present, deep fandom was a journey. Before this exploration of AM, the band was known mainly through singles, with a particular track (part of this trilogy) holding a stronger resonance. However, immersing oneself in AM has been a revelation, transforming appreciation into genuine admiration.
Arctic Monkeys (@alexturnered) on Instagram celebrating AM album.
A Decade of AM: Still Asking the Right Questions
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Arctic Monkeys’ AM, released on September 9, 2013, remains a landmark album. Critics at the time lauded it as their best work to date, a defining moment that catapulted them beyond the “indie band” label. AM cemented their status as Arctic Monkeys, a distinct entity in modern rock music. NME famously declared it “might also be the greatest record of the last decade,” praising its “near perfection.” This sentiment holds true even a decade later. AM‘s brilliance is timeless; the band’s innovative sound, coupled with Turner’s seductive and intricate lyrics, feels as fresh and impactful today as it did upon release.
While the entire AM album is captivating, these three tracks, “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”, “R U Mine?”, and “Do I Wanna Know?”, immediately stood out. They pose questions that are inherently uncomfortable, the kind that can unravel carefully constructed facades in relationships. If you’re dating an artist and fear facing the questions that have been quietly brewing in your mind, proceed with caution. The answers might bring clarity, spark drama, or, more likely, a potent mix of both. So, are you ready to confront the uncomfortable questions AM throws our way?
Decoding “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”
Before we dissect the first inconvenient question, let’s delve into the album title itself: AM. Alex Turner himself stated it’s simply short for Arctic Monkeys, intending it to be a self-titled album. He humorously noted the band’s name was perhaps too “ridiculous” for a self-titled release.
However, the internet, in its ever-creative fashion, offered alternative interpretations that resonate deeply with the album’s themes. AM could easily stand for “after midnight,” perfectly capturing the album’s nocturnal mood. “Ante meridiem,” Latin for “before midday,” also fits, aligning with the introspective, early-morning contemplation vibe. Even “amplitude modulation,” referencing the album’s wave-like cover art, adds another layer of meaning. The album cover, with its stylized sound waves, even playfully resembles sunglasses or a bra, adding a cheeky ambiguity to the title’s potential interpretations.
Arctic Monkeys’ AM album artwork, hinting at late-night vibes and relationship complexities.
Listening to AM, you realize these interpretations converge on a central theme: the hazy, early-morning thoughts of someone grappling with intense, possibly unrequited, feelings. The protagonist often embodies a mix of intensity, insecurity, and vulnerability, yet Turner’s cool vocal delivery adds a layer of detachment, creating a captivating paradox. Ultimately, AM feels like an album crafted by a poet with a dangerously seductive voice, thriving in the beautiful chaos of love and longing. This chaotic energy is, arguably, central to the Arctic Monkeys’ artistic identity.
“Nothing Good Happens After 2 AM” and Booty Calls in the Digital Age
Remember Ted Mosby’s mother’s timeless wisdom in How I Met Your Mother: “Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.”? She advised, “When 2 a.m. rolls around, just go home and go to sleep.” This simple rule is perfectly illustrated in “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”. The song’s opening lines immediately plunge us into the late-night drama:
Now it’s three in the mornin’ and I’m tryin’ to change your mind
Left you multiple missed calls and to my message, you reply
“Why’d you only call me when you’re high?”
“Hi, why’d you only call me when you’re high?”
The question itself, Why’d you only call me when you’re high?, is accusatory, revealing a pattern of behavior. The lyrics depict a series of questionable actions: persistent late-night calls to “change someone’s mind.” The sheer desperation is palpable. And the response? A perfectly justified, slightly exasperated question: Why only call when you’re high? implying this isn’t an isolated incident.
In a pre-smartphone era, maybe unanswered calls were just that. But in 2023, in the world of instant communication and digital boundaries, this scenario takes on a new dimension. A barrage of missed calls at 3 AM? In today’s world, it’s more likely to result in a blocked number and social media unfollows. The song, though released in 2013, resonates even more strongly now in our hyper-connected yet increasingly boundary-conscious digital landscape.
In “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”, Alex Turner portrays a character who is undeniably needy, insecure, intoxicated, and spiraling into paranoia. The music video visually amplifies this sense of disorientation and hazy decision-making. The lyrics reinforce this state: “Incapable of makin’ alright decisions / And having bad ideas.” This is where the paranoia takes hold, fueling imagined scenarios and desperate attempts at connection. The other person’s reaction, as suggested by the song and implied in the music video, is a mixture of annoyance, weariness, and a resigned “here we go again” attitude – complete with the distinct feeling of eye-rolling.
Despite the song focusing on phone calls, the underlying message applies to all forms of communication in the digital age: texts, emails, DMs, even voice notes. The lesson is clear: avoid contacting someone at unreasonable hours, especially when judgment is impaired. Exercise extra caution, particularly in matters of the heart: resist the urge to message or call a crush in the dead of night. Late-night, possibly intoxicated, “booty calls” – or whatever the 2023 equivalent is – are rarely well-received and have a very short shelf life.
Speaking of which, are “booty calls” still a thing? Maybe there’s a new term for it in 2023. Regardless, the sentiment remains: after 10 PM, the door stays locked. Even if you are Alex Turner (maybe a morning call could be considered then).
Now it’s your turn. Have you ever been on the receiving end of the question, “Why’d you only call/message/DM me when _________?” Fill in the blank in the comments below and share your “why.” Remember, this is a judgment-free zone. Definitely safer than dating an artist!
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Carla Vicente
Music aficionado and sunshine seeker. Passionate about good weather, food, aesthetics, inspiration, and unraveling the complexities of human relationships. Grateful for untamed creativity. My world is built of words, expressed in multiple languages and figures of speech. Subtlety is an art form. Directness… a work perpetually in progress. Silence: the space where profound and imaginative thoughts take form and flourish.
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