Arctic Monkeys: 10 Essential B-Sides Every Fan Must Hear

7. Too Much To Ask

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH_g7w76At8 Find it: 'Fluorescent Adolescent' (2007) Few Monkeys tunes can accommodate the adjective "slinky", but it manages to nicely capture the atmosphere of this particular entry. Built around a stealthy bass run and spooked guitar textures, 'Too Much to Ask' channels the quartet at their most thematically weary. The lyrics are some of Turner's bleakest yet as he documents a lengthy relationship breathing its last. In terms of songwriting, 'Too Much to Ask' is proof of the frontman's developing maturity; his cynicism still intact but not overplayed, and the result offers a different side to the same bruised coin exposed on the likes of 'Do Me a Favour': "Would it be outrageous to say / We're either shouting or we're shagging / Docked in tempestuous bays / At least that's how it felt yesterday." For this particular couple, the end may have only just come into view, but the pain started seeping in long ago, and the understated loneliness swells beneath 'Too Much to Ask' with quiet solemnity. Also Try: 'Bad Woman' (ft. Richard Hawley)