Every Arctic Monkeys Single Ranked Worst To Best
16. Arabella
“Arabella's got some interstellar-gator skin boots. And a helter skelter 'round her little finger and I ride it endlessly. She's got a Barbarella silver swimsuit. And when she needs to shelter from reality she takes a dip in my daydreams"
Lyrically one of Arctic Monkeys’ best songs since the beginning, the words in Arabella fly off the tongue. While Alex Turner has always been known for his witty writing, this song sees his wordplay at its very best as he writes with tantalising swagger. This song is all about unavoidable sex appeal - a motif rife throughout the entirely of AM - and Arabella takes it to the space age with all its Barbarella glory.
The song starts with a sample from an LSD medical test before taking you through space and time. It’s all about intergalactic sexual liberation and spiralling cinematic imagery. Arabella treats its titular character like a drug that it can’t quite quit and the music video is haunted by the male gaze.
Arabella is full of exploration and hounded by the oppression of Turner's incredible lyrics. If you ever needed proof that the Arctic Monkeys have the best songwriting in the game, look here.