THE GREATEST LYRICISTS IN THE WORLD TODAY
Every generation needs its poets and here's the 23 musical scribes who define 2010.
Meanwhile, you can vote for the best lyricists ever here.
Words: Emily Mackay, Matt Wilkinson, Barry Nicolson, Mark Beaumont, Laura Snapes, Dan Martin, Sam Wolfson, Martin Robinson, Jaimie Hodgson
Arctic Monkeys’ main songwriter shows a lyrical maturity way beyond his 24 years
Many try to sing about life’s mudanity, but what makes Alex Turner stand out as a genius is that he makes getting chucked out of the queue of a nightclub sound exhilarating – a life-affirming right of passage. Yet his co-writing with The Last Shadow Puppets allowed Turner to explore a more cinematic view of storytelling. It’s that combination of emotional mystique and sharp observation that have coloured the Arctic Monkey’s best work. SW
Key lyric: “Have you been drinking son/You don’t look old enough to me?/I’m sorry officer/Is there a certain age you’re supposed to be?/Because nobody told me”
(‘Riot Van’, from ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’, 2006)
Latest Arctic Monkeys News
Arctic Monkeys release new single 'Do I Wanna Know?' - listen
First song from Sheffield band's fifth album available to download now
Arctic Monkeys debut new track 'Mad Sounds' – listen
The band played the song at two Scandinavian festivals this weekend
- Jun 17, 2013
Arctic Monkeys unveil brand new song 'Do I Wanna Know?' at California gig – watch
The band opened their first show of 2013 with the new number
- May 23, 2013
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Arctic Monkeys - 'R U Mine'
One-off single that's a brilliant slice of 'Humbug'-style riff-ery
- Feb 28, 2012
