Mardy Bum Lyrics
Well, now then, mardy bum
I've seen your frown and it's like lookin' 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
[Chorus]
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
Ah, 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
[Verse 2]
Well, now then mardy bum
Oh, I'm in trouble again, aren't I? I thought as much
'Cause you turned over there
Pullin' that silent disappointment face, the one that I can't bear
[Chorus]
Well, 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
Ah, but it's reight hard to remember that on a day like today
When you're all argumentative, and you've got the face on
And 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, yeah, I clearly do
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
So 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 reight hard to remember that on a day like today
When you're all
Argumentative, and you've got the face on
About
A song from Arctic Monkeys' 2006 album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. It remains a fan favourite and helped popularise the Yorkshire word ‘mardy’, meaning sulky or uncooperative.
He argues with his girlfriend (or lover) who is simply not having it and being mardy with him; in the choruses he recollects the beginning of the relationship, comparing it to how moody she’s acting in the verses.
The charm of the song lies in the fact that there is no consoling a woman who has already made up her mind; i.e. who’s got the face on.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Alex Turner, frontman of the Arctic Monkeys, told BeatRoute in an interview that
It feels like we’re doing a cover or something when we play the first album, really. But that’s fine. I don’t hate doing that. It’s just come to the point where I play ‘Mardy Bum’ or something like that and it doesn’t even feel like mine anymore."
- 7.Riot Van
- 9.Mardy Bum