Analysis of Our Songs Lyrics.

Mardy Bum by The Arctic Monkeys

The reason why we have chosen this song is because it lyrically follows the conventions of Alternative Rock as a genre, which allows us to visually display this through costume camera angles and shot types. Also, there is no current existing official music video for the song which will help us to be creative and will help to create an authentic and unique music video.

The main meaning of the song is a description of an ordinary relationship, where the girl has mood swings, one day she is happy the next she is a 'Mardy Bum'. Mardy Bum is a piece of northern slang meaning a person, usually female, who is sulking for an insignificant reason. For our narrative we are going to put our own twist on the song by

The song begins by comparing his girlfriends frown, to looking down the barrel of a gun, this is a metaphor saying the girls frown is a near death, threatening situation, it is also use of semic codes which associates the woman wot violence and danger.


He then talks about the other side to her which he prefers one that isn't always miserable. Its clear to see the meaning of this song, the writer is reminiscing on a past relationship that didn't end well.

He then talks about the argument happening again, this is paired with a sense of fear from him, saying 'I'm in trouble again'.
He talks about her doing the disappointment face as if it is a routine and happens often.

He talks about doing one thing wrong, the one thing that started all of the arguments, he talks about her thinking that he doesn't love her anymore or care anymore. Which is a sad and depressing touch to the song.

This part of the song appears to be an attempt to relight the relationship, but then he reminds himself its hard to remember there ever being a piece of love in the relationship.

The song follows along with Todorov's theory that all narratives follow a step by step process, this is shown by the start talking about cuddles in the kitchen which shows everything is as it should be, this is also the only part of the song that shows equilibrium its almost as if its reverse Todorov's theory.