“505” is a song by the Arctic Monkeys, featured as the closing track on their second studio album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, released on April 23, 2007. Written by lead singer Alex Turner, the song has become one of the band’s most beloved tracks, celebrated for its emotional depth and evocative lyrics.
The title “505” refers to a hotel room number, symbolizing a significant place tied to a past relationship. The lyrics express a longing to return to this space, reflecting themes of desire, nostalgia, and the complexities of love.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“505” Lyrics meaning
[Verse]
Stop and wait a sec
And when you look at me like that, my darlin’
What did you expect?
I’d probably still adore you
With your hands around my neck
Or I did last time I checked
Not shy of a spark
The knife twists at the thought
That I should fall short of the mark
Frightened by the bite, though
It’s no harsher than the bark
The middle of adventure
Such a perfect place to start
The verse describes a tense interaction between the narrator and their lover. There’s a sense of both attraction and conflict, with lines suggesting the relationship may be volatile or even dangerous. However, the narrator still feels drawn to this person despite the difficulties.
[Chorus]
I’m going back to 505
If it’s a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive
In my imagination, you’re waitin’ lyin’ on your side
With your hands between your thighs
“505” likely refers to a specific place, possibly a hotel room, that holds significance for the couple. The narrator expresses a desperate desire to return to this place and reunite with their lover, regardless of the distance or effort required. The imagery is intimate and longing.
[Bridge]
But I crumble completely when you cry
It seems like once again you’ve had to greet me with goodbye
I’m always just about to go and spoil the surprise
Take my hands off of your eyes too soon
This section reveals the narrator’s vulnerability. They admit to being emotionally affected by their partner’s sadness and express frustration at repeated goodbyes.
There’s a sense that the relationship is cyclical, with the narrator always on the verge of leaving but unable to fully do so.
[Chorus]
I’m going back to 505
If it’s a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive
In my imagination, you’re waitin’ lyin’ on your side
With your hands between your thighs and a smile
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the narrator’s fixation on returning to “505”. The addition of “and a smile” at the end suggests a bittersweet hopefulness – despite the relationship’s issues, the narrator still fantasizes about a happy reunion.
Deeper Meaning Behind “505”
“505” by Arctic Monkeys is a song about longing and nostalgia for a past relationship.
The title “505” likely refers to a hotel room number where the narrator had significant memories with a former lover.
The song expresses a desire to return to that place and time, even if it requires great effort (“If it’s a seven hour flight or a forty-five minute drive”).
The lyrics describe vivid memories or fantasies of the lover in that room (“In my imagination, you’re waitin’ lyin’ on your side”). There’s an acknowledgment of the relationship’s complexity and possible toxicity (“I probably still adore you with your hands around my neck”). The narrator struggles with the end of the relationship, finding it difficult to let go (“But I crumble completely when you cry”).
It’s considered one of Arctic Monkeys’ first true love songs, marking a shift in Alex Turner’s songwriting towards more emotional depth.
The song uses an organ sample from Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack for “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” adding to its cinematic and nostalgic feel.
Overall, “505” captures the bittersweet feeling of wanting to return to a significant moment or relationship in one’s past, even while recognizing its flaws and the impossibility of truly going back.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.