The Meaning Behind “505” by Arctic Monkeys and the Reality of Returning to an Old Flame

Arctic Monkeys released their second studio album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, in 2007. In “505”, the LP’s closing track, singer Alex Turner takes a nostalgic trip back to see an ex-girlfriend. Though he has high hopes for the long trek to an old romance, he’s not greeted as warmly as he’d envisioned.

Going Back and Hopeful

The band described “505” as its first “proper love song”. And the titular number may refer to an area code as Turner takes a long flight followed by a lengthy drive to his destination.

Either way, he’s going a long way to go back to see an old flame.

I’m going back to 505,
If it’s a seven-hour flight or a forty-five-minute drive.
In my imagination, you’re waiting, lying on your side,
With your hands between your thighs.

But the scene isn’t exactly how he imagined. And nostalgia has clouded why the relationship ended.

Stop and wait a sec,
When you look at me like that, my darling, what did you expect?
I’d probably still adore you with your hands around my neck,
Or I did last time I checked.

I Crumble Completely

Written abstractly, Turner acknowledges he’s reliably let her down in the past.

Not shy of a spark,
The knife twists at the thought that I should fall short of the mark.
Frightened by the bite, no, it’s no harsher than the bark,
The middle of adventure, such a perfect place to start.

He’s traveled a long way, but his “hello” is met with her “goodbye.” Perhaps it recalls the time they broke up. One last straw and she couldn’t take anymore.

This wasn’t the surprise he planned. And it’s certainly not a surprise she wanted.

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.

The track features additional guitar work by Miles Kane. And the shimmering chords recall the Western cinematic scores of Italian composer Ennio Morricone. An organ drone offers a funeral vibe as Turner’s heart sinks alongside lonely guitars and the dusty expanse of a broken-hearted man stranded in an emotional desert.

Josh Sisk/For The Washington Post via Getty Images