One For The Road

Album: AM (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a track from the Arctic Monkeys fifth studio album, AM. The song was debuted on September 2, 2013, during Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show.
  • Frontman Alex Turner described AM's sound to NME as, "like a Dr. Dre beat, but we've given it an Ike Turner bowl-cut and sent it galloping across the desert on a Stratocaster." Turner also cited the music of Outkast, and Aaliyah as helping to shape the LP. This song's R&B feel reflects the aforementioned musicians influences on the record.
  • Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme delvers soulful backing vocals on both this tune and another AM track, "Knee Socks." Homme sung using a tequila bottle he'd just emptied as an echo chamber.
  • The phrase "One For The Road" refers to a final drink before leaving home to fortify one for the journey ahead. The expression and practice has fallen victim to the increasing enforcement of drink-driving over the past few decades.
  • The black-and-white video represents the Arctic Monkeys individual take on Americana as we see them perform the song in a field, amidst a gaggle of models. It starts with guitarist Jamie Cook slowly riding a tractor as he makes his way to the band's gig clad in a 3-piece suit. The clip was directed by Focus Creeps, who also made the visuals for "R U Mine?" and "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?"
  • The song's guitar solo was originally on "Fireside." Turner told NME: "It was on there in a different key, but it didn't really seem to fit."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)

Chad Channing (Nirvana, Before Cars)Songwriter Interviews

Chad tells tales from his time as drummer for Nirvana, and talks about his group Before Cars.

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"They're Playing My Song

Shears does very little promotion, which has kept him secluded from the spotlight. What changed when Cyndi Lauper had a hit with his song? Not much, really.