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

Daniel Lanois

Daniel LanoisSongwriter Interviews

Daniel Lanois on his album Heavy Sun, and the inside stories of songs he produced for U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan.

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde of The PretendersSongwriter Interviews

The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.