Potion Approaching by Arctic Monkeys

Album: Humbug (2009)

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Songfacts®:

This racy number was titled "Go-Kart" when the Monkeys debuted it with three other new songs at a gig in New Zealand's capital Wellington. The original title came from its last line, "Would you like me to build you a go-kart?"
According to The Sun newspaper, the song was inspired by frontman and songwriter Alex Turner's beloved Mini car. One Wellington audience member said: "They played four new songs. Everyone was rather surprised by one called GoKart. A pal of Alex was saying it was inspired by the love of his life - his Mini, called Floyd."

Comments: 2

Bobby from Nj, UsaI think this song is about drugs, not his car as Alex says.

The lyrics seem to allude to marijuana.

"And we embellish the banks of our bloodstreams,"
polluting your blood with THC or whatever drug you've taken when it enters your system.

"...And the tide took me to your mouth, And then swept me back down to your palms,"
the "mouth" of a joint when you go to hit from it and how when you're stoned you're not really in control.

"She's always trying to give me vitamins Oh she'd be frightened of your reflection,"
Sounds like a dig at everyone saying pot is good for you. the narrator seems to be
trying to convince himself that no matter how much pot he smokes, it good for him.
The next line is how when you are under the influence, your reflection appears distorted
or warped.

"If I could be someone else for a week, I'd spend it chasing after you,
Cos she's not shattering my attitude, No matter how she folds the potion,"
The most obvious allegation towards drugs and even addiction.
The narrator says that even if he was under the influence for an entire week,
he'd spend that week still trying to get higher.
The narrator than goes to say that the drug use isn't affecting his personality
or life no matter how much he's done.

"Potion approaching, shield your eyes,
Potion approaching, visualize,
Holding a token, swollen in size,
Potion approaching, shield your eyes,"
Cover your eyes cause they're red or glossy and give away the fact that your on something.
Hallucinations. Dilated pupils. Cover your eyes.
This bridge of the song is also slower and more free-form, almost representing the effect of drugs.

The lines and title "Potion Approaching" is just Alex's fancy way of saying the drugs are kicking in.
One of my favourite Monkeys song and the drug topic isn't something far-off considering the more
psychedelic rock nature of the Humbug album.
Aaron from Dallas, TxThis song has a striking resemblence to Very Ape by Nirvana.

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