Released: 2013
Arctic Monkeys’ ‘Knee Socks’ is a poignant exploration of a relationship that could have been. It’s a song filled with nostalgia, regret, and a tinge of longing, set against the backdrop of a cold winter’s day.
The song opens with a vivid image of the protagonist’s love interest. She’s painted as a beacon of light in the gloom of the afternoon, her tongue the color of a cough drop. This imagery suggests a sense of comfort and warmth she brings into his life. The ‘coats all piled high’ and the ‘exceptionally rainy Tuesday night’ set the stage for a cozy, intimate scene, reflecting the potential closeness they could have shared.
The phrase ‘when the zeros line up on the 24 hour clock’ refers to midnight, a moment of transition and change. The protagonist seems to be saying that when everything aligns perfectly, he can sense her presence, even when she tries to hide it (‘even though the number is blocked’). The ‘sky blue Lacoste’ and ‘knee socks’ are personal items that symbolize their intimate connection.
The line ‘you cured my January blues’ indicates that she brought joy into his life during a typically bleak and cold time of year. However, the following lines suggest a sense of regret and self-blame. The protagonist feels he might have ignited a spark (‘lit the very fuse’) that she was trying to avoid, leading to the downfall of their potential relationship.
The repeated lines ‘You and me could have been a team, each had a half of a king and queen seat’ underscore the sense of lost potential. The reference to ‘Mean Streets’, a film about friendship and loyalty, further emphasizes the depth of connection they could have shared.
Towards the end, the song returns to the imagery of the ‘knee socks’ and the ’24 hour clock’, reinforcing the lingering sense of what could have been. The repeated phrase ‘knee socks’ at the end serves as a poignant reminder of their shared intimacy and the unfulfilled potential of their relationship.
