An English rock band, Arctic Monkeys, was formed in mid-2002 in Sheffield, after friends’ meeting at Stocksbridge High School. The band’s popularity started in 2004 when CDs with their demo songs appeared on the Internet. Therefore, they got big by going viral online – they made a huge success on MySpace first.
Arctic Monkeys’ debut album “Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not” is considered as the fastest-selling record with more than 360,000 sold copies in the first week of release. The band also won the Brit Awards seven times.
An overdriven sound, layered guitars, and steady bass lines are present in the Arctic Monkeys’ songs. They are a mixture of indie rock, post-punk, desert rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, and garage. The songs’ complexity can be heard because the band is a highly-professional one, but a lot of songs don’t refuse newbies at all.
Do I Wanna Know?
This is the song from the Arctic Monkeys’ fifth album AM, released in 2013. It was on the eleventh place on the UK Singles Chart and was also ranked #3 on the Guitar World list of the decade’s best guitar riffs. The music video is the work of cartoonist Vince Collins who described his work as Alex Turner’s brain.
The song is recognizable for the guitar riffs written on Alex Turner’s 12-string Vox guitar. You can hear nice, falsetto backing vocals and slow-tempo beats. Do I Wanna Know is one of the easiest songs to play. Playing Em, C, Am, Dm along with the down-down-up strumming pattern makes the absolute beginners happy.
R U Mine?
R U Mine is a song released in 2012 and became the song of the AM album in 2013. The song can be described as an angry indie-rock ballad about an uncertain relationship. It was #23 on the UK Singles Chart and was also featured in many video games, such as Guitar Hero Live and Rocksmith 2014.
The song is in ‘at a walking pace’ tempo and shows a darker side of the band. It includes a sweeping riff played by both guitars, a nice background falsetto, and simple chords played along with the down-up-down-down-up strumming pattern, which allows entry-level guitar players to enjoy this song.
If you are interested to learn more songs that have power chords in them, check out my other list Top 45 Famous & Easy Power Chord Songs For Beginners – Tabs Included
Flourescent Adolescent
Released in 2007 as a single of the Favourite Worst Nightmare studio album. The song was written in a quiet hotel room thanks to the lead singer, Alex Turner, and his ex-girlfriend Johanna Bennet. They were 21 when they wrote the song talking about youth nostalgia. The song made number five on the UK Singles Chart.
It’s in a moderate tempo and with prominent percussion. The song is easy to play because it includes a lot of open chords and an easy, downstrokes strumming pattern. The not-that-easy part is a barre chord called B minor, but the song is still marked as an easy one.
Flourescent Adolescent Guitar Chords
505
505 is a song from the second album of the Arctic Monkeys called Favourite Worst Nightmare, released in 2007. The band claimed that this song was the first proper love song recorded. It’s about entering the 505 hotel room to meet the girlfriend. The question is, was room 505 the one where the frontman and his girlfriend stayed and wrote the Flourescent Adolescent song.
The song is pretty fast and with drum rhythm expansion. This is probably the most popular two-chord song ever. It includes Dm and Em and the downstrokes and upstrokes with downstrokes palm mute.
If you are interested to learn more songs of indie bands like arctic monkeys, check my article Top 50 Famous&Easy Indie Guitar Songs For Beginners – Tabs Included
Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?
Released in 2013 as part of the AM studio album. It was number one in the UK Indie Chart and was in TOP 10 internationally. In 2014, Miley Cyrus performed the song. Starting from 2020, the song has started to become a viral TikTok song. The frontman said he was inspired by a voicemail.
The tempo is between andante and moderato. You can hear some hip-hop elements, which makes the song unique. Chords may be tricky for newbies, but the riffs and the solo are quite simple. Guitar solos are played with some vibratos, slide-downs, and bends. It’s one-note playing most of the time.
Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High Guitar Tabs
Snap Out Of It
Snap Out Of It is the song from the fifth Arctic Monkeys’ studio album called AM, released in 2013. A lot of catchy parts, pop sound, the background story, and an interesting, movie-like official video made the song very popular.
The song is fast and full of empathy. It is suitable for beginners, as the tab doesn’t include any of the challenging elements.
Arabella
This instant classic is from the AM studio album. It was 26t on the UK Indie Chart and added to the BBC Radio 1 playlist, which provides current chart hits. Fans love the fact that Arabella is surreal – it’s a woman whose name is a mixture of Alex Turner’s ex-girlfriend’s name and a Barbarella character from the 1968 sci-fi movie.
It’s an indie rock song with a steady tempo, and it is 70s flavored. The 90s hip-hop and R&B elements can also be heard, so this mixture makes the song unique and quite hard to imitate. An easy, down-down-up-up-down-up, strumming pattern and Em, Am, and Gm make the song easy to play.
If you wish to learn easy songs with only one string tab, check out my other article Top 40 Famous&Easy One String Guitar Songs For Beginners – Tabs Included
Teddy Picker
Released in 2007 as part of the Favourite Worst Nightmare studio album. It was on the number 20 in the UK Singles Chart. Teddy Picker also has a Silver certification and won a prize at the NME Awards in 2008 for the best video. This song talks about a matter of luck and equates a person becoming a celebrity with getting a prize on an arcade game called teddy picker or more known as a claw machine.
It’s an indie-punk song with expert drumming, bouncy baseline, and chiming, repetitive guitar riffs that are easy to play. Solo is easy with some slide-ups and one-note playing most of the time.
I Wanna Be Yours
The song is from the Am studio album, released in 2013. It’s actually John Cooper Clarke’s poem. Alex Turner heard them in the class and he says he had never heard words like those in his life so he added some lines and wrote the song. It’s about a love of one person for another, described by using metaphors around various domestic equipment. Also, this is the first song recorded using a drum machine.
Playing the I Wanna Be Yours is not hard, as it includes Am, Dm, Em, G, F, and is in a slow tempo, which gives the player time for a chord transition.
I Wanna Be Yours Guitar Chords
Brianstorm
Brianstorm is another song from the Favourite Worst Nightmare studio album from 2007, and it’s one of the most memorable tracks of the Arctic Monkeys. The inspiration was Brian, a random guy who met Arctic Monkeys in the dressing room, so they decided to write a brainstorm about Brian – Brianstorm. And what was interesting for the fans is the fact that an actual storm called Brianstorm was about to hit the UK shores in 2017.
The track is pretty loud and not dissimilar to the actual storm sound. Tremolo guitars, thundering drums, and an energetic Turner’s voice make the song epic. Even beginners can enjoy it by playing repetitive riffs.
If you are into pop and which to learn some songs, check out my other list Top 50 Famous&Easy Pop Songs For Guitar – Tabs Included
Four Out Of Five
Four Out Of Five is the song from the Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino studio album released in 2018. It debuted live before the album release. It has a sci-fi dash and talks about a moon taqueria. The background story is related to space colonization, war, natural disasters, and so on.
The singer’s voice sounds undefined – it’s like he is going to cry or laugh hysterically. The song belongs to the psychedelic pop/glam rock genre, and beginners can play it. It requires Em, Am, F, and G. The intro, outro, verses, choruses, bridge, and other song elements are easy to play and don’t require knowing difficult techniques.
I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
Released in 2005, and became a part of the studio album called Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. It was #1 on the UK Singles Chart and #7 on the list of the 500 greatest songs of all time, made by NME. This track was also performed at the 2012 Summer Olympics’ opening ceremony. It was covered by Sugababes, Baby Charles, and Aerosmith.
The song’s genre is garage, indie, post-punk, and punk rock. People love it because of the ascending guitar riff at the very beginning. Also, it’s one of the easiest Arctic Monkeys’ songs to play because it requires three basic chords – A, G, and E.
I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor Guitar Chords
One For The Road
The song was released in 2013, and it’s a part of the AM studio album. It features backing vocals from the rock singer Josh Homme, frontman of the Queens Of The Stone Age band. The song also gained a Silver certification in the UK and reached significant places in various UK charts.
One For The Road is a rock song with R&B elements and elements of Homme’s band. Slow-moving drum beats and a chugging bassline make the song special. Everyone can enjoy playing it, as it requires four easy chords – Em, C, Am, and a seventh chord, B7.
One For The Road Guitar Chords
If you are into funk music and which to learn some songs, check out my list Top 40 Famous&Easy Funk Guitar Songs For Beginners – Tabs Included
Stop The World I Wanna Get Off With You
It’s a single of the Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High single’s B-side released in 2013. The song has been performed multiple times on their worldwide concert tour and at different venues.
It’s got a similar riff to the Do I Wanna Know song, but with a tuned-down distortion. It also has the R&B vibe without losing the specific Arctic Monkeys’ sound and has a sweeping guitar solo. The song requires three basic chords played andante and along with the down-down-down-down-up strumming pattern.
Stop The World I Wanna Get Off With You Guitar Chords
Knee Socks
Released in 2013 as part of the AM studio album. The song is well-known for Homme’s appearance, for which Alex Turner stated that it’s the best decision when it comes to the AM album. As for the One For The Road song, Homme’s influence is present in the song.
Catchy riffs, staccato rhythm, and not-too-slow tempo give the song a special place in fans’ hearts. Use Em, D, C, B7, and Am, along with the down-down-down-down-up strumming pattern to perform this easy song
When The Sun Goes Down
Released in 2006 as the single from the Arctic Monkeys’ debut album called Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. The story is told by the narrator concerned about a young girl’s life and about circumstances that lead her to an unfortunate and immoral life. Maybe it’s fictional, but it’s a reality, which makes this Arctic Monkeys’ song the honest and the rawest they have.
The chorus consists of the repeated line “they said it changes when the sun goes down”, and after the chorus’ second refrain, the song reverts to the introduction style. The song’s genre is indie/garage rock and contains easy and repetitive riffs.
When The Sun Goes Down Guitar Tabs
Cornerstone
A song from the Humbug album, released in 2009. Cornerstone is actually the name of a counseling center in Sheffield. Alex Turner said he wrote this song one morning and very quickly. It was on the number 7 in the UK Indie Charts and on the SoundScan singles charts for sales in Canada. It’s one of the most-loved Arctic Monkeys’ tracks.
The song requires an open chord progression and two barre chords – Bm and Cm. The strumming pattern is quite different in different song parts. Play down-down-up most of the time.
But, the end of the first two verses contains a down-down-up-down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern and the bridge requires a downstroke hold.
Crying Lightning
Another song from the Humbug album, released in 2009. The single was #12 on the UK Singles Chart. It was produced by Josh Homme from the Queens Of The Stone Age band. Therefore, you can hear the impact of Homme’s band – darker and heavier song moments, but the Arctic Monkeys’ recognizable touch didn’t disappear.
The song has dark, bass-led riffs, and changes tempo and cymbal loudness from time to time. That makes a track pretty complex but even the entry-level guitarists can enjoy it by playing Am, F, E, G, C, Dm.
Crying Lightning Guitar Chords
Leave Before The Lights Come On
The song was released in 2006 as the band’s third single and was not included on the debut album. That year, the song was on the number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and reached number 1 on the Scottish Singles Chart. It was the last release before the promotion of the 2007 studio album called Favourite Worst Nightmare.
The song’s tempo is pretty fast. It’s another song suitable for entry-level guitarists as it requires basic open chords and one barre chord, along with the traditional strumming pattern except the very beginning, which is full of downstrokes.
Leave Before The Lights Come On Guitar Chords
Mardy Bum
Mardy Bum is a song from the Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not album. The title describes a person who complains a lot, and it’s a synonym for a pessimist. All album tracks were recorded in Sheffield and produced by Jim Abbiss, except Mardy Bum, produced by Alan Smyth and recorded at Telstar in Munich. It appeared on the UK radio playlists in mid-2006.
The song is in a moderate tempo and has a catchy melody. This song is not hard to play as it requires C, E, F, Em, Dm, G, and Am along with the down-down-up-up-down-up strumming pattern.
Suck It And See
Released in 2011 as part of the Suck It And See album. It was produced by James Ford. Alex Turner started to write it in a period of recording the Submarine tracks and the sound is pretty similar to the one of the Beach Boys. Alex Turner loves listening to that band and that’s why this song has its elements. Suck It And See was on the number 20 on the UK Indie Chart.
The song includes Cm, Am, Dm, G, F, E, and a down-down-up-up-down-up strumming pattern. That makes the playing easy, which is important for newbies.
The View From The Afternoon
It’s the opening track on the Arctic Monkeys’ debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, released in 2006. It’s one of the most beloved records. The first song line “anticipation has a habit to set you up for disappointment” became viral and brought more fans to the band.
The song includes a heavy-hitting drum style, which makes the song energetic and on fire. So, we can say without any doubt that the Arctic Monkeys’ drummer is the star of the song. The View From The Afternoon includes repetitive riff sequences so it’s not so hard to play it.
The View From The Afternoon Guitar Tabs
Fake Tales Of San Francisco
Another song from the Arctic Monkeys’ debut album Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not from 2006. The title refers to the band beginning, their gigs in their home town Sheffield, and how every band is thinking. It was #43 on the Canada Billboard Chart.
Fake Tales Of San Francisco is a pretty fast song. The voices first stop and an instrumental section before the vocals come back is a song highlight. Guitar riffs are easy to play and easy to memorize as they repeat.
Fake Tales Of San Francisco Guitar Tabs
Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino
Released in 2018, and it’s part of the Arctic Monkeys’ sixth studio album called the same. The title is about Tranquility base, the first Moon site to be walked by humans, and there you can see the conspiracy theory’s impact on a songwriter. The song was produced by James Ford and written on the piano, just like most of Turner’s songs.
The song, just like the album overall, has a claustrophobic but warm melody and is characterized as psychedelic pop, lounge pop, space pop, and glam rock. Use open chords, along with one barre chord and a seventh chord to enjoy the song.
Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino Guitar Chords
Black Treacle
Black Treacle is a fourth single from the Arctic Monkeys’ studio album called Suck It And See, released in 2011. It reached number 21 on the UK Indie Chart. The writer of the song, Alex Turner, said he was watching some westerns, such as Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid while writing. So, it got a reference in the song.
The song is in andante tempo and pretty easy to play. The chords needed to play this song are G, D, C, A, Cm, and Em. The strumming pattern is a bit different in some song parts. For example, verse 1 is played with the basic strumming pattern, while the chorus and the bridge include downstrokes only.
My Propeller
Released in March 2010, the song is part of the Humbug studio album. It reached #7 on the UK Indie Chart and #6 on the Canadian Singles Chart. Also, it was sold exclusively at Oxfam charity stores. Alex Turner said the background story is full of describing the descend mood.
The song has skillful riffs and driving beats. Again, with the help of Josh Homme, the tempo is a bit slower with a brooding atmosphere. Maybe My Propeller is not for absolute beginners, but with a little effort, everyone can play the song and its stunning riffs.
You’re So Dark
It’s the B-side to One For The Road, released in 2013 on Domino Record Co. Alex sings about the dark and mysterious girl that is not good for him at all, but he still wants her. The track gives a listener a seductive feel. Fans and experts say it’s a surprise that the track was not featured on the album.
It’s such a simmering and oddly soulful song. Turner’s sultry voice and backing vocals shimmer up, along with the thumping bassline and the pounding kick drum. Use Bm-A-D-G chord progression and the F# to play this song.
Old Yellow Bricks
It’s a song from the second band’s album called Favourite Worst Nightmare. It’s about criticizing the girl. The song also uses a metaphor of magic powers by using the words ‘Houdini’ or ‘emperor’ to describe both her positive and illogical side.
The tempo is fast. The song has a catchy riff, changing beats, and it’s with stunning guitar effects. Use Em, Dm, and F to play the song. The riff is really easy and good for absolute beginners, either because of the easy-performing or a practice.
No.1 Party Anthem
It’s the song from the AM album, released in 2013. Alex Turner is in a melancholic mood and waiting for the perfect song to give him the strength to talk with a girl he likes. Some of the well-known songs are quoted in this song, including Dusty Springfield’s The Look Of Love and Coldplay’s A Rush Of Blood To The Head. This ballad is lonely in an upbeat-songs AM studio album.
The song is quite fast but characterized as a Britpop ballad. Even though it requires eight chords to play, it’s an easy and beginner-friendly song.
No. 1 Party Anthem Guitar Chords
Brick By Brick
Brick By Brick is the song from the Suck It And See album, and it was released in 2011. It was designed as an album teaser. The song was born in the bar, after the long flight. It became one of the better singles of the band.
Brick By Brick is classified as garage and psychedelic rock. The song is full of jokes and humor, stunning fuzz bass, and the drummer singing backing vocals. It’s one of the easiest Arctic Monkeys’ songs to play. Playing three basic chords is suitable for every guitar player level.
Conclusion
In the middle of 2002, a group of friends based in Sheffield formed a band called Arctic Monkeys. The band became and continued to be popular worldwide.
The band frontman, Alex Turner, wrote most of the Arctic Monkeys’ songs. He found inspiration in poems, western movies, ex-girlfriends, science, and people in general. Every song has a story, starting from finding the inspiration to writing the song. Many songs have been written unplanned and spontaneous.
Besides the flawless lyrics, almost every song has an official video that is done professionally and creatively.
Some of the songs have elements that are not usual for the Arctic Monkeys’ style. It’s a result of other musicians’ impacts or a specific Turner’s time when he thinks about not-so-usual-for-him things.
A lot of songs are suitable for entry-level guitar players because of the simple chords, strumming patterns, and stunning, easy-to-play riffs included.
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