When The Sun Goes Down

"When The Sun Goes Down" by Arctic Monkeys is a stark and unflinching piece of social commentary, painting a vivid picture of prostitution and the grim realities of urban nightlife in the Neepsend district of Sheffield. The song's narrative is told from the perspective of an observer who witnesses the bleak interactions on the street after dark. It explores the theme of duality – the contrast between the city's appearance during the day and the hidden, often sordid, activities that emerge at night. The lyrics delve into themes of exploitation, vulnerability, and societal indifference. The characters are presented with gritty realism: the young, desperate prostitute and the predatory "scummy man," who is implied to be her pimp or a client. The song doesn't just tell a story; it critiques the social decay and the dangers that lurk in the city's underbelly once the sun sets. It’s a narrative of observation and concern, reflecting on the sad circumstances that lead people into such desperate situations.

The narrative begins with the observer spotting a young woman on the street, prompting him to wonder about the unfortunate circumstances that led her to this way of life. It's clear her activities are not conventional; she doesn't deal with credit cards or provide receipts, hinting at the illicit nature of her work. The observer then turns his attention to a male figure with her, whom he immediately labels as a "scummy man." He perceives this man as untrustworthy and criminal, noting a look in his eyes that suggests a history of offenses, including a driving ban. This man is depicted as someone who exploits vulnerable women, as he's seen with "girls of the night." There's even a direct reference to him instructing a "Roxanne" to work, an allusion to The Police's famous song about prostitution.

The observer feels a mix of pity and discomfort. As the young woman makes a proposition to him, he politely declines. He can't shake the feeling that the "scummy man" is involved in something sinister. His intuition tells him there's a dark story behind the man's presence. The central theme of the song is captured in the recurring line, "they said it changes when the sun goes down around here," which underscores the dramatic and often grim transformation of the neighborhood after dark. The daytime facade gives way to a harsh reality at night.

The story continues as a Ford Mondeo arrives, driven by a man trying to be inconspicuous. The young woman, despite the freezing cold and her minimal clothing, seems relieved to see him. Her delight is a stark contrast to her grim situation, a reaction born from desperation and the biting cold of the night. The observer notes that this bleak scene doesn't stop, even in the dead of winter. The song concludes with a final, worried reflection on the "scummy man" and his nefarious plans, with the narrator expressing a sincere hope that the listener is not entangled in this dark world at all.

"When The Sun Goes Down" was released on January 16, 2006, as the second single from Arctic Monkeys' debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. The lyrics were written by frontman Alex Turner, with the music composed by the band. The song was produced by Jim Abbiss and recorded at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire, England. Originally, the song was known by the title "Scummy," which directly refers to the character in the lyrics. The band's rehearsal space in a run-down area near Sheffield's city centre, known for prostitution, served as the direct inspiration for the song's subject matter. This firsthand observation of the local environment allowed Turner to craft such a detailed and authentic narrative. The song followed their debut single "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" to number one on the UK Singles Chart.

The song's lyrical structure utilizes a mix of rhyme schemes, often employing AABB or ABCB patterns within its verses to create a storytelling flow. Alex Turner's lyrical rhythm is conversational and dense, packed with observations that fit naturally over the musical phrases. The song's tempo is notably high at approximately 169 beats per minute, especially in the heavier sections, which drives the feeling of urgency and chaos. The song is in a 4/4 time signature. The rhythmic structure undergoes a significant change, transitioning from the sparse, clean guitar pattern of the intro to a driving, aggressive, and rhythmic onslaught from the full band. This shift in rhythm and pace is a key element in conveying the song's message about the dramatic change that occurs "when the sun goes down." The interplay between the frantic musical rhythm and Turner's rapid-fire vocal delivery in the faster sections creates a sense of tension and raw energy.

Alex Turner's songwriting is characterized by its sharp, observational and narrative-driven style, a technique central to this track. He acts as a storyteller, painting a detailed scene with vivid character sketches. Musically, the song employs a dramatic dynamic shift. It begins with a slower, gentler, almost melancholic tone, featuring clean electric guitar chords and Turner's narrative vocal delivery. This starkly contrasts with the sudden explosion into a fast-paced, high-energy, heavy rock arrangement with a driving guitar and bass riff. This musical juxtaposition mirrors the lyrical theme of the sudden change in the environment when night falls. Turner's vocal delivery also shifts, moving from a conversational, sympathetic tone to a more venomous and intense one during the rock sections. The use of a strong narrative voice, filled with local Sheffield dialect and slang, adds a layer of authenticity and gritty realism.

"When The Sun Goes Down" was a major commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart, the band's second single to do so. It was a key track on their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, which became the fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history at the time. The song, and the album as a whole, were praised for their raw energy and sharp, observational lyrics, cementing Arctic Monkeys' status as the voice of a generation of British youth. The track's narrative was so compelling that it inspired a short film titled Scummy Man, starring actors Stephen Graham and Lauren Socha, who also appeared in the music video. The song remains a staple of the band's live shows and is considered a classic of 2000s indie rock, praised for its honest storytelling and influence on countless subsequent artists.

The most powerful symbol in the song is the setting sun itself. It represents a transition from a visible, socially acceptable world to a hidden, darker reality. The repeated line, "they said it changes when the sun goes down," acts as the central metaphor for this transformation, where the city's true, harsher nature is revealed. The "Ford Mondeo" is symbolic of a feigned normalcy and inconspicuousness, an attempt to blend in while participating in illicit activities. The character of "Roxanne" is a direct literary allusion to The Police's song of the same name, immediately contextualizing the theme of prostitution and linking the song to a well-known cultural reference point on the subject. The cold, clear night sky under which the girl is "scantily clad" symbolizes her vulnerability and the harsh, unforgiving nature of her circumstances.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title and main hook: "They said it changes when the sun goes down." This line is repeated multiple times in the chorus, acting as the song's central thesis and reinforcing the theme of the neighborhood's nightly transformation. Its repetition hammers home the inevitability and known reality of this dark shift in the environment. Another key recurring motif is the figure of the "scummy man." He is mentioned at both the beginning and the end of the song, bookending the narrative and emphasizing him as the primary source of the danger and sordidness described. The repetition of his description paints him as a constant, predatory presence in this world. The imagery of the girl being "scantily clad beneath the clear night sky" also serves as a poignant, recurring image of vulnerability.