Undercover Martyn

"Undercover Martyn" is widely interpreted as an anthem about leaving behind social isolation and embracing new, albeit frightening, experiences. The titular "Martyn" is a symbolic figure representing anyone hesitant to step out of their comfort zone. The lyrics are a form of encouragement, a plea from friends to join them in the wider world, away from the safety of the "basement."

The band has confirmed this interpretation, stating that the song was written during their final year of school when they decided to pursue music instead of going to university. This decision was a scary leap into the unknown, and the song captures that feeling of trying to convince themselves and their families that it was the right choice. Therefore, "Martyn" is a metaphor for their own collective apprehension and the need to overcome it.

The lyrics, "You hid there last time, you know we're gonna find you / Sick in the car seat, 'cause you're not up to going / Out on the main streets, completing your mission," depict the internal struggle of anxiety versus the external push to face a challenge. The "mission" can be seen as achieving their goal of becoming a successful band. The "basement" symbolizes a place of creation and safety, but also a place one must leave to grow. The "words of wisdom" mentioned at the beginning are often interpreted as the encouragement they received, possibly from a girlfriend of a band member, assuring them of their potential for success.

The narrative opens with a compelling female voice, uttering words so potent they feel tangible, described as words that would "melt in your hands" and full of "wisdom." This wisdom is directed towards the "basement people," a term suggesting a group of individuals who are hidden away, perhaps shy, introverted, or part of an underground subculture. The song hints at a world of excitement and discovery awaiting them in this subterranean space, a place of creative incubation where "many surprises await."

The chorus acts as a friendly yet persistent taunt, a repeated assurance that the subject, presumably Martyn, cannot hide forever. The lines, "You hid there last time, you know we're gonna find you," convey a sense of a recurring game or a gentle push from friends to leave a place of comfort and security. The imagery of being "sick in the car seat" vividly portrays the physical manifestation of anxiety and nervousness about facing the world, or in this case, the "main streets." This mission on the main streets represents a challenge, a necessary step out of the familiar basement environment.

The song's core message revolves around the transition from a sheltered existence to facing the wider world. The band themselves have explained that the song reflects their own anxieties and decisions after finishing school, choosing the uncertain path of a music career over the conventional route of university. This personal context enriches the lyrics, turning "Martyn" into a symbol for anyone on the cusp of a significant, and potentially frightening, life change. The friends in the song are not just trying to coax Martyn out for a night of fun; they are encouraging him to embrace his potential and fulfill his "mission."

The recurring mention of the "basement" serves as a powerful metaphor. It's a place of safety and creation, where ideas and music are born. However, it is also a place of confinement if one never leaves. The "surprises" that await are the fruits of their creative labor and the potential success they could achieve if they dare to share it with the world. The song is a dialogue between comfort and ambition, fear and friendship. The energetic and fast-paced music mirrors the urgency and excitement of this pivotal moment, creating a feeling of exhilarating momentum that pushes the listener, along with Martyn, toward the door and out into the world.

"Undercover Martyn" was written by Two Door Cinema Club—Alex Trimble, Kevin Baird, and Sam Halliday—within the first couple of weeks of the band forming. The song was penned during their final year of school, a pivotal time when they made the collective decision to forgo university and dedicate themselves to their music careers. This personal experience of taking a significant and uncertain leap of faith heavily inspired the song's lyrical themes.

The track was recorded in June-July 2009 at Eastcote Studios in London with producer Eliot James. It was created as part of the sessions for their debut album, "Tourist History." The album's mixing was handled by Phillipe Zdar at his Motorbass studio in Paris, the same studio where Phoenix had recently recorded their award-winning album "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix." Zdar's contribution helped give the album a "large" sound with prominent bass and highs.

"Undercover Martyn" was released as the third single from "Tourist History" on February 18, 2010, through the French label Kitsuné Music. The album itself was released shortly after, on February 17, 2010. An official music video, directed by James Lee, was released on February 3, 2010, to promote the single.

"Undercover Martyn" is defined by its fast, driving rhythm and a simple, effective rhyme scheme that enhances its catchiness and forward momentum.

Rhythm:

The song's tempo is consistently quick and upbeat, characteristic of the dance-punk and indie-rock genres. The rhythmic foundation is a propulsive drum beat, often featuring a driving four-on-the-floor pattern on the kick drum, combined with a syncopated and energetic bassline. This creates an irresistible danceable quality. The guitar parts are also highly rhythmic, with staccato and tremolo-picked lines that interlock with the drums and bass to create a dense, energetic texture. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the instrumental rhythm is tight, with the vocal melody often following the fast-paced instrumental lines, pulling the listener along with its breathless pace.

Rhyme Scheme:

The rhyme scheme in "Undercover Martyn" is relatively straightforward, which contributes to its directness and singalong quality. The verses tend to follow a simple pattern, but the most prominent rhyming occurs in the chorus:

"You hid there last time, you know we're gonna find you (A)
Sick in the car seat, 'cause you're not up to going (B)
Out on the main streets, completing your mission (C)"

While not a traditional, rigid rhyme scheme, the repetition of key phrases and the internal rhythm of the lines are more significant than perfect end rhymes. The focus is on creating memorable, chant-like phrases that stick in the listener's mind. The repetition of "to the basement" in the verses acts as a rhythmic and lyrical motif, anchoring the song's structure.

"Undercover Martyn" is characterized by its high-energy, fast-paced indie-rock sound, blending several stylistic techniques to create its signature feel.

Musical Techniques:

• Instrumentation: The song is driven by a catchy, intricate, and fast-paced electric guitar riff that is instantly recognizable and remains a central hook throughout the track. The guitar work features tremolo picking, adding to the song's frenetic energy. The rhythm section provides a tight, dance-punk beat that is both bracing and propels the song forward.
• Arrangement: At just under three minutes, the song is short and flies by, packed with musical information. It employs a dynamic structure with a crescendo of synths at points, creating an emphatic and upbeat feel despite the lyrical themes of anxiety. The instrumental bridge is a notable moment of high energy, often inspiring headbanging.
• Vocal Delivery: Alex Trimble's vocals are delivered with a sense of urgency and earnestness that complements the lyrical content. The vocals are melodic and sit perfectly atop the energetic instrumentation, creating a memorable and singalong quality.

Literary Techniques:

• Metaphor: The entire song is built around the extended metaphor of "Martyn" as a stand-in for anyone facing their fears, and the "basement" as a symbol of a comfort zone.
• Imagery: The song uses vivid imagery to convey its message, such as "words that would melt in your hands" and being "sick in the car seat," which create strong sensory experiences for the listener.
• Repetition: The repetition of the chorus and phrases like "to the basement" creates a powerful and memorable hook, reinforcing the song's central themes.

"Undercover Martyn" is one of Two Door Cinema Club's most well-known and beloved songs, and it played a significant role in establishing them as a prominent band in the indie scene of the early 2010s. The song, along with their debut album "Tourist History," received positive reviews from music critics and helped define the energetic, guitar-driven indie-pop sound of that era. While not a massive chart-topper, it achieved respectable positions, charting in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. More significantly, the song was certified Platinum in the UK, indicating long-term popularity and sales.

The song's cultural influence extends to its use in other media. Its catchy intro and upbeat nature have made it a popular choice for soundtracks and online content. Notably, the song gained a new wave of popularity in 2018 through its use in viral videos on the social media platform TikTok. This resurgence introduced the band to a new, younger generation of fans, cementing the song's status as a lasting indie classic.

Within Two Door Cinema Club's discography, "Undercover Martyn" remains a fan favorite and a staple of their live performances. It is often cited, alongside tracks like "What You Know" and "Something Good Can Work," as a quintessential example of their early, high-energy style that captured the hearts of many indie music fans. The song and the album "Tourist History" are often looked back on with nostalgia as defining works of the 2010s indie/alternative genre.

"Undercover Martyn" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that articulate its central theme of facing fear and embracing change.

• Martyn: The character of Martyn is not a literal person but a symbol of anyone who is an 'undercover' recluse, hiding from the world. He represents the part of ourselves that is anxious and hesitant to step out of a comfort zone. The band uses Martyn as a proxy for their own collective anxieties about pursuing a music career.
• The Basement: The "basement" is a key metaphor representing a safe, creative space, but also a place of social isolation. It's where ideas are nurtured ("many surprises await you"), but it also signifies being hidden away from the world. It can be seen as the band's rehearsal space, a symbol of their origins and the starting point of their journey.
• The Main Streets: In direct contrast to the basement, the "main streets" symbolize the public sphere, the world outside of one's comfort zone that must be faced to achieve one's goals or "mission." It represents exposure, performance, and the fulfillment of their ambition to become a well-known band.
• Sick in the Car Seat: This vivid image is a metaphor for the visceral feeling of anxiety and fear associated with facing the unknown. It's not a literal sickness but the physical manifestation of inner turmoil and reluctance to proceed with the "mission."
• Words that would melt in your hands: This poetic phrase suggests something beautiful, valuable, yet ephemeral and delicate. It likely refers to encouraging words of wisdom that are powerful and inspiring, giving the recipient the confidence to move forward.

"Undercover Martyn" utilizes several recurring phrases and musical motifs that are central to its structure and meaning, making the song incredibly memorable and cohesive.

Lyrical Motifs:

• "To the basement, people, to the basement": This is the most significant recurring phrase in the verses. Its repetition acts as a call, drawing the listener into the song's central location and symbol. It establishes the "basement" as both a physical space and a metaphorical state of being – a place of safety, creativity, and hiding. The repetition emphasizes its importance as the starting point from which the song's narrative unfolds.
• The Chorus Refrain: The entire chorus ("You hid there last time, you know we're gonna find you / Sick in the car seat, 'cause you're not up to going / Out on the main streets, completing your mission") is a recurring section that encapsulates the song's core conflict. Its repetition hammers home the themes of friendly persuasion, anxiety, and the necessity of facing one's fears. Each time it returns, it reinforces the gentle but firm push on "Martyn" to emerge.

Musical Motifs:

• The Main Guitar Riff: The song's most dominant musical motif is its iconic opening and recurring guitar riff. This intricate, high-pitched, and fast-paced melodic line is instantly recognizable and serves as the song's primary hook. It reappears throughout the song, tying the sections together and providing a constant source of electrifying energy. Its bright, shimmering quality contrasts with the lyrical anxiety, creating the song's signature upbeat yet poignant feel.

The repetition of these elements is crucial to the song's impact. They create a sense of familiarity and an anthem-like quality, encouraging listeners to sing along and connect with the song's universal message of encouragement and overcoming apprehension.