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Underrated Arctic Monkeys Songs: The Best Hidden Gems from Every Album
Arctic Monkeys Songs Ranked: Most to Least Popular
Popularity for Arctic Monkeys is driven by streaming giants like Spotify, where blockbuster tracks from AM lead the pack. This ranking highlights 20 key songs, roughly ordered from more to less streamed, based on general streaming trends rather than exact play counts. The top end features radio-friendly anthems with massive cultural reach, while the bottom reveals underrated territory. Note that b-sides and early cuts cluster at the lower end, often well below the billion-stream level, making them prime hidden gems.
| Rank | Song | Album/Single (Year) | Popularity Tier | Why It Ranks Here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Most) | Do I Wanna Know? | AM (2013) | 1B+ | Signature riff and brooding vibe; soundtrack staple in shows like Peaky Blinders. |
| 2 | Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High? | AM (2013) | 1B+ | Relatable late-night regret; viral on social media and playlists. |
| 3 | 505 | Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) | 500M+ | Emotional deep cut turned fan anthem; live show closer. |
| 4 | R U Mine? | AM (2013) | 500M+ | Driving rock energy; tour staple with possessive lyrics. |
| 5 | I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor | Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006) | 500M+ | Debut breakout hit; captures youthful club chaos. |
| 6 | Fluorescent Adolescent | Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) | 500M+ | Nostalgic party track; catchy chorus on aging. |
| 7 | Arabella | AM (2013) | 500M+ | Sultry ’70s-inspired romance; name-dropping allure. |
| 8 | Teddy Picker | Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) | 200M+ | Satirical bite on media; underrated opener. |
| 9 | Crying Lightning | Humbug (2009) | 200M+ | Stormy Josh Homme production; dark romance. |
| 10 | Cornerstone | Humbug (2009) | 100M+ | Melancholic ballad; searching for lost love. |
| 11 | She’s Thunderstorms | Suck It and See (2011) | 100M+ | Energetic opener; stormy relationship theme. |
| 12 | Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair | Suck It and See (2011) | 100M+ | Psychedelic rock twist; quirky warnings. |
| 13 | Four Out of Five | Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018) | 100M+ | Optimistic single; spacey narrative. |
| 14 | Body Paint | The Car (2022) | 50M+ | Smooth orchestration; reflective on fame. |
| 15 | D Is for Dangerous | Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) | 50M+ | Edgy opener; thrill-seeking vibe. |
| 16 | If You Were There, Beware | Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) | 50M+ | Paranoid warning; intense guitar work. |
| 17 | The Bad Thing | Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) | 50M+ | Self-sabotage theme; driving rhythm. |
| 18 | Stickin’ to the Floor | B-side (2006) | <50M | Raw demo energy; early Sheffield sound. |
| 19 | Cigarette Smoker Fiona | Who the Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys? EP (2006) | <50M | Hazy party narrative; name-driven story. |
| 20 (Least) | Chun Li’s Spinning Bird Kick | B-side (2006) | <50M | Instrumental fun; video game nod. |
The upper ranks are dominated by AM and early hits, reflecting commercial peaks, while the lower end spotlights b-sides and deep cuts with niche appeal. This spectrum shows how underrated songs often hide in the shadows of blockbusters, offering raw creativity away from mainstream polish.
Top Underrated Arctic Monkeys Songs: The Best Hidden Gems
Underrated Arctic Monkeys songs shine through innovation and depth, often overshadowed by singles. This list of 12 picks focuses on tracks that sit well below the band’s biggest hits on streaming platforms but have strong fan followings for their lyrics, riffs, or experimentation. Selected from b-sides and album interiors, they represent the band’s full range. Many feature unique elements like name references or subtle meanings, tying into broader themes.
| Song | Album/Single (Year) | Popularity Tier | Why It’s Underrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| D Is for Dangerous | Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) | 50M+ | Thrilling opener with reckless energy; sets the album’s tone but skipped for hits. |
| If You Were There, Beware | Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) | 50M+ | Paranoid lyrics and blistering guitars; intense but buried mid-album. |
| The Bad Thing | Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) | 50M+ | Self-destructive narrative; catchy yet overlooked in favor of “505”. |
| Pretty Visitors | Humbug (2009) | <50M | Eerie late-album track with electronic edge; experimental but after key singles. |
| Dance Little Liar | Humbug (2009) | <50M | Moody groove on deception; shadowy atmosphere in the album’s darker half. |
| Library Pictures | Suck It and See (2011) | <50M | Punk-infused rant; fast-paced but non-single. |
| That’s Where You’re Wrong | Suck It and See (2011) | <50M | Romantic plea with falsetto; emotional depth hidden late. |
| Brick by Brick | Suck It and See (2011) | <50M | Garage-rock swagger; simple, repetitive hook that split opinion. |
| I Want It All | AM (2013) | 50M+ | Funky bassline; groovy but overshadowed by “Arabella”. |
| Star Treatment | Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018) | <50M | Piano-driven lounge; bold shift but divisive. |
| She Looks Like Fun | Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018) | <50M | Upbeat absurdity; humorous lyrics underappreciated. |
| Mr Schwartz | The Car (2022) | <50M | Observational character study; subtle orchestration gem. |
| Big Ideas | The Car (2022) | <50M | Epic strings and reflection; ambitious late-album centerpiece. |
These tracks sit far below the band’s billion-stream heavyweights but still pack the punch of Arctic Monkeys’ signature wit and sound. B-sides like “Cigarette Smoker Fiona” (with its name-driven narrative) exemplify early rawness, while later cuts like “Star Treatment” show bold evolution.
Underrated Arctic Monkeys Songs by Album
Breaking down by album reveals how underrated songs contribute to each era’s identity. Early works brim with chaotic b-sides, mid-period adds experimentation, and later albums favor introspection. This section highlights 2-3 gems per release, focusing on their mood and role.
Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)
The debut’s frenetic energy hides gems beyond the singles. “When the Sun Goes Down” captures urban moral ambiguity through a gritty narrative of nocturnal struggles, making it a strong mid-album entry. “From the Ritz to the Rubble” delivers satirical commentary on excess, with its raw guitar drive fitting the album’s observational style.
B-sides amplify this: “Stickin’ to the Floor” evokes the feeling of being stuck in a grimy venue, sick of the scene around you, with its lo-fi charm representing early Sheffield nights.
Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
Speedier than the debut, this album’s underrated tracks lean satirical. “D Is for Dangerous” opens with thrill-seeking recklessness, setting a high-energy tone that gets overshadowed by later hits. “If You Were There, Beware” builds tension through paranoid warnings, with intense guitar work buried mid-album.
“The Bad Thing” explores self-sabotage with a driving rhythm and confessional edge, adding emotional layers to the faster-paced record.
Humbug (2009)
Darker and moodier with Josh Homme’s production influence, Humbug hides atmospheric treasures. “Dance Little Liar” pulses with themes of deception in a moody groove, fitting the album’s shadowy half. “Pretty Visitors” stands out as a frenetic late-album highlight with eerie organ and frantic delivery.
“The Jeweller’s Hands” closes with subtle introspection, emphasizing the record’s gothic turn through its quiet resolution.
Suck It and See (2011)
Melodic and mature, this album’s gems blend pop with rock. “Library Pictures” rants with punk-infused speed, contrasting the calmer surroundings as a fast-paced non-single. “That’s Where You’re Wrong” conveys a romantic plea through falsetto, hidden in the late sections with emotional depth.
“Brick by Brick” brings garage-rock swagger with a simple, repetitive hook that split opinions but rewards repeat listens.
AM (2013)
Dominated by hits, AM‘s underrated side shows funk and fire. “I Want It All” grooves with a funky bassline, adding swagger overshadowed by bigger tracks. “No. 1 Party Anthem” offers piano balladry as a breather from the riffs, with its crooning intimacy.
“Mad Sounds” offers a soft acoustic breather in the later part of the album, contrasting the heavier, riff-driven tracks with gentle reflection.
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018)
The lounge shift yields divisive but rewarding cuts. “Star Treatment” lounges with piano and bold ambition, marking a pivot that challenges listeners. “She Looks Like Fun” lightens with upbeat absurdity and humorous lyrics.
“The Ultracheese” builds dramatically to end the album, with orchestral swell and reflective imagery.
The Car (2022)
Polished and reflective, The Car‘s gems emphasize strings. “Mr Schwartz” observes a character in a subtle orchestration, adding industry insight. “Big Ideas” swells with epic scope and reflection as a late-album centerpiece.
“There’d Better Be A Mirrorball” conveys a disco-tinged lament on isolation, shining quietly amid the polish.
Patterns in Underrated Arctic Monkeys Songs
Underrated tracks share traits: They often appear mid- or late-album, avoiding single status, and explore themes like paranoia, romance, and absurdity. Early ones (2006-2007) favor raw guitars and b-sides with chaotic energy, as in “Stickin’ to the Floor”. Mid-period (2009-2013) adds production flair, like Humbug‘s darkness in “Pretty Visitors”. Later works (2018-2022) embrace experimentation, with lounge elements in “Star Treatment”.
Lyrics play a key role: Many feature vivid storytelling, such as name mentions in b-sides (e.g., “Cigarette Smoker Fiona”), tying into personal narratives. These songs tend to sit far below the band’s biggest hits on streaming platforms but gain cult status through live plays and fan playlists. Their underrated status stems from overshadowing by hits, yet they preserve Arctic Monkeys’ core—witty, evolving rock.
- Placement: Non-singles and closers dominate, rewarding full-album listens.
- Themes: Introspection and satire over anthems; e.g., self-doubt in “The Bad Thing”.
- Evolution: From punky b-sides to orchestral depths, mirroring band growth.
- Rediscovery: Often via soundtracks or deep dives, as with Peaky Blinders deep cuts.
For soundtrack connections in underrated tracks, see Arctic Monkeys songs in movies and TV shows and see name-heavy gems in our article about names in Arctic Monkeys songs.
Conclusion
Underrated Arctic Monkeys songs like “If You Were There, Beware” and “Mr Schwartz” prove the band’s depth beyond the charts, offering raw emotion and innovation in every album. From debut b-sides to recent reflections, these hidden gems enrich the discography for dedicated listeners.
If you want to celebrate these tracks with style, check out our Arctic Monkeys graphic tee collection for designs inspired by the band’s full catalog, perfect for showing your love for the underrated side.
