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Jessica Labonog

Professor Batty

English 102

18 September 2019

Amongst the Stars

Celebrities are believed by many to be “higher” members of society due to their elevated

social status. There is a constant buzz around famous people and how their lives are on public

display. Many people spend their entire lives just to reach that status, but the song “Star

Treatment” by Arctic Monkeys tells about the reality of being famous. Alex Turner, the lead

singer of Arctic Monkeys, uses many different elements to bring this song to life. In the song,

Turner talks about the treatment celebrities face, and how fame can be a bit much at times.

These lyrics are a poetry of their own because they provide insight into a new world that many

may not be able to experience. While many glorify the concept of fame and fortune, Turner’s

song expresses that being famous is not as glamorized as many may make it to be. He uses the

melody of the song and imagery to share that fame can take a wrong turn at any time. Just to

make the best of every situation life may throw at us.

The melody of the song and the lyrics go hand in hand and the two compliment each

other very well. The lyrics tell about the experiences of the rich and famous live, and how they

also have days where they want to be regular members of society. While the lyrics speak volume,

the melody does as well. The melody radiates a grand tone. The introduction of the song begins
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with a piano playing several notes. These notes sound like a song that would play at a party

taking place at a penthouse with martinis going around. A grand piano continues to play certain

notes flows all throughout the song. The artist’s deep voice has an echoing tone that resonates

after he speaks, and light raspiness of his voice creates a warm touch and it fits right in with the

rest of the song. “I just wanted to be one of The Strokes / Now look at the mess you made me

make / Hitchhiking with a monogrammed suitcase.” (1-3) If anyone else had sung these lyrics,

the song would not be the same. Turner sings with such passion and intensity and his voice

allows his audience to empathize with him.

The purpose of the imagery used in this song is to give listeners the image of the artist's

perception of himself. Turner describes himself as a very clean and sophisticated man. But,

despite his sparkling image, he also shares that he has a greasier more adventurous side to him.

“Rocket-ship grease down the cracks of my knuckles / Karate bandana / Warp speed chic / Hair

down to there / Impressive moustache.” (13-14) This part of the song allows Turner’s audience

to visualize this entire scenario. The sharp dressed man that Turner’s audience is used to now

shares a different side of himself, wearing a bandana with grease on his fingers all while having a

mustache. This line invokes a new side of Turner, perhaps the version of himself he may feel

most comfortable with. The image he portrays to the world is just an act, and it is only behind

closed doors when he can truly be himself. Turner chose to use imagery in this song because it

brings the song to life. Readers visualize the situation better, and may even attempt to insert

themselves in his shoes.

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Many may argue that Turner is glamorizing fame in this song and elevating his social

status. He speaks of how many shows he performs during a week and it may seem as though he

is flaunting his rich lifestyle. But this song tells the complete opposite. He understands that he

differs from many famous people as well as those who are not famous, and this song is his cry

for help. He wishes to be recognized for the man he is at heart. This song may allow the rest of

society to “loosen up” with their eyes constantly being on celebrities. They are humans too, and

the millions of eyes on them may become overwhelming.

“Star Treatment” was the first song Arctic Monkeys made together after a five

year break. This was the first song many people had heard in half a decade. It felt like a

revelation, and as soon as I processed the lyrics, I knew there was a deeper meaning. Turner and

his band wanted to bring the struggles celebrities face to light. They are entitled to feel emotions

as non famous individuals feel. As the album that contained this song was a gift of its own,

Arctic Monkeys began the album with a message for their fans and the rest of the public. It

reminds everyone to stop criticising and to try to see the light in life.

Works Cited

Arctic Monkeys. “Star Treatment.” Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, deluxe ed,. Domino

Recording Company Ltd, 2018, track 1. Spotify,

open.spotify.com/track/0FgNSsaSZTvbLXUumSO8LQ?si=UxBnWsmkTreZiNA1M4dw

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Appendix A

I just wanted to be one of The Strokes

Now look at the mess you made me make

Hitchhiking with a monogrammed suitcase

Miles away from any half-useful imaginary highway

I'm a big name in deep space

Ask your mates but golden boy's in bad shape

I found out the hard way

That here ain't no place for dolls like you and me

Everybody's on a barge
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Floating down the endless stream of great TV

1984, 2019

Maybe I was a little too wild in the 70s

Rocket-ship grease down the cracks of my knuckles

Karate bandana

Warp speed chic

Hair down to there

Impressive moustache

Love came in a bottle with a twist off cap

Let's all have a swig and do a hot lap

So who you gonna call?

The martini police

Baby, that isn't how they look tonight, oh no

It took the light forever to get to your eyes

I just wanted to be one of those ghosts

You thought that you could forget

And then I haunt you via the rear view mirror

On a long drive from the back seat

But it's alright 'cause you love me

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And you recognize that it ain't how it should be

Your eyes are heavy and the weather's getting ugly

So pull over, I know the place

Don't you know an apparition is a cheap date?

What exactly is it you've been drinking these days?

Jukebox in the corner

Long hot summer

They've got a film up on the wall and it's dark enough to dance

What do you mean you've never seen Blade Runner?

Oh, maybe I was a little too wild in the 70s

Back down to earth with a lounge singer shimmer

Elevator down to my make believe residency

From the honeymoon suite

Two shows a day, four nights a week

Easy money

So who you gonna call?

The martini police

So who you gonna call?

The martini police

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Baby, that isn't how they look tonight

It took the light absolutely forever to get to your eyes

And as we gaze skyward, ain't it dark early?

It's the star treatment, yeah

And as we gaze skyward, ain't it dark early?

It's the star treatment

It's the star treatment

The star treatment