There'd Better Be a Mirrorball

Last updated
"There'd Better Be a Mirrorball"
There'd Better Be a Mirrorball (Arctic Monkeys).png
Single by Arctic Monkeys
from the album The Car
Released29 August 2022 (2022-08-29)
Recorded2021
Genre
Length4:25
Label Domino
Songwriter(s) Alex Turner
Producer(s) James Ford
Arctic Monkeys singles chronology
"Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino"
(2018)		"There'd Better Be a Mirrorball"
(2022)		"Body Paint"
(2022)
Music video
"There'd Better Be a Mirrorball" on YouTube

"There'd Better Be a Mirrorball" is a song by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys released on 29 August 2022, through Domino Recording Company. The song was included on their seventh studio album The Car (2022). Written by lead singer Alex Turner and produced by James Ford, "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball" is a traditional pop and jazz track. While composing it, Turner thought the song felt like the start of the record.

Contents

Music critics praised "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball"'s production, lyrics, and instrumental arrangement. The song was nominated for Best Alternative Music Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. It debuted at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart.

Turner directed the accompanying music video which features 1970s-inspired aesthetics and captures the band at different stages of the recording process. The video was also released on 29 August 2022, and filmed by Turner with his own 16 mm video camera, alongside Zackery Michael, Ben Chappell and Mark Bull. Arctic Monkeys performed the song on television shows including Later...with Jools Holland and Late Night Berlin .

Composition and lyrics

Musically "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball" has been described as a jazz-influenced [1] [2] [3] [4] and "Bond-esque" ballad, [2] [5] [6] being compared to the works of Burt Bacharach and The Walker Brothers. [5] Some music journalists also noted an influence of 1960s pop music and traditional pop on the song. [1] [7] [8]

The song deals with a breakup, and the lyricism has been described as "oblique" and "introspective", [3] [5] [2] with The Guardian noting: "Turner sings about the dying days of a relationship without any of his usual brio. Instead, this song's refrain almost feels like a plea: 'If you wanna walk me to the car / You oughta know I'll have a heavy heart / So can we please be absolutely sure that there's a mirrorball?'" [5] Lead singer Alex Turner said of the song: "On Mirrorball, before the words even come in, that instrumental piece [establishes] the feel of the record", and while composing it thought it felt, "like how the next record starts." [9]

The string section was recorded at RAK Studios' Studio 1 in London, engineered by long-time Arctic Monkeys collaborator Loren Humphrey.

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Turner and filmed by him and frequent collaborators Zackery Michael, Ben Chappell and Mark Bull. The video features the band at different stages of the recording process, at both Butley Priory and La Frette studios. [10] Turner brought his own 16 mm video camera to document the sessions, later compiling his footage for the video. [9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [11]

Writing for Pitchfork , Matthew Strauss noted that the song's production "gesture[s] toward the otherworldly retroism of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino " while remaining "grounded" lyrically; he opines that the song is "emblematic of a new, post- AM Arctic Monkeys: a little mysterious, yearning, and downcast - and quietly beautiful." [12] Shaad D'Souza of The Guardian wrote, "Arctic Monkeys are clearly still invested in writing ballads that move with the slowness and smoothness of treacle dripping from a spoon. "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball" seems slight at first – but by the time it's over, there's no doubting its power." [5] Stereogum chose the song as one of the best tracks of that week, describing it as "[splitting] the difference between Bond theme and brokenhearted lament" with "Alex Turner's croon leading the way through exquisite lounge music and a soaring string arrangement." [13]

Accolades

The song was nominated for Best Alternative Music Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. [14]

PublicationRankList
Billboard 45The 100 Best Songs of 2022 [15]
Consequence 40Top 50 Songs of 2022 [16]
The Guardian 6The 20 Best Songs of 2022 [17]
NME 5The 50 best songs of 2022 [18]
Stereogum -Our 50 Favorite Songs Of 2022 [19]

Charts

Chart performance for "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball"
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Greece International (IFPI) [20] 76
Ireland (IRMA) [21] 31
Lithuania (AGATA) [22] 100
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [23] 16
Portugal (AFP) [24] 68
UK Singles (OCC) [25] 25
UK Indie (OCC) [26] 2
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) [27] 37

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [28] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arctic Monkeys</span> English rock band

Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band formed in Sheffield in 2002. The group consists of lead singer Alex Turner, drummer Matt Helders, guitarist Jamie Cook and bassist Nick O'Malley; bassist and co-founder Andy Nicholson left the band in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor</span> 2005 single by Arctic Monkeys

"I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" is a song by English rock band Arctic Monkeys released on 17 October 2005 through Domino Recording Company. The song was the band's debut single and the first from their debut studio album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006). Written by frontman Alex Turner and produced by Jim Abbiss, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" is a garage rock, indie rock, and post-punk song. It debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart on 23 October 2005, and remains one of the band's best-known songs in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Turner</span> British musician (born 1986)

Alexander David Turner is an English musician. He is the front man and lead singer-songwriter of the rock band Arctic Monkeys. Turner is known for his lyricism ranging from kitchen sink realism to surrealist wordplay, which has been praised by music critics and the public. All but one of Turner's studio albums have topped the UK Albums Chart. He has won seven Brit Awards, an Ivor Novello Award, and a Mercury Prize among other accolades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brianstorm</span> 2007 single by Arctic Monkeys

"Brianstorm" is a song by the English rock band Arctic Monkeys. It is the opening track on their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare. The song was released as the first single from the album on 2 April 2007, debuting at number 21 in the UK Singles Chart via downloads alone. The single was released in physical formats on 16 April, the week before the release of the album, and charted at number two on the UK Singles Chart behind Beyoncé and Shakira's "Beautiful Liar". In Scotland, the song became the band's fourth consecutive number-one single on the Scottish Singles Chart. "Brianstorm" is one of the band's most successful singles worldwide, reaching number four in Denmark, number seven in Ireland, and number 10 in Spain. It came in at number 62 on MTV Asia's list of Top 100 Hits of 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fluorescent Adolescent</span> 2007 single by Arctic Monkeys

"Fluorescent Adolescent" is a song by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys. It was released as the second single from their second studio album Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007). It was released on 9 July 2007 in the United Kingdom. The lyrics were written by Alex Turner and Johanna Bennett, Turner's girlfriend at the time, in a hotel room prior to the recording of Favourite Worst Nightmare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Last Shadow Puppets</span> English band

The Last Shadow Puppets are an English supergroup consisting of Alex Turner, Miles Kane, James Ford, and Zach Dawes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miles Kane</span> English musician

Miles Peter Kane is an English singer and musician, best known as a solo artist and the co-frontman of the Last Shadow Puppets. He was also the former frontman of the Rascals, before the band announced their break-up in August 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Standing Next to Me</span> 2008 single by The Last Shadow Puppets

"Standing Next to Me" is a song by English baroque pop band The Last Shadow Puppets. It was released on 7 July 2008 in the United Kingdom by Domino Recording Company as the second single of their debut album The Age of the Understatement. Written by co-frontmen Alex Turner and Miles Kane, the song was produced by James Ford, and recorded at Black Box studios in France in the summer of 2007. The lyrics describe a love triangle between the narrator, a woman, and another man.

<i>Suck It and See</i> 2011 studio album by Arctic Monkeys

Suck It and See is the fourth studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 6 June 2011 by Domino Recording Company. The album's songs were written by frontman Alex Turner in 2010 on an acoustic guitar in his, at the time, Brooklyn home. It was produced in Los Angeles at Sound City Studios by the band's longtime collaborator James Ford in early 2011, using mostly live takes. The album's title, a British phrase meaning "give it a try", was viewed as provocative in the United States due to being misinterpreted as referencing fellatio, and was subsequently censored in some locations. The artwork features the album title in black over a cream colored background.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair</span> 2011 single by Arctic Monkeys

"Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" is a song by the English rock band Arctic Monkeys, from their 2011 album Suck It and See.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R U Mine?</span> 2012 single by Arctic Monkeys

"R U Mine?" is a song by the English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys. It features lyrics written by frontman Alex Turner, as well as music composed by the entire band. The song was released as a digital download in the United Kingdom on 27 February 2012 and was released physically for the Record Store Day on 21 April 2012 on a limited edition double A-side purple 7" vinyl along with new song "Electricity". The vinyl was limited to a run of only 1,750 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do I Wanna Know?</span> 2013 single by Arctic Monkeys

"Do I Wanna Know?" is a song by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, with lyrics written by frontman Alex Turner. It was released on 19 June 2013 by Domino Recording Company as the second single from their fifth studio album, AM (2013). It received a digital download release through iTunes as well as an accompanying music video. Before its release as a single, the song was premiered by the band live in May 2013 on the AM Tour, where it was often played as the opening number. It is an indie rock, psychedelic rock, stoner rock, blues rock and alternative rock song, and is built around a stomping guitar riff.

<i>AM</i> (Arctic Monkeys album) 2013 studio album by Arctic Monkeys

AM is the fifth studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys. It was produced by longtime collaborator James Ford and co-produced by Ross Orton at Sage & Sound Recording in Los Angeles and Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, California, and released on 9 September 2013 through Domino Recording Company. The album was promoted by the singles "R U Mine?", "Do I Wanna Know?", "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?", "One for the Road", "Arabella", and "Snap Out of It". It features guest appearances by Josh Homme, Bill Ryder-Jones, and Pete Thomas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?</span> 2013 single by Arctic Monkeys

"Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?" is a song by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys. It was released as the third single from their fifth studio album, AM, on 11 August 2013. It was written by the group's lead vocalist Alex Turner while its production was handled by James Ford. Upon its release, many critics compared the composition of "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?" with works by different artists.

<i>Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino</i> 2018 studio album by Arctic Monkeys

Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is the sixth studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 11 May 2018 by Domino Recording Company. The album was written by frontman Alex Turner in 2016 on a Steinway Vertegrand piano in his Los Angeles home. It was produced in Los Angeles, Paris and London by frequent Arctic Monkeys collaborator James Ford and Turner, alongside a wide array of guest musicians including Tom Rowley, Loren Humphrey, James Righton, Zach Dawes, Tyler Parkford and Cam Avery. Turner designed the album artwork himself, which depicts the eponymous resort with cardboard cut-outs and a tape recorder. Its title refers to Tranquility Base, the site of the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (song)</span> 2018 single by Arctic Monkeys

"Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" is a song by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys. It was released on 23 July 2018 as the second single from their sixth studio album of the same name, along with an accompanying music video. On 16 October 2018, it was announced that a 7-inch vinyl version of the single would be released on 30 November 2018, alongside the previously unreleased B-side "Anyways".

<i>The Car</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Arctic Monkeys

The Car is the seventh studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 21 October 2022 by Domino Recording Company. The album's songs were primarily written by frontman and guitarist Alex Turner in his Los Angeles home and Paris. It was produced in Suffolk, Paris and London by frequent Arctic Monkeys collaborator James Ford, alongside frequent guest musicians Tom Rowley, Loren Humphrey and Tyler Parkford, and arranged by Bridget Samuels, Ford and Turner. Drummer Matt Helders took the picture on the album cover, which depicts a white Toyota Camry in an otherwise empty parking garage on a Los Angeles rooftop. Its title refers to said cover and the abundance of vehicular references in the lyrics.

"Sculptures of Anything Goes" is a song by English rock band Arctic Monkeys released on 21 October 2022 by the Domino Recording Company. The song is the third track on their seventh studio album The Car (2022). It was produced by James Ford and written by lead singer Alex Turner and guitarist Jamie Cook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body Paint (song)</span> 2022 single by Arctic Monkeys

"Body Paint" is a song by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys released on 29 September 2022, through Domino Recording Company. The song was included as the second single on their seventh studio album The Car. Written by lead singer Alex Turner and produced by James Ford, "Body Paint" is a baroque pop, orchestral pop, and art rock track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Car Tour</span> 2022–23 concert tour by Arctic Monkeys

The Car Tour was the seventh headlining concert tour by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, launched in support of their seventh studio album, The Car (2022). The tour began on 9 August 2022 in Istanbul at Zorlu PSM, and concluded on 19 October 2023 in Dublin at 3Arena, visiting North America, South America, Oceania and Eurasia. This marks their first tour since Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino Tour (2018–2019), and features the band, alongside usual touring members, Scott Gillies, Tom Rowley, Davey Latter, and Tyler Parkford.

References

  1. 1 2 Patel, Anish (31 August 2022). "The Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner is channeling Bob Dylan with his new look". GQ UK . Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Reilly, Nick (30 August 2022). "Arctic Monkeys return with "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball"". Rolling Stone.
  3. 1 2 Patton, Alli (30 August 2022). "Arctic Monkeys Release Breakup Single "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball"". American Songwriter.
  4. ↑ Murray, Tom (30 August 2022). ""There'd Better Be a Mirrorball": Arctic Monkeys release first single in four years". The Independent. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 D'Souza, Shaad (30 August 2022). "Arctic Monkeys: "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball" review – Alex Turner channels Bacharach". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  6. ↑ Lobb, Adrian (24 August 2022). "Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner shares details of new album The Car in Big Issue exclusive". The Big Issue. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  7. ↑ Potter, Jordan (30 August 2022). "Arctic Monkeys share first single in four years, 'There'd Better Be a Mirrorball'". Far Out . Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "Arctic Monkeys Release New Single "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball"". SPIN. 30 August 2022.
  9. 1 2 Monroe, Jazz (30 September 2022). "Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner: 'I'm comfortable with the idea that things don't have to be a pop song". The Guardian . Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  10. ↑ "Arctic Monkeys - There'd Better Be A Mirrorball (Official Video)". YouTube . 30 August 2022.
  11. ↑ Bassett, Jordan (30 August 2022). "Beautiful new song 'There'd Better Be A Mirrorball' is Arctic Monkeys at their most earnest". NME . Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  12. ↑ Strauss, Matthew. "Arctic Monkeys: "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball" Track Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  13. ↑ Stereogum, Staff (2 September 2022). "The 5 Best Songs Of The Week". Stereogum. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  14. ↑ Lee, Taila (15 November 2022). "2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List". Grammys.com. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  15. ↑ "The 100 Best Songs of 2022: Staff List". Consequence . December 7, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  16. ↑ "The 20 Best Albums Of 2022". Consequence . December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  17. ↑ "The 20 Best Songs Of 2022". The Guardian . December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  18. ↑ "The 50 Best Songs Of 2022". NME . December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Stereogum's 50 Favorite Songs Of 2022". Stereogum . December 13, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  20. ↑ "IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (International) Week 43 2022". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  21. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  22. ↑ "2022 43-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  23. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  24. ↑ "Arctic Monkeys – There'd Better Be a Mirrorball". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  25. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  26. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  27. ↑ "Arctic Monkeys Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  28. ↑ "British single certifications – Arctic Monkeys – There'd Better Be A Mirrorball". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 28 June 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.