Golden Trunks

Album: Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song contains a rare Arctic Monkeys political lyric, as singer and lyricist Alex Turner "re-imagines the "leader of the free world" as a "wrestler wearing tight golden trunks."

    "In the past I've struggled to find the poetry in [politics] and I think I've managed a way to find it this time, with some encouragement," he told Billboard. "I've always thought that, writing anything that relates to politics, it's a lot to do with the way you go about it. Being able to write about the power of allusion and suggestion is important to keep in mind."
  • Turner expanded on the "The leader of the free world reminds you of a wrestler wearing tight golden trunks" lyric to Pitchfork.

    "Yeah, as soon as you say those words, it rather steals the show, he admitted. "But I was almost attracted to how cumbersome the phrase 'the leader of the free world' is, especially now. There are some things that are really hard to get to work phonetically, but the tune somehow allows it. In this case, when I go, [sings grandly] 'the leader of the free world,' it's suddenly amusing. It's kind of Disney, that melody."
  • Despite the Donald Trump reference, "Golden Trunks" is closer to a romantic tune than a political track. Turner said:

    "That song is definitely centered around a female character, and it's the closest thing to a love song that's on this record. I made this character, and she had this idea about what was going on. The line came to me through that; I thought of the WWF."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.