No. 126 - Arctic Monkeys’ “505” changed my life

For a decade, Melis Tuman forgot this song existed; now she listens to it daily

Jan 30, 2026

This Song Changed My Life is an independent music publication featuring weekly essays from people all around the world about the songs that mean the most to them. Created (and illustrated) by Grace Lilly.

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Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare

• 4 min read •

My hands were cold as I scrolled on my phone, clutching groceries in my left hand while the J train jolted through the January air. I looked up to watch the buildings pass by on the Williamsburg Bridge when Spotify autoplayed a song I’d heard before but couldn’t quite place. It scratched my brain in the best way possible, a soft organ building and bringing a sense of calm that made me feel like I was floating. Before I could check what song was playing, I heard, “I’m going back to 505.”

It had been a minute since I last heard an Arctic Monkeys song. Back in high school, I went through an alternative/indie phase. It was 2013, their album AM had just dropped, and “Do I Wanna Know?” was everywhere. I spent far too much time on Tumblr, discovering softcore porn and wishing I could live what would later be called the Indie Sleaze lifestyle. The only thing I wanted was a pair of American Apparel Disco Shorts that my mom refused to buy me. Then, as it so often happens with 14-year-olds, I started making new friends, and my taste in music shifted. I traded indie rock for pop, deleted Tumblr, and never thought about the Arctic Monkeys again until that cold January day in 2023.

I listened to “505” on repeat until I barged through my apartment door. I immediately asked my best friend if she remembered the song, and we ended up watching old music videos from the AM era for the rest of the evening.

That night, I thought to myself, Is this what it feels like to be loved by someone? To be longed for? As someone who had never been in a real relationship, just a string of flings, I wished I had a romantic relationship I could look back on with such nostalgia. I wished for a man who would “crumble completely when I cried.” I wished for someone who would yearn for me. But then I realized the song could mean whatever I wanted it to. It didn’t have to represent a past relationship I could return to. To me, “505” became a perfect memory suspended in time, a place I could visit whenever I wanted.

On a 7-hour flight to L.A., I decided it was time to listen to the entire Arctic Monkeys discography. After each album, I’d write down my favorite tracks in my diary, aka the Notes app. I loved hearing how their sound evolved, from sticky bar floor anthems like “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” to the chill, jazzy vibes of “Star Treatment.” There’s truly something for everyone. This experience changed the way I listen to music. Before, I’d just listen to songs, not albums, relying heavily on playlists and algorithms to tell me what to listen to. Now, I listen to full albums, so I don’t miss the deeper story.

I had rediscovered my love for the Arctic Monkeys at the perfect time. They had just released their seventh studio album, The Car, and they were touring again. I looked on Ticketmaster, and, of course, only resale tickets upwards of $400 were left. But fate was on my side. Over the summer, I made a new friend, and we bonded over our love for the band. She had tickets to the show, and I mentioned how much I wanted to go but couldn’t justify those resale prices. A couple of weeks later, she texted to say one of her friends couldn’t make it, and she would sell me her general admission ticket for face value. I don’t think I’ve ever Venmoed someone faster. I went to the Night 1 show at Forest Hills Stadium with a group of new friends, and it was truly amazing. To this day, we’re all still friends, and I’m so thankful that “505” serendipitously brought me this wonderful group of women.

Some gatekeep-y Arctic Monkeys fans might say, “You’re not a real fan if ‘505’ is your favorite song,” but to that I say, who the fuck cares? “505” is a TikTok song now, but I always smile when I see an OOTD video using it. TikTok has brought the band to a new generation of fans, and I absolutely love that. They keep the music alive through sped-up, slowed-down, and remixed versions. And gatekeeping a band with 52.4 million monthly listeners is oxymoronic.

Melis’s coworkers reacting to her Spotify Wrapped stat

“505” became my comfort song in 2023. I ended up playing it 675 times that year, according to my Spotify Wrapped. When my work team had our annual “Guess the Spotify Wrapped” happy hour, they were shocked that anyone would listen to a song that many times.

Even now, I listen to it once a day. I crave it. It’s cathartic and helps me forget about the stress of daily life for 4 minutes and 13 seconds.

It’s a part of who I am. ◆

About Melis

Melis Tuman is a chronically online social media manager. When she’s not getting paid to scroll through TikTok you can find her walking around Brooklyn listening to music with an iced latte in hand or hanging out with friends.

Instagram @melistuman

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