Lyrics Riot Van

The song portrays young peoples encounters with the police, inspired by composer Alex Turners observations in his hometown of Sheffield. It displays the interactions between the youth, law enforcement, and how the Riot Van is used to manage situations deemed as out of the law.

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Up rolled the riot van
And sparked excitement in the boys
But the policemen look annoyed
Perhaps these are ones they should avoid
They got a chase last night from men with truncheons dressed in hats
They didn't do that much wrong, still ran away though for the laugh
just for the laugh
Please just stop talking
Because they won't find us if you do
Oh, those silly boys in blue
Well, they won't catch me and you
Have you been drinking son, you don’t look old enough to me
I’m sorry officer, is there a certain age you’re supposed to be?
nobody told me
Up rolled the riot van
And these lads just wind the coppers up
Ask why they don't catch proper crooks
Get their address and their names took
But they couldn't care less

Thrown in the riot van
And all the coppers kicked him in
And there was no way he could win
Just had to take it on the chin