Fake Tales of San Francisco
Encyclopedia
"Fake Tales of San Francisco" is a song by Arctic Monkeys
originally released on the band's first EP
Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys
in May 2005. After being featured on the band's debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
, the song was released as a radio only single in the United States instead of "Leave Before the Lights Come On
", which was released there at the end of October. The song was also released in the Netherlands, where it reached number 31 on the Dutch Singles Chart. The song was popular on alternative rock radio in the U.S. in late 2006, peaking at number 40 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.
The song has been one of the band's signature tracks, with its popularity as the band's first recorded track. The song derides a fictional South Yorkshire
band for taking its inspiration from the USA while never having been there, with lyrics such as "I'd love to tell you all my problem / You're not from New York City
, you're from Rotherham
", and "He talks of San Francisco, he's from Hunter's Bar
". The song's title, however, has made it a fan favorite in the United States
.
for the song is the same as when it was previously released on Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys
. Directed by a friend of the band, Mark Bull, the video features a compilation of footage of some of the band's earliest performances at various gigs and was given airplay in the UK on MTV Two in 2005. Although he has now left the band, the video includes several shots of former bassist Andy Nicholson.
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
originally released on the band's first EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys
Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys
Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys is the debut EP by Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys. Released on 30 May 2005, it featured a re-recording of fan favourite "Fake Tales of San Francisco" and new song and B-side "From the Ritz to the Rubble". It was a limited release by Bang Bang Recordings - a label was...
in May 2005. After being featured on the band's debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not is the debut album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 23 January 2006. The album became the UK's fastest selling debut album, shifting over 360,000 copies in its first week, and remains the fastest selling debut album by a band. It...
, the song was released as a radio only single in the United States instead of "Leave Before the Lights Come On
Leave Before the Lights Come On
"Leave Before the Lights Come On" is a song by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys. The song was released on 14 August 2006 as the band's third single in the United Kingdom...
", which was released there at the end of October. The song was also released in the Netherlands, where it reached number 31 on the Dutch Singles Chart. The song was popular on alternative rock radio in the U.S. in late 2006, peaking at number 40 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.
The song has been one of the band's signature tracks, with its popularity as the band's first recorded track. The song derides a fictional South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
band for taking its inspiration from the USA while never having been there, with lyrics such as "I'd love to tell you all my problem / You're not from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, you're from Rotherham
Rotherham
Rotherham is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Don, at its confluence with the River Rother, between Sheffield and Doncaster. Rotherham, at from Sheffield City Centre, is surrounded by several smaller settlements, which together form the wider Metropolitan Borough of...
", and "He talks of San Francisco, he's from Hunter's Bar
Hunter's Bar
Hunter's Bar is a roundabout and former toll bar on Ecclesall Road in south-west Sheffield and was active until the late 19th century. The name also attaches to the area surrounding Hunter's Bar roundabout at the intersection of Ecclesall Road, Brocco Bank, Sharrow Vale Road and Junction Road. The...
". The song's title, however, has made it a fan favorite in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song is the same as when it was previously released on Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys
Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys
Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys is the debut EP by Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys. Released on 30 May 2005, it featured a re-recording of fan favourite "Fake Tales of San Francisco" and new song and B-side "From the Ritz to the Rubble". It was a limited release by Bang Bang Recordings - a label was...
. Directed by a friend of the band, Mark Bull, the video features a compilation of footage of some of the band's earliest performances at various gigs and was given airplay in the UK on MTV Two in 2005. Although he has now left the band, the video includes several shots of former bassist Andy Nicholson.