Leave Before the Lights Come On
Encyclopedia
"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
. The song was not included on the band's debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
, though Alex Turner
has stated that it could have been on the album as it follows a similar theme to many of the album tracks. It was the band's final release before promotion began for their second album Favourite Worst Nightmare
in Spring 2007. However, it was not included on their second album either.
The single's release was confirmed on the band's website on 6 July 2006, and that the track would be released on Monday, 14 August, on 3 track CD and 2 track 7" vinyl. The website did not offer any further information, but NME
s website announced that the two b-side tracks for the single will be covers, "one of which will be their version of an old song and the other a cover of a track by one of their favourite groups." In July 2006, it was confirmed on Gonzo that "Put Your Dukes Up, John" by The Little Flames
would be one of the cover versions. On 17 July, it emerged on an Arctic Monkeys fansite that the other cover version would be "Baby, I'm Yours" originally recorded by Barbara Lewis
. The official website soon confirmed this and added that the track would be a collaboration with the 747s
. The single entered the UK singles charts at number four on 20 August 2006, their first not to top the chart.
"Leave Before the Lights Come On" was the Arctic Monkeys' first single to enter the Canadian Singles Chart
and debuted at number two behind Eva Avila
's "Meant to Fly
" (2006) by only fifteen copies. It descended to number three in its second week and remained on the chart for seven weeks.
Alex Turner confirmed the release of the single in an interview with NME: "'Leave Before the Lights Come On' feels very much like it could be on the album. So we're going to put that out as a single. I remember it's the last song that I wrote about that sort of time, going out and that. My life's not really like that any more."
This song has been covered by Gym Class Heroes
in various live shows and on BBC Radio 1
. Their cover was not well received by Jamie Cook
or Alex Turner
, where they stated in an interview with Zane Lowe
that it was one of the reasons the song had been dropped from their set list.
, who was also at the helm for the video for "M.O.R.
" for the band Blur
. The video was filmed in Sheffield
in the Cultural Industries Quarter
in July 2006 and features actors Kate Ashfield
of Shaun of the Dead
fame and Paddy Considine
of In America
and Cinderella Man
. The video starts off with Ashfield on the top of a building (the Showroom Cinema
) about to jump off. She drops her shoe as Considine is walking in the street below. He sees Ashfield and immediately runs to the top of the building. He puts out his hand then he and Ashfield hug. The two walk to nearby cafe and sit down to have coffee. Ashfield makes an attempt to kiss Considine. He stops her then walks out of the cafe but she makes an attempt to follow him. He gets her up against a fence and threatens her before walking off. Ashfield then runs back up to the top of the building where she purposely drops her shoe in front of an unsuspecting Matt Helders, strolling along in a t-shirt with the words 'Bang, Bang' on it, a recording company for the Arctic Monkeys
, implying the events to be repeated cyclically.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band Arctic Monkeys
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...
. The song was released on 14 August 2006 as the band's third single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The song was not included 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...
, though Alex Turner
Alex Turner (musician)
Alexander David Turner is an English musician, best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist and main songwriter of the English rock band Arctic Monkeys...
has stated that it could have been on the album as it follows a similar theme to many of the album tracks. It was the band's final release before promotion began for their second album Favourite Worst Nightmare
Favourite Worst Nightmare
Favourite Worst Nightmare is the second studio album by English indie rock band Arctic Monkeys that was first released in Japan on 18 April 2007 before being released around the world. Recorded in east London's Miloco Studios with producers James Ford and Mike Crossey, the album was preceded by the...
in Spring 2007. However, it was not included on their second album either.
The single's release was confirmed on the band's website on 6 July 2006, and that the track would be released on Monday, 14 August, on 3 track CD and 2 track 7" vinyl. The website did not offer any further information, but NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
s website announced that the two b-side tracks for the single will be covers, "one of which will be their version of an old song and the other a cover of a track by one of their favourite groups." In July 2006, it was confirmed on Gonzo that "Put Your Dukes Up, John" by The Little Flames
The Little Flames
The Little Flames were an indie rock band from Hoylake, England. The band consisted of Eva Petersen , Greg Mighall , Joe Edwards , Miles Kane and Mat Gregory . Their music can best be described as indie rock with some 1960s inspiration, slightly similar to The Coral...
would be one of the cover versions. On 17 July, it emerged on an Arctic Monkeys fansite that the other cover version would be "Baby, I'm Yours" originally recorded by Barbara Lewis
Barbara Lewis
Barbara Lewis , is an American singer and songwriter whose smooth style influenced rhythm and blues.-Career:Lewis was born in Salem, near Ann Arbor, Michigan...
. The official website soon confirmed this and added that the track would be a collaboration with the 747s
The 747s
The 747s were an indie band, from Liverpool, England. Their debut album Zampano was released in September, 2006.The band supported The Raconteurs on their first UK tour in 2006...
. The single entered the UK singles charts at number four on 20 August 2006, their first not to top the chart.
"Leave Before the Lights Come On" was the Arctic Monkeys' first single to enter the Canadian Singles Chart
Canadian Singles Chart
The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays....
and debuted at number two behind Eva Avila
Eva Avila
Eva Avila is a singer and songwriter. She won the fourth season of the CTV reality show Canadian Idol in 2006.-Early life:...
's "Meant to Fly
Meant to Fly (Eva Avila song)
"Meant to Fly" is a pop song written by Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida and Gaby Moreno, for 2006 Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila. The song was released as the first single from her debut album, Somewhere Else, on September 26, 2006...
" (2006) by only fifteen copies. It descended to number three in its second week and remained on the chart for seven weeks.
Alex Turner confirmed the release of the single in an interview with NME: "'Leave Before the Lights Come On' feels very much like it could be on the album. So we're going to put that out as a single. I remember it's the last song that I wrote about that sort of time, going out and that. My life's not really like that any more."
This song has been covered by Gym Class Heroes
Gym Class Heroes
Gym Class Heroes is an American hip hop rock band from Geneva, New York. They have collaborated with Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump on numerous occasions, notably for providing backing vocals on the song "Cupid's Chokehold." Stump also produced the majority of their album The Quilt.The group formed...
in various live shows and on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
. Their cover was not well received by Jamie Cook
Jamie Cook
Jamie Robert Cook is the lead guitarist for the British indie rock band Arctic Monkeys.He is the most outspoken member, going on record as saying he "fucking hates the [print] news" and defending the band's numerous successive records by saying, "I couldn’t see us being like Coldplay, it’d just be...
or Alex Turner
Alex Turner
Alex Turner is the name of:*Alex Turner , Virginian slave, who escaped at the beginning of the American Civil War and fought in the Union army*Alex Turner , film director...
, where they stated in an interview with Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
that it was one of the reasons the song had been dropped from their set list.
Music video
The video was released on the band's website on 3 August 2006. It was directed by John HardwickJohn Hardwick
John Hardwick is a television, film and theatre director whose projects have been produced by companies such as Film4, BBC, Warp, Kudos, Channel4 and BFI.- Biography :...
, who was also at the helm for the video for "M.O.R.
M.O.R.
"M.O.R." is a song by English alternative rock band Blur, from their eponymous album, Blur. "M.O.R." reached number 15 in the UK singles chart on its release as a single in 1997....
" for the band Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
. The video was filmed in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
in the Cultural Industries Quarter
Cultural Industries Quarter
The Cultural Industries Quarter is a district in the city centre of Sheffield, England, and one of the eleven Quarters designated in the 1994 City Centre Strategy...
in July 2006 and features actors Kate Ashfield
Kate Ashfield
Kate Ashfield is a British actress, best known for her award-winning roles as Jody in the Anglo-German film Late Night Shopping, as Sadie MacGregor in the British film This Little Life and as Liz in the 2004 film Shaun of the Dead.-Biography:Ashfield was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England...
of Shaun of the Dead
Shaun of the Dead
Shaun of the Dead is a 2004 British zombie comedy directed by Edgar Wright, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and written by Pegg and Wright. Pegg plays Shaun, a man attempting to get some kind of focus in his life as he deals with his girlfriend, his mother and stepfather...
fame and Paddy Considine
Paddy Considine
Patrick George "Paddy" Considine is an English actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, musician and frequent collaborator with Shane Meadows. Best known to audiences for his portrayals of dark, troubled, morally or mentally ambiguous characters...
of In America
In America
In America is a 2003 drama film directed by Jim Sheridan. The semi-autobiographical screenplay by Sheridan and his daughters Naomi and Kirsten focuses on an immigrant Irish family's efforts to survive in New York City, as seen through the eyes of the elder daughter.The film was nominated for three...
and Cinderella Man
Cinderella Man
Cinderella Man is a 2005 American drama film by Ron Howard, titled after the nickname of heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock and inspired by his life story. The film was produced by Howard, Penny Marshall, and Brian Grazer.-Plot:James J...
. The video starts off with Ashfield on the top of a building (the Showroom Cinema
Showroom Cinema
The Showroom Cinema is an independent arthouse cinema in Sheffield, England. It is housed in a 1936 art deco building which was formerly the Kennings car dealership...
) about to jump off. She drops her shoe as Considine is walking in the street below. He sees Ashfield and immediately runs to the top of the building. He puts out his hand then he and Ashfield hug. The two walk to nearby cafe and sit down to have coffee. Ashfield makes an attempt to kiss Considine. He stops her then walks out of the cafe but she makes an attempt to follow him. He gets her up against a fence and threatens her before walking off. Ashfield then runs back up to the top of the building where she purposely drops her shoe in front of an unsuspecting Matt Helders, strolling along in a t-shirt with the words 'Bang, Bang' on it, a recording company for the Arctic Monkeys
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...
, implying the events to be repeated cyclically.
Track listing
Release history
| Country | Date |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
14 August 2006 |
| Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
21 October 2006 |
| New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... |
|
| United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
24 October 2006 |
Charts
| Charts (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
4 |
| Canadian Singles Chart Canadian Singles Chart The Canadian Singles Chart is currently compiled by the U.S.-based music sales tracking company, Nielsen SoundScan . The chart is compiled every Wednesday, and is published by Jam! Canoe on Thursdays.... |
2 |
| Danish Singles Chart Tracklisten Tracklisten is a Danish top 40 record chart that is presented every Thursday midnight at .The weekly Danish Singles Chart also known as Track Top-40 combines the 40 best selling tracks from legal music downloads and the sales of music singles on either CD or vinyl... |
11 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
16 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 44 |