Leave Before the Lights Come On

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“Leave Before the Lights Come On”
“Leave Before the Lights Come On” cover
Single by Arctic Monkeys
Released Flag of the United Kingdom 2006-08-14
Flag of the United States 2006-10-24
Format 7", CD
Recorded All Tracks (Mayfair Studios, London)
Genre Post-punk revival
Length 3:48
Label Domino Records
Writer(s) Alex Turner
Producer Track one Jim Abbiss
Track two & three Mike Crossey
Arctic Monkeys singles chronology
Who the Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys?
EP
(2006)		 "Leave Before the Lights Come On"
(2006)		 "Brianstorm"
(2007)

"Leave Before the Lights Come On" is a song by Sheffield-based indie rock band Arctic Monkeys and was released on August 14, 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.[1]

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." [2] 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.[3] It descended to number three in its second week and remained on the chart for seven weeks.[4]

Alex Turner confirmed the release of the single in an interview in 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." [5]

This song has been covered by Gym Class Heroes in various live shows and on BBC Radio 1.

[edit] Music video

The video was released on the band's official website on August 3, 2006. It was directed by John Hardwick, 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 about to jump off. She drops her shoe as Considine is walking in the street below. He sees Ashfeild and immediately runs to the top of the building. He puts out his hand then he and Ashfeild hug. The two walk to nearby cafe and sit down to have coffee. Ashfeild 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. Ashfeild 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, one of many possible replacement names for Arctic Monkeys.

[edit] Track listing

  • CD RUG236CD
  1. "Leave Before the Lights Come On" (Arctic Monkeys) – 3:52
  2. "Put Your Dukes Up John" (The Little Flames) - 3:03
  3. "Baby I'm Yours" (Van McCoy) featuring The 747s - 2:32

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Young Brains", San Diego CityBeat, 31 May 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-10. 
  2. ^ Arctic Monkeys release their first ever cover versions - NME.com URL accessed 10 July 2006
  3. ^ Author unknown. "The Arctic Monkeys are second-best". Toronto Sun. October 26, 2006. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
  4. ^ "Jam Canoe". Canadian airplay and sales charts. Retrieved November 30, 2006.
  5. ^ Exclusive - Arctic Monkeys play gig in tiny pub - NME.com URL accessed 10 July 2006
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