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. 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] 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." ^[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 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."^[5]

Music video

The video was released on the band's website on 3 August 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 The World's End and Hot Fuzz fame. 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, showing his wedding ring, 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.

Track listing

CD
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Leave Before the Lights Come On"	3:52
2.	"Put Your Dukes Up John" (The Little Flames cover)	3:03
3.	"Baby I'm Yours" (Barbara Lewis cover)	2:32

7"
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Leave Before the Lights Come On"	3:52
2.	"Baby I'm Yours" (Barbara Lewis cover)	2:32

Personnel

Arctic Monkeys

Alex Turner – Lead and backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitar
Jamie Cook – Lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Nick O'Malley – Bass, backing vocals
Matt Helders – Drums, backing vocals

Additional musicians on "Baby I'm Yours"^[6]

Oisin Leech - Lead and backing vocals, Spanish guitar
The 747s - Backing band
Ned Crowther - Backing vocals
The Heritage Orchestra - Strings
Massimo Signorelli - Percussion, finger snaps, hand claps, tammorra

Release history

Country	Date
United Kingdom	14 August 2006
Australia	21 October 2006
New Zealand	21 October 2006
United States	24 October 2006

Charts

Charts (2006)^[7]	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	4
Canadian Singles Chart	2
Danish Singles Chart	11
Irish Singles Chart	16
Italian Singles Chart	44

References

↑ "Young Brains". San Diego CityBeat. 31 May 2006. Retrieved 2006-07-10.
↑ Arctic Monkeys release their first ever cover versions - NME.com URL accessed 10 July 2006
↑ Author unknown. "The Arctic Monkeys are second-best". Toronto Sun. 26 October 2006. Retrieved 1 November 2006.
↑ "Jam Canoe". Canadian airplay and sales charts. Retrieved 30 November 2006.
↑ "Arctic Monkeys announce single details". Digital Spy. 7 July 2006. Retrieved 24 February 2004.
↑ http://www.discogs.com/Arctic-Monkeys-Leave-Before-The-Lights-Come-On/release/785285
↑ http://acharts.us/song/10812

Arctic Monkeys singles

Discography Songs

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not	"I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" "When the Sun Goes Down"

Favourite Worst Nightmare	"Brianstorm" "Fluorescent Adolescent" "Teddy Picker"

Humbug	"Crying Lightning" "Cornerstone" "My Propeller"

Suck It and See	"Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" "The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala" "Suck It and See" "Black Treacle"

AM	"R U Mine?" "Do I Wanna Know?" "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?" "One for the Road" "Arabella" "Snap Out of It"

Standalone singles	"Leave Before the Lights Come On" "Matador" "Come Together"

Other songs	"The View from the Afternoon" "Fake Tales of San Francisco" "Brick by Brick"

as Death Ramps	"Bad Woman" (featuring Richard Hawley) "The Death Ramps" "Nettles" "Little Illusion Machine (Wirral Riddler)" (featuring Miles Kane) "You and I" (featuring Richard Hawley)

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