The band has released seven studio albums: Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006), Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007), Humbug (2009), Suck It and See (2011), AM (2013), Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018) and The Car (2022) (the first six of which debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart.
Each of the band's first five singles "I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor", "When the Sun Goes Down", "Leave Before The Lights Come On", "Brianstorm" and "Fluorescent Adolescent" hit the UK Top Five, but their sixth single, "Teddy Picker", only went Top 20 and their seventh single, "Crying Lightning" peaked at #12.
The band's rise to success started in late 2004/early 2005 when demo songs that had been handed out in CD form at gigs found their way onto the internet. These demos rapidly spread among message boards and friends leading to a growing fan base for the band, and were collected on the unofficial Beneath the Boardwalk, which the band recognizes on their website. The band owe much of their success to viral buzz via the Internet, and have eschewed typical 'commercial' channels, including refusing to appear on the UK's (now discontinued) Top Of The Pops music program, which was often seen as a gateway to success.
The band's debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, held the record for the largest first week sales of a debut album in the UK (in its first week, it sold more than the rest of the Top 20 albums combined). The album sold over 360,000 copies in its first week, but lost the title in November 2007 to Leona Lewis's album Spirit.
On 19th June 2006 the band officially announced that founding member and bassist Andy Nicholson had left the band after missing the American leg of their tour due to 'fatigue' and the other band members couldn't stand the constant 'missing his girlfriend syndrome' so they told him to sling his hook. Former Dodgems bassist Nick O'Malley was initially brought in as a stand-in, and played the band's remaining summer commitments. He was then announced as Nicholson's permanent replacement.
The single "Leave Before The Lights Come On" came out on August 14th, but only reached Number 4 on the UK charts, denying the band a third consecutive number 1 single.
Their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not won the 2006 Mercury Prize, was chosen as the best album of year 2006 by Q Magazine, and received a slew of other accolades.
Their second album Favourite Worst Nightmare was released on April 23rd 2007. It was preceded by "Brianstorm", the first single from the album, which was released a week before. Like its predecessor, "Favourite Worst Nightmare" sold more than the rest of the Top 20 combined, and - due to an error on iTunes - every song on the record appeared on the UK Top 200 Singles the next week.
When asked about Favourite Worst Nightmare Turner commented, "We haven't changed that much. It's still about making contact with girls or not making contact with girls".
The band began to write and record demos for the third album in January 2008, Turner said "We had tunes that we'd already been playing on tour so we recorded them. That’s six [songs]. We’re going to take it easy and start practicing over the summer and doing new stuff."
The band premiered new material from the unreleased album during their January 2009 tour of New Zealand, playing small venues in Wellington and Auckland ahead of the Big Day Out festival. Their first show in more than a year was on January 13, 2009 at Wellington's Town Hall. In both cities, the new songs played were "Crying Lightning", "Go-Kart", "Dangerous Animals" and "Pretty Visitors." The full setlist from the Auckland gig is available online. Also played was a cover of the Nick Cave song "Red Right Hand." During their last tour, the band had played new songs "Put Me In A Terror Pocket", "Sandtrap," and "The Fire and The Thud" live.
Lead singer/songwriter Alex Turner started a two-man project with the singer from the Rascals, Miles Kane.
The band is called 'The Last Shadow Puppets'
The Arctic Monkeys band released their album Humbug in August of 2009, preceded by the single "Crying Lightning"
They released their fourth studio album, Suck It And See, on June 6th, 2011.
They released their fifth studio album, AM, on September 9th, 2013.
They released their sixth studio album, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, with no preceding single releases, on May 11th, 2018.
They released their seventh studio album, The Car, on October 21st, 2022, preceded by the singles "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball", "Body Paint" and "I Ain't Quite Where I Think I Am".
http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/
If You Found This It's Probably Too Late
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone's perception, trying not to bore
I'm a cold-hearted kidder, applaud, applaud
If you're the highest bidder, I'm yours
You figure out pathetic sets
We're not sure of the etiquette
We think out pathetic sets
And if you found this, it's probably too late
Clinically cynical, hereditary hate
If you found this it's probably too late
Approaching the pinnacle, I'm running out of mates
If we concentrate on being off the cuff
Not sure we're ready, but probably rough
Frightened that honesty isn't enough
And it's nothing on the early stuff
Arctic Monkeys' song "If You Found This It's Probably Too Late" speaks to the band's self-awareness and the expectations of their audience. The opening lines, "Under constant correction, a fraud, a fraud / Someone's perception, trying not to bore" refer to the constant pressure of fame and the scrutiny they experience from both themselves and the public. They acknowledge the idea that their perception is in the hands of their listeners, and they are constantly trying to maintain their appeal. They also mention being a "cold-hearted kidder" which can be interpreted as a sly and unscrupulous individual who plays tricks or jokes. The following line, "If you're the highest bidder, I'm yours" communicates that their loyalty is available to the highest bidder, suggesting they are malleable and under external influence.
The chorus pivots to the idea of it being "too late" to make any significant changes - "If you found this it's probably too late / Clinically cynical, hereditary hate / If you found this it's probably too late / Approaching the pinnacle, I'm running out of mates." They seem comfortable in their current state, but also acknowledge that they may have limited time, friends, and opportunities left. The line "hereditary hate" suggests there might be some level of learned cynicism or distrust - passed down from generation to generation. They mention "approaching the pinnacle" which could be interpreted as reaching the peak of success or fame. However, they also note that they are "running out of mates," which shows the isolation of fame.
In the following verse, they touch on the idea of improvisation and spontaneity, saying "If we concentrate on being off the cuff / Not sure we're ready, but probably rough / Frightened that honesty isn't enough." Here, they express doubt about the effectiveness of honesty and authenticity alone in maintaining interest from their audience. They also seem to realize that they managed to gain fame and success by being themselves, but don't know if they will be able to maintain that authenticity in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Under constant correction, a fraud, a fraud
I am constantly being criticized and corrected, making me feel like a fake and a liar.
Someone's perception, trying not to bore
I am constantly changing how I act and present myself to others in order to keep their interest.
I'm a cold-hearted kidder, applaud, applaud
I joke around often, even about serious topics, and receive positive attention for it.
If you're the highest bidder, I'm yours
I am willing to do whatever it takes to please others and gain their approval or affection.
You figure out pathetic sets
You try to understand the situations or circumstances that I am involved in, even if they seem pitiful or inferior.
We're not sure of the etiquette
We are uncertain about the proper behavior or attitudes required in certain situations or environments.
And if you found this, it's probably too late
If you are listening to this song, it is likely that I have already reached a point of no return in my negative behavior or thinking.
Clinically cynical, hereditary hate
I have become extremely pessimistic and negative, possibly due to genetic or environmental factors.
Approaching the pinnacle, I'm running out of mates
I am reaching the top of a negative cycle or state of mind, and am losing friends or supporters as a result.
If we concentrate on being off the cuff
If we focus on being spontaneous and not overthinking our actions or words.
Not sure we're ready, but probably rough
We are not entirely prepared or confident, but we will likely forge ahead despite any obstacles.
Frightened that honesty isn't enough
We are scared that being truthful and sincere will not be effective or appreciated by others.
And it's nothing on the early stuff
Our current behavior or actions are not as good or admirable as they used to be in the past.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jules Buckley, Alex Turner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
pax
on 505
yo this is sick
robin
on When the Sun Goes Down
DAMNNN THEY ARE GOOD GOOD
robin
on Old Yellow Bricks
damn looking at these comments remind me that there is so many things to understand about the lyrics
Birgit Eierhoff
on Do I Wanna Know
The sound goes into the blood. :)
Jeannie Smith
on Do I Wanna Know
I like it.