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.
Leave Before The Lights Come On
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He wouldn't do it if it wasn't
He wouldn't do it if it wasn't one
Well, my friend fancies you
Oh, what a way to begin it all
You said, "They're always exciting words to hear"
And they woke up together not quite realizing how
Awkwardly stretching and yawning
And I suppose that's the price you pay
Well, oh, it isn't what it was
She's thinking he looks different today
And now there's nothing left to guess now
They left before the lights came on
Because they didn't want to ruin what it was that was brewing
Before they absolutely had to
And how can you wake up with someone you don't love
And not feel slightly fazed by it?
Oh, he had a struggle
And they woke up together not quite realizing how
Awkwardly stretching and yawning
It's always hard in the morning
And I suppose that's the price you pay
Well, oh, it isn't what it was
She's thinking he looks different today
And now there's nothing left to guess now
Well, quick, let's leave before the lights come on
'Cause then you don't have to see
'Cause then you don't have to see what you've done
Well, quick, let's leave before the lights come on
'Cause then you don't have to see
'Cause then you don't have to see what you've done
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
I'll walk you up
Leave Before the Lights Come On by the Arctic Monkeys is a song about a one night stand. The song opens with the singer saying it’s a good idea, implying that they plan on pursuing a sexual encounter. He then mentions his friend who fancies the girl he’s pursuing. After some talking, they both end up in bed together, though it’s clear that the singer has no emotional attachment to his partner. The morning after is awkward and uncomfortable, as they both seem unfamiliar with each other in the sober light of morning.
The song’s title refers to the couple sneaking out before the lights come on in the morning, evading the dreaded conversation about what the night before really meant. The singer knows that the encounter doesn’t mean anything to him, but he is also aware of the awkwardness that comes with leaving after a one night stand. The song’s closing line, “I’ll walk you up, what time’s the bus come?” further cements the idea that this was just a one night fling, and that any potential for a relationship has been completely disregarded.
Overall, Leave Before the Lights Come On is a song about the fleeting intimacy of one night stands, and the awkwardness that comes with them. The singer is unapologetic about his actions, but still struggles with the discomfort of the morning after.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, this is a good idea
The singer thinks the current situation is a good idea.
He wouldn't do it if it wasn't
The singer trusts that his friend's actions are genuine and not something he will back out of.
He wouldn't do it if it wasn't one
The singer is emphasizing that his friend is being truthful about his intentions.
Well, my friend fancies you
The artist is introducing his friend to the person they are interested in.
Oh, what a way to begin it all
The artist is commenting on the awkwardness of the situation.
You said, "They're always exciting words to hear"
The person being pursued is acknowledging that being told someone fancies you is exciting.
And they woke up together not quite realizing how
The two people had sex without realizing the emotional ramifications of their actions.
Awkwardly stretching and yawning
The two people woke up feeling physically awkward and uncomfortable.
It's always hard in the morning
It's difficult to deal with the aftermath of a one-night stand or casual sex.
And I suppose that's the price you pay
The artist is commenting on the inherent emotional cost of casual sex.
Well, oh, it isn't what it was
The singer is recognizing that the situation has changed from what it used to be.
She's thinking he looks different today
The woman involved in the one-night stand is noticing her partner in a different light.
And now there's nothing left to guess now
The situation is out in the open and there is no more mystery or guessing involved.
They left before the lights came on
The two people left early to avoid facing the emotional reality of their situation in the light of day.
Because they didn't want to ruin what it was that was brewing
They didn't want to spoil the potential for a future relationship.
Before they absolutely had to
They left earlier than necessary to avoid facing the consequences of their actions.
And how can you wake up with someone you don't love
The artist is questioning the emotional implications of casual sex.
And not feel slightly fazed by it?
The singer is acknowledging that it is difficult to have casual sex without feeling some emotional consequences.
Oh, he had a struggle
The partner involved in the one-night stand is shown to have internal conflict.
Well, quick, let's leave before the lights come on
The two people involved in the one-night stand are in a hurry to leave before they have to face the reality of their situation.
'Cause then you don't have to see
Leaving before the lights come on allows them to avoid seeing each other and facing the emotional reality of their situation.
'Cause then you don't have to see what you've done
Leaving before the lights come on allows them to avoid the consequences of their actions and the potential regret that comes with it.
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
The singer is offering to walk the other person home and asking about the time of the next bus.
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
The artist is reiterating their offer to walk the other person home and their inquiry about the bus schedule.
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
The singer is once again reminding the other person that they will walk them home and asking about the bus schedule.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Turner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nojhea3583
Well this is a good idea
You wouldn't do it if it wasn't
You wouldn't do it if it wasn't one
Well my friend fancies you
Oh what a way to begin it all
You said there're always exciting words to hear
And you woke up together
Not quite realizing how
Awkwardly stretching and yawning
It's always hard in the morning
And I suppose that's the price you pay
Well, oh it isn't what it was
She's thinking he looks different today
And now there's nothing left to guess now
They left before the lights came on,
Because you didn't want to ruin
What it was that was brewing
Before they absolutely had to
And how can you wake up
With someone you don't love?
And not feel slightly phased by it
Oh, he had a struggle
And they woke up together
Not quite realising how
Awkwardly stretching and yawning
It's always hard in the morning
And I suppose that's the price you pay
Well, oh it isn't what it was
She's thinking he looks different today
And now there's nothing left to guess now
Quick, let's leave, before the lights come on
'Cos then you don't have to see
'Cos then you don't have to see
What you've done
Quick, let's leave, before the lights come on
'Cos then you don't have to see
'Cos then you don't have to see
What you've done
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come?
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Alex Turner
Leave Before the Lights Come On lyrics © Emi Music Publishing Ltd
@Vikitamtamtam
Well this is a good idea,
He wouldn't do it if it wasn't,
He wouldn't do it if it wasn't one.
Well my friend fancies you,
Oh what a way to begin it all,
You said, "It's always exciting words to hear"
And we woke up together not quite realising how,
Awkwardly stretching and yawning,
Its always hard in the morning,
And I suppose that's the price you pay,
Well oh it isn't what it was,
She's thinking he looks different today,
And now there's nothing left to guess now,
You left before the lights came on,
Because they didn't want to ruin,
What it was that was brewing,
Before they absolutely had to,
And how can you wake up,
With someone you don't love?
And not feel slightly fazed by it,
Oh, he had a struggle,
And they woke up together not quite realising how,
Awkwardly stretching and yawning,
It's always hard in the morning,
And I suppose that's the price you pay,
Well oh it isn't what it was,
She's thinking he looks different today,
And now there's nothing left to guess now,
Quick, let's leave, before the lights come on,
'Cos then you don't have to see,
'Cos then you don't have to see,
What you've done...
Quick, let's leave, before the lights come on,
'Cos then you don't have to see,
'Cos then you don't have to see,
What you've done...
I'll walk you up, what time's the bus come? [repeat]
@Thundero13
Arctic Monkeys: creates a masterpiece
Producers: "Will we put this on the album then?"
Arctic Monkeys: "Nah we're good"
@andrade2129
Good, but not a masterpiece.
@Thundero13
@@andrade2129 That's where we disagree my friend 😜
@Raver-1601
To be fair this doesn't fit the tone of FWN
@indierockgrrrl6593
very Oasis-y move. or, should I say, Noel-y?
@giftedhobo542
@@Raver-1601 I agree more of a fit for WPSIATWIN.
@loversandlosers
i love how this song is about a one night stand and the video is basically the same concept framed in a different way
@alienween1491
oh i always thought it was about cheating
@dariocambise5058
0
@ossimlz
Yeah, it's kinda about looking for the right stimulus in the wrong places. Pretty much a masterpiece.