History
2005–2006: Origins and The Fratellis EP
The band's name came from the criminal family in The Goonies and received their first radio playing in 2005, on central Scotland's Beat 106 (later XFM Scotland, now Galaxy Scotland) Beatscene show hosted by Jim Gellatly. They were signed by Fallout Records.
They played their first show on 4 March 2005 in the O'Henry's bar in Glasgow across the road from the Horseshoe bar. The Fratellis EP was released on 3 April 2006, featuring the tracks "Stacie Anne" and "The Gutterati?". "Creepin' Up the Backstairs" was never a single released by the band, even though a video was made for it. The first single released by the band was Henrietta, which was released on 12 June 2006 and charted at number 19 on the UK Charts.
2006–2007: Costello Music and mainstream success
Costello Music was the debut album for the Fratellis and was released on 11 September 2006. It charted at number two in the UK album charts for three weeks. The success of the album led to the Fratellis winning the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act in 2007, an award that was voted for by BBC Radio One listeners.
The Fratellis perform in Scotland.
The Fratellis supported Kasabian in December 2006 on their UK tour before playing 10 dates by themselves in February and March 2007. The tour of the UK festival circuit, playing at Glastonbury and headlining at festivals such as NME's Rock 'n' Riot tour, OXEGEN 2007 and T in the Park 2007, amongst others. They also opened for The Police Reunion Tour in the summer of 2007 in some of the North America dates. The Fratellis also recorded some cover songs during the year including "All Along the Watchtower" for Radio 1's 40th Anniversary Double Album, Radio 1: Established 1967, and "Solid Gold Easy Action" for the soundtrack of the film Hot Fuzz, which also included the single "Baby Fratelli".
The band released their first live DVD, Edgy In Brixton, in the UK on 1 October 2007, which was recorded at the Brixton Academy in London. The DVD contains a locations included Nottingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and London. Following the release of the album, the Fratellis embarked on a full live performance of the debut album Costello Music, B-sides from various singles and a new song called "Pretty Like a Girl". Extras on the DVD include the band being asked questions by members of the Fratellis' website, and on the deluxe edition, . It was released in the United States on 30 October 2007.
2007–2009: Here We Stand
The band's filmed on 18 June 2008 at the Fillmore, San Francisco; performances of "Milk and Money", "Flathead" and "Mistress Mabel" from Abbey Road Studios and the videos for second album, Here We Stand, was first mentioned in November 2007 on the Fratellis' official website, which stated that work had begun on the album in a rehearsal space in Glasgow. The band said that they were self-producing the album and had their own studio to record in. Recording finished on 13 January 2008.
On 22 February 2008, they played a highlights from the T in the Park 2007 festival small show for fans at Queen Margaret Union to debut new songs from the upcoming album. About eight new going towards the Teenage Cancer Trust. The third single was "A Heady Tale", released on 22 December. The Fratellis released a deluxe edition of Here We Stand internationally songs from their new album were played, including "Mistress Mabel", "Acid Jazz Singer", and "Look Out Sunshine!". This performance introduced two new touring members, a guitarist, Robin Peringer and a keyboard player, Will Foster. However, after the Teenage Cancer Trust show in 2008, Robin departed the tour for unknown reasons. Will Foster subsequently played both keyboard and guitar during live performances.
The album, was released on 9 June 2008 in the UK and 10 June 2008 in the United States. The band marked the US release of the album with sold-out shows in New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles. The first single from the album,"Mistress Mabel", was released on 26 May 2008. The next single, "Look Out Sunshine!", released on 18 August 2008 and with money on 8 December. The CD included a new song titled "Moriarty's Last Stand" and the accompanying DVD which features "The Year of the Thief" (a documentary of the band on the road in the US), a live show the singles "Mistress Mabel" and "Look Out Sunshine!".
During 2009, the band did a mini-tour of Australia and Japan during February and March. The Fratellis headlined the Island Records 50th anniversary show on 27 May 2009 where they debuted their new track to be included on the Island 50: 50 Years of Island Records which was Bob Marley's "Stir It Up". The band also headlined the Hop Farm Festival 2009 on 4 July, with a gig at the Middlesbrough Empire on 3 July to prepare for the upcoming headline slot.
2009–2012: 'Indefinite' hiatus and side projects
After the Hop Farm show in 2009, the band were going to take an extended break citing exhaustion and relationships within the band turning sour after a series of prolonged touring and working together. Jon went on to form a new band with singer/songwriter Lou Hickey called Codeine Velvet Club. He released an self-titled album with the band in December 2009 and toured during late 2009 and early 2010. The band came to a finish and he decided to become a solo artist. He released his debut solo album, Psycho Jukebox in 2010 and intended to release a second, titled Bright Night Flowers in 2012 but this was shelved due to the Fratellis reuniting. It would eventually be released in 2019, in a re-recorded form after the fifth Fratellis album In Your Own Sweet Time.
Barry initially stated that he was starting his own musical project and would let Fratellis fans know about it via the Fratellis website. He didn't let fans know his musical ventures until November 2011, where he revealed he had joined Birmingham band the Twang, who he played with until August 2012 when he rejoined the Fratellis. He is also a regular on the DJ circuit, and still DJs now when he can.
Mince initially joined a heavy metal band called Throne o' Diablo, before leaving the band for unknown reasons. He would go on to join Jon's solo band as a second drummer, backing vocalist and occasional guitarist during live shows for his Psycho Jukebox tour.
2012–2014: We Need Medicine
The Fratellis played their first show since 2009 to raise money for the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund on 15 June 2012, marking nearly 3 years since they last shared a stage together. They then performed at O2 ABC Glasgow on 26 September 2012 and announced a UK tour in April 2013. During the UK tour, 3 more songs were debuted live; "She's Not Gone Yet But She's Leaving", "Seven Nights Seven Days" and "Whiskey Saga". The band went on to perform dates in Oxford, Leicester and Sheffield with another date at Loopallu festival, forming a small September tour. During the tour, the band debuted 2 new tracks, "This Old Ghost Town" (previously played by and mainland Europe. With 2014, the band played festivals across the world, returning to the US, UK and Europe and also headed over to Japan before finishing the We Jon in a solo show) and "Rock n Roll Will Break Your Heart".
On 4 February 2013, the Fratellis finished recording their third album, which was to be called We Need Medicine with a release date of 7 October 2013. "Seven Nights Seven Days" was released as a single on 29 September. The album was recorded in Glasgow with Jon Fratelli and Stuart McCredie on production duties.
The band saw out 2013 with a highly successful tour of the US, UK Need Medicine album campaign with two shows in Russia in September 2014. The band released a brand new EP in September 2014 called The Soul Crush EP, which was released for free on their website.
2014–2016: Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied
During Christmas break 2013, the band started writing new material, and two of the songs debuted live in 2014. "Too Much Wine" was played on the early 2014 US tour, with "All the Live Long Day" (later to be known as "Impostors (Little By Little)") turning up later on. Upon releasing The Soul Crush EP in 2014, the band stated they would be heading to LA to record their fourth album, with Barry confirming on Twitter it was once again with Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air), producer-architect of both their debut album and of Jon's solo album Psycho Jukebox.
News stayed quiet until 1 June 2015, when the band announced their new album would be called Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied and would be released through Cooking Vinyl on 21 August 2015. The band revealed the first song from the album "Me and the Devil" through their website, and later announced the first single "Baby Don't You Lie To Me" on 29 June. Both tracks were made available as instant downloads with your pre-order of the album. The band shared a new video for "Baby Don't You Lie To Me!" on 24 July 2015.
In late 2016, the Fratellis launched a UK-wide tour to mark the 10-year anniversary of Costello Music, playing 16 shows through November and December.
2017–2019: In Your Own Sweet Time and Bright Night Flowers
In 2017, the band headlined posts since 30 April, the band confirmed on Instagram that they were in Los Angeles to record their fifth album with Tony Hoffer once again producing.
On 29 September 2017 the band announced their the Vicar's Picnic music festival 14–15 July, as well as the Lindisfarne Festival, which ran 31 August to 3 September.
On 8 May, after hinting through several fifth studio album, In Your Own Sweet Time which was released on 16 March 2018 and followed by with a UK concert tour in March 2018. The album was released on CD, LP, limited edition orange LP and cassette. They also toured the U.S. in late Spring 2018 and early Summer.
After the recording of In Your Own Sweet Time, Jon had quietly re-recorded his shelved 2012 solo album Bright Night Flowers and after the main bulk of touring was finished for In Your Own Sweet Time, Jon announced his solo album would be released in February 2019, supported with two shows in London and Glasgow. His first solo shows in 6 years featured nearly the entirety of Bright Night Flowers with only one song from his previous solo album showing up along with Fratellis' favourites "Whistle for the Choir" and "Laughing Gas" in rearranged forms and a series of covers.
08. Tell Me A Lie
The Fratellis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, once I was persuaded to open up my head
I told about the was and when, count me wrong instead
I said, would you believe me, if you only knew
I been stealing never till this conversation soon
And the boy cried, hang number three
He went in fair ground and a tall hat
'He's a liar!, he's a liar!'
A good one at that
Say what you wanna, Say what you will
Writes his number on my telephone bill
Wild like a monkey, kick like a mule
I could be a beggar, but I rather be, just as cool...
Aah, aah, aah, aaah
So I told him all I could about all could they expect
I lost my sense of smell and I gain my self-respect
They told me I was curious
I told them they where slow
They asked me where I can get that stuff
I told him I don't know
And the boy cried whopie-didi
There's a women with a mustache
Who won't let me be
She was born on the money
She a harmer in form
'She's a liar!, She's a liar!'
Like never been born
Say what you wanna, Say what you will
Writes his number on my telephone bill
Wild like a monkey, kick like a mule
I could be a beggar, but I rather be just as cool...
Ah, ah, ah, ah...ah, ah, ah, ah
And the boy cried, hang number three
Saw him on the front page, laughing of me
He went in fair ground and a tall hat
He's a liar!, He's a liar!
A good one at that
Say what you wanna, Say what you will
Writes his number on my telephone bill
Wild like a monkey, kick like a mule
I could be a beggar, but I rather be just as cool...
AHHH AHHAAA AAAA...(x6)
"Tell Me A Lie" by The Fratellis follows the story of a person who has lied about something and is now facing the consequences. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been caught in a lie and is now being ridiculed for it. The chorus of the song tells us that the singer would rather be a cool liar than a beggar, indicating that they believe being clever and manipulative is better than being poor and honest.
Throughout the song, we see the singer giving excuses and telling tall tales in order to justify their actions. They mention having lost their sense of smell and gaining self-respect as a result of their actions, suggesting that they have done something wrong but believe it was worth it. The chorus is repeated several times and emphasizes the idea that the singer is relishing being seen as a liar who is cool and in control.
The song ends with the singer being called a good liar, indicating that they have succeeded in their deception. The lyrics suggest that lying can be an effective way to gain power and control in a situation, even if it means being seen as morally corrupt.
Overall, "Tell Me A Lie" seems to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of deception and the potential consequences that come with being caught.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, once I was persuaded to open up my head
I was convinced to share my thoughts.
I told about the was and when, count me wrong instead
I gave incorrect information about past events that I remembered.
I said, would you believe me, if you only knew
I questioned whether anyone would trust me if they knew the truth.
I been stealing never till this conversation soon
I have never stolen before this conversation.
And the boy cried, hang number three
Someone accused me of a third offense.
Saw him on the front page, laughing of me
He was publicly mocking and making fun of me.
He went in fair ground and a tall hat
He went to the carnival wearing a large hat.
'He's a liar!, he's a liar!'
They were shouting that I was a liar.
'A good one at that'
They acknowledged that I was a skilled and convincing liar.
Say what you wanna, Say what you will
Speak your mind and say what you want.
Writes his number on my telephone bill
He left his phone number on my phone bill.
Wild like a monkey, kick like a mule
I am unpredictable, and I have a powerful kick or strike.
I could be a beggar, but I rather be, just as cool...
I could be poor, but I prefer to keep up appearances and stay cool and trendy.
So I told him all I could about all could they expect
I shared all the details that they could expect from me.
I lost my sense of smell and I gain my self-respect
I may have lost my sense of smell, but I gained self-respect.
They told me I was curious
They said that I was inquisitive or strange.
I told them they where slow
I criticized them for being slow or not understanding me.
They asked me where I can get that stuff
They wanted to know where to find something (presumably drugs) that I may have had or known about.
I told him I don't know
I replied that I did not know.
And the boy cried whopie-didi
He exclaimed with joy or excitement.
There's a women with a mustache, Who won't let me be
There is a woman with a mustache who is bothering me or won't leave me alone.
She was born on the money
She comes from a wealthy background.
She a harmer in form
She has a good figure or is attractive.
'She's a liar!, She's a liar!'
They were accusing the woman with a mustache of being a liar.
Like never been born
They suggest that she is a very convincing liar.
AHHH AHHAAA AAAA...
Repeating sounds or background noise.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind