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.
10. Acid Jazz Singer
The Fratellis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me tell you so
This could be the one thing
That you really need to know
You gotta stop once in a while
Shake off that face of yours
Cause nothing comes easy
You could sing it better
If you sing for me, oh sister
Well I cannot claim
This advice is my own
I landed in the gutter
One night, crawling home
She said don't you look ridiculous
I checked her out meticulously
And I would've stopped to argue
But my teeth were broke
I said I'd love to contradict you
But my life's a joke, oh sister
And she said I'm no genius and I've lost myself
The books are on the table, and the secret's on the shelf
And it's a one time, keep it slow
Wind 'em up and here we go
Get a ride today
And you would still be here tomorrow
Some said she was saintly
Some she was a swinger
Me, I only knew her as the acid jazz singer, come on
Well I'm a lucky man
But maybe so is she
And maybe this is just the way it has to be
It's all based on speculation
It's a crazy my occupation to me
And though I didn't much believe her
I was bound to call
I really didn't wanna miss a single thing at all
Oh sister
And she said I'm no genius and I've lost myself
The books are on the table, and the secret's on the shelf
And it's a one time, keep it slow
Wind 'em up and here we go
Get a ride today
And you may still be here tomorrow
Some said she was saintly
Some she was a swinger
Me, I only knew her as the Acid Jazz Singer, come on
And she said I'm no genius and I've lost myself
The books are on the table, and the secret's on the shelf
And it's a one time, keep it slow
Wind 'em up and here we go
Get a ride today
And you may still be here tomorrow
Some said she was saintly
Some she was a swinger
Me, I only knew her as an acid jazz singer, come on
I haven't seen her lately
Well, I'll have to ring her
Put your hands together for the acid jazz singer, come on
La, la, la, oh
La, la, la, oh
La, la, la, oh
Come on
Come on
Come on
The Fratellis's song "Acid Jazz Singer" is a song about stopping to enjoy life and the importance of stepping back from the daily grind. The lyrics suggest that sometimes we need to take a break and appreciate the simpler things in life. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, highlighting the importance of the message: "This could be the one thing/That you really need to know/You gotta stop once in a while/Shake off that face of yours." The line "nothing comes easy, oh it just comes free" encourages listeners not to take any moments for granted and to make the most of what comes their way.
The song also tells the story of a man who meets a woman known as the "acid jazz singer." Her character is intriguing and complex, and she is described as both "saintly" and "a swinger." The singer describes how he fell for her, followed her advice to slow down, and had a memorable night with her. The lyrics also suggest that the acid jazz singer has left an impact on the singer and that he has been thinking of her since their encounter.
Line by Line Meaning
Well let me tell you something
I have something important to say
Let me tell you so
I am going to tell you plainly
This could be the one thing
What I'm about to say may be significant
That you really need to know
It's important that you hear this
You gotta stop once in a while
You need to take breaks
Shake off that face of yours
Try not to be so serious all the time
Cause nothing comes easy
Things take effort and dedication
Oh it just comes free
But sometimes things fall into place naturally
You could sing it better
You could benefit from some help
If you sing for me, oh sister
I'm here for you
Well I cannot claim
I'm not the originator
This advice is my own
This guidance is from personal experience
I landed in the gutter
I hit rock bottom
One night, crawling home
After a rough night
She said don't you look ridiculous
She commented on my appearance
I checked her out meticulously
I scrutinized her response
And I would've stopped to argue
I wanted to debate
But my teeth were broke
I was too injured to argue
I said I'd love to contradict you
I wanted to challenge her
But my life's a joke, oh sister
But I can't take myself seriously
And she said I'm no genius and I've lost myself
She doesn't have all the answers and is struggling
The books are on the table, and the secret's on the shelf
Maybe the answer's in plain sight
And it's a one time, keep it slow
Take it slow and focus on the present
Wind 'em up and here we go
Gear up and face the future
Get a ride today
Take advantage of the present opportunity
And you would still be here tomorrow
Tomorrow is uncertain
Some said she was saintly
Some thought she was virtuous
Some she was a swinger
Others thought she had a wild lifestyle
Me, I only knew her as the acid jazz singer, come on
But I only knew her for her music
Well I'm a lucky man
I consider myself fortunate
But maybe so is she
But maybe she is too
And maybe this is just the way it has to be
Maybe things are meant to happen this way
It's all based on speculation
We can never be certain
It's a crazy my occupation to me
My life seems chaotic
And though I didn't much believe her
I had doubts about her
I was bound to call
But I couldn't resist contacting her
I really didn't wanna miss a single thing at all
I didn't want to regret not seeing her again
And she said I'm no genius and I've lost myself
She is uncertain and struggling
The books are on the table, and the secret's on the shelf
Maybe the solution is obvious but hidden
And it's a one time, keep it slow
One chance, take it easy
Wind 'em up and here we go
Gear up for the future
Get a ride today
Take advantage of the opportunity
And you may still be here tomorrow
But don't count on tomorrow
Some said she was saintly
Some thought she was pure
Some she was a swinger
Others thought she was promiscuous
Me, I only knew her as the Acid Jazz Singer, come on
I only valued her for her music
I haven't seen her lately
I haven't seen her recently
Well, I'll have to ring her
I'll have to give her a call
Put your hands together for the acid jazz singer, come on
Let's show appreciation for her
La, la, la, oh
Inarticulate sounds
La, la, la, oh
Inarticulate sounds
La, la, la, oh
Inarticulate sounds
Come on
Let's go
Come on
Let's go
Come on
Let's go
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN LAWLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@misery2594
Well let me tell you something
Let me tell you so
This could be the one thing
That you really need to know
You gotta stop once in a while
Shake off that face of yours
Cause nothing comes easy
Oh it just comes free
You could sing it better
If you sing for me, oh sister
Well I cannot claim
This advice is my own
I landed in the gutter
One night, crawling home
She said don't you look ridiculous
I checked her out meticulously
And I would've stopped to argue
But my teeth were broke
I said I'd love to contradict you
But my life's a joke, oh sister
And she said I'm no genius and I've lost myself
The books are on the table, and the secret's on the shelf
And it's a one time, keep it slow
Wind 'em up and here we go
Get a ride today
And you would still be here tomorrow
Some said she was saintly
Some she was a swinger
Me, I only knew her as the acid jazz singer, come on
Well I'm a lucky man
But maybe so is she
And maybe this is just the way it has to be
It's all based on speculation
It's a crazy my occupation to me
And though I didn't much believe her
I was bound to call
I really didn't wanna miss a single thing at all
Oh sister
And she said I'm no genius and I've lost myself
The books are on the table, and the secret's on the shelf
And it's a one time, keep it slow
Wind 'em up and here we go
Get a ride today
And you may still be here tomorrow
Some said she was saintly
Some she was a swinger
Me, I only knew her as the Acid Jazz Singer, come on
And she said I'm no genius and I've lost myself
The books are on the table, and the secret's on the shelf
And it's a one time, keep it slow
Wind 'em up and here we go
Get a ride today
And you may still be here tomorrow
Some said she was saintly
Some she was a swinger
Me, I only knew her as an acid jazz singer, come on
I haven't seen her lately
Well, I'll have to ring her
Put your hands together for the acid jazz singer, come on
La, la, la, oh
La, la, la, oh
La, la, la, oh
Come on
Come on
Come on
@XxjazzperxX
"Well I'm a lucky man and maybe so is she"
Sounds a lot like his sister is transsexual...
Listen to this paragraph:
Well I'm a lucky man and maybe so is she
And maybe this is just the way it has to be
It's all based on speculation
Seems a crazy occupation to me
And though I didn't much believe her I was bound to call
I really didn't want to miss a single thing at all, oh sister
Sounds like he is describing his "sister" coming out to him and his initial reaction.
@gemmaskate
My neighbour and I used to blast this and dance around the kitchen singing it while we were doing the dishes when we were like 8.
@gemmaskate
*****
Hahaha It wasn't like an apartment or anything. I don't think it was an issue.
@daveh.4256
as a musician I find these guys amazingly talented. love their stuff
@ayironfx
Reynad brought me here<3 Hearthstone :D
@misery2594
Well let me tell you something
Let me tell you so
This could be the one thing
That you really need to know
You gotta stop once in a while
Shake off that face of yours
Cause nothing comes easy
Oh it just comes free
You could sing it better
If you sing for me, oh sister
Well I cannot claim
This advice is my own
I landed in the gutter
One night, crawling home
She said don't you look ridiculous
I checked her out meticulously
And I would've stopped to argue
But my teeth were broke
I said I'd love to contradict you
But my life's a joke, oh sister
And she said I'm no genius and I've lost myself
The books are on the table, and the secret's on the shelf
And it's a one time, keep it slow
Wind 'em up and here we go
Get a ride today
And you would still be here tomorrow
Some said she was saintly
Some she was a swinger
Me, I only knew her as the acid jazz singer, come on
Well I'm a lucky man
But maybe so is she
And maybe this is just the way it has to be
It's all based on speculation
It's a crazy my occupation to me
And though I didn't much believe her
I was bound to call
I really didn't wanna miss a single thing at all
Oh sister
And she said I'm no genius and I've lost myself
The books are on the table, and the secret's on the shelf
And it's a one time, keep it slow
Wind 'em up and here we go
Get a ride today
And you may still be here tomorrow
Some said she was saintly
Some she was a swinger
Me, I only knew her as the Acid Jazz Singer, come on
And she said I'm no genius and I've lost myself
The books are on the table, and the secret's on the shelf
And it's a one time, keep it slow
Wind 'em up and here we go
Get a ride today
And you may still be here tomorrow
Some said she was saintly
Some she was a swinger
Me, I only knew her as an acid jazz singer, come on
I haven't seen her lately
Well, I'll have to ring her
Put your hands together for the acid jazz singer, come on
La, la, la, oh
La, la, la, oh
La, la, la, oh
Come on
Come on
Come on
@patchgoof
My new favourite band. I never would have been introduced to them if it wasn't for Run Fat Boy Run soundtrack.
@vladimyrmorris6554
This songs great, I don't know why people hate this album
@abrahamlincoln21209
Yeah, this is my personal favourite album by them.
@vladimyrmorris6554
+Poohatwar 19226 Awesome! Me too
@jaywilko9557
I think it's because it's quite different to their debut album (Costello Music) people had around 2 years to get used to that being their definitive style. Whilst it is still great music, I myself personally had a hard time listening to this album becuase of their debut album. I think people just didn't associate it with the 'Fratellis' style' happens to all the greatest bands eventually.