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.
Boy Done Good
The Fratellis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I just won't deny it
It's me, and me alone
Who kicked up the riot
I did it for a laugh
You know I did it for a thrill
From the windowsill
I didn't pay my phone bill
Every night I've been looking
Over my shoulder
Got a kickin' once
Because I was older
It was just a bunch of girls
But they were prettier than me
Not especially
They were probably filthy
Oh, ooh lala
Stacie Anne lives in my street
She's a waster
I know her face
And the smell of her feet
I can taste her
Loves me not
And talks a lot
And she treats me so unkind
Tangles up my mind
Never shows me a good time
I go out every night
I just don't be lazy
If I didnt treat myself right
You'd think I was crazy
I don't work for money
But I get along just fine
Waste my fuckin' time
Gets myself a new headline
Oh, got big mean hands
And fabulous feet
And I'm gonna hear
A tip in the jar
Got a ten pound note
And a mysterious coat
And a direct line to the bar
You better run
Ah you better run
I'm no angel, I'm just a boy...
The Fratellis' song "Boy Done Good" tells the story of a rebellious young man who enjoys causing trouble and living life on his own terms. The opening lines of the song, "Well, okay, yes / You know I just won't deny it / It's me, and me alone / Who kicked up the riot," set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer takes pleasure in stirring up trouble, and he sees himself as the hero of his own story. The line "I did it for a laugh / You know I did it for a thrill" reflects his carefree attitude towards life and his willingness to take risks.
Throughout the song, the singer is portrayed as a bit of a misfit who doesn't fit in with the rest of society. He sings about "looking over [his] shoulder" and getting in trouble with the law, which creates the sense that he is constantly on the fringes of society. Despite this, he seems to take pride in his outsider status, singing "I don't work for money / But I get along just fine / Waste my fuckin' time / Gets myself a new headline." This line suggests that he doesn't care about conforming to society's expectations of him, and he's happy to live life on his own terms.
The refrains of "Oh, ooh lala" and "You better run / Ah you better run" add to the rebellious, freewheeling vibe of the song. The final line, "I'm no angel, I'm just a boy," sums up the singer's character in a single sentence. He's not perfect, but he's doing the best he can to navigate life and have a good time along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, okay, yes
Sure, that's right
You know I just won't deny it
I'm not going to lie
It's me, and me alone
I did it all by myself
Who kicked up the riot
I caused trouble
I did it for a laugh
I did it for fun
You know I did it for a thrill
I did it to feel excited
From the windowsill
I watched from the window
I didn't pay my phone bill
I neglected my responsibilities
Every night I've been looking
I'm always checking
Over my shoulder
Behind me
Got a kickin' once
I got beat up
Because I was older
For being more mature
It was just a bunch of girls
They were only females
But they were prettier than me
They were more attractive than I am
Not especially
Not particularly
They were probably filthy
They were likely dirty
Oh, ooh lala
Exclamation of excitement
Stacie Anne lives in my street
There's a person named Stacie Anne in my neighborhood
She's a waster
She wastes her life
I know her face
I recognize her
And the smell of her feet
I'm familiar with her foot odor
I can taste her
I experience her presence
Loves me not
She doesn't love me back
And talks a lot
She's very talkative
And she treats me so unkind
She's mean to me
Tangles up my mind
She confuses me
Never shows me a good time
She doesn't make me happy
I go out every night
I'm always out
I just don't be lazy
I'm not lazy
If I didnt treat myself right
If I didn't take care of myself
You'd think I was crazy
People would think I'm insane
I don't work for money
I don't have a job
But I get along just fine
I manage well enough
Waste my fuckin' time
I use my time poorly
Gets myself a new headline
I create new stories about myself
Oh, got big mean hands
My hands are large and threatening
And fabulous feet
My feet are impressive
And I'm gonna hear
I'll receive
A tip in the jar
A small amount of money
Got a ten pound note
I have a ten pound bill
And a mysterious coat
I wear a mysterious jacket
And a direct line to the bar
I have quick access to alcohol
You better run
You should flee
Ah you better run
I'm warning you to run
I'm no angel, I'm just a boy...
I'm not perfect, I'm just a human male
Contributed by Molly P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Parkinson
Still great in 2019
Jacen Sunrider
Mon The Fratellis! They are the best! Each time I hear their song I didn't hear before I'm like "Oh yeah! Another song I'm gonna love!" And I just love every one of them! Mon The Fratellis once more!
ErdoS845
not underrated, just not as known as they should be. everyone i know that knows em loves em
Nadia Dietz
<3 Obsessed with the Fratellis
Robert Gray
+Mike Fratelli My favorite is Costello Music, but Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied is growing on me a lot.
Mike Fratelli
+Nadia Dietz
you chose one hell of a time to get into them lol.
I was a die hard Fratellis fan back in 2010, since then they've released two albums but none really match the magic of the Costello Music. John even said in an interview that he'd never want to go back to that sound.
Bedari Martinez
I really love this song and the version <3 ... because the other one has something weird.
Naomi Brash
Best song on this planet as we speak.
MuscleBob
Wish this was on spotify D:
Sanford63
wish it were on itunes