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.
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)
The lyrics to The Fratellis' song "Tell Me A Lie" seem to be both playful and cryptic. The song begins with an opening chant, setting the tone for the song's folky and upbeat melody. The first stanza reveals an individual who has finally opened up, but has done so with regret. The person may have revealed something secret about their past that they wish they had not shared. The reference to the "boy" and "tall hat" implies a carnival atmosphere, and the "number three" mention may be a reference to a game of chance. The second verse continues with the idea that people are not to be trusted. The singer suggests that people ask him anything that they may want to know, but once he reveals something, they will call him a liar. The verse ends with another reference to a carnival game, this time with a woman with a mustache. These carnival references suggest that the song is about people's fascination with trickery and deception.
The chorus is a repetition of the phrase "say what you wanna, say what you will," which implies that it does not matter what someone says because they will be labeled a liar no matter what. The singer then talks about being wild like a monkey and kicking like a mule, implying that he is tough and unbreakable. The end of the song reveals that the titular "lie" is, in fact, a secret about drug use, as the singer references "that stuff" that he cannot get. Overall, the song seems to be about social alienation and the difficulty people have in being honest with one another.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, once I was persuaded to open up my head
I was convinced to reveal my thoughts and feelings
I told about the was and when, count me wrong instead
I shared my history, but was judged as flawed
I said, would you believe me, if you only knew
I asked if people would understand if they knew the truth
I been stealing never till this conversation soon
I have never stolen until now, during this talk
And the boy cried, hang number three
Someone accused me of a crime and pointed me out
Saw him on the front page, laughing of me
I was publicly ridiculed and shamed in the news
He went in fair ground and a tall hat
The accuser was showy and arrogant
'He's a liar!, he's a liar!', A good one at that
They called me a liar, but acknowledged it was a skill
Say what you wanna, Say what you will
Speak your mind, say what you want
Writes his number on my telephone bill
The accuser wants to be recognized or contacted
Wild like a monkey, kick like a mule
Reckless and aggressive
I could be a beggar, but I rather be, just as cool...
I could be poor, but I prefer to maintain my image
So I told him all I could about all could they expect
I explained everything I could regarding what they wanted
I lost my sense of smell and I gain my self-respect
I sacrificed something small to gain dignity and pride
They told me I was curious
They told me I was strange or unusual
I told them they where slow
I insulted their intelligence or awareness
They asked me where I can get that stuff
They enquired where to obtain something
I told him I don't know
I answered honestly that I didn't know
And the boy cried whopie-didi
Someone exclaimed sarcastically
There's a women with a mustache, who won't let me be
Someone annoying or threatening is interfering with my life
She was born on the money, she a harmer in form
She was privileged and dangerous
'She's a liar!, She's a liar!' Like never been born
People are calling her a liar as if it's a ridiculous lie
AHHH AHHAAA AAAA...(x6)
Prolonged shouting sound
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN LAWLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kareem Ajibola-Kameel
I WOULD NEVER GET TIRED OF THIS SONG
MrBunney91
Got this blaring through my headphones trying to stay awake, miles better than any coffee!
Jerry Mauricio Ferreira
AWESOME ROCK N' ROLL
PashminaAfgan
best song on the new album by far
Blair Waldorf
i love this song!!
Srijeet Patil
This track used to generally play in mid season, in manager mode FIFA 09.
Adriana
Oh my god I'm in love, thanks Gossip Girl for getting me into this <3
Diego Arellanes
This is what I'd call "Rock & Reel"
Noah Draney
I am not a hipster, I am called a unique artist
Ashorina Odisho
Serena eating strawberries to seduce Dan... a classic