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Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Album

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not · Arctic Monkeys formed in 2002 and handed out free demo CDs at gigs. Fans put the music online, and so demand grew among the public, the press and the record industry before there was even an official album. Eight of the songs were already freely available on the internet by the end of 2004. The debut was released in January 2006 on Domino, after the number one singles I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor and When the Sun Goes Down. It is the only album with bassist Andy Nicholson.

The music mixes indie rock, garage rock and post-punk revival. The lyrics sketch the nightlife of young northern Englishmen, told by the nineteen-year-old Alex Turner. From the Ritz to the Rubble is about bouncers, Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured about the search for a taxi after a night out. The title comes from a novel by Alan Sillitoe. The album became the fastest-selling debut album in British history and won the Mercury Prize.

Listening

Listening tip. In Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured, listen to how the lyrics tell a night spent looking for a taxi as a short scene. Notice the small details of everyday life.

Track list

  1. 1The View from the Afternoon3:38Apple Music ↗
  2. 2I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor2:54Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Fake Tales of San Francisco2:58Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Dancing Shoes2:21Apple Music ↗
  5. 5You Probably Couldn't See for the Lights but You Were Staring Straight At Me2:11Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Still Take You Home2:54Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Riot Van2:15Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured2:24Apple Music ↗
  9. 9Mardy Bum2:55Apple Music ↗
  10. 10Perhaps Vampires Is a Bit Strong But…4:29Apple Music ↗
  11. 11When the Sun Goes Down3:20Apple Music ↗
  12. 12From the Ritz to the Rubble3:13Apple Music ↗
  13. 13A Certain Romance5:31Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs