More about: Arctic Monkeys
'Do Me A Favour' + 'Brianstorm' are favourites
An essential from the canon of Arctic Monkeys, Favourite Worst Nightmare has many fans. There are those who argue that it is the Sheffield band's best record, citing the volume of hits present here and — in its position as AM's second release — its status as turning point, proving this band were no one-album-wonder.
Many would agree that it is an underrated piece of the Arctic Monkeys discography, and most would be able to choose a favourite from its powerful twelve-track-list. A true band's band, we asked some artists making music today which of the songs on Favourite Worst Nightmare is their favourite. Strap in for a whole lot of 'Do Me A Favour' love...
'Brianstorm'
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Such a hard decision. I will always have a special place for 'Only Ones Who Knew', '505', 'Do Me A Favour' and 'Flourescent Adolescent', but I just went with 'Brianstorm' this time. It’s just one of the best first album singles I’ve heard: that kind of statement track that brings a band back onto the scene. 'R U Mine' did the same kinda thing. So confident, so funny, the drums are amazing, the riff is great, the vocal melody is perfect and interesting while packing in a bunch of words. It’s one I forget about every now and then and when I hear it I’m just like 'my god that’s an absolute tune'. Brilliant live as well. (Declan Welsh)
The opening track 'Brianstorm' is probably my favourite from the album. Arctic Monkeys were definitely one of those bands that got me into the more 'indie' side of rock music as opposed to the heavier grunge stuff I was obsessed with when I was younger, and this track was the perfect introduction. I first heard it through the game Guitar Hero 5, where I'd try day and night to 100% those crazy drum parts on expert difficulty (which drove my parents absolutely bonkers). It is wild, energetic and packed with Turner's trademark cheeky and sarcastic lyricism, encapsulating that early AM sound; it’s so emblematic of its time that I can't help but feel nostalgic whenever I chuck the album on and this track comes on first. (Leon Karagic, The Lazy Eyes)
When I was 13 my dad bought me Get Behind Me Satan for Christmas. He got my little brother Favourite Worst Nightmare. We shared one little Panasonic radio so we roshamboed over who got to go first and he won. 'Brianstorm' was impossibly brash coming out of those little speakers and it still feels vital. It’s strange to think how decidedly fresh and arresting it felt. In the years after that first listen I’d realize what a throwback it was, only because the Arctic Monkeys handed me the thread to follow back to post punk. That song, that record, is built on an ethos I’m still chasing: craft something so carefully that it comes off as effortless, cool as Brian in his perfectly disarranged t-shirt and tie. (Tyler Bersche, Ellevator)
'Fluorescent Adolescent'
'Fluorescent Adolescent' was a bright moment in our growing up. Witty Brits, catchy licks, sex...this song cemented itself in the upper echelon of songwriting and has served as an early inspiration (along with the rest of FWN) since before we had all met each other. The music video’s great to boot. (Nathan Stocker, Hippo Campus)
I remember ripping the video off YouTube so I could listen to the track on my mp3: sorry Alex! I always thought Stephen Graham's role as the clown [in the song's music video] was Oscar-worthy. We used to play this song in my first band 'the desert armadillos', get it? We had three guitarists so I used to turn my amp off when we played it cause I didn't know the chords. (George, FEET)
'Only Ones Who Know'
It’s a song that has played a great part in my life and my songwriting too. It always hits home. Thinking about it now, it reminds me of Leonard Cohen's 'Famous Blue Raincoat'. Both songs capture a life long mystery, with protagonists that have great mysterious hearts. 'Only Ones Who Know' is a secret tale best left unsolved — I want to save the magic. (Oliver, Trudy and the Romance)
'Do Me a Favour'
I was 14 and living in a small countryside town in South Africa when FWN came out. It was gospel to me and my best friend. Particularly the loud, sad and angry 'Do Me a Favour'. We assembled a humble band of degenerates from our happy-clappy-hillsong-type school and prepared to cover it at the talent show. We absolutely blew the arse off the assembly. The drums were deafening and we weren't exceptionally good at our instruments but I remember screaming the last line "PERHAPS FUCK OFF MIGHT BE TOO KIND!" while Gregory Linklater covered his ears and Mrs. Simelane looked at us in disgust — that felt amazing. (Sparklet)
I used to listen to this record when I was learning to drive and 'Do Me A Favour' would always get at least three repeats. The bass line is one of my favourites ever. I think it’s a great example of instruments leaving room for each other rather than just trying to play over each other. I love the styling of this entire album campaign too. It was so different to the debut but made so much sense. (Connie, M(h)aol)
I remember riding home from school one summer afternoon on my bike and this song was in my headphones. I was absolutely screaming the lyrics & that’s what AM songs are all about. It’s just one of those songs that always gives me the same burning feeling in my chest: it’s the eye of the storm. (Mitch, The Rills)
'Do Me A Favour' is my favourite Arctic Monkeys song from any of their albums, hands down. Has been for years. One of my reasons for this is that it's part of the best middle-section/triplet of songs that exists on any album ever, fact. Starting with 'Fluorescent Adolescent', through 'Only Ones Who Know', and ending with 'Do Me A Favour'...all three of these songs were my favourite AM song at one point in time, but 'Do Me A Favour' stood the test of time.
For me, 'Do Me A Favour' has all the perfect ingredients for a great song; a catchy hook, a tense and moody breakdown, and then a memorable outro... something I often try to replicate in my own songwriting with Nixer. Arctic Monkeys and Favourite Worst Nightmare inspired me and my music to lengths I can't even imagine. Ingrained shit. (Seán Keenan, Nixer)
'Old Yellow Bricks'
Come onnnn you know its only the finest from Sheffield oiii oiii haha. Big up Arctic Monkeys, absolute legends from our city. High Green is literally 10mins from where I grew up in Parson Cross. It’s really hard to choose because this one along with 'Teddy Picker' and 'Fluorescent Adolescent' are my equal picks, all crazy standout tunes. For me personally 'Old Yellow Bricks' bangs the hardest: love the guitar riff which almost acts as percussion alongside the drum pattern. Like my music, sometimes less is more I like how Alex’s vocals go from being really intense and loud to calm and relaxing. That contrast keeps you engaged throughout. (TeeDee)
'505'
I love how much room there is for the imagination in this song: how hands rove from between thighs to around necks around eyes then juxtaposed with the crisp attack of consonant endings the final eruptive moments lapse into repetition and an almost sweet mania. (AJ Haynes, Seratones)
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