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Fluorescent Adolescent - 2nd Single

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The girl who inspired Arctic Monkeys' frontman tells of a life-changing song

 

Jaimie Hodgson

Sunday July 15, 2007

The Observer

 

 

The Arctic Monkeys' second album 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' was arguably the most anticipated British album of 2007. It didn't disappoint either, shooting straight to number one and receiving critical acclaim that equalled and even bettered that of their record-breaking debut (the fastest selling British debut of all time). The album confirmed the band as one of the world's most sought-after acts, headlining this year's Glastonbury festival and achieving notoriously elusive success in the US market.

 

But amid the hype surrounding the album was an intriguing side story when news emerged of a special lady in the life of Alex Turner, the group's enigmatic frontman and songwriter. Not only, it seemed, was the pair's relationship fuel for various songs, but for the first time Turner had relinquished full writing control and had unusually co-written a track with his then beau.

The song is called 'Fluorescent Adolescent', is one of the album's standout tracks, and is now being released as a single tipped for the top. And the girl behind the gossip is Johanna Bennett, 22-year-old university graduate, songwriter and frontwoman of indie ones-to-watch Totalizer.

 

After securing a publishing deal with EMI Johanna spoke exclusively to The Observer on the story behind the soon-to-be smash hit and her promising musical future. 'We were on holiday and had cut ourselves off from everything,' remembers Bennett. 'We were in a really quiet hotel and didn't watch TV or listen to that much music. So as not to drive each other mad we started messing around with these words like a game, singing them to each other.' It came as a massive surprise when Turner informed her that not only had their holiday wordplay made the album, but it was slated for single release. 'It's great to think that it came from something we did for fun on holiday,' says Johanna, who lives in south-east London. 'It'll always be a good memory for Alex and I. He doesn't usually write lyrics with other people, though I think he enjoyed it.'

 

Experiencing the first trappings of success - publishing deal, advance royalties, newly found artist management and of course plenty of social attention - she could easily be forgiven for relishing her first moment in the spotlight. But Bennett, who just completed a psychology degree at Goldsmiths College, University of London, is trying her very best to stay as grounded as possible.

 

'Not much has changed,' she says. 'However, my room is even messier than usual because I have vinyl copies of the single all over my floor. And I don't have to rush to get a job now.' With financial burdens lifted, it leaves Bennett to concentrate on her musical exploits. As a key player on the London indie scene, she is ploughing her energies into her new band, Totalizer. The group combines Bennett's wide-ranging influences, and has recently completed demo recordings produced by Dirty Pretty Things' Anthony Rossomando.

 

'The band was something Alex really encouraged me to do,' she says. 'I'm looking forward to touring. We recently played our first gig, on a boat on the Thames and won over a load of drunken old punks. If we can manage that, nothing can stop us.'

 

In Bennett's opinion, there's definitely a job that needs doing in the music industry. And maybe Totalizer are the band to do it. 'I think people are going to look back on now in a few years time and think that this was a poor time for music,' she said. 'Everything sounds the same. But I'm positive for the future. Bring on 2008.'

 

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/sto...2126911,00.html

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That's a really interesting story as it offers even more of a backfround to the song, and it's nice to know she's not bothered released about it being released as some people might have throw a fit if it were to be released as a single if the song was wrote about them.

 

Didn't know she was in a band though. :o

At least the album has overtaken the Kaisers to get to number 4 on the yearly list.
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^yeah i know but i m not too sure about it...til i see it...

 

The more I think about it, the more I think it will be. It's been on the schedule for a few weeks now, but granted there's been nothing offical yet so it might change. :lol:

Old Yellow Bricks must STAY :wub:

 

Its not as Commerical as other tracks, but i think its excellent :D

 

I hope this climbs come Sunday, i doubt it though :(

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Old Yellow Bricks must STAY :wub:

 

Its not as Commerical as other tracks, but i think its excellent :D

 

I hope this climbs come Sunday, i doubt it though :(

 

I don't think it'll fall much this week. There's nothing much so far looking to enter the Top10 and it's downloads are still doing decent(ish) and I imagine they might still shift a fair few physicals this week, so I hope it's Top10 again! :lol:

witha little help from a friend (Andy in Heaven)

 

Arctic Monkeys Fluorescent adolescent 43191 (although there is some confusion, as I have seen figures of 58k for them as well) however it would be in the top 75 ytds and isn't as far as I know.

 

Arctic Monkeys Brianstorm 91855

 

Physical Chart! - 15.07.07

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

01 NE Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent (8500)

02 01 Rihanna feat. Jay-Z - Umbrella (7400)

03 NE Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry (6700)

04 NE My Chemical Romance - Teenagers (5540)

05 04 Enrique Iglesias - Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song) (5000)

 

interesting

 

 

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Very interesting sales!

 

Can't believe physical sales are so low though! As much as i'd have loved Arctic Monkeys to be #1, 8500 sales is rubbish and single almost sold as much in downloads as it did physicals this week! :lol: That suprises me tbh.

as i v said they should have played "the bakery" or "plastic tramp" in their gigs (glastonbury , t in the park) to promote the cd.

in every case it will keep sellin well no matter if it ii stay in the top 10 or not

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It's excellent it stayed Top10! :D Means that it's show that Arctic Monkeys can have a bit of a long chart runner for once, hopefuly next week it shall stay Top10! ^_^ It's downloads have looked to be pretty stable these past few days anyway.
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Fa Sales the previous week

10096 Arctic Monkeys (#9)

 

Another 10k for FA! :D ^_^

 

The album's done between 15k and 13k as well which means it's now over-passed 500k! :cheer:

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