Arctic Monkeys’ third single, Leave Before The Lights Come On, was released as a music video in August 2006, only months after the band’s debut album.
The video, filmed in Sheffield’s Cultural Industries quarter, features English actors Kate Ashfield, known for her role as Liz in Shaun of the Dead, and Paddy Considine, known for his lead role in Dead Man’s Shoes.
See Paddy Considine’s Fansite.
Ashfield’s character opens the music video standing on the edge of a tall building, apparently preparing to jump. On the pavement below Considine’s character is halted in his tracks by a shoe falling from above. He races up the stairs to coax the woman back from the edge. They embrace.
The two go out for a coffee. She’s clearly grateful for his intervention and becomes more and more affectionate. When she grabs his hands and moves to kiss him, he holds his hand up to show his wedding ring and bids her farewell.
It’s at this point we realise just how disturbed the woman is. She runs after him and attempts to jump on his back. He pushes her off and attempts again to walk away. Just as he thinks he might be free she’s back, this time angrily pushing him around. He pushes her against a fence and warns her not to continue the pursuit.
The woman sprints back to her original spot on top of the building to begin the scenario again.
See the Video Online
Before the Lights Come On at YouTube (Domino Records)
Before the Lights Come on as 24.8 mb Quicktime video at Domino Records
Before the Lights Come on as 20 mb Quicktime video
Production Background
The music video was directed by John Hardwick, signed with HLA, through newly formed Sheffield film production company Warp X Films.