Fall Out Boy - This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race
"I'm a leading man and the lies I weave are oh so intricate."
Album: Infinity on High [3rd album]
Recorded: Los Angeles, California
Genre: Punk, Pop-Punk, Emo
Album Release: February 6th 2007
Length: 3:33
Producer: Fall Out Boy & Neal Avron
Vocalist: Patrick Stump [age 22]
Label: Island Records
Official Audio
Live from AOl Music Live in 2007
Live on VH1 Unplugged
Live on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2007
Charts, Streams & Sales
| Country | Format | Chart Position | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Album | #4 | 2x Platinum |
| Australia | Single | #4 | 1x Platinum |
| Canada | Album | #2 | 1x Platinum |
| Canada | Single | #4 | |
| France | Single | #11 | |
| Japan | Album | #11 | |
| New Zealand | Single | #1 | |
| UK | Album | #3 | 2x Platinum |
| UK | Single | #2 | 1x Platinum |
| USA | Album | #1 | 1x Platinum |
| USA | Single | #2 | 3x Platinum |
Spotify: 271,000,000 +
YouTube Music: 158,000,000 +
Q Magazine 50 Best Albums 2007: #38
Credits & Gear
Bass, drums, keyboard, rhythm guitar
Details
- Fall Out Boy is one of the most influential rock bands of the 21st century, known for its distinctive blend of pop-punk, emo, and mainstream rock. Formed in Wilmette, Illinois, in 2001, the band originally consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, lead guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. Over the years, Fall Out Boy has evolved from an underground pop-punk band to a global rock phenomenon, maintaining a loyal fan base while also reaching new audiences with their genre-blurring sound.
Fall Out Boy emerged from the fertile punk rock scene of the early 2000s in Chicago. The band members came together from different musical backgrounds. Joe Trohman and Pete Wentz were initially involved in the hardcore punk scene, but they sought to create a project with more melodic elements. The addition of Patrick Stump, a multi-instrumentalist with a unique voice, solidified the band's lineup. Although drummer Andy Hurley joined the band later, his contributions became integral to their sound.
The band's early work was heavily influenced by the pop-punk and emo trends of the time, drawing from bands like Green Day, Blink-182, and The Get Up Kids. Their debut EP, *Fall Out Boy’s Evening Out with Your Girlfriend* (2003), was a raw, fast-paced collection of songs that hinted at the band’s potential but lacked the polish of their later work. However, it was their second album, *Take This to Your Grave* (2003), that began to garner them a cult following. This album, released under Fueled by Ramen, featured singles like "Dead on Arrival" and "Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy," which were instrumental in establishing the band’s reputation within the pop-punk and emo scenes.
Fall Out Boy's breakthrough came with their second album, *From Under the Cork Tree* (2005). This album marked a significant shift in their career, both in terms of commercial success and artistic maturity. It featured the singles "Sugar, We’re Goin Down" and "Dance, Dance," both of which received heavy rotation on mainstream radio and MTV. The album’s success was driven by its infectious hooks, Wentz’s confessional and often witty lyrics, and Stump’s distinctive vocals. - "This Ain't a Scene, It’s
an Arms Race" seethes with disillusionment and a biting
critique of the superficiality and cutthroat nature of fame. The line
*"I’m a leading man and the lies I weave are oh so intricate"* stands
out for its self-aware reflection on the facade that often accompanies
success. It encapsulates the exhaustion of constantly having to perform,
not just on stage but in life, where the persona you project becomes a
web of deception, both to yourself and others. The songs explosive
energy contrasts with its cynical lyrics, highlighting the inner
conflict between the allure of the spotlight and the emptiness it can
bring, resonating with anyone who has ever felt trapped by the
expectations of the roles they play.
Artwork
