Our top 10 songs from The Last Shadow Puppets presents one of the most popular English supergroups. The band was formed in 2007 by former The Rascals frontman Miles Kane and Arctic Monkeys vocalist Alex Turner. The Last Shadow Puppets later added bassist Zach Dawes and musician and songwriter James Ford, who produced for Haim, Depeche Mode, and Foals, among other artists/bands, on the band’s lineup. Miles Kane and Alex Turner started penning down songs together for the new project, which would be recorded for the band’s debut album. Success came knocking on the doors of The Last Shadow Puppets, with the band’s album peaking at number one on the UK Albums Chart.
However, the band went on hiatus between 2009 and 2015 to allow the band members to work with their respective bands. Despite that, Kane and Turner reunited briefly on February 25, 2009, collecting the band’s award for the Best Music Video at the NME Awards for the song “My Mistakes Were Made for You.” The band later reunited, getting to the studio to release their first single, “Bad Habits,” since 2008 in January 2016. A second studio album, Everything You’ve Come to Expect, would later be released in April 2016. The band went on several tours where they performed covers of The Smiths and David Bowie. In December 2016, an EP followed featuring two re-recorded ballads and several covers from artists including Leonard Cohen, The Fall, Glaxo Babies, and Jacques Dutronc. The band went on hiatus yet again since 2017 while promising a comeback in a few years. Here are the top 10 songs from The Last Shadow Puppets, which bring the best chamber and Baroque pop from this supergroup whose music is influenced by Scott Walker and David Bowie.
#10 – This is Your Life
Opening up our top 10 songs from The Last Shadow Puppets is the ballad “This Is Your Life.” Originally, the song was released by Glaxo Babies in 1980. The Last Shadow Puppets did a cover of the song for their EP The Dream Synopsis. The addition of strings arrangements to the original song is just one of the notable twists that the band’s version offers. Mike Kane takes on the vocals while Alex Turner showcases his magnificent guitar skills, all delivered in an electrifying performance and an ostentatious video. The Killers released a song with a similar title but different lyrics back in 2008.
#9 – Les Cactus
A little French twist might have had the band attract more attention from fans thanks to the song “Les Cactus” featured on the EP The Dream Synopsis. “Les Cactus” was an original song written and released by Jacques Dutronc. The ballad takes reference in French politics having it used by George Pompidou to mock his finance minister.
#8 – Everything You’ve Come to Expect
“Everything You’ve Come to Expect” is the title track of the band’s 2016 sophomore album. The song finds Miles and Alex singing about a charming lady through a blend of benevolent, ominous, and wistful metaphors. Having the lyric “collar on a diamond dog” on the song was a nod to David Bowie, an influence on the band’s art.
#7 – My Mistakes Were Made for You
Alex Turner brings his vocals to a whole new level with “My Mistakes Were Made for You.” Talking of the lyrical content, the song draws inspiration from “The Old Man’s Back Again” by Scott Walker. The song featured a video of Turner on a crashed car with his then-sweetheart Alexa Chung, with Kane appearing later. Thanks to inspiration from Federico Fellini’s cult film that the band released this awe-inspiring video for the song. The song’s video went on to win the Best Video Award at the NME Awards 2009 ceremony.
#6 – Is This What You Wanted
Number six on our top 10 songs from The Last Shadow Puppets is the hit “Is This What You Wanted.” Originally released by Leonard Cohen, the song follows a series of self-derogatory correlations by the singer as he presents them to his significant other. It is unforgettable that Leonard Cohen met his death a few weeks after The Last Shadow Puppets released this cover.
#5 – Bad Habits
“Bad Habits” is an unrelenting groover released as the first single after eight years of a hiatus. Alex Turner started the song while playing the bass line with Miles wailing over the top and eventually found the lyrics to the song. James had some final touch on the song, having him help Miles edit it, making it a pop song featuring a punky edge.
#4 – The Age of the Understatement
“The Age of the Understatement” is the album titled song of the band’s debut album. The song’s lyrics allude to uncertain love delivered in a Spaghetti Western vibe. Alex and Miles revealed that the song serves as an intro to the female character who features on the album’s songs and cover. While she might be scary, she is enticing and exciting at the same time. Probably the perfect soul to serve you unbearable pain and irresistible pleasure. The song peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart.
#3 – Aviation
Initially, the song “Aviation” was meant to be a solo song by Miles after he left The Rascals. However, he preserved it to become the first song recorded for the album Everything You’ve Come to Expect. The ominous song features an uplifting instrumental with lyrics delivered on perfect vocals from the Miles and Alex duo. It’s undeniable that having the song done by The Last Shadow Puppets was one of the best decisions visionary Miles ever made.
#2 – Standing Next to Me
“Standing Next to Me” is one of the best songs from The Last Shadow Puppets’ album The Age of the Understatement. The song was penned by Miles before he got to meet Alex, with its lyrics pointing towards a love triangle. However, Miles credits Alex with adding a D minor on the sophomore chorus to the song that offers the hit an extra lift. The song peaked at number thirty on the UK Singles Chart.
#1 – Miracle Aligner
Number one of our top 10 songs from The Last Shadow Puppets is “Miracle Aligner,” from the band’s album Everything You’ve Come to Expect. The song lyrics were penned by friends Alex Turner and sultry American songwriter and singer Alexandra Savior. This seductive hit has its lyrics allude to an extraordinarily talented man whose humility amazed many. His extraordinary talent and personality in some way intimidated his girlfriend despite having him make her wildest dreams become a reality.
Feature Photo: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com
Top 10 The Last Shadow Puppets Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
Classicrockhistory.com claims ownership of all its original content and Intellectual property under United States Copyright laws and those of all other foreign countries. No one person, business or any organizations is allowed to republish any of our original content anywhere on the web or in print without our permission.
