"
This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" is a song by American
rock band
Fall Out Boy and the
lead single from their commercially successful third studio album
Infinity on High (2007). The song officially debuted on November 21 at the
American Music Awards and was shipped to radio stations that night (with an impact date of December 5 in the
United States). The music was composed by vocalist and guitarist
Patrick Stump and the lyrics were penned by bassist
Pete Wentz, following the band's songwriting approach which first began with some songs on their 2003 album
Take This to Your Grave. Production was handled by
Neal Avron, who also produced the band's previous
From Under the Cork Tree album. Commenting on the band's decision to pick the track as the first single, Wentz said "There may be other songs on the record that would be bigger radio hits, but this one had the right message."