My
Own Review on The Killers Debut Album “Hot Fuss”
Hi
peeps! After I realize that I’ve become so obsessed with these four
guys from Las Vegas, I decided to make their debut album review
(though their second album “Sam’s Town” has already out now). I
just fell in love with The Killers and now I’m in progress to know
them better. I’ve been surfing the internet all the time to find
new updates about them, and also old stories about them (guess what,
I’ve missed a lot!). In that case, I’m sorry if there’s any
mistake I made here.
Moreover,
I think that you have to know that I’m not a native English
speaker. I don’t use English as my first language (I’m
Indonesian) so it is clearly harder for me to understand meanings of
songs than you guys who use English as daily language. Your
understanding and corrections may be very useful for me. I’ll
appreciate it if you can help me to understand more about The
Killers’ songs.
-
Jenny Was A
Friend Of Mine
The first time I heard this song, I wasn’t really interested (that
was because I didn’t exactly listen to the song—stupid me). Then
after I listen to it over and over (I always listen to this album
before I can fall asleep), I realize that the song is amazing! It’s
really touching, sad (listen to Brandon’s way of singing), and it
is also full of anger (listen to the line “SHE SAID SHE LOVED
ME, but she had somewhere to go” and “I JUST CAN’T TAKE
THIS, I swear I told you the truth” when Brandon screams it
like he’s just so frustrated—it’s awesome!).
On the contrary of the singer’s anger of Jenny’s willing to leave
him, he just can’t let Jenny slips away. And this girl, Jenny, even
though she ‘had somewhere to go’—which means she might have had
someone else—she also cannot resist the guy’s warmth. (“She
couldn’t scream while I held her close, I swore I’d never let her
go”). And the best part is where Brandon takes it from the
point of view where the singer is being interrogated by the police
(“Tell me what you wanna know … There ain’t no motive for
this crime … I know my rights, I’ve been here all day and it’s
time for me to go so let me know if it’s alright”).
And why would he say that Jenny was a friend of him? Does he
want to refuse the fact that he has relationship with Jenny? Well,
I guess that’s probably because he felt guilty. There was something
bad happened to Jenny (I’m pretty sure that he had killed Jenny)
and he knew that it was because of him. It was because he
straitjackets Jenny with his love and his desperation. That’s why
he said that there ain’t no motive for this crime. Because
that’s the point, there is no motive. It’s just love. I believe
this song is also about a man who has some psychological conflict in
his mind. He’s like a psycho who is truly obsessed with Jenny.
Guess the rest of the story is according to you. That’s the good
thing; you can start building your own case with the song. I’ve
read many different interpretations of this song and those are all
amazing (well, some of them are kinda stupid but that’s okay). I
never thought that one song can cause such huge effect to many
people. You know, this is the kind of song which any people can
relate to.
Besides, the music is a good ear-catcher too. Oh I love the drum
beats! Ronnie Vannucci, Jr. is a genius drummer. Bet you will sing
along and shake some of your body parts when you listen to it.
See, when I follow every word that Brandon sings I feel like I’m
just reading a short story. I could even imagine Jenny and the singer
actually having a fight in the rain. This song has inspired me so
much that I even wrote a short story based on my own perspective of
the song (with different characters, of course). Thanks to my
lecturer who gave me the WRITE-A-SHORT-STORY assignment!
-
Mr. Brightside
This song has made The Killers big and you got to know why. Let me
tell you, it’s all about great music, genius lyric and sweet voice.
No wonder this song became so famous.
I remember I was wondering what the meaning of “Mr. Brightside”
is all day long and so I forgot to eat! After listening to the
lyrics carefully, reading some reviews about the song, and think of
it from my own angle… finally, I know what “Mr. Brightside”
means.
In my humble opinion, Mr. Brightside is a reflection of a man who
keeps thinking positively and/or chooses to reject the bitter truth.
I think the singer is afraid to face the fact that his girlfriend is
cheating on him (“I just can’t look—it’s killing me and
taking control”).
There are many theories about the line “It started out with a
kiss. How did it end up like this? It was only a kiss. It was only a
kiss”. Mine? Well, I was just thinking maybe the girl has
admitted that she kissed another man and she was saying (or at least
trying to convince the singer) that it’s not a big deal. It was
only a kiss. But the singer can’t just let it go. He keeps
imagining his girl being with another man (“Now they’re going
to bed. And my stomach is sick. And it’s all in my head,” for
a second he realizes that he was just being paranoid, but then he
keeps on thinking again, “But she’s touching his chest now. He
takes off her dress now. Letting me go.”)
But even though he hates it (the fact that his girl is unfaithful) so
bad, he just can’t let her go. He loves her so much hence he said
that it’s just the price to pay for the girl. Then he feels like he
should open his eyes, looking for the bright side of
everything because he thinks that it’s his destiny to be with this
girl (“But it’s just the price I pay, destiny is calling me,
open up my eager eyes. Cause I’m Mr. Brightside”).
And what’s up with the “I never… I never… I never… I
never…”? I really don’t think that I can interpret this
line because IT HASN’T FINISHED yet! Is it the girl saying that
she’s never—you know—developing her relationship with the other
guy? Or is it the singer wanting to say that he never gets to figure
out why the tragedy is happening to him? Oh, that’s a freaking
mystery. Only Brandon could help us on this.
-
Smile
Like You Mean It
This song is so beautiful as well as sad. The synthesizers are
working well. The guitar solo is awesome. What more do you want?
Well, I still don’t know what the actual meaning of the song. But,
it is pure from my own thoughts; I think this song is about
memorizing the old days. I think it’s about losing the dreams we
used to have and things turn out to be so different than what we’ve
expected (“We lost track of the time. Dreams aren’t what they
used to be. Some things slide by so carelessly…”). You know,
it’s like we’ve chosen the wrong direction but we refuse to just
standing still. We move on; we smile like we mean it.
But the first lines are a little confusing. It sounds like a man
giving advice to his kids to take it slow when they were young.
Anyway, I really love it when Brandon sings, “Boy, one day
you’ll be a man… Oh girl, he’ll help you understand…”
His voice is just so… oh Brandon, I love you.
-
Somebody Told Me
This song is my introduction to The Killers music. I remember I was
in high school the first time I saw the video. And I love it right
away! The synthesizer’s sound is irresistible. The lyrics make you
want to sing along and the beat makes you want to move your body.
It’s a perfect pick for a party.
But I still cannot figure out what this song is really about. This is
the hardest song to interpret so far. And the song makes people
accuse Brandon being homosexual or even bisexual. Not that I look at
it in that perspective! Brandon is not gay in any way.
Well, this is my interpretation. I think the story takes place in a
night club or a bar (“Heaven ain’t close in a place like
this”). There, this guy (the singer) was trying to get a girl’s
attention but after seventeen songs played; he’s still not succeed
yet. (“Breaking my back just to know your name, seventeen tracks
and I’ve had it with this game.”). Then one of the guy’s
friend sees this girl with her “boyfriend” and he didn’t see
that (“Anything goes, but don’t blink you might miss”
–by the way—that’s my favorite line in this song). The friend
is trying to convince the guy about it but he just cannot believe it,
he wants to see it by himself (“Bring it back down, bring it
back down tonight. Never thought I’d let a rumor ruin my
moonlight.”) He heard a rumor saying that this girl is
actually lesbian because it looks like she is dating the singer’s
ex-girlfriend (“Well somebody told me, you had a boyfriend who
looked like a girlfriend that I had in February of last year”).
After all, he decides to give up of this girl (“Let’s roll
onto something new … I’m leaving without you”). But then he
found out that he is still curious about the girl and what it would
be like if he can be with her (“Pace your self for me. I said
maybe baby please. But I just don’t know now… when all I wanna do
is try”). And the line “I’ve got potential. A rushin’,
a rushin’ around” indicates that he is still trying hard to
get to know the girl better.
I might be wrong. But, hey, that’s just one opinion. The song lyric
is sure a puzzling one.
-
All These Things
That I’ve Done
Another perfect song, I guess. The choir is great. Love it!
Many people find the song a bit more gospel. Well, I think that’s
kinda true. I mean, this might be about a guy who thinks that he
needs to be saved from his barren soul (“You know you gotta help
me out … these changes ain’t changing me, the cold-hearted boy I
used to be”). But he still believes, even though he’s not
that religious. He still believes, even though he does many sins.
Therefore he came up with the line, “I got soul but I’m not a
soldier.” No wonder this line has become so well-known, IT
AFFECTS PEOPLE! I, myself, feel the same way about it. Guess who does
too? Robbie Williams and Bono!
-
Andy, You’re A
Star
This is one of my favorites. Again, I wasn’t that attracted the
first time I listened to it—oh, yes, stupid me. Again, listen to
the background choir of the last verse and it’ll blow your mind
also.
I read somewhere that Brandon actually wrote this song about a guy
who went to the same high school as he did. And everybody liked to
make jokes on this guy because of his overconfidence (rumors say that
Andy is a football player). So, when they found out that Brandon has
respect for Andy, they made fun of Brandon too. They spread news that
Brandon was gay (I know he never was). So the song is like Brandon’s
joking about his high school years. But I don’t know exactly. There
are many verses of the song’s meaning.
Basically, I think it’s just a song about a popular boy in school
named Andy who was so arrogant (“In the match with the boys, you
think you’re all alone”). And how the singer thought that
Andy is an idol but no one else did (“Andy, you’re a star, in
nobody’s eyes but mine”).
Apparently, this song causes so much problems; people start thinking
whether Brandon is gay or not (“On the field I remember you are
incredible … in a car with a girl, promise me she’s not your
world … leave your number on the locker and I give you a
call”)! I mean, there are people who believe this song is
written in a homosexual point of view. And the “hey shut up, hey
shut up” line is the gay boy telling himself not to think about
Andy anymore. Hmm, make sense, but… what if Brandon wrote it in a
point of view of a girl who cannot get Andy’s attention no matter
how hard she’s tried? Or what if Andy is a girl? That’s possible,
too.
Anyway, for me, Brandon is a very straight guy. And about
those people who think that this song is way cooler than Brokeback
Mountain? Hey shut up.
-
On Top
This particularly song will make you want to fly whenever you listen
to it. The more I listen to the song, the more I love it. I really
like the line, “In the back—UH HUH—I can’t crack, we’re
on top. It’s just a shimmy and a shake—UH HUH—I can’t fake,
we’re on top.” I have to say that I love the way Brandon
sings here the most. I cannot imagine if some other guy sings it.
That would definitely ruin the song.
I’ve read many theories about the song. There are people saying
it’s about sex, it’s about getting high because of drugs, and
some people think that the song is about the band feeling good about
their career. That last one I agree considering that the song was
written by the four of them. But how come the song sounds really
sexy?? Again, it’s a mystery.
-
Glamorous Indie
Rock & Roll
This song has gained much criticism. But for me, this song is just as
awesome as the other songs. Seriously, I don’t know what it’s all
about (some say that they were making fun of indie rock n roll?) but
I really think that Brandon—again—sings so beautifully here. I
like the line, “No sex, no drugs, no life, no love when it comes
to today…” and “Makin’ up, wakin’ up, what do you
care?”
Another cool song you got to check out.
-
Believe Me
Natalie
Listen how convincing Brandon is when he sings this line, “Believe
me, Natalie, listen Natalie, this is…”
If I were Natalie, I would believe him straight away!
But actually, I have no idea who Natalie is and what this song is all
about. The first impression I got is that the singer tries to make
Natalie dance for her last time. Maybe she’s seriously ill or
something hence it’s her “last chance to find a go-go dance to
disco now”.
-
Midnight Show
I read that this song is the second part of the murder trilogy. The
first song is an unreleased song called “Leave the Bourbon on the
Shelf” and the last is “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” where the
murder has finally caught by the police. The song is dark itself.
It’s kind of creepy and all, but I must say that this song is a
good song though. By the way, from an article I read, Brandon said,
“The murder has something to do with water, but it’s not drowning.”
So he wants us to think about it and find out the rest of the story
by our own interpretation. Ohhh how cute is that!
Ok, this is what I think; the singer (let’s just call him “NN”),
finally realized that he had killed Jenny. Then he found a bad girl
who wanted to go out and have sex with him. He said he would take her
out if she would keep a secret about this girl (Jenny) he had killed
(check out the first verse). The bad girl was really excited to go
out with NN (“drive faster boy, drive faster boy…”) and
she definitely dressed like a whore to flirt NN (“You got a real
short skirt, I wanna look up, look up, look up…”). And the
line, “I know there’s a hope, there’s too many people trying
to help me cope” means that he had been trying to forget his
guilt for Jenny but he kept on failing, so he tried to have sex with
this bad girl in the hope that by having sex with her, he could get
over Jenny (“Make it go away without a word. But promise me
you’ll stay. And fix these things I’ve hurt. Oh make it go away”).
So they had sex in the back seat of the car (“I got a blanket in
the back seat on my mind”) but it didn’t work, he still had this flashback about
Jenny and him being a couple (“There’s something in my head.
Somewhere in the back said. We were just a good thing. We were such a
good thing”).
On the last verse, NN remembered the time when he killed Jenny
because of his jealousy—remember Jenny was willing to leave him for
someone else. (I bet he choked her then dumped her into the ocean,
that’s indicated by these lines; “Oh crashing tide can’t hide
a guilty girl. With jealous hearts that start with gloss and curls. I
took my baby’s breath beneath the chandelier… Of stars and
atmosphere, and watch her disappear into the midnight show…”).
I think the midnight show is a metaphor for heaven or any
place where Jenny might be in right now. And the line “crashing
tide can’t hide a guilty girl” probably is about him cannot
forget Jenny even though she’s gone somewhere now in the ocean.
Well, that’s my interpretation. But let’s just say that this is
another prove of this band’s brilliance. I will just leave it to
Brandon. He’s the mastermind. This whole scenario of a sensitive
but cruel guy has scared me and amazed me in the same time. That’s
just fantastic!
-
Everything Will
Be Alright
In fact, “Everything will be Alright” is like my “love at first
sight” with The Killers. I heard it in an episode of The OC. And it
succeeded to blow my mind. Before seeing the show, I just “like”
The Killers, not “love” them. And after I saw the show, I realize
how stupid I am abandoning this band for years. Brandon looks so
cute in that show; I just felt my heart was melting seeing him on the
stage like that (thanks to The OC!). Some say that the song’s not
yet the best closing of this amazing album, but I have to say that I
absolutely cannot agree with them. This song is like the cooling part
of all the mysteries, tragedies, scandals, also the murders that have
been going on in the album. It lefts us relax.
In my opinion, this song is so sweet and also very melancholy. I
tried to understand what this song is about and here’s the result;
basically, I think it tells us about a break up. A break up which is
not being regretted by the singer (“I believe in you and me …
And I won’t forget you, at least I’ll try”).
It all started when this guy met this girl when he was out hunting
for a girl (“I was out shopping for a doll”). But he got
bored because all these girls are all the same (“To say the
least, I thought I’ve seen them all”). Finally, he found this
girl who was so different and so attractive with her beautiful eyes
(“But then you took me by surprise, I’m dreaming bout those
dreamy eyes”). The line “I never knew, I never knew”
reflects that this guy never thought that their relationship will be
over because so far everything was going well until she decided to
leave. “So take your suitcase cause I don’t mind” is
about the guy letting this girl go, no regret at all, but he still
tried to convince her that he loves her so much (“Baby doll, I
meant it, every time”—maybe he wants to say that every time
he said “I love you”, he meant it). “You don’t need to
compromise” is the guy emphasizing to the girl that she doesn’t
have to doubt his love. And after all, he talks to himself that
everything will be alright even though she’s out of his life. Isn’t
it a perfect ending? Yes, it’s a bit sad. But let’s take it from
our own position. When we face some difficult times, having a
trouble, or even having a nightmare, eventually, we move on with our
life and we try to encourage our selves that everything will be
alright.
A very touching song it is. I just want to cry every time I am
imagining the scene of this guy and his girl splitting up. I think
it’s a perfect closing. No matter what.
I
will expand my review later about the addition songs (you must have
listened to “The Ballad of Michael Valentine”, “Under the Gun”,
and “Change Your Mind”. I think those three songs are also very
good!) but I guess I leave it here for a while so that you can take
your time to rethink what I’ve wrote here. Don’t be afraid to
interpret the songs from your own point of view because that’s what
this music worth so much. The lyrics are all beautiful and I just
can’t help to say that it must be one of the best albums I’ve
listened to in these past 18 years!
Now
it’s time for me to check out the new album (I’ve already bought
it!) and prepare my self for any surprise. Well, actually, the facial
hair has already surprised me.
Nevertheless,
still I want to give lots of love for Brandon and the rest of the
gang! They sure rock my world. I’ve become their victim!
