The 10 Best The Killers Songs of All-Time
The Killers are a rock band formed in 2001 in Las Vegas. The founding members of the band are Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning. While Flowers is the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and bassist, Keuning plays the lead guitar and provides backing vocals. A year after the band was formed, Mark Stoermer joined the band as a bassist, rhythm guitarist, and backing vocals.
Ronnie Vannucci Jr. also joined the band on drums and percussion. Over the years, the lineup of the band has changed many times, including both Stoermer and Keuning taking a hiatus from the group. However, they both remain current members of The Killers. Since the band was formed, they have released seven studio albums, one live album, three compilation albums, one video album, one EP, 39 music videos, 38 singles, and four promotional singles. Here are the 10 best The Killers songs of all time.
10. For Reasons Unknown (2007)
‘For Reasons Unknown’ did not chart in the United States and many other countries, and it only reached number 53 in the UK. However, fans of the band and many music critics consider it one of The Killers’ best tracks. It was released in 2007 and featured on the album ‘Sam’s Town.’ The music video that accompanies this single was shot in black and white.
9. Spaceman (2008)
‘Spaceman’ was the most successful in the United States, where it reached number eight on the Alternative Airplay chart. It was the second of two singles released from the studio album ‘Day & Age.’ Since it was released, The Killers have used this song as the opener for their concert tours. They have also performed the song ‘Later… with Jools Holland’ and ‘Saturday Night Live. Furthermore, it was released as a downloadable song for the music video game ‘Rock Band.’
8. Run for Cover (2017)
‘Run for Cover’ featured on the album ‘Wonderful Wonderful,’ and it reached number five on the Alternative Airplay chart in the United States. The song was originally intended for the album ‘Day & Age,’ but Flowers did not finish writing the second verse in time for the album’s release date. He only finished writing the song after getting inspiration from Australian musician Alex Cameron when they were working together in Las Vegas. The song is about domestic violence, and it contains a sample of Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song.’
7. All These Things That I’ve Done (2004)
Classic Rock History lists ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’ as one of the best The Killers songs. It was the third single released from ‘Hot Fuzz,’ the band’s debut album. There is an unusual theme to the song, as it is about television host Matt Pinfield and his work with the United States Army.
6. Read My Mind (2007)
The third of the four singles released from the album ‘Sam’s World’ was ‘Read My Mind.’ It reached number eight on the Alternative Airplay chart in the United States and number 15 on the singles chart in the UK. The radio station XFM voted ‘Read My Mind’ number 57 on their list of the ‘100 Greatest Songs of All Time.’ It is Brandon Flowers’ favorite The Killers song.
5. Somebody Told Me (2004)
The second single released by The Killers was ‘Somebody Told Me,’ and it featured on their debut album ‘Hot Fuss.’ It reached number three on both the UK charts and the Alternative Airplay chart in the United States. It was also a top ten hit in Ireland. The song, which is about meeting someone in a club, was certified triple-Platinum by the RIAA. It was written by band members Flowers, Stoermer, Keuning, and Vannucci.
4. When You Were Young (2006)
‘When We Were Young’ was The Killers’ first chart-topping hit, as it topped the Alternative Airplay chart in the United States. It was the first single released from ‘Sam’s Town,’ the band’s second studio album. The band members co-wrote the song, and they also co-produced the track with Alan Moulder and Flood. When the band released this single in 2006, it displayed the band’s move towards the heartland rock genre. It is said that Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Thunder Road’ and ‘Born to Run’ influenced the track.
3. Smile Like You Mean It (2005)
Released in 2005, ‘Smile Like You Mean It’ was the final song released from The Killers’ debut album. Originally, it was released as the B-side to ‘Mr. Brightside’ before the band decided to release it as a stand-alone single. In the United States, the song reached number 15 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, while it peaked at number 11 in the UK. Growing up is the theme of this song, which was written by Flowers and Stoermer. It is an upbeat track with interesting guitar and synthesizer sections.
2. Human (2008)
‘Human’ was a top ten hit on the Alternative Airplay chart in the United States, as well as in the charts in the UK, Canada, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The song was released in 2008, and it is the first single from the studio album ‘Day & Age.’ All the band members wrote the song, and it was co-produced with Stuart Price. Flowers described the song as being like the Pet Shop Boys meet Johnny Cash.
1. Mr. Brightside (2003)
According to NMA, ‘Mr. Brightside’ is the best The Killers song. It has become one of the band’s best-known songs. ‘Mr. Brightside’ was The Killers’ debut single, and it is featured on their debut album, ‘Hot Fuss.’ It reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK chart, and it performed best on the US Alternative Airplay chart, peaking at number three. It was written by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning. The band first released the song in 2003, and it was accompanied by a black and white video. When the band re-released the song a year later, they released a new music video based on the film ‘Moulon Rouge!’
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