10 BANGERS BY THE KILLERS THAT ARE NOT MR BRIGHTSIDE
Photo: Danny Clinch
Mr Brightside is the ultimate anthem, but trust us when we say there are many more ultimate anthems in The Killers’ shimmering discography.
Legend has it that when the all-too-familiar guitar riff shreds through the speakers in any club worldwide, there is no dancefloor that will not erupt. Cue “Comin’ out of my cage, and I’ve been doing just fine”, and everyone loses their minds. The ritual of the night is complete - Mr Brightside has finally graced the party.
It’s crazy to think how over the 19 years since its release in , “Mr Brightside” has only become more and more integral a heartbreak anthem, almost evolving to envelope each subsequent generation that enters the nightlife scene. This one’s been a dear one to popettes too, having first entered the EMPT’s regular rotation in 2005.
While the track we all know and love has become The Killers’ flag bearer in pop culture today, there are dozens more gems over their astonishingly-consistent 22 year career - from charging calls to arms, to brazen proclamations of love, to the gentler moments in between that bookmark them all. The shimmering synths are boundless, the guitars and bass raging, the rhythm gripping, the vocals soaring - here are 10 bangers by The Killers that are not Mr Brightside, that we promise you need in your life right now.
1. All These Things That I’ve Done
We begin with another track off The Killers’ electrifying debut, Hot Fuss. Another NLTF staple, “All These Things That I’ve Done” builds with a gravity that only gets heavier, as it reaches a soaring crescendo of emotion that always makes us equally ecstatic and warm and fuzzy. Completed by a bridge that could carry the weight of the world (“I got soul but I’m not a soldier”), ATTTID is one hell of a trip.
2. When You Were Young
Off the blazing Americana-vibed Sam’s Town, “When You Were Young” is a perfect representation for The Killers’ sheer explosiveness with their music. Powered by guitarist Dave Keuning’s soul-shaking riffs, you’ll find the song ripping through you and carrying you on this massive wave that you’ll never want to get off. Once again, it’s all that nostalgia and victory that surges through your veins, a combination of emotions the band effortlessly delivers on time and again.
3. The Ballad Of Michael Valentine
For an album of B-sides, Sawdust is anything but. “The Ballad of Michael Valentine” is a perfect reflection of how they never rested on their laurels, with a stellar guitar riff that we swear you won’t be able to get out of your mind. We love how every track on this album lacks an overly clean production, instead opting for a dusty scratchy rendition that presents an indulgent full-on synth-rock bliss.10 years later, Sawdust still holds some of The Killers’ best (albeit underrated) work. Sawdust is definitely not one to sleep on.
4. Joyride
We’re big Day And Age stans over here at WTSX. Ryan Dombal of Pitchfork characterized the album as the band’s spitball album - where they try everything and see what works. While that may be debatable, we’d definitely say “Joyride” isn't your typical song by the band. Anchored by Mark Stoermer’s ridiculously funky bassline, Tommy Marth on the saxophone and the insane vocal confidence of Brandon Flowers (reminiscent of his energy on “The Man”), Joyride exudes an electricity that you’ll feel in your bones.
5. Runaways
Once again, we’re all about the explosions in The Killers’ music, and “Runaways” is no exception. Drummer Ronnie Vanucci leaves no stone unturned here, being the backbone to the track as it climbs in energy with no return. Everything constantly gets louder, bolder and brighter, perfectly playing into the narrative of their 4th album, Battle Born. Rounded out with some of frontman Brandon Flowers’ best vocal work, you’ll actually be flying by the end.
6. Shot At The Night
This is one of those tracks that’ll teleport you to a different ethereal plane. One of the 2 fresh tracks off the best-of compilation Direct Hits released in 2013, “Shot At The Night” features a synth and a pounding bass reverberating through the track delivering a nostalgia that’s a signature of The Killers. If you haven’t heard this one - turn off your lights, dive under the covers, blast your speakers and just drown in the pure energy and exhilaration that is “Shot At The Night”
7. Run For Cover
Fun fact: “Run For Cover” was actually written in 2008 and they had been hacking at it ever since, but it never worked until they revised it for their 2017 album Wonderful Wonderful. The song paints the bleak picture of how politics and personal struggles are ever so tightly linked, as the song blitzes through beautiful synths and, you guessed it, explosions galore. One of The Killers’ most underrated tracks in their discography, we refuse to let Run For Cover be slept on.
8. Fire In Bone
Any moments of doubt are buried beneath sheer bravado and confidence on Imploding The Mirage, The Killers’ sixth and severely underrated explosive album. “Fire In Bone” was the second single the band released, loaded with enough elasticated funk to fill a stadium. Something about the track just grates on our spine in the most satisfying way, building and building into a crescendo of pure exhilaration. We have no idea why this song has so few listens, but if you’re looking for an absolute bop to groove to, we have to say this is unmistakably it.
9. Quiet Town
So we’re stretching the meaning of banger for this one, but hear us out. Pressure Machine, The Killers’ most recent album, is a simultaneously heartwarming and gut-wrenching narrative set in Brandon Flowers’ sleepy desert hometown of Nephi, Utah. “Quiet Town” is the poignant window into the world that is the album and the town, earnestly juxtaposing the goodness of its people and the hushed-up illicit drug struggles that run rife in the town, over a beautiful country-Americana instrumental.
10. Bonus Track - Bling (Confessions Of A King)
Ok, back to banger bangers to round off the list. Another rager from Sam’s Town, “Bling (Confessions Of A King)” features Brandon and co. pummeling through a story of sheer grit, talking of running with the devil and glory in the desert rain. Once again, it surges to a peak higher than Everest, the band all guns blazing. Seriously, you’ll be tearing by the time Brandon gently concludes the track with “It ain’t hard to hold, when it shines like gold, you’ll remember me”.
