1. The Killers is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists using this name:
1. The Killers is an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2001.
They got the name from the fictional band The Killers in the video for New Order's song Crystal.
As of 2021, the band has released six studio albums, which have sold 28 million records worldwide.
The Early Years
Initially, The Killers played at large clubs in Las Vegas. With the band's line-up stable and their repertoire of songs expanding, the band began to attract attention from talent bookers, local agents, major label, scouts — and a UK representative for Warner Bros. Though the Warner Bros representative passed on the band, he took the demo back with him, showing it to a friend who worked at UK (London-based) indie label Lizard King Records (now Marrakesh Records). The Killers then signed in the summer of 2002 to a British label.
Hot Fuss
They released their debut album Hot Fuss on June 2004 in the United Kingdom and US (on Island Records). Their first single was Somebody Told Me. The band also had chart success with their singles Mr. Brightside, which reached the Top 10 in the UK when released, and All These Things That I've Done.
Sam's Town
The band started recording its second album, Sam's Town, on February 15, 2006, at The Palms Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas. It was released on October 2006.
The first single, When You Were Young debuted on radio stations in late July 2006. In late August 2006, it was offered as a downloadable track before the album's debut. The single then entered the chart on downloads alone at #5, and the following week on its official release went to #2 in the UK.
The video clip of the second single, Bones, was directed by Tim Burton.
The third single was Read My Mind. The video for it was filmed in Tokyo, Japan.
The last one was For Reasons Unknown, released in June, 2007.
The album sold over 700,000 copies worldwide in the first week of release, with a No. 2 debut on the United World chart.
Sawdust Compilation
The compilation album Sawdust, containing B-sides, rarities, and some new material, was released on November 12, 2007.
The album's first single Tranquilize, a collaboration with Lou Reed, was released on October 2007. The band also released their cover of Joy Division's song Shadowplay on the U.S. iTunes Store. The album contains songs Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town (a The First Edition cover), Romeo and Juliet (a Dire Straits cover), and a new version of Move Away (previously available on the Spider-Man 3 soundtrack). One of the tracks on Sawdust is Leave the Bourbon On The Shelf, the first but previously unreleased part of the so called Murder Trilogy, in which it is followed by Midnight Show then Jenny Was a Friend of Mine.
(Red) Christmas EP
In 2006 Songfacts reported that The Killers were recognized for their work with Bono's Product Red campaign, which is dedicated to fighting AIDS in Africa.
In the same year they have released their first Christmas themed song and music video, A Great Big Sled in aid of the charity, followed by Don't Shoot Me Santa on December 1, 2007.
Their festive tunes have subsequently became an annual event and (Red) Christmas EP intended to raise money for the Product Red campaign on November 29, 2011.
Day & Age
The third album Day & Age was released on 25th November 2008 (24th November for the UK).
The album's first single Human was debuted on 22nd September and on the 30th September, the single was made available on iTunes, with many radio DJ's suggesting it was the best single by The Killers yet.
Killers frontman Brandon Flowers said (in December 2008) that he thinks that his band "will be bigger than U2 eventually, and sooner than you might think". He told The Daily Telegraph that "U2 are unbelievable, but they're getting old. It feels like it's time".
The album was reviewed at Silent Soundwaves.
Battle Born
The band was on hiatus, but returned to the studio to record their fourth studio album in early 2011. Songfacts reported that Runaways, the first single from the new album, was released on July 10, 2012.
The Killers' fourth studio album, Battle Born, was released on 18 September 2012.
It took 15 months to record it. The band began working on it after they took a touring break for a little over a year. The album had five producers, with The Killers producing one song by themselves, The Rising Tide.
The debut single was Runaways, followed by Miss Atomic Bomb and Here with Me.
Wonderful Wonderful
In 2015, Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning began to discuss recording a fifth studio album. The band recorded the album between September 2016 and May 2017, with production by Jacknife Lee. Band members Dave Keuning and Mark Stoermer both announced that they would take a break from touring. The Killers' fifth studio album, Wonderful Wonderful, was released on September 22, 2017, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200. Stoermer
Imploding the Mirage
On November 15, 2019, the Killers announced their sixth studio album titled Imploding the Mirage for a Spring 2020 release. On March 12, 2020, the album's lead single "Caution" was released, featuring a guitar solo by former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. Buckingham said of the band, "There’s such a strong center to what they’re doing. Their material is so well crafted that it cuts across a lot of generational lines." Brandon Flowers also confirmed that guitarist Dave Keuning was still on hiatus and did not participate in recording the album. On April 25, 2020, "Caution" reached number one on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, setting a record of 13 years and 6 months since the band's last number-one song on the chart.
The Killers' sixth studio album, " Imploding the Mirage" was released on August 21, 2020. It debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200.
Influences
Much of The Killers' music is based on British influences and on the music of the 1980s, particularly New Wave. Flowers has also said in interviews that the larger-than-life sound of many of the band's songs is due to the influence of living in Las Vegas, a city where everything is about flash and who can top whom. They appreciate post-punk bands that sprang up during the 80's such as Joy Division, and they are also avowed fans of New Order (with whom Flowers has performed live), Pet Shop Boys, Dire Straits, David Bowie, The Smiths, Morrissey, Depeche Mode, U2, Queen, Oasis and The Beatles. Their second album was said to be greatly influenced by Bruce Springsteen's music and lyrics.
Their line-up is:
Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards),
Dave Keuning (guitar, backing vocals),
Mark Stoermer (bass guitar, backing vocals),
Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion).
2. The Killers was an Uruguayan rock band from the early 1970s which released an album Good Bye in 1972.
3. The Killers was an American hardcore band from Chicago, IL, from the 1990s founded by former members of Charles Bronson.
They released records on Hater of God and Gloom, and had split records with A.P.B. & 9 Shocks Terror.
Reminds of Behead The Prophet No Lord Shall Live meets The Oath.
4. The Killers (aka Insanity and The Killers) was an American band from Cleveland, Ohio. They released one 7″ on Huh? Oh? in 1981.
5. The Killers was a British punk rock band from England formed in 1977 (though released their first 7", I Don't Care, as Joe Cool & The Killers).
In 1978 they released their one and only album called Killer; by then they had dropped the Joe Cool and released the record under this name.
6. The Killers was a Brazilian garage rock band that released one album in 1964 titled The Killers. The band members were João Bosco (drums), Luiz Carlos (bass guitar), João Carlos (lead guitar), and Gustavo (rhythm guitar)
Don't Shoot Me Santa
The Killers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been waiting on you
That's funny kid
Because I've been coming for you
Oh, Santa
I've been killing just for fun
Well, the party is over kid
Because I, because I got a bullet in my gun
A bullet in your what
(Santa's got a bullet in his gun, you know it)
(Santa's got a bullet in his gun)
Don't shoot me Santa Clause
I've been a clean living boy
I promise you, did every little thing you ask me to
I can't believe the things I'm going through
Don't shoot me Santa Clause
No one else around believes me
But the children on the block they tease me
I couldn't let them off that easy
Oh, Santa
It's been a real hard year
There just ain't no getting around this
Life is hard but look at me I turned out alright
Hey, Santa
Why don't we talk about it, work it out
Believe me, this ain't what I wanted
I love all you kids, you know that, hell
I remember when you were just 10 years old
Playing out in the desert
Just waiting for a sip of that
Sweet Mojave rain
In the sweet Mojave rain
The boy was on his own
Don't shoot me Santa Clause
I've been a clean living boy
I promise you, did every little thing you ask me to
I can't believe the things I'm going through
Hey, Santa Clause
No one else around believes me
But the children on the block they tease me
I couldn't let them off that easy
They had it coming, so, why can't you see
I couldn't turn my check no longer
The sun is going down and Christmas is near
Just look the other way and I'll disappear forever
Don't shoot me Santa Clause
No one else around believes me
But the children on the street they tease me
I couldn't let them off that easy
Believe me Santa, Santa
The Killers' song "Don't Shoot Me Santa" is a unique take on the classic Christmas song that tells a quite different story. The song starts with Santa Claus approaching the singer of the song and the singer taunting Santa by telling him that he's been killing people for fun. Santa realizes that the singer has a bullet in his gun and is planning on shooting him. The singer begs Santa not to shoot him, telling him that he's been a "clean living boy" and has done everything Santa has asked him to do.
The singer then explains that he's been having a tough year and asks Santa to talk it out with him. He reminisces about a time when he was young and playing in the desert, waiting for a sip of sweet Mojave rain. The song ends with the singer pleading with Santa not to shoot him, and saying that the children on the block tease him but he couldn't let them off that easily.
Overall, the song is a dark and quirky twist on the Christmas narrative, featuring a troubled narrator and an unexpectedly violent Santa Claus.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Santa
The singer is addressing Santa.
I've been waiting on you
The singer has been anticipating Santa's arrival.
That's funny kid
Santa finds the singer's statement amusing.
Because I've been coming for you
Santa has been planning to confront the singer.
I've been killing just for fun
The singer is confessing to committing murder as a form of enjoyment.
Well, the party is over kid
Santa is signaling that the singer's violent behavior needs to stop.
Because I, because I got a bullet in my gun
Santa is implying that he will not hesitate to use violence to stop the singer's actions.
Don't shoot me Santa Clause
The singer is pleading with Santa not to harm him.
I've been a clean living boy
The singer assures Santa that he has been well-behaved.
I promise you, did every little thing you ask me to
The singer insists that he has followed Santa's requests.
I can't believe the things I'm going through
The singer is expressing disbelief at his current situation.
No one else around believes me
The singer feels isolated and unsupported by those around him.
But the children on the block they tease me
The singer is being bullied by children in his neighborhood.
I couldn't let them off that easy
The singer is justifying his violent actions as a means of standing up for himself and taking revenge against his bullies.
It's been a real hard year
The singer has had a difficult time recently.
There just ain't no getting around this
The singer acknowledges that his situation is unavoidable.
Life is hard but look at me I turned out alright
The singer reflects on his personal resilience and success despite life's challenges.
Why don't we talk about it, work it out
The singer is proposing that he and Santa discuss their issues and come up with a solution together.
Believe me, this ain't what I wanted
The singer insists that he did not intend for things to escalate to this point.
I love all you kids, you know that, hell
The singer expresses his affection for children, despite his violent behavior towards them.
I remember when you were just 10 years old
The singer reminds Santa of a past memory they shared when the singer was a child.
Playing out in the desert
The singer recalls playing in the desert with Santa when they were younger.
Just waiting for a sip of that
The singer and Santa were both hoping to find a source of water in the desert.
Sweet Mojave rain
The type of rain that the singer and Santa were hoping to find in the desert.
The boy was on his own
The singer was alone and vulnerable during this memory.
They had it coming, so, why can't you see
The singer feels justified in his violent actions towards his bullies and does not understand why Santa cannot see this.
I couldn't turn my cheek no longer
The singer could no longer tolerate the mistreatment he was experiencing from his bullies.
The sun is going down and Christmas is near
The timing of this confrontation is significant, as it is occurring during the holiday season.
Just look the other way and I'll disappear forever
The singer is suggesting that if Santa does not intervene, he will leave and never be seen again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patty Theiss
on Mr. Brightside
Ed sharron