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)
West Hills
The Killers Lyrics
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(I married my high school sweetheart so we've been mar-)
(We've been together eleven years)
(Um, I don't really travel much so I've just been here)
(Uh, I, I'm busy John, you'll just have to wait)
(Uh, my little brother he moved into the community)
(And they tried to tape him to a flag pole or a tree up at the high school)
(So if you don't fit their mold)
(It's just a nice small community, everybody knows everybody)
(Good place to live and to raise kids)
(We'll be here forever so, yeah, it's a good area)
I was born right here in Zion, God's own son
His Holy Ghost stories and bloodshed never scared me none
While they bowed their heads on Sunday
I cut out through the hedges and fields
Where the light could place its hands on my head
In the west hills
Free in the west hills
Free in the west hills
She's got two full-grown children, one still on the vine
And once I got to know him I loved him like he was mine
Some nights we drive up the mouth of the canyon
On hillbilly heroin pills
We get out and watch the sunset
Peaceful and still
Free in the west hills
Free in the west hills
When the sheriff kicked my door down
I was sleeping in my own bed
And the mess I got caught up in
Rained hard down on my head
And they got me for possession of them hillbilly heroin pills
Enough to kill the horses that run free in the west hills
They got me for possession of enough to kill the horses that run
Free in the west hills
Free in the west hills
If this life was meant for proving
I could use more years to live
But fifteen in a guardhouse
That's more than I'm willing to give
And if there really is a judgement
When He pulls my chart
He'll reject my actions
But He will know my heart
And he'll prepare a place for me
Where happiness instills
And the light puts its loving hands on my head
Free in the west hills
They got me for possession of enough to kill the horses that run
Free in the west hills
Free in the west hills
Free, free in the west hills, in the west hills, in the west hills, hills
The lyrics to The Killers' song "West Hills" paint a vivid picture of life in a small community that the singer has called home for their entire life. The song begins with a spoken introduction, suggesting that the singer has lived in West Hills for twenty-six years and has married their high school sweetheart. They emphasize that they haven't traveled much and have always been rooted in this place.
The first verse reveals the singer's deep connection to their hometown, Zion. They express that the stories of religion and violence that circulated within the community never frightened them. Instead, they found solace in nature, retreating to the hedges and fields where the light seemed to offer them comfort. They feel free within the boundaries of West Hills.
In the following verse, the lyrics shift towards the story of someone the singer knows, a woman who has two grown children and one still growing. The singer develops a close bond with this individual, treating them as their own. They describe nights spent together driving to the mouth of the canyon under the influence of drugs, finding tranquility while admiring the sunset. Despite the potentially destructive path they are on, they still feel a sense of freedom within the confines of West Hills.
The third verse takes a darker turn as the sheriff kicks down the door of the singer's home, interrupting their sleep. They have been caught up in a mess, arrested for possession of "hillbilly heroin" pills, an amount that could be lethal. It becomes clear that the drugs in their possession could have serious consequences for the horses that roam freely in West Hills. The singer reflects on the unfairness of their situation and the punishment they face.
As the song nears its conclusion, the lyrics delve into themes of redemption and a potential afterlife. The singer contemplates a life meant for proving oneself and expresses a desire for more time to live. However, faced with the possibility of spending fifteen years in a prison cell, they decide that it is not worth sacrificing their freedom for. They question whether there will be a judgment, and while acknowledging that their actions may be rejected, they believe that their true intentions and the purity of their heart will be recognized. They hold on to the hope that there is a place waiting for them where happiness prevails and where they can experience the loving touch of light on their head, symbolizing freedom and peace.
Overall, "West Hills" by The Killers is a song that portrays the conflicting emotions and experiences of life in a small community. It touches on themes of belonging, freedom, and the consequences of choices made within that environment.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born right here in Zion, God's own son
I have lived my entire life in this place that is seen as sacred, a true local
His Holy Ghost stories and bloodshed never scared me none
The religious tales and violent history associated with this place have never intimidated or frightened me
While they bowed their heads on Sunday
While others were deeply religious and praying on Sundays
I cut out through the hedges and fields
I would escape and explore the natural surroundings by going through the bushes and fields
Where the light could place its hands on my head
Where I could bask in the sunlight and feel its warmth and blessings
In the west hills
In the peaceful and beautiful hills of the western part of this area
Free in the west hills
I feel liberated and unconstrained when I am in the west hills
She's got two full-grown children, one still on the vine
She has two adult children, and one is still growing and developing
And once I got to know him I loved him like he was mine
Once I became close to him, I cared for him as if he were my own child
Some nights we drive up the mouth of the canyon
On certain evenings, we take a drive towards the entrance of the canyon
On hillbilly heroin pills
Under the influence of narcotics known as 'hillbilly heroin'
We get out and watch the sunset
We step out of the vehicle and enjoy the view of the setting sun
Peaceful and still
The surroundings are tranquil and calm
When the sheriff kicked my door down
When the sheriff forcefully entered my home
I was sleeping in my own bed
I was peacefully sleeping in my personal bed
And the mess I got caught up in
And the unfortunate situation I found myself involved in
Rained hard down on my head
Brought down heavy consequences upon me
And they got me for possession of them hillbilly heroin pills
And they arrested me for having those drugs
Enough to kill the horses that run free in the west hills
A significant quantity that could potentially harm the horses that roam freely in the west hills
If this life was meant for proving
If the purpose of life is to demonstrate or validate oneself
I could use more years to live
I would appreciate more time to experience and enjoy life
But fifteen in a guardhouse
However, spending fifteen years in a prison cell
That's more than I'm willing to give
Is something I am not willing to sacrifice or give up
And if there really is a judgement
And if there truly is a final evaluation or assessment
When He pulls my chart
When God examines my life and actions
He'll reject my actions
He may disapprove or condemn my choices
But He will know my heart
However, He will understand the intentions and emotions within my heart
And he'll prepare a place for me
And He will arrange a special location or state for me
Where happiness instills
Where happiness is deeply embedded or ingrained
And the light puts its loving hands on my head
And a divine presence embraces me with love and kindness
They got me for possession of enough to kill the horses that run
They arrested me for having a quantity of drugs that could potentially harm the free-spirited horses in the area
Free, free in the west hills, in the west hills, in the west hills, hills
Feeling liberated and unrestricted in the magnificent hills of the west, where true freedom resides
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Jonathan Rado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patty Theiss
on Mr. Brightside
Ed sharron