All These Things That I've Done
The Killers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is there room for one more son
One more son
If you can hold on
If you can hold on, hold on
I want to stand up, I want to let go
You know, you know, no you don't, you don't
I want to shine on in the hearts of men
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand
Another head aches, another heart breaks
I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no
Help me out, yeah
You know you got to help me out, yeah
Oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me
The cold hearted boy I used to be
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
(Time, truth and hearts)
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
Oh don't you put me on the backburner
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
Over and in, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
(Time, truth and hearts)
If you can hold on
If you can hold on
The song All These Things That I've Done by the Killers is all about finding meaning and purpose in life. The son in the song is looking for guidance, he's searching for someone to help him through a difficult time. He asks if there is room for one more son, which could symbolize him trying to find his place and be accepted somewhere. The repetition of "If you can hold on" suggests that he's trying to find strength and hold on to something, even if it's just hope.
The chorus of the song, "I got soul, but I'm not a soldier" is also significant. It means that the singer has heart and passion, but he's not cut out for the military. He's not a fighter, he's a lover, and he's looking for someone to help him navigate life's challenges.
The second verse of the song speaks to the pain and heartbreak the singer is experiencing. He's older than he feels and is struggling to cope. He's looking for direction and perfection but feels lost and unsupported. He's asking for help, for someone to take him seriously, and not put him on the backburner.
Overall, the song is a plea for help and guidance, a message of hope in the midst of pain and darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
When there's nowhere else to run
When you're feeling like you've reached the end of your rope
Is there room for one more son
Is there still some hope left for one more person?
One more son
One more chance to turn things around
If you can hold on
If you can persevere through the tough times
If you can hold on, hold on
Hold on tight and don't give up
I want to stand up, I want to let go
I want to break free from my past and start fresh
You know, you know, no you don't, you don't
You think you understand me, but you really don't
I want to shine on in the hearts of men
I want to make a positive impact on people's lives
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand
I want to find meaning even in my struggles and hardships
Another head aches, another heart breaks
More problems and heartache in the world
I am so much older than I can take
I've been through so much that I feel older than my years
And my affection, well it comes and goes
My love and compassion waxes and wanes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no
I need guidance on how to live my life the right way
Help me out, yeah
Give me a hand, lend me your support
You know you got to help me out, yeah
You know I need your help, please don't ignore me
Oh don't you put me on the backburner
Don't ignore my needs and push me to the sidelines
And when there's nowhere else to run
When it feels like all options have run out
Is there room for one more son
Is there still a possibility for one more hopeful outcome?
These changes ain't changing me
Despite the world and my circumstances changing around me, I'm still the same
The cold hearted boy I used to be
I used to be heartless and unfeeling
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're going to hurt yourself if you keep acting this way
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I have inner strength, but I'm not a warrior
(Time, truth and hearts)
(What really matters in the end)
Over and in, last call for sin
Time is running out, it's the last chance to do wrong
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
Even though everyone is confused about what to do, the right choice has already been made
With all these things that I've done
Despite all my flaws and mistakes
If you can hold on
If you can persevere through the tough times
If you can hold on
If you can persevere through the tough times
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shinra41
This song has helped me come back from the brink a few times. I’ve been at the end of my rope several times, suicide hotline, doctors, medication. But in the end I kept holding on, kept fighting. Like “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier” I’ve got the will to fight, but I’m not a fighter. If anyone finds this comment, just remember you can always keep moving, hold your head high and hold on.
Edit: Still here! I'd forgotten about this comment! haha. Life is still tough, but now I'm sober. 2020 was a hell of a ride for me, as I'm sure it was for a great many people. But I'd like to thank you all for such a wonderful outcry of support and kindness. Sometimes I've forgotten that we're all in this life together. Be kind everyone, and hold on!
Update Edit! 12/16/22:
You all have been so wonderfully supportive. You've all kept me going to be honest. I kept going, I lived with my sister for 3 years and I saved every penny I could and bought my own home! Sure it's a used manufactured home, but it's mine. However, I paid cash so i didn't need a mortgage. Now I'm helping out a friend at the end of their rope, and giving them a place to stay so they aren't homeless. There's no secret sauce to my situation, I was very lucky. I was frugal and things just happen to work out. But hold on, don't give up. Life can have some twists and turns you never saw coming.
Update Update! 2/27/23
Still getting a lot of positive comments, more than I'd ever thought my little comment would ever get, more than I thought it deserved. You all still continue to be the most wonderful, inspiring, and supportive people. You've all exemplified the very best we can be when we find those in the lowest of times. Life of course still throws it's curve balls, and they do hit hard. But now I'm no longer alone with my problems, and I know I'm lucky for that privilege. Stay strong, keep moving, and hold on to the ones you love, because those moments are fleeting...
3/3/23
Wow life does like a curve ball. I'm in the metro Detroit area. In the past 5 days I've gone from no power for 3 days to a furnace failure that lead to the discovery that my furnace is putting out toxic levels of carbon monoxide. The new furnace will set me back at the very least 3200. Coupled with rampant low staffing at my current job leading my emotional state being at an all time low. I feel like this song resonates more than ever, and how much positivity I've received here. I'm of course applying to other jobs. But i just once again wish to say thank you. It doesn't matter how small you think your comment may be, or think it means nothing. But it does. One comment may make a difference. I have felt alone for so long, I didn't know what healthy support looked like. Find that one shred of something that keeps you moving and hold on tight to it, It just may save your life.
@xEclipse56x
If you want to watch the video in chronological order, use the cards in this order: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,0. It also might help to mute the volume.
1 - 1:12
2 - 3:51
3 - 1:43
4 - 0:31
5 - 3:18
6 - 2:25
7 - 4:22
0 - 0:00
@leetegg1548
When there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son?
One more son
If you can hold on
If you can hold on, hold on
I wanna stand up, I wanna let go
You know, you know, no you don't, you don't
I wanna shine on, in the hearts of men
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand
Another head aches, another heart breaks
I'm so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no
Help me out, yeah
You know you gotta help me out, yeah
Oh, don't you put me on the back burner
You know you gotta help me out, yeah
And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son?
These changes ain't changing me
The cold hearted boy I used to be
Yeah, you know you gotta help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the back burner
You know you gotta help me out, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
(Time, truth, and hearts)
Yeah, you know you gotta help me out, yeah
Oh, don't you put me on the back burner
You know you gotta help me out, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
Oh don't you put me on the back burner
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
Over and in, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
(Time, truth, and hearts)
If you can hold on
If you can hold on
@Ijustwastedyourtime0
Mr Brightside may be their most popular song, but this is their most emotional and my personal favorite.
@jordany4806
Ijustwastedyourtime0 100% yes
@leoxavier5785
Ijustwastedyourtime0 most emotional to me is Goodnight Travel Well that song is so underrated, and when it comes to favorite killers song it’s too hard to choose one
@Orestes202
I personally love My List, but I agree it's really hard to choose
@danreadick1531
You need to listen to Some Kind of Love if you think this is their most emotional, it will give you all the feels.
@fixinman
Mine is Miss Atomic Bomb.
@needhamcomics6370
The song is about television host Matt Pinfield. Before The Killers were famous, Pinfield, who was a vice president of A&R at Columbia Records at the time, tried to sign the band. He was also working with the U.S. Army as part of a program that mentored wounded and/or PTSD-stricken musician soldiers returning from Iraq. After visiting veteran soldiers in Colorado City, he went to Las Vegas, where he quickly bonded with The Killers. Pinfield watched the band rehearse at drummer Ronnie Vannucci's garage and took them out to dinner. He asked if anybody wanted to give him a ride back to his hotel and Brandon Flowers offered to drive Pinfield. They wound up hitting the bar at the Gold Coast Hotel on a Tuesday night, just "talking about life", Pinfield said:
I started to tell him the story about mentoring soldiers, and I was getting ready to go through a divorce. I was going through a bit of a rough time. So, he went home that night, and their old manager, Braden Merrick, calls me on the phone, and goes, 'Hey Matt, Brandon wrote a song about you. He went home last night and wrote this song.' It was 'All These Things That I've Done,' and the line 'I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier' is about the mentoring thing.
In 2016, Pinfield titled his memoir "All These Things That I've Done: My Insane, Improbable Rock Life". On January 19, 2019, the band gave Pinfield a shoutout while introducing the song at the iHeartRadio ALTer Ego 2019 festival at The Forum in Inglewood, California, where Pinfield was in attendance in a wheelchair still recovering from being hit by a car a month before.
@lordcristopherv
damn
@michalfilipowicz9391
Thanks for that, so cool to know.
@TheFulanito1234
Bollocks. The song is obviously about hot girls and boomerangs.