When You Were Young
♫ The Killers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting on some beautiful boy to
To save your from your old ways
You play forgiveness
Watch it now, here he comes
He doesn't look a thing like Jesus
But he talks like a gentlemen
Can we climb this mountain
I don't know
Higher now than ever before
I know we can make it if we take it slow
Let's take it easy
Easy now, watch it go
We're burning down the highway skyline
On the back of a hurricane that started turning
When you were young
When you were young
And sometimes you close your eyes
And see the place where you used to live
When you were young
They say the devil's water, it ain't so sweet
You don't have to drink right now
But you can dip your feet
Every once in a little while
You sit there in your heartache
Waiting on some beautiful boy to
To save you from your old ways
You play forgiveness
Watch it now, here he comes
He doesn't look a thing like Jesus
But he talks like a gentlemen
Like you imagined when you were young
(Talks like a gentlemen, like you imagined)
When you were young
I said he doesn't look a thing like Jesus
He doesn't look a thing like Jesus
But more than you'll ever know
The song When You Were Young by The Killers is a nostalgic and emotional piece that delves into the themes of love, forgiveness, and memories of youth. The first verse sets up the scene with the image of someone waiting in heartache for a beautiful boy to save them from their old ways. The phrase "play forgiveness" suggests a sense of duty or habit towards forgiveness. And as the beautiful boy approaches, the image of Jesus is invoked, but not in a literal sense. This beautiful boy doesn't look like Jesus, but he talks like a gentleman, which is what the person imagined when they were young. This implies that the person has been waiting for someone who embodies an idealized version of what love and kindness should be.
In the chorus, the song takes a more optimistic turn, with the singer wondering if they can climb the mountain they're facing. The lyrics suggest that they're facing a significant challenge, but they're confident they can make it if they take it slow. The reference to burning down the highway skyline on the back of a hurricane is vivid imagery that suggests a sense of excitement and power. And when the singer reminisces about seeing the place where they used to live, it implies a longing for simpler times.
Line by Line Meaning
You sit there in your heartache
You're feeling stuck and overwhelmed by your emotional pain
Waiting on some beautiful boy to
You're hoping for a savior or a romantic partner to rescue you from your misery
To save you from your old ways
You want someone to help you break free from your unhealthy patterns and behaviors
You play forgiveness
You try to forgive yourself and others for past mistakes and hurts
Watch it now, here he comes
You're alert and hopeful for the arrival of this potential savior/lover
He doesn't look a thing like Jesus
This person may not fit your original ideal of what a savior or ideal partner looks like
But he talks like a gentleman
He's polite, charming, and respectful in his language and behavior
Like you imagined when you were young
He matches the fantasy of a perfect partner you had in your youth
Can we climb this mountain
You're uncertain about the future and the challenges you'll face
I don't know
You're admitting your lack of knowledge or certainty
Higher now than ever before
You feel like you're facing greater obstacles and pressures than ever before
I know we can make it if we take it slow
You're optimistic and believe that you can overcome these obstacles if you proceed with caution and patience
Let's take it easy
You suggest slowing down and avoiding unnecessary risks
Easy now, watch it go
You advise caution and careful observation as you proceed
We're burning down the highway skyline
You're speeding and racing towards your future goals and dreams
On the back of a hurricane that started turning
You're fueled by a powerful and potentially dangerous force that you can't control
When you were young
This drive and passion was present in you when you were younger
And sometimes you close your eyes
You reflect on the past and reminisce about your childhood
And see the place where you used to live
You have memories of a simpler and more innocent time in your life
They say the devil's water, it ain't so sweet
There are risks and dangers associated with indulging in temptation or sin
You don't have to drink right now
You have a choice to avoid or resist temptation
But you can dip your feet
You can experiment with temptation or sin in a limited and controlled way, without fully committing
Every once in a little while
You suggest that the occasional experiment or indulgence is acceptable
I said he doesn't look a thing like Jesus
You repeat the earlier observation that this person doesn't match your initial idea of a savior
But more than you'll ever know
You suggest that he may still be a valuable and positive influence in your life, beyond your expectations
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@benks464
"I only heard chocolate once and I hated it." lmao these have me dying
@ferngully8135
same lmfao
@jenndel8184
this was literally every 40+ year old after snl lmao like go do your taxes jared.
@sugab4954
Same, I was laughing so hard when I read that
@jianchimaviellejimenez4056
Haha! Yeah also the ones they say that matt isnt charismatic 😂
@aiilen24
I know! The funny thing is that the second I heard chocolate I loved it lol that's why I became a fan
@acreshome3549
Remember I had a phase where I was obsessed with this song, turns out it wasn't a phase cuz I always come back to it.
@thetetons744
"I used to do drugs. I still do but I used to too"
@nowayangelo
ya boi Gabe Newell lmao
@epicureanmaster
This was my favorite song by them, yeah chocolate introduced me to them, but this is the song that was their best to me