While listening to the radio in his car after his very first college class, Flowers heard the song "Changes" by David Bowie. He fell in love with the piece and realized immediately that he wanted to be part of the music industry.
His career in music began when he became a member of Las Vegas band Blush Response (this was where he discovered he could sing), but he was fired after refusing to move to Los Angeles, California, with the rest of the band. After leaving Blush Response, Flowers realised that he still wanted a career in music and came across an ad for guitarist David Keuning. After many short-term bassist and drummers, the pair met Ronnie Vanucci (drums) and Mark Stoermer (bass) and the band has been together since. In 2004 the group released Hot Fuss (after having toured with Morrissey in multiple sold out shows), 2006 - Sam's Town, 2007 - Sawdust, 2008 - Day & Age
In April 2010, Flowers announced his first solo album entitled Flamingo, which was produced by a team of legendary producers: Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Robertson, Neil Young), Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Train), and Stuart Price (Keane, Killers, Madonna, New Order, Scissor Sisters, Seal). A special Bonus Track edition has also been released featuring four additional songs, "The Clock Was Tickin", "Jacksonville", "I Came Here To Get Over You", and "Right Behind You"
After some of the band members wanted "to take a break from touring and the rat race," Flowers decided to keep it going and record a second solo album. The Desired Effect was released on May 15, 2015. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, making it Flowers' second consecutive solo number one album.
The Desired Effect is Flowers' highest yet ranked album on Metacritic and honored as the Album of the Year (2015) by The Sun and The San Francisco Examiner. Reviews positively described the album as Flowers' finest work since Hot Fuss. The album was preceded by positively reviewed singles "Can't Deny My Love", "Still Want You", "Lonely Town", and "I Can Change". Multiple tracks from the album were listed on Best Songs of 2015 So Far lists by publications including SPIN, NPR, and Mashable. Halfway through 2015, USA Today listed the album as one of the top five best albums of 2015 so far.
The Desired Effect Tour included performances in Europe and North America; it ran through October 1, 2015.
Official solo site: http://www.brandonflowersmusic.com
Official twitter: http://twitter.com/brandonflowers
Official band site: http://www.thekillersmusic.com
Playing With Fire
Brandon Flowers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause there ain't nothing you can do to change my mind
I'm not here to know the things I cannot do
We've seen the outcome of the boys who didn't fly
That road outside that you've been taking home forever
That'll be the same road that I take when I depart
Those charcoal veins that hold this chosen land together
Playing with fire
You know you're gonna hurt somebody tonight
And you're out on the wire
You know you're playing with fire
Perhaps this calling is the channel of invention
I will not blush if others see it as a crime
However dangerous the road, however distant
These things won't compromise the will of the design
Ten thousand demons hammer down with every footstep
Ten thousand angels rush the wind against my back
This church of mine may not be recognized by steeple
But that doesn't mean that I will walk without a God
Rolling river of truth, can you spare me a sip?
The holy fountain of youth has been reduced to a drip
I've got this burning belief in salvation and love
This notion may be naive, but when push comes to shove
I will till this ground
You know you're gonna hurt somebody tonight
(oh, oh, oh)
Out on the wire
And I might not get there
But this little town, this little house,
They seem to be leaning in the wrong direction
I'm not afraid of you no more (oh-oh, oh-oh,)
Playing with fire
You know you're gonna hurt somebody tonight
And you're out on the wire
You know you're playing with fire
(Oh-oh, oh-oh)
The song "Playing With Fire" by Brandon Flowers is clearly about a young person challenging and pushing against their conservative father's expectations and traditions. The opening lyrics "Daddy I'm not gonna tell you that I'm sorry, cause there ain't nothing you can do to change my mind" are a direct confrontation with the father, which sets up the rest of the song to explore this conflict. The singer sees their father's way of life as a road that goes nowhere and wants to forge their own path. They believe that to truly live, they must take risks, even if it means playing with fire and hurting people in the process.
Despite their recklessness, the lyrics also suggest that the singer is not entirely without a moral compass. They see their creative impulse as a kind of "calling" that they cannot ignore, even if it means being seen as criminal or dangerous. They also affirm their belief in a "salvation and love" that will ultimately bring them to a better place. But, even with these convictions, they know that they might not succeed in their quest, that their town and their home are perhaps not the right place for them. Nevertheless, they cannot help but play with fire.
Overall, the song speaks to the generational tension between the young and the old, the values of tradition versus the desire for adventure and self-discovery. It is a powerful and emotional track that captures the angst and restlessness of youth.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy I'm not gonna tell you that I'm sorry
I will not express remorse for my actions to my father
Cause there ain't nothing you can do to change my mind
My father cannot alter my decisions
I'm not here to know the things I cannot do
I have not come to learn what I cannot do
We've seen the outcome of the boys who didn't fly
I have observed the consequences faced by those who do not take risks
That road outside that you've been taking home forever
The path my father has followed for a long time
That'll be the same road that I take when I depart
I will also travel on that road when I leave
Those charcoal veins that hold this chosen land together
The roads that connect this specific place
May twist and turn but somewhere deep there is a heart
Although the roads may be winding, there is a center to this place
Playing with fire
Engaging in risky behavior
You know you're gonna hurt somebody tonight
Awareness that their actions may harm others
And you're out on the wire
Taking a chance despite the risk involved
Perhaps this calling is the channel of invention
This pursuit may lead to creativity
I will not blush if others see it as a crime
I will not feel embarrassed if society disapproves of my actions
However dangerous the road, however distant
Despite the potential danger and distance of this path
These things won't compromise the will of the design
I will not be deterred from my goal
Ten thousand demons hammer down with every footstep
Obstacles seem to constantly appear
Ten thousand angels rush the wind against my back
Positive forces are also present
This church of mine may not be recognized by steeple
My beliefs may not align with traditional religion
But that doesn't mean that I will walk without a God
Despite this, I still maintain my faith
Rolling river of truth, can you spare me a sip?
Asking for guidance and wisdom
The holy fountain of youth has been reduced to a drip
The sources of inspiration and renewal are scarce
I've got this burning belief in salvation and love
I strongly believe in salvation and love
This notion may be naive, but when push comes to shove
Acknowledging that my beliefs may be considered naive
I will till this ground
I will continue to work hard
And I might not get there
Success is not guaranteed
But this little town, this little house,
The local community I am a part of
They seem to be leaning in the wrong direction
The community is not moving in a positive direction
I'm not afraid of you no more
I am not scared of the challenges ahead
Playing with fire
Engaging in risky behavior
You know you're gonna hurt somebody tonight
Awareness that their actions may harm others
And you're out on the wire
Taking a chance despite the risk involved
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRANDON FLOWERS, DANIEL ROLAND LANOIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind