When You Were Young
The Killers(殺手樂團) Lyrics


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You sit there in your heartache
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
Like you imagined when you were young

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
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

Overall Meaning

The song "When You Were Young" by The Killers seems to speak about the longing for the past, the desire for a savior figure, and the need for forgiveness. The lyrics tell the story of someone who is in pain and misery, waiting for a "beautiful boy" to save them from their old ways. The use of the imagery of waiting in heartache and playing forgiveness suggests someone who is stuck in the past, unable to move on. The line "here he comes" hints at the arrival of someone who could change things.


The chorus of the song appears to be one of hope and optimism. The singer seems to suggest that they can climb a mountain, but they're unsure of whether they can do it. They acknowledge that the task will be difficult, but they believe they can make it if they take things slow. The phrase "burning down the highway skyline" creates a sense of urgency and excitement, suggesting that they are on a mission to make their lives better. The line "when you were young" is repeated several times, indicating that they are looking back to a time when they were happy and carefree.


The song's bridge provides an interesting twist to the narrative, as the singer talks about the devil's water, suggesting that temptation is always present. The suggestion that one can dip their feet into the water every once in a while refers to the idea that one can indulge in their vices but only in moderation. The line "more than you'll ever know" suggests that the "beautiful boy" who is coming to save them might not be perfect, but he is still better than anything they've ever known.


Line by Line Meaning

You sit there in your heartache
You are wallowing in emotional pain


Waiting on some beautiful boy to
You're hoping for a savior, someone you find physically attractive


To save your from your old ways
You're seeking to escape from your past behavior


You play forgiveness
You forgive easily


Watch it now, here he comes
Be alert, someone is approaching


He doesn't look a thing like Jesus
He's not religious iconography


But he talks like a gentlemen
He has good manners and is polite


Like you imagined when you were young
He is what you once idealized in your childhood


Can we climb this mountain
Can we overcome this obstacle


I don't know
I'm not sure


Higher now than ever before
We've gone further up than before


I know we can make it if we take it slow
I'm confident we can reach the top if we proceed at a comfortable pace


Let's take it easy
Let's not rush


Easy now, watch it go
Take it slow and steady


We're burning down the highway skyline
Driving fast and recklessly on the highway, leaving everything behind


On the back of a hurricane that started turning
Riding the momentum of a powerful force that has been unleashed


When you were young
In the past when you were more carefree


And sometimes you close your eyes
You reminisce and daydream about your past


And see the place where you Used to live
Remembering the location where you once resided


They say the devil's water - it ain't so sweet
Referring to something tempting, but dangerous and potentially harmful if indulged in excessively


You don't have to drink right now
You don't have to give in to temptation at this moment


But you can dip your feet
You can experience a little bit of it


Every once in a little while
Occasionally and in moderation


He doesn't look a thing like Jesus
He's not a religious figure


But he talks like a gentlemen
He communicates politely


Like you imagined when you were young
Just like how you dreamed of men when you were younger


When you were young
In that distant past




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JUSTIN CURRIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@OnYourSquare

It only took 50 rewatches before I realized the story plays out in reverse!

(4:38) She new in town. He gives her a job at the bar.

(4:57) The band know she's just made HORRIBLE mistake!

(4:28) It's implied he fires the other girl.

(3:49) He finally realizes how attractive she is.

(3:08) Between that and the next, they get married and move in together.

(2:30) While she's in church, he cheats on her with the chick from the bar.

(0:58) Distraught, she contemplates suicide.

(0:37) He frantically searches for her.

(1:08) He arrives too !ate. She dies.



All comments from YouTube:

@jlovely8902

My boyfriend who passed away a few weeks ago sang this song when we were at a bar doing karaoke one night. Since he sang it that night, I had been trying to figure out the name of it; I finally came across it tonight. The song has so much meaning to me. We were together for five years and were both young when he sung this song. Now I just watch the video of him in my phone when he sang this song that night at the bar, wishing he was still alive, wishing that we could go back in time to when we were young. R.I.P. Chris, I'll always love you.

@highimmegan6242

Praying for your heart dear❤️

@alyssafoster4765

So sorry, you had to go through that

@jlovely8902

Thank you ❤️

@jasongary1609

Sorry for your loss rip

@Shadow-yh4dj

Im really sorry to hear that. May he rest in peace.

708 More Replies...

@themoley91

"Sometimes you close your eyes and see the place where you used to live" kills me every time

@SaraFJones

💕💕💕

@darrenpayne5577

It's nothing like being young nd having no worries

@xanderdevos2544

That's why they are The Killers

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