"All These Things That I've Done"
The Killers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 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

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
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

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
You're gonna bring yourself down
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 again, 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, hearts)




If you can hold on
If you can hold on

Overall Meaning

"All These Things That I've Done" is a powerful and deeply introspective song, that touches on themes of self-doubt, redemption, and the human struggle for perfection. The song starts with the singer feeling lost and alone, questioning whether there is room for him in the world. He then begins to reflect on his own life, confessing that he is "so much older than I can take", as he grapples with the impermanence of human relationships and the ever-shifting nature of his own identity. Despite this, the singer remains hopeful, expressing a desire to "shine on in the hearts of men" and find meaning in his life.


As the song reaches its climax, the singer pleads for help, aware that he cannot navigate the complexities of the world alone. The song's memorable refrain, "I got soul but I'm not a soldier", captures this sentiment perfectly, encapsulating the struggle of trying to be a good person in a world that often seems indifferent or uncaring. Throughout the song, The Killers use driving guitars and pounding drums to create a sense of urgency and momentum, mirroring the intense emotions that the lyrics elicit.


Line by Line Meaning

When there's nowhere else to run
A desperate situation where there is no escape.


Is there room for one more son
Asking if there is enough space for one more person.


If you can hold on
If you can persevere through a challenging situation.


If you can hold on, hold on
The importance of not giving up and continuing to fight through adversity.


I want to stand up, I want to let go
Desire to break free from current circumstances and be true to oneself.


You know, you know, no you don't, you don't
Acknowledging that some things are beyond one's comprehension or understanding.


I want to shine on in the hearts of men
Aspirations to make a positive impact on others and be remembered positively.


I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand
Searching for purpose and significance even in difficult times.


Another head aches, another heart breaks
The painful reality of life where there always seems to be new struggles and heartache.


I am so much older than I can take
Feeling overwhelmed by the challenges and struggles of life beyond one's age or experience level.


And my affection, well it comes and goes
The unpredictable nature of emotions and the inconsistency of feelings.


I need direction to perfection, no no no no
Desperately seeking guidance and support to navigate life towards a better outcome.


Help me out
A plea for assistance and support from others.


Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Reminding others of their responsibility and obligation to help one another.


Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
Urgent plea to not ignore or overlook someone who is in need of help.


These changes ain't changing me
Resisting change and the fear of losing oneself in the process.


The cold-hearted boy I used to be
Reflecting on one's past self and how far they've come.


You're gonna bring yourself down
Warning of the dangers of self-destructive behavior and choices.


I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
The inner strength and resilience one possesses, even though they are not a fighting machine.


Over and again, last call for sin
The constant temptation to give in to sinful behavior, but recognizing it's the last chance to do so.


While everyone's lost, the battle is won
Acknowledging that although everyone feels lost, the fight has already been won.


With all these things that I've done
Looking back on all the things accomplished and overcome.


Time, truth, hearts
The important things in life that truly matter.


If you can hold on
The importance of not giving up and continuing to persevere through difficult times.


If you can hold on
Encouraging the listener to continue holding on to hope and not give up.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRANDON FLOWERS, DAVE BRENT KEUNING, MARK AUGUST STOERMER, RONNIE JR. VANNUCCI

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

@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



All comments from YouTube:

@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.

130 More Replies...

@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.

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