1. The Killers is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists using this name:
1. The Killers is an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2001.
They got the name from the fictional band The Killers in the video for New Order's song Crystal.
As of 2021, the band has released six studio albums, which have sold 28 million records worldwide.
The Early Years
Initially, The Killers played at large clubs in Las Vegas. With the band's line-up stable and their repertoire of songs expanding, the band began to attract attention from talent bookers, local agents, major label, scouts — and a UK representative for Warner Bros. Though the Warner Bros representative passed on the band, he took the demo back with him, showing it to a friend who worked at UK (London-based) indie label Lizard King Records (now Marrakesh Records). The Killers then signed in the summer of 2002 to a British label.
Hot Fuss
They released their debut album Hot Fuss on June 2004 in the United Kingdom and US (on Island Records). Their first single was Somebody Told Me. The band also had chart success with their singles Mr. Brightside, which reached the Top 10 in the UK when released, and All These Things That I've Done.
Sam's Town
The band started recording its second album, Sam's Town, on February 15, 2006, at The Palms Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas. It was released on October 2006.
The first single, When You Were Young debuted on radio stations in late July 2006. In late August 2006, it was offered as a downloadable track before the album's debut. The single then entered the chart on downloads alone at #5, and the following week on its official release went to #2 in the UK.
The video clip of the second single, Bones, was directed by Tim Burton.
The third single was Read My Mind. The video for it was filmed in Tokyo, Japan.
The last one was For Reasons Unknown, released in June, 2007.
The album sold over 700,000 copies worldwide in the first week of release, with a No. 2 debut on the United World chart.
Sawdust Compilation
The compilation album Sawdust, containing B-sides, rarities, and some new material, was released on November 12, 2007.
The album's first single Tranquilize, a collaboration with Lou Reed, was released on October 2007. The band also released their cover of Joy Division's song Shadowplay on the U.S. iTunes Store. The album contains songs Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town (a The First Edition cover), Romeo and Juliet (a Dire Straits cover), and a new version of Move Away (previously available on the Spider-Man 3 soundtrack). One of the tracks on Sawdust is Leave the Bourbon On The Shelf, the first but previously unreleased part of the so called Murder Trilogy, in which it is followed by Midnight Show then Jenny Was a Friend of Mine.
(Red) Christmas EP
In 2006 Songfacts reported that The Killers were recognized for their work with Bono's Product Red campaign, which is dedicated to fighting AIDS in Africa.
In the same year they have released their first Christmas themed song and music video, A Great Big Sled in aid of the charity, followed by Don't Shoot Me Santa on December 1, 2007.
Their festive tunes have subsequently became an annual event and (Red) Christmas EP intended to raise money for the Product Red campaign on November 29, 2011.
Day & Age
The third album Day & Age was released on 25th November 2008 (24th November for the UK).
The album's first single Human was debuted on 22nd September and on the 30th September, the single was made available on iTunes, with many radio DJ's suggesting it was the best single by The Killers yet.
Killers frontman Brandon Flowers said (in December 2008) that he thinks that his band "will be bigger than U2 eventually, and sooner than you might think". He told The Daily Telegraph that "U2 are unbelievable, but they're getting old. It feels like it's time".
The album was reviewed at Silent Soundwaves.
Battle Born
The band was on hiatus, but returned to the studio to record their fourth studio album in early 2011. Songfacts reported that Runaways, the first single from the new album, was released on July 10, 2012.
The Killers' fourth studio album, Battle Born, was released on 18 September 2012.
It took 15 months to record it. The band began working on it after they took a touring break for a little over a year. The album had five producers, with The Killers producing one song by themselves, The Rising Tide.
The debut single was Runaways, followed by Miss Atomic Bomb and Here with Me.
Wonderful Wonderful
In 2015, Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning began to discuss recording a fifth studio album. The band recorded the album between September 2016 and May 2017, with production by Jacknife Lee. Band members Dave Keuning and Mark Stoermer both announced that they would take a break from touring. The Killers' fifth studio album, Wonderful Wonderful, was released on September 22, 2017, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200. Stoermer
Imploding the Mirage
On November 15, 2019, the Killers announced their sixth studio album titled Imploding the Mirage for a Spring 2020 release. On March 12, 2020, the album's lead single "Caution" was released, featuring a guitar solo by former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. Buckingham said of the band, "There’s such a strong center to what they’re doing. Their material is so well crafted that it cuts across a lot of generational lines." Brandon Flowers also confirmed that guitarist Dave Keuning was still on hiatus and did not participate in recording the album. On April 25, 2020, "Caution" reached number one on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, setting a record of 13 years and 6 months since the band's last number-one song on the chart.
The Killers' sixth studio album, " Imploding the Mirage" was released on August 21, 2020. It debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200.
Influences
Much of The Killers' music is based on British influences and on the music of the 1980s, particularly New Wave. Flowers has also said in interviews that the larger-than-life sound of many of the band's songs is due to the influence of living in Las Vegas, a city where everything is about flash and who can top whom. They appreciate post-punk bands that sprang up during the 80's such as Joy Division, and they are also avowed fans of New Order (with whom Flowers has performed live), Pet Shop Boys, Dire Straits, David Bowie, The Smiths, Morrissey, Depeche Mode, U2, Queen, Oasis and The Beatles. Their second album was said to be greatly influenced by Bruce Springsteen's music and lyrics.
Their line-up is:
Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards),
Dave Keuning (guitar, backing vocals),
Mark Stoermer (bass guitar, backing vocals),
Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion).
2. The Killers was an Uruguayan rock band from the early 1970s which released an album Good Bye in 1972.
3. The Killers was an American hardcore band from Chicago, IL, from the 1990s founded by former members of Charles Bronson.
They released records on Hater of God and Gloom, and had split records with A.P.B. & 9 Shocks Terror.
Reminds of Behead The Prophet No Lord Shall Live meets The Oath.
4. The Killers (aka Insanity and The Killers) was an American band from Cleveland, Ohio. They released one 7″ on Huh? Oh? in 1981.
5. The Killers was a British punk rock band from England formed in 1977 (though released their first 7", I Don't Care, as Joe Cool & The Killers).
In 1978 they released their one and only album called Killer; by then they had dropped the Joe Cool and released the record under this name.
6. The Killers was a Brazilian garage rock band that released one album in 1964 titled The Killers. The band members were João Bosco (drums), Luiz Carlos (bass guitar), João Carlos (lead guitar), and Gustavo (rhythm guitar)
Battle Born
The Killers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You walk around like a ghost
Your star-spangled heart
Took a train for the coast
When you shine you're a hilltop mansion
So how'd you lose the light?
Was it blown by the wind
You're up against the wall
Up against the wall
There's something dying on the street
When they knock you down
You're gonna get back on your feet
('Cause you can't stop now)
I always saw you as a kind of keeper
A mother to a child
But your boys have grown soft
And your girls have gone wild
From the Blue Ridge to the Black Hills
To the Redwood sky
The season may pass
But the dream doesn't die
Now don't you drop the ball
Up against the wall
There's something dying on the street
When they knock you down
You're gonna get back on your feet
('Cause you can't stop now)
And when they break your heart
And when they cause your soul to mourn
Remember what I said
Boy, you was battle born
('Cause you can't stop now)
You was battle born
When the night falls on the land
Are you haunted by the sound?
It's gonna take more than a hand
To turn this thing around
Won't you lean it on me?
Rescue, set me free
Up against the wall (up against the wall)
There's something dying on the street
When they knock you down (up against the wall)
You're gonna get back on your feet
'Cause you can't stop now ('cause you can't stop now)
And did they break your heart? (Did they break your heart?)
And did they cause your soul to mourn?
Remember what I said (remember what I said)
Boy, you was battle born (you were battle born)
'Cause you can't stop now ('cause you can't stop now)
Come on, show your face (come on, show your face)
Come on, give us one more spark (give us one more spark)
We'll sing your song of fire (sing your song of fire)
Unless we fall into the dark (fall into the dark)
'Cause you can't stop now ('cause you can't stop now)
You never live, you never learn
You never shine if you never burn
A rising tide, the undertow
The famine and the overflow
Well, turn away, welcome home
The lyrics to The Killers' song "Battle Born" are about perseverance in the face of adversity. The opening lines suggest that the person has lost faith in humanity and feels like a ghost. However, their "star-spangled heart" (representing their patriotism and resilience) hasn't completely died; they've taken a train to the coast, suggesting a new start or fresh beginning. The next lines compare the person to a hilltop mansion that has lost its light. This metaphor suggests that the person has potential, but something has dampened their spirits. The refrain "up against the wall" repeated throughout the song is another metaphor for being in a tight spot or facing a challenge.
The song then references the person's past, "mother to a child," and how they used to be a keeper or protector. However, their boys (representing the men in their life) have grown soft and their girls (representing the women in their life) have gone wild. This line may suggest that the person's past experiences have led to disappointment or loss, but they haven't given up on their dream. The last stanza begs for someone to lean on, rescue them, and set them free. The entire song encourages perseverance, reminding the person that they were "battle born" and that they can't stop now.
Line by Line Meaning
You lost faith in the human spirit
You stopped believing in the goodness of people
You walk around like a ghost
You move around without any real purpose or passion
Your star-spangled heart
Your heart is full of love and pride for your country
Took a train for the coast
You left everything you knew behind and headed towards the seas
When you shine you're a hilltop mansion
Your best moments are full of grandeur and majesty
So how'd you lose the light?
What caused you to lose your positive energy?
Was it blown by the wind
Was it taken away easily and without much resistance?
In the still of the night?
During a time of calm and quiet?
You're up against the wall
You're facing serious problems and difficulties
There's something dying on the street
Something important is being lost or forgotten
When they knock you down
When people try to bring you down or push you around
You're gonna get back on your feet
You will keep fighting and persevering
('Cause you can't stop now)
You are unstoppable and won't give up
I always saw you as a kind of keeper
I remember seeing you as a guardian of the people you cared about
A mother to a child
Someone who protected and nurtured others
But your boys have grown soft
The people you care about have started to become weaker and more vulnerable
And your girls have gone wild
Those you're responsible for have started to behave recklessly and without care
From the Blue Ridge to the Black Hills
From the eastern mountains to the western mountains
To the Redwood sky
To the vast and towering redwood trees
The season may pass
Time may keep moving forward
But the dream doesn't die
Your hopes and aspirations will keep burning strong
Now don't you drop the ball
Don't give up or let yourself down
And when they break your heart
And when people hurt you emotionally
And when they cause your soul to mourn
And when you feel deep sadness and despair
Remember what I said
Remember my words of encouragement
Boy, you was battle born
You have always been a fighter, born for this struggle
('Cause you can't stop now)
You are unstoppable and won't give up
When the night falls on the land
At times when darkness and uncertainty descend on us
Are you haunted by the sound?
Do you feel a sense of fear or dread?
It's gonna take more than a hand
It will require more than a helping hand to fix things
To turn this thing around
To change the course of events and improve the situation
Won't you lean it on me?
Can I help support you through this?
Rescue, set me free
Help rescue me from my own problems
('Cause you can't stop now)
You are unstoppable and won't give up
Come on, show your face
Don't hide from the world, reveal yourself
Come on, give us one more spark
Provide us with one last burst of energy and passion
We'll sing your song of fire
We'll celebrate your strength, courage, and vitality
Unless we fall into the dark
Unless we fail to overcome the challenges we face
('Cause you can't stop now)
You are unstoppable and won't give up
You never live, you never learn
If you never truly experience or try things, you'll never grow as a person
You never shine if you never burn
You won't achieve great things if you don't put in the hard work and effort
A rising tide, the undertow
Both the push and pull of life's forces are at play here
The famine and the overflow
Both scarcity and abundance may come and go
Well, turn away, welcome home
Sometimes you need to leave situations that don't serve you, and find your way back to where you belong
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patty Theiss
on Mr. Brightside
Ed sharron