Brandon Flowers elucidated the song’s meaning in a track-by-track guide to the album:
"This was kicking around for a long time and then at the last minute we added some acoustic guitars and it really made it feel like the desert, which all ties right into the album. It’s like Talking Heads and Johnny Cash. I guess it’s like a medal for my father. It’s glorifying the person who does a great job raising his kids, just going to work everyday. A lot of people in bands write about the working stiffs. I wanted to make something that was the opposite, because that’s what my family is and I’m proud of it. My dad is 64 years old, he raised 6 kids and now he’s got 20 grandkids and I guess that’s what the ending of the song is about. When you see him playing with his grandkids he’s a happy man."
Bling
The Killers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You say it's hard enough to live
It's not so bad, it's not so bad
How do you know that you're right?
I awoke on the roadside
In the land of the free ride
And I can't pull it any longer
The sun is beating down my neck
So I ran with the devil
Left a trail of excuses
Like a stone on the water
The elements decide my fate
Watch it go
(Bling)
When I offer you survival
You say it's hard enough to live
Don't tell me that it's over
Stand up for a Tiber more than this
How do you know that you're right?
If you're not nervous anymore
It's not so bad, it's not so bad
I feel my vision slipping in and out of focus
But I'm pushing on for that horizon
I'm pushing on
Now I've got that blowing wind against my face
So you sling rocks at the rip tide
Am I wrong or am I right?
I hit the bottom with a 'huh!'
Quite strange
I get my glory in the desert rain
Watch it go
(I offer you survival!)
When I offer you survival
You say it's hard enough to live
And I'll tell you when it's over
Shut up for a Tiber more than this
How do you know that you're right?
If you're not nervous anymore
It's not so bad, it's not so bad
Higher and higher
We're gonna take it
Down to the wire
We're gonna make it
Out of the fire
Higher and higher
Higher and higher
We're gonna take it
Down to the wire
We're gonna make it
Out of the fire
Higher and higher
Higher and higher
We're gonna take it
Down to the wire
We're gonna make it out
Whoa, oh, oh, higher and higher
It ain't hard to hold
When it shines like gold
You'll remember me
The song "Bling" by The Killers exemplifies the internal struggles of an individual who is going through tough times, and how they choose to face these challenges. The opening lines of the song, "When I offer you survival, you say it's hard enough to live," indicate that the singer is offering help, but the other person opposes it claiming that living in itself is hard. This could mean that the person's life is not easy, but they choose not to take any help handed to them; rather, they prefer a difficult life.
The singer then describes his experiences, waking up on the roadside, in the "land of the free ride," indicating that it is not an easy place to survive. "I ran with the devil, left a trail of excuses," suggests that the singer has made mistakes, which led to his current situation. The phrase "watch it go" could signify that the singer is ready to move on from his mistakes and learn from them.
In the chorus, the singer pleads with the other person to take the help he is offering and not give up. The line "how do you know that you're right" asks the other person to question their decision to refuse help. The song then builds up with the lyrics "Higher and higher, we're gonna take it down to the wire, we're gonna make it out of the fire," implying that the singer is optimistic about the future and that they will emerge from their troubles.
Overall, the song highlights the importance of seeking and accepting help during tough times and not giving up hope. It also underlines the crucial role of positive thinking and perseverance during difficult situations.
Line by Line Meaning
When I offer you survival
When I provide a way for you to survive
You say it's hard enough to live
You say it's difficult to just keep going
It's not so bad, it's not so bad
It's not as bad as you think
How do you know that you're right?
How can you be sure that you are correct?
I awoke on the roadside
I woke up on the side of the road
In the land of the free ride
In a place where you can do what you want
And I can't pull it any longer
I can't continue like this
The sun is beating down my neck
The sun is making it very hot
So I ran with the devil
So I did something dangerous
Left a trail of excuses
Made a number of excuses for myself
Like a stone on the water
As if I am just floating along without direction
The elements decide my fate
I am not in control of what happens to me
Watch it go
See how things play out
(Bling)
A sound effect to indicate the next part of the song
Don't tell me that it's over
Don't give up yet
Stand up for a Tiber more than this
Keep pushing and striving for something better
If you're not nervous anymore
If you are no longer afraid
I feel my vision slipping in and out of focus
I feel as if I am losing my clarity of thought
But I'm pushing on for that horizon
But I am still moving forward, trying to reach my goal
Now I've got that blowing wind against my face
Now, I am facing even more obstacles
So you sling rocks at the rip tide
So you fight against the tide
Am I wrong or am I right?
Am I making a mistake, or am I doing the right thing?
I hit the bottom with a 'huh!'
I hit rock bottom and was surprised
Quite strange
An unusual and unexpected experience
I get my glory in the desert rain
I find my source of pride in difficult situations
Watch it go
See how things play out
(I offer you survival!)
Repeating the earlier line as a reminder
And I'll tell you when it's over
And I will let you know when it truly is finished
Shut up for a Tiber more than this
Keep quiet and keep pushing for something better
Higher and higher
Continuing to push upward
We're gonna take it
We will succeed
Down to the wire
Until the very end
Out of the fire
We will get through our struggles
Whoa, oh, oh
A musical filler
It ain't hard to hold
It's not difficult to keep going
When it shines like gold
When things are going well
You'll remember me
You will remember how I persevered and succeeded
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