Indie Rock & Roll
The Killers Lyrics


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Glamorous
Indie rock'n'roll is what I want
It's in my soul, it's what I need
Indie rock'n'roll, it's time
Two of us
Flipping through a thrift store magazine
She plays the drums, I'm on tambourine
Bet your bottom dollar on me

It's indie rock'n'roll for me
It's indie rock'n'roll for me
It's all I need
It's indie rock'n'roll for me

In a clutch
I'm talking every word for all the boys
Electric girls with worn down toys
Make it up, break it up, what do you care
Oh what do you care?

I take my twist with a shout
A coffee shop with a cause, then I'll freak you out
No sex, no drugs, no rock, no roll

When it comes today

Stay if you wanna love me, stay
Oh don't be shy, let's cause a scene
Like lovers do on silver screens
Let's make it yeah, we'll cause a scene

It's indie rock'n'roll for me
It's indie rock'n'roll for me
It's all I need
It's indie rock'n'roll for me

In a clutch
I'm talking every word for all the boys
It's all I need
Make it up, break it up, what do you care
It's indie rock'n'roll for me

Two of us, flipping through a thrift store magazine
Indie rock'n'roll for me
It's all I need



Makin' up, breakin' up, what do you care?
It's indie rock'n'roll for me, ow

Overall Meaning

The Killers’ “Indie Rock & Roll” is an anthem to the band's love and passion for the indie rock scene. The song is told from the perspective of a musician who is obsessed with indie rock and roll. It is all he wants, and it feels like it is part of his soul. The lines "Glamorous, Indie rock’n’roll is what I want," and "It's in my soul, it's what I need," establish the main theme of the song.


The song goes on to describe the musician's experiences with other musicians who share his passion for indie rock. They flip through thrift store magazines, play in a band together, and perform on the silver screen like rock stars. The lines "Two of us, flipping through a thrift store magazine, she plays the drums, I'm on tambourine" and "let's cause a scene like lovers do on silver screens" perfectly paint a picture of the indie rock scene in the band's own way.


The song is a straightforward declaration of The Killers' love for indie rock and roll, and their belief in pursuing their passion no matter what. The band encourages their listeners to follow their own dreams and passions on their own terms.


Line by Line Meaning

Glamorous
The singer finds the lifestyle of indie rock musicians to be exciting and attractive.


Indie rock'n'roll is what I want
The singer has a strong desire for the independent rock music scene and culture.


It's in my soul, it's what I need
The singer feels a deep connection to indie rock and believes it is necessary for their well-being.


Indie rock'n'roll, it's time
The artist believes that it is the right moment to embrace indie rock, possibly as a reaction to mainstream music.


Two of us, flipping through a thrift store magazine
The artist and a companion are casually browsing through old magazines in a vintage clothing store.


She plays the drums, I'm on tambourine
The singer and their companion are interested in forming a band and have already picked their respective instruments.


Bet your bottom dollar on me
The singer is confident in their abilities as a musician and is willing to make a bet on their success.


I take my twist with a shout
The artist likes to dance energetically and expressively to the music they enjoy.


A coffee shop with a cause, then I'll freak you out
The artist enjoys going to coffee shops that support social causes and is passionate about those issues. They may also be fond of taking others by surprise.


No sex, no drugs, no rock, no roll
The artist is possibly mocking common stereotypes of rock music and is emphasizing that they appreciate the genre for other reasons.


Stay if you wanna love me, stay
The singer is inviting someone to stay with them and embrace their passion for indie rock, perhaps suggesting that it is a crucial part of their identity.


Oh don't be shy, let's cause a scene
The artist wants to have an exciting and memorable experience with their companion, possibly referring to the chaotic nature of rock concerts.


Like lovers do on silver screens
The singer is referencing romantic scenes from movies and implying that their relationship with their companion can be similarly dramatic and intense.


Let's make it yeah, we'll cause a scene
The singer wants to create a memorable and exciting experience with their companion, possibly at a concert or other event.


It's all I need
The singer feels that indie rock is essential for their happiness and fulfillment.


Makin' up, breakin' up, what do you care?
The artist questions why anyone else would be concerned with the ups and downs of their passion for indie rock.


It's indie rock'n'roll for me, ow
The artist reiterates their unwavering commitment to indie rock and expresses their enthusiasm for it.




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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Comments from YouTube:

Mari C

Edit We are now getting married this year ❤

This song always reminded me of the boyfriend I had when I was 16. I remember the day I met him like the back of my hand- we liked each other right away, before we even spoke we were infatuated with one another. We were a force together- reckless kids running about, getting in trouble and having the time of our lives. I was so heartbroken when we broke up, but we were young and dumb. None the less, as we went our own ways, we remained friends. Even as I moved away from home for a decade, we stayed friends at a distance. In those years, I would hear this song and it would make me think of him- I'd feel warm, happy and home. The song would spark a memory of us, 16 yo rebellious teens "flipping through a thrift store magazine".

When I returned home at age 28, our paths crossed again. To my surprise, my heart and stomach knew no time between... he would enter the room and my heart would pound and my stomach fluttered- just like they had when we were young. We could spend hours talking about anything and nothing, like not a day went by since we were close. It turns out he still felt that same old flame between us as well. We happened to both be single, so we went with it. We are still together today, and happier than I knew possible. All that time in between growing up on our own paths made us an even better match. I love this song endlessly, it takes me to a different lifetime when I loved the love of my life for the first time.

Evandro Martins

You're so lucky! Didnt everybody get the same happy end.

Sr Leo

Loved that love story, Now I still believe in love🥺! Wish you the best and long live The Killers!

Colin O'Briant

This is so much better than I remember it being.

MT07 - POV

Ozzy DcAwesome Exactly what I was thinking, about 5-6 years since I heard this.

DruMaLong

this is much worse i remember it being

ilikecakeandbiscuits

Maybe you heard the other version before?

Jens

Exactly why I looked this song up man

Random Dude

Colin O'Briant there’s another version that sucks out there so maybe that’s why

7 More Replies...

chelsea jablonski

Forever in love with the killers. Their music is honestly so incredible, and so different

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