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)
Joyride
The Killers Lyrics
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Stranded on the freeway burning with desire
She was on the sidewalk looking for a night light
We talked about the real things
And drove into the fire
Headlights on the highway
The desert wind is howling
Rattlesnakes and romance
Candy apple red dress
Bleeding when she kissed me
Heaven in a rag top
Take away my pain
[Chorus]
When your chips are down
When your highs are low
Joyride
Move across the night
Like a separate wind
Pulled up to a motel
"Vacancy" was buzzing
Pink and dirty neon
Settle on the hood
Wrap your arms around me
Come a little closer
Stumble in the twilight
And fell onto the floor
Loving Mona Lisa
Dreaming of the free world
Lipstick on the nightstand
And demons at the door
[Chorus]
When your hopes and dreams
Lose the will to go
Joyride
Reaching for the light
Knowing we can't win
There's something in the distance
A glorious existence
A simple celebration
A place you've never been before
Tell me that you wanna go
Reaching for the light
Knowing we can't win
When your chips are down
When your highs are low
Joyride
All your hopes and dreams
All you need to know
Joyride
The Killers' "Joyride" is a song full of vivid imagery and a sense of adventure. The first verse sets the scene of the desert as the sun is setting, with the singer of the song and their love interest driving on the highway in search of something exciting. The second verse continues the momentum, as they pull up to a motel and stumble into the night, with the neon lights and Mona Lisa all adding to the sense of excitement and danger. The chorus reiterates the idea that the characters are on a joyride, which is perhaps an emotional escape from the mundane and the lows of life.
What makes this song interesting is the way that the lyrics are able to create a narrative and setting in just a few lines. The descriptions of the desert wind, the candy apple red dress, and the rundown motel all paint a picture that feels both specific and yet universal. The chorus also has a sense of grandeur and expansiveness, with the idea that a joyride can take you on a journey to places you've never been before. Overall, "Joyride" captures the feeling of youthful recklessness and the thrill of the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
It's getting close to sundown over the Sierra
The sun is setting as we drive along the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Stranded on the freeway burning with desire
We're stuck in traffic, but still filled with longing.
She was on the sidewalk looking for a night light
A woman we saw was searching for a place to go at night.
We talked about the real things
Our conversation was genuine and honest.
And drove into the fire
We willingly headed towards danger and excitement.
Headlights on the highway
We were driving at night with bright lights on.
The desert wind is howling
The wind in the desert was blowing fiercely.
Rattlesnakes and romance
The situation was both dangerous and romantic.
Is filling with the rain
Rain was starting to fall and the atmosphere was becoming surreal.
Candy apple red dress
The woman we saw was wearing a bright red dress.
Bleeding when she kissed me
The woman's red lipstick smeared when she kissed me passionately.
Heaven in a rag top
Our convertible car felt like heaven as we drove around.
Take away my pain
The thrill of the moment made us forget our troubles.
When your chips are down
When you're facing difficulties.
When your highs are low
When you're feeling low despite having had good times in the past.
Move across the night
Travel through the night with a sense of freedom and adventure.
Like a separate wind
Move independently and freely like the wind.
Pulled up to a motel
We arrived at a motel.
"Vacancy" was buzzing
The motel had a "vacancy" sign lit up.
Pink and dirty neon
The neon sign of the motel was pinkish in color and looked old and dirty.
Settle on the hood
We stood near the car's hood and settled in for a moment.
Wrap your arms around me
Embrace me.
Come a little closer
Move closer towards me.
Stumble in the twilight
The lighting was dim and we were walking unsteadily.
And fell onto the floor
We lost balance and fell on the ground.
Loving Mona Lisa
Loving a beautiful woman like the painting of Mona Lisa.
Dreaming of the free world
Dreaming of a world without worries and stress.
Lipstick on the nightstand
The woman's lipstick was on the nightstand.
And demons at the door
The reality of our worries and fears waiting for us to face them.
When your hopes and dreams
When you lose hope.
Lose the will to go
Lose the motivation to continue your journey.
Reaching for the light
Trying to find a way to get back on track.
Knowing we can't win
Realizing that the situation is difficult and there's no easy way out.
There's something in the distance
There's a sense of something interesting and exciting far away.
A glorious existence
An amazing life that's out there waiting to be lived.
A simple celebration
A moment of happiness and joy in a simple way.
A place you've never been before
An unfamiliar and exciting place to discover.
Tell me that you wanna go
Expressing the desire to go on an adventure together.
All your hopes and dreams
Everything you want in life.
All you need to know
The only thing that truly matters.
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