It was named "Song of the Decade" by UK radio stations Absolute Radio and XFM, and in April 2010 Last.fm revealed that it was the most listened to track since the launch of the online music service, with over 12.2 million plays scrobbled. It held the record until 2020 when BTS broke the record with "Boy With Luv".
In October 2010, it was voted ninth in the Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 21st Century so far by Total Guitar magazine. It is The Killers' best-selling song in the US where it has sold over 3 million copies.
Lyrically, Mr. Brightside depicts the jealousy and paranoia of a male who suspects his significant other is deliberately cheating on him. The song is inspired by an unfaithful ex-girlfriend of frontman Brandon Flowers. Dave Keuning composed the verses to this song before meeting Flowers, Flowers wrote lyrics and composed the chorus after hearing Dave's ideas.
In the November of the year 2001, the group had recorded Mr. Brightside along with three other demos including Desperate, Replaceable, and Under the Gun at Mike Sak's Kill the Messenger Studio in Henderson, Nevada.
They handed out this demo for free during their shows in the year 2002. The song was first officially released in 2003, and achieved more success when it was re-released in 2004.
Mr. Brightside
The Killers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleepAnd she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
And I just can't look, it's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
I'm coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?(It was only a kiss), it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
'Cause I just can't look, it's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibi
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
I never
I never
I never
I never
The song Mr. Brightside by the American rock band The Killers starts with the lines "coming out of my cage, and I've been doing just fine" which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer has been in a relationship with a woman who has cheated on him, and he is grappling with feelings of jealousy, betrayal, and heartache. He wants it all, but he can't have it, and he is struggling to come to terms with what has happened. The lines "it started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this, it was only a kiss" convey a sense of nostalgia, regret, and confusion. The singer is trying to understand what went wrong and how things got so out of hand.
The chorus of the song, "jealousy, turning saints into the sea, swimming through sick lullabies, choking on your alibis, but it's just the price I pay, destiny is calling me, open up my eager eyes 'cause I'm Mr. Brightside" brings out the underlying theme of the song. The singer is struggling with his jealousy and how it's eating him up inside. He is trying to overcome his jealousy, recognize his preconceptions about love, and move on in his life. The song's colloquial feel, narrative structure, and catchy melody have made it a classic of the indie rock genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Coming out of my cage
I am finally breaking free from my restraints and allowing myself to live my life.
And I've been doing just fine
I have been successful in carving out a happy life for myself despite past struggles.
Gotta gotta be down
I must remain humble and grounded in my pursuit of my goals.
Because I want it all
I am motivated by my desire to experience all possible aspects of life and achieve everything I dream of.
It started out with a kiss
My current situation began with a seemingly insignificant moment.
How did it end up like this?
I am confused and unsure about how my situation has spiraled out of control.
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
The cause of my current pain is simply a fleeting moment, but the consequences are severe.
Now I'm falling asleep
Despite the adrenaline and stress of my situation, I am becoming mentally exhausted.
And she's calling a cab
My love interest is leaving the scene with someone else, probably to start a new romantic encounter.
While he's having a smoke
The person my love interest left with is casually enjoying a cigarette, seemingly unfazed by their actions.
And she's taking a drag
Even though my love interest has left with someone else, I cannot shake the mental image of her smoking a cigarette.
Now they're going to bed
My love interest and the person she left with are most likely sharing a bed, and my mind is tormented by this thought.
And my stomach is sick
My emotions are getting the best of me and causing physical symptoms of nausea and discomfort.
And it's all in my head
None of the scenarios I am imagining are actually happening, and my mental state is the cause of my pain.
But she's touching his chest now
In my mind, my love interest is being intimate with the person she left with, and this thought is unbearable.
He takes off her dress now
The imaginary scenario playing out in my head is becoming more vivid and detailed, making it harder to bear.
Let me go
I am begging my mind to release me from this tormenting mental state.
And I just can't look, it's killing me
The pain and mental anguish I am experiencing are causing me to avert my eyes and avoid the situation altogether.
And taking control
Despite my attempts to regain control of my thoughts, I feel as though this mental state is consuming me and taking over my life.
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
The powerful emotion of jealousy has the ability to change even the most virtuous individuals and make them act on their worst impulses.
Swimming through sick lullabies
Jealousy is a sickening and depressing mental state that forces one to constantly replay their fears and anxieties in their mind.
Choking on your alibis
The person I am jealous of is likely making excuses or coming up with justifications for their actions, making it harder for me to accept the situation.
But it's just the price I pay
The emotional toll and pain I am feeling are just the consequences of my choice to allow myself to love and be vulnerable.
Destiny is calling me
I feel as though my fate or some greater force is trying to send me a message or guide me towards a new path.
Open up my eager eyes
I am hoping to gain a new perspective or understanding of my situation by looking at it more closely and being receptive to new ideas.
'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
Despite the challenges and pain I am experiencing, I choose to remain positive and hopeful, looking for the bright side in every situation.
I never
The repetition of this word is likely a lyric choice to emphasize a feeling of regret or missed opportunity.
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
Ed sharron
@gustavomejia421
Coming out of my cage and I've been doing just fine
Gotta, gotta be down because I want it all
It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep and she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke and she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed and my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head, but she's touching his
[Pre-Chorus]
Chest now, he takes off her dress now
Letting me go
I just can't look, it's killing me
And taking control
[Chorus]
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies, choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay, destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes, 'cause I'm Mr. Brightside
[Instrumental]
[Verse 2]
I'm coming out of my cage and I've been doing just fine
Gotta, gotta be down because I want it all
It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep and she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke and she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed and my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head, but she's touching his
[Pre-Chorus]
Chest now, he takes off her dress now
Letting me go
'Cause I just can't look, it's killing me
And taking control
[Chorus]
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies, choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay, destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes, 'cause I'm Mr. Brightside
[Outro]
I never
I never
I never
I never
@dianaroman4556
Lyrics
Coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest
Now, he takes off her dress
Now, let me go
I just can't look its killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
Cause I'm Mr Brightside
I'm coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest
Now, he takes off her dress
Now, let me go
'Cause I just can't look its killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibi
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr Brightside
I never
I never
I never
I never
@michaelposadas7935
Coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
And I just can't look, it's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
I'm coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
(It was only a kiss), it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
'Cause I just can't look, it's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibi
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
I never
I never
I never
I never
@shav7134
This is one of those songs that u don't remember listening to for the first time but u still remember it years and years later
@idraw600
Shav OC ikr
@GravityDontMeanTooMuchTooMe
Yeah I don't remember listening to it yet it feels so familiar helpp
@Bacondya
@@GravityDontMeanTooMuchTooMe actuals like i knew the lyrics right away!
@lauramayfield5410
so true!!
@KristenASMR373
I still remember the first time I heard this song! Laying on my grandma’s bed listening to my transistor radio, heard it for the first time and been my favorite song since 😍
@Danny-gb2kj
This song is a timeless classic, I don't think anyone will ever get bored of it .
@emojiemotions7733
I've had it on repeat CONSTANTLY!
@pansyxo6775
Agreed