In an interview with Chicago radio station Q101, lead vocalist Brandon Flowers called Read My Mind "the best song he has ever written". This is also seen by critics as one of the best, if not the best, Killers song to date.
Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe (of Pet Shop Boys) saw The Killers in concert at Brixton Academy at the end of November 2006, where the idea of a remix for Read My Mind was discussed between the two parties. The resulting remix, Pet Shop Boys 'Stars are blazing' mix, featuring additional vocals by Tennant and Lowe, is one of the B-sides for the single, and is featured on the Pet Shop Boys album Disco Four.
This song was released as part of an iTunes EP on February 13, 2007, featuring an acoustic version and two remixes. It was also released as the third single from Sam's Town in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2007.
In 2009 it was voted at Number 57 in UK radio station XFM's '100 Greatest Songs of All Time'.
The same year it was voted at Number 71 on another UK Radio Station Absolute Radio's 100 Best Songs Of The Decade.
Read My Mind
The Killers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just tryna keep it in line
You say you wanna move on and
You say I'm fallin' behind
Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
I never really gave up onBreakin' out of this two-star town
I got the green light, I got a little fight
I'm gonna turn this thing around
Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
The good old days, the honest man
The restless heart, the Promised Land
A subtle kiss that no one sees
A broken wrist and a big trapeze
Oh well, I don't mind if you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine
Before you go
Can you read my mind?
It's funny how you just break down
Waitin' on some sign
I pull up to the front of your driveway
With magic soakin' my spine
Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
The teenage queen, the loaded gun
The drop dead dream, the Chosen One
A southern drawl, a world unseen
A city wall and a trampolineOh well, I don't mind if you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine
Before you jump
Tell me what you find
Can you read my mind?
Slippin' in my faith until I fall
He never returned that call
Woman, open the door, don't let it sting
I wanna breathe that fire again
She said, "I don't mind if you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine"
Put your back on me, put your back on me
Put your back on me
The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds
Cut out of the sun
Can you read my mind?
The Killers' song "Read My Mind" is a deeply introspective and introspective song about the longings and fears of both the singer and the subject of the song. The opening lines set the stage - on the corner of Main Street, the singer tries to keep his life under control as his lover moves on, leaving him feeling left behind. He asks if she can read his mind, begging for her understanding and empathy.
The second verse takes a more triumphant tone as the singer reflects on his determination to break free from the limitations of his small hometown. The imagery is evocative - he has a green light and a little fight, and he's resolved to turn his life around. But even as he looks forward to the Promised Land, the chorus remains in his head like a plea to his partner, asking if she understands how he feels.
The bridge introduces new characters and symbols - the teenage queen, the loaded gun, the Chosen One - but the singer remains preoccupied with his partner's perceptions of him. He doesn't mind if she doesn't shine, because he has no light of his own without her. The final verse resolves the narrative as the singer reflects on his loss of faith and the desire to rekindle the passion he once felt. The final lines speak to the singer's sense of awe and wonder at the world around him; the starry sky above him blazes like rebel diamonds, and he asks his partner one last time if she can read his mind.
Line by Line Meaning
On the corner of Main Street
The singer is on Main Street.
Just tryna keep it in line
The singer is trying to stay focused.
You say you wanna move on and
The person they are speaking to wants to move forward in life.
You say I'm fallin' behind
The person they are speaking to thinks that the artist is not progressing as quickly as they should be.
Can you read my mind?
The artist is asking if the person they are speaking to understands their thoughts and feelings.
I never really gave up on
The singer did not give up on their dreams.
Breakin' out of this two-star town
The singer wants to leave a small, insignificant place behind.
I got the green light, I got a little fight
The artist has the opportunity to move forward and is willing to fight for it.
I'm gonna turn this thing around
The artist is determined to make a change in their life.
The good old days, the honest man
The artist is remembering a time when things were simpler and people were more genuine.
The restless heart, the Promised Land
The singer longs for a place where they can find happiness and fulfillment.
A subtle kiss that no one sees
The artist is recalling a private, intimate moment.
A broken wrist and a big trapeze
The singer is referencing a dangerous feat that was attempted, but ultimately failed.
Oh well, I don't mind if you don't mind
The singer is willing to overlook their differences with the person they are speaking to if they do the same.
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine
The singer believes that they can only be their best self if the person they are speaking to is also at their best.
Before you go
The artist wants some clarity and understanding before the person they are speaking to leaves.
It's funny how you just break down
The artist is surprised at how quickly the person they are speaking to became overwhelmed and unable to cope.
Waitin' on some sign
The person they are speaking to is waiting for some indication of what to do next.
I pull up to the front of your driveway
The singer has arrived at the person they are speaking to's house.
With magic soakin' my spine
The artist is feeling an intense, magical sensation in their body.
The teenage queen, the loaded gun
The artist is referring to archetypes of youth and danger.
The drop dead dream, the Chosen One
The artist is referencing idealization and the idea of being specially selected.
A southern drawl, a world unseen
The singer is describing a mysterious, alluring quality of someone or something.
A city wall and a trampoline
The artist is contrasting two different images to create a sense of confusion and intrigue.
Oh well, I don't mind if you don't mind
The singer is willing to overlook their differences with the person they are speaking to if they do the same.
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine
The singer believes that they can only be their best self if the person they are speaking to is also at their best.
Before you jump
The singer wants the person they are speaking to to think carefully before making a big decision.
Tell me what you find
The artist wants to know what the person they are speaking to discovers on their journey.
Slippin' in my faith until I fall
The artist is losing their faith and is in danger of giving up entirely.
He never returned that call
The singer is referring to someone who did not respond.
Woman, open the door, don't let it sting
The singer is asking a woman not to be hurtful or harsh towards them.
I wanna breathe that fire again
The artist wants to feel passion and excitement once more.
She said, "I don't mind if you don't mind
The woman the artist is addressing is willing to overlook their differences if the artist does the same.
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine"
The woman believes that she can only be at her best if the artist is also at their best.
Put your back on me, put your back on me
The singer is asking the woman to rely on them for support.
The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds
The artist is describing the night sky in a unique and exciting way.
Cut out of the sun
The singer is creating an image of the stars as being separate from the sun, but still connected to it.
Can you read my mind?
The singer still wants to know if the person they are speaking to understands their thoughts and feelings.
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kevinpowell4247
An old Irish blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always on your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
@bleumonday
Brandon's voice has simultaneously this sadness and aching while still being carefree, fun and nostalgic of youth.
@austindo1806
Imma give a comment to make your day š
@oscarleon5583
You just described my life.
@CherandCherAlike
Like my 80ās teenage years .....
@user-fi3cj2kj6f
You bet, Cybil...
@CherandCherAlike
@@user-fi3cj2kj6f āSybilā is who youāre trying to mock her with. Unless you mean Cybil Shepherd which doesnāt make sense?
@allthingsbegin
One of the greatest songs ever written and performed.
@mandana1403
Exactly true ā¤ššš¤š
@0921AV
yes, and the video is great too
@melyperezmadueno6190
Totally agree