Replaceable
The Killers Lyrics


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Pick you up, later on
What to do? It doesn't matter
'Cause you get what you want
Through and through and if you shatter
Everything that we've got
Will you call me on occasion?
If you like it or not, oh no
So turn it up, take me down
From the wall, it doesn't matter
'Cause you get what you want
After all and now you've shattered
Everything that we had
And you call me on occasion
Just to see how I am
I'm hanging in

But now time teaches me
To pretend it doesn't matter
'Cause you get what you want
In the end and now you've shattered everything
He looks a bit like me

Replaceable
It's cynical
Call me useless, just you wait
Put me down and call it fate
Broken bridges, wasted hate
So just stand beside your man
The boy ain't wrong
Act like I never turned you on
All I do is cry

December finds you all alone
You call me on the telephone
Who'd have thought that you'd regret
All those evil things you said
Now as friends, we say goodbye
I think there's something in my eye

Replaceable
It's cynical
Call me useless, just you wait
Put me down and call it fate
Broken bridges, wasted hate
So just stand beside your man
The boy ain't wrong
Act like I never turned you on
All I do is cry

And you watched me die at least a thousand times
But it's great to hear you're doing fine
Tonight, too late to fight
But you've got inside this naive head of mine
Now time goes by
You knew you would
You knew you would




I need to understand
Replaceable

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Killers' song Replaceable offer an introspective look at a relationship that has deteriorated over time. The opening lines suggest that the singer is willing to go along with whatever their partner wants, as long as they are happy. However, the refrain "Replaceable, it's cynical, call me useless" indicates that the singer feels undervalued and unappreciated in the relationship. They seem resigned to the fact that their partner will eventually leave them, as they have "shattered everything that we've got". Despite this, the singer still holds out hope that their partner will call them on occasion, even though they know it's unlikely.


As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the relationship is irreparably damaged. The bridge of the song references "broken bridges" and "wasted hate", further emphasizing the sense of futility in trying to salvage the relationship. The final lines of the song suggest that although the singer has accepted that their partner will leave them, they still harbor some bitterness towards them. The line "act like I never turned you on, all I do is cry" reveals the hurt and confusion that the singer feels at being discarded so easily.


Overall, Replaceable is a poignant meditation on the fleeting nature of love and the pain that comes when relationships end. The lyrics are supported by a slow-burning, melancholic melody that adds to the bittersweet tone of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

Pick you up, later on
I'll pick you up at a later time


What to do? It doesn't matter
We don't need to have plans, we'll do whatever


'Cause you get what you want
You always get what you want


Through and through and if you shatter
Even if you destroy everything


Everything that we've got
All that we have


Will you call me on occasion?
Will you call me sometimes?


If you like it or not, oh no
Whether you want to or not


So turn it up, take me down
Let's party and have a good time


From the wall, it doesn't matter
It doesn't matter where we are


'Cause you get what you want
You always get what you want


After all and now you've shattered
Despite everything, you've still destroyed it


Everything that we had
All that we had


And you call me on occasion
You still reach out to me sometimes


Just to see how I am
Just to check up on me


I'm hanging in
I'm doing okay


But now time teaches me
But with time, I've learned


To pretend it doesn't matter
To act like it doesn't affect me


'Cause you get what you want
You still always get what you want


In the end and now you've shattered everything
In the end, you've destroyed everything


He looks a bit like me
He resembles me a bit


Replaceable
Easily substitutable


It's cynical
It's pessimistic


Call me useless, just you wait
You can call me worthless, but just wait and see


Put me down and call it fate
You criticize me and act like it's destiny


Broken bridges, wasted hate
Our relationship is ruined, and our negativity was a waste


So just stand beside your man
Stay loyal to your new partner


The boy ain't wrong
Your new guy isn't necessarily bad


Act like I never turned you on
Pretend like I never interested you


All I do is cry
All I can do is cry


December finds you all alone
You're lonely in December


You call me on the telephone
You call me on the phone


Who'd have thought that you'd regret
Who would have thought that you would feel remorse


All those evil things you said
All the cruel things you said


Now as friends, we say goodbye
We part ways as friends


I think there's something in my eye
I'm getting emotional


And you watched me die at least a thousand times
You've seen me suffer repeatedly


But it's great to hear you're doing fine
I'm happy to hear you're okay


Tonight, too late to fight
It's too late to argue tonight


But you've got inside this naive head of mine
But you got into my naive mind


Now time goes by
Time passes


You knew you would
You knew it would happen


I need to understand
I need to comprehend


Replaceable
Easily substitutable




Contributed by Daniel H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Paul Hopkinson

love this song..its written just for the true killers fans to discover.

KitsGravity

This is so true

Fiona Greene

I'm the proud owner of one of those demo CDs that they handed out to audiences when they were starting out back in 2001/'02!...paid a pretty penny for it but it's priceless to me now!!...i'll NEVER sell it! :)

Pavlo Vlasenko

What about now?

Peggy Coloma

Iā€™m so jealous!

Max TheGreat

Sell now ? šŸ˜‚

5 More Replies...

Stunfisk

AMAZING SONG!!! "You watched me die a thousand times"... "Act like I never turned you on". The boy has always had a knack for writing brilliant lyrics!

Steve

such a great song

LittleBlue

Beautiful song. The Killers' demos are so amazing. Album-worthy I reckon.

Adrian

I wish they would re-release Replaceable and Desperate. I would die of happiness.

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