Shadowplay
The Killers Lyrics


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To the centre of the city where all roads meet, waiting for you
To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you
Well I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you
In a room with a window in the corner I found truth

In the shadowplay acting out your own death, knowing no more

As the assassins all grouped in four lines, dancing on the floor
And with cold steel, odor on their bodies made a move to connect
I could only stare in disbelief as the crowds all left

I did everything, everything I wanted to
I let them use you for their own ends




To the centre of the city in the night, waiting for you
To the centre of the city in the night, waiting for you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Killers' Shadowplay paints a picture of a desperate search for someone. The first two lines describe the vastness of the search and the depths that one might go to find this person. The singer then describes his experience of "moving through the silence without motion" until he finds the "truth" in a room with a window. While the specific truth isn't mentioned, the image of a window suggests a newfound clarity or understanding.


The chorus then brings a more ominous and intriguing element to the song with the mention of "shadowplay" and "acting out your own death." The lyrics suggest a possible reflection on one's own mortality and the idea that one may be "knowing no more" after death.


The second verse introduces a new set of characters- assassins- who are "dancing on the floor" before making a move to connect with "cold steel" and an "odor on their bodies." The scene is disturbing and the singer can only watch as the crowds leave. The final lines of the song return to the original theme of waiting in the city for the person they are searching for.


Overall, the lyrics of Shadowplay are open to interpretation and leave space for the listener to bring their own meaning to the song. The sense of desperation in searching for someone and the reflection on mortality are common themes that many can relate to.


Line by Line Meaning

To the centre of the city where all roads meet, waiting for you
In the heart of the bustling metropolis, where every path converges, I am waiting for you.


To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you
Even as my hopes began to drown and sink into the abyss, I continued searching for you.


Well I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you
Futilely, I was wandering aimlessly through the stillness, waiting, hoping for you to appear.


In a room with a window in the corner I found truth
Within a solitary chamber, I chanced upon truth in a corner window.


In the shadowplay acting out your own death, knowing no more
In a theatrical performance, you portrayed yourself dying, unawares of what fate holds in store.


As the assassins all grouped in four lines, dancing on the floor
A quartet of murderers gathered, rhythmically swaying on the dance floor.


And with cold steel, odor on their bodies made a move to connect
With icy weapons and malodorous bodies, they made a move to strike a fatal blow.


I could only stare in disbelief as the crowds all left
All I could do was stare in disbelief as the crowd dispersed and fled from the scene.


I did everything, everything I wanted to
I accomplished everything, every goal I aspired to achieve.


I let them use you for their own ends
Regrettably, I allowed them to exploit you for their personal gain and motives.


To the centre of the city in the night, waiting for you
Once again, under the cloak of darkness, I find myself at the core of the city, eagerly waiting for your arrival.


To the centre of the city in the night, waiting for you
Once again, under the cloak of darkness, I find myself at the core of the city, eagerly waiting for your arrival.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernard Sumner, Ian Kevin Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Paul David Morris

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@scooscotch1535

To the center of the city where all roads meet, waiting for you,
To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you,
I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you,
In a room with a window in the corner I found truth.
In the shadowplay, acting out your own death, knowing no more,
As the assassins all grouped in four lines, dancing on the floor,
And with cold steel, odor on their bodies mad a move to connect,
But I could only stare in disbelief as the crowds all left.
I did everything, everything I wanted to,
I let them use you for their own ends,
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you.
To the center of the city in the night, waiting for you.



@H3XBR34K3R

To the centre of the city where all roads meet, waiting for you
To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you
I was moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you
In a room without a window in the corner I found truth

In the shadowplay acting out your own death, knowing no more
As the assassins all grouped in four lines, dancing on the floor
And with cold steel, odour on their bodies made a move to connect
I could only stare in disbelief as the crowds all left

I did everything, everything I wanted to
I let them use you for their own ends
To the centre of the city in the night, waiting for you
To the centre of the city in the night, waiting for you



All comments from YouTube:

@spoopybat7880

As a huge Joy Division fan I really enjoy this cover. I like that it's close enough to the original that the song isn't lost, but it's different enough to be its own.

@PrincessElisa8

What a wonderful comment. Seriously, there's so much hate on The Killers for covering this song...saying how they suck in comparison and shouldn't have done this cover. The Killers are my favorite band, and thanks to them, I got into listening to Joy Division! They are awesome!!! So it's nice to see positive comments like these!

@MercRonin22

Elisa Sanchez yeah i don't understand why people seem to dislike this cover its was made really well and had its own vibe and love the fact that in the video they make a reference to Joy Division original. well you know how that goes people hate to love and love to hate.

@andrewjensen8128

Joy Division is one of my favorite bands. And this is everything a cover should be. Although it probably wasn't the best way to end Control. Also the Killers were always very open about how much they were influenced by New Order.

@rebeccapadilla1234

yessss!!! this is what really got me into the killers.. joy division lives on through them

@omarfkuestrada5833

Spoopy Bat

20 More Replies...

@oasisradiohead4773

This cover is one of the best tributes of all time that Ian Curtis deserved.
From this occasion The Killers established themselves as a legendary band.

@kathleenlorean

]😊-]

@jasonpeters9716

NIN/"dead souls" is best tribute

@bigguy1164

The actual answer is Trent Reznor's Dead Souls, but this is a good second place. No shame in coming second to Nine Inch Nails

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