Lead singer Brandon Flowers refers to this song as "Our most Vegas-influenced song on the album. Sin city, The Strip. It's where I grew up and of course it affects the songs I write. This song has a lot of sexual energy."
When The Killers first started out, their music was little noticed by music-buyers and the media, which is why "Somebody Told Me" has been released twice in slightly different forms.
The first, with the pink background cover, is the rarer version of the single as it was their first release of it; due to poor sales not as many were produced. When re-released, the cover-art sported a blue background colour and is the more common version of the single.
The music video for "Somebody Told Me", directed by Brett Simon, simply shows The Killers performing their song in the moonlight of a desert location, with a giant LED screen displaying rolling, flashing images of their logo, as well as an alternate version of the video shot during the day, presumably in the same location. The concept is very similar to the video for Crystal by New Order, which features a fictional band called The Killers miming the New Order song in front of a large video screen flashing random colours and images. It was from this video that The Killers got their band name, so the similarities are likely an intentional homage.
The single peaked at #51 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The re-issued, blue edition of the single peaked at #3 in the UK. In Australia, the song was ranked #4 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004.
Billboard called the song "wildly infectious," and "as addictive as nickel slots." Blender said the single is a "superb blaze of synthesizers and guitars that builds to the year's best one-liner: 'Somebody told me you had a boyfriend who looked like a girlfriend I had in February of last year.'" Entertainment Weekly hailed the single as "three smashingly punchy minutes of garage pop so tightly wound that singer Brandon Flowers seems to be accusing his girl of cheating on him with another woman, is the song worth downloading." Rolling Stone said the single was a "nightclub anthem in the making" and continued, "the acid-tongued 'Somebody Told Me' blasts into outer space on a wave of synthesizers and singer Brandon Flowers' cheeky chorus.
Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine covered this song into a Lounge style on their 2005 album Aperitif for Destruction. He sings the song in a drunken manner and, near the end of the song, he apparently runs to the bathroom to puke.
The song was covered by Daniel Bedingfield as part of a Radio 1 Live Lounge session.
It was covered by Charlotte Church and Alesha Dixon on The Charlotte Church Show.
"Weird Al" Yankovic included this song in Polkarama! from Straight Outta Lynwood.
On 9 October 2009, JLS appeared on the BBC One chat show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, where they performed an acapella version of the song.
There is a parody of this song by ApologetiX called Somebody Sold Me.
In 2009 it was voted at Number 18 in UK radio station XFM's "100 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The song is heard in the film Rocky Balboa when Rocky Jr. is in the bar and sees the computer simulated fight.
The song is a playable song on the music video game Rock Revolution.
Somebody Told Me
The Killers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seventeen tracks and I've had it with this game
A breakin' my back just to know your name
But Heaven ain't close in a place like this
Anything goes but don't blink, you might miss
'Cause Heaven ain't close in a place like this
I said Heaven ain't close in a place like this
Bring it back down, bring it back down tonight (hoo hoo)Never thought I'd let a rumor ruin my moonlight
Well somebody told me you had a boyfriend
Who looked like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential, I've got potential
Ready let's roll onto something new
Takin' it's toll then I'm leaving without you
'Cause Heaven ain't close in a place like this
I said Heaven ain't close in a place like this
Bring it back down, bring it back down tonight (hoo hoo)
Never thought I'd let a rumor ruin my moonlight
Well somebody told me you had a boyfriend
Who looked like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential, I've got potential
A rushing, rushing around
Pace yourself for me (for me)
I said maybe, baby, please (please)
But I just don't know now (baby, baby)
When all I want to do is try
Well somebody told me you had a boyfriend
Who looked like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential, I've got potential
A rushing, rushing around
Now somebody told me you had a boyfriend
Who looked like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential, I've got potential
A rushing, rushing around
Somebody told me you had a boyfriend
Who looked like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It's not confidential, I've got potential
A rushing, rushing around
The lyrics to The Killers' hit song "Somebody Told Me" tell the story of a person desperately trying to get to know someone they are attracted to at a party or event. The first few lines reveal the frustration involved in trying to get noticed and get to know someone in a crowded space. The singer is trying hard to stand out and get attention, but it's difficult in "a place like this" where "anything goes."
The line, "somebody told me you had a boyfriend who looked like a girlfriend that I had in February of last year," is the most famous phrase from the song. This line suggests that the person the singer is interested in is not available or is somehow out of reach. The lyrics suggest that the singer has heard rumors that the object of their affection is already in a relationship, but the singer is still determined to get to know them.
The song could be seen as a commentary on the challenges of finding love and connecting with others in a fast-paced and chaotic world. It could also be about the strain of trying to keep up with social norms or the pressure to fit in.
Line by Line Meaning
Breakin' my back just to know your name
I'm going through a lot of effort just to find out what your name is
Seventeen tracks and I've had it with this game
I'm tired of playing these games and trying to figure you out
A breakin' my back just to know your name
I'm still putting in so much effort just to learn your name
But Heaven ain't close in a place like this
This environment and situation is not ideal, even though I may be trying to find some kind of happiness or resolution
Anything goes but don't blink, you might miss
Things can change quickly here and I need to be alert and not miss any opportunities
'Cause Heaven ain't close in a place like this
This place is not somewhere that can bring me real, lasting happiness
I said Heaven ain't close in a place like this
I repeat that this place is not Heaven, despite any illusions or distractions
Bring it back down, bring it back down tonight (hoo hoo)
I need to ground myself and return to reality instead of getting lost in the chaos and illusions of this place
Never thought I'd let a rumor ruin my moonlight
I never expected that a rumor about you could ruin the happiness I was feeling
Well somebody told me you had a boyfriend
I heard from someone else that you are in a relationship with someone else
Who looked like a girlfriend
This person looks like a woman, even though they are supposed to be a boy
That I had in February of last year
This person looks very similar to someone I was with in February of the previous year
It's not confidential, I've got potential
I want to make it clear that I am interested in you and capable of making something happen
Ready let's roll onto something new
I'm ready to move on from this situation and start something fresh with you
Takin' it's toll then I'm leaving without you
This situation is wearing on me and if it doesn't improve, I'll have to leave without you
Now somebody told me you had a boyfriend
I am starting to hear rumors about your relationship more and more often
A rushing, rushing around
I feel like everything is moving so fast and I can't keep up or get a grip on what's really happening
Pace yourself for me (for me)
I'm asking you to take things slow with me, to not rush into anything and to give me time to figure things out
I said maybe, baby, please (please)
I'm not completely sure, but I'm asking you to be patient with me and give me a chance
But I just don't know now (baby, baby)
As much as I want to believe in us, I'm really unsure and don't know what to do
When all I want to do is try
Despite my uncertainty, I still want to give this a shot and see where it goes
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ethanpeach8216
Mr Brightside is their most catchy and well known song but this. This is the one that gets me hype.
@c2e.7877
This song is more catchy in my opinion. The chorus is addictive.
@kevinlawhorn5910
Exactly. I've never cared much for "Mr. Brightside." I've always loved this one.
@Juice_47
This song is way better
@christianmt5846
@Hillary Fleitas-Corso subtitles*
@mmartin5579
Still my $#!+ !
@NostalgiaMan
I was born in 1982 and lived this era to the fullest. What a time to be alive
@smallss7197
You sir are 36 and wow now we have Fortnite
@claptrapunit3490
Wutaii1 Nostalgia i was born in this year and still love this and fallout boy and greenday
@SL1504
Well man , u lived through a good age . Now all we have are druggies who sound half asleep when they sing and that’s called music now . Humanity is fucked .