When you discover the dark side of The Killers' debut album
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- Опубликовано: 20 авг 2020
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#Middle8 #TheKillers #TheMurderTrilogy
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Written, voiced and edited by Frank Furtado
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There is a secret story within Hot Fuss, the debut studio album by The Killers. A three-part tragedy presented out of order, hidden behind ambiguous lyrics and with one part left missing for years. A trilogy of tracks that together, reveal a memoir of murder. The murder of a woman named Jennifer at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. A classic tale of a romance gone bad.
Murder is a morbid interest of frontman Brandon Flowers, one he describes originating from Morrissey’s “Sister I’m A Poet,”
“I love the romance of crime,
And I wonder: Does anybody feel the same way I do?”
Flowers certainly felt the same way, letting that idea seep into his songwriting. For example, while touring Hot Fuss through Scotland, Flowers would hear the news on Jodi Jones, a 14 year old girl who was murdered by her boyfriend two years prior. The tragic story became the inspiration for the song, “Where is She?” Written from the perspective of Jodi’s mother, the song was heavily criticised by the Scottish press, leading The Killers to respectfully shelve the song, and it never seeing an official release. Flowers has called it “a great song”, saying “If I never would have said anything about it...maybe that song would be on Sam’s Town right now.”
However there was a murder story that did make it onto their albums. The story of Jennifer bears a striking similarity to that of Jodi’s, murdered at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. Jennifer’s story was intended to be the backbone of Hot Fuss, but when it came time to publish the record, the first song in the series failed to make the cut. The album wound up opening with the final part, “Jenny Was A Friend of Mine” and the central piece, “Midnight Show” was placed just before the album’s closer. The first part, titled, “Leave The Bourbon On The Shelf,” would only find a release three years later, on their rarities compilation Sawdust.
Now with all the evidence gathered and the story complete, let’s crack open this cold case and investigate The Killer’s Murder Trilogy.
![Finesse2Tymes - Pretty Ricky [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xIoP_mhYRT0/mqdefault.jpg)
*Literally called the Killers*
"Their entire first album was about a murder"
Everyone: *shocked pikachu face*
The album was going to me named "The Killers", and they were called "Hot Fuss", but to avoid trouble and controversies, they changed the order of the songs, and got "Leave the Bourbon on The Shelf" out of the album.
@@crislexn they called themselves The Killers after a fake band from a New Order music video
yeah... teenager emo... yet i am in my 30s and the brand still play mr. breideside
ikr
my dad: um so yeah i love the killers but they're lyrics make absolutely no sense.
me: i won't tell you i watched this.
I said this to my friend lol
So that’s why they’re called the killers.
Actually they got their name from the fake band from the music video for Crystal by New Order. But the murder trilogy is a great way to start off your career if your name is the killers.
When I think about it, Somebody Told Me and Mr. Brightside seems to be about Jenny too. On Somebody Told Me he heard that Jenny is seeing somebody else and mocks on the guy and their relationship (lowkey he is hurting about it). On Mr. Brightside, he sees it for himself and starts to act like a crazy stalker, following them to see them together.
Hearing this album will never feel the same for me again hahahah
Lícia Martins I also fit Everything Will Be Alright, On Top, and All The Pretty Faces in there too and I’ll explain the full story in my eyes:
Somebody Told Me - Him meeting Jenny and falling in love.
On Top - Him out on the town with her, the height of his happiness.
All The Pretty Faces - The situation inflates his ego, his attitude to the girl becomes forceful.
Mr Brightside - She leaves him and he can’t believe it despite how much he misused her.
Leave The Bourbon On The Shelf - The true first part, in his state of depression.
Everything Will Be Alright - The memories of the girl are driving him crazy - the ominous nature of the song suggests some inner darkness. When he keeps repeating ‘Everything Will Be Alright’ he isn’t referring to someone else, he’s saying that himself for reassurance against all these dark thoughts. Alas, he gives in.
Midnight Show - Obviously the murder.
Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine - The interrogation after the murder.
doctor what Somebody Told Me makes a lot more sense on your point of view! He says he’s breaking his back just to find out her name, I mean, he didn’t knew her yet, he was actually trying to. But while trying, he hears the rumor that she’s not available, or that she sees a lot of people (“pace yourself for me”), which bothers him cause he wants her just for himself.
About the other songs, I see like this too!
Luke yesss, you’re right!
I’m guessing it represents the moment things go wrong in his relationship with Jenny and she decides to leave him. He’s taking his mind back to their good moments with her and already feeling bad she’ll live the same things with somebody else now.
Luke I once read about that „Smile like you mean it“ is not supposed to be a break-up song but more like a nostalgic review,
While this makes sense, Miss Atomic Bomb - the follow-up to Mr. Brightside - doesn't fit. Most songs in Hot Fuss fit in thematically, but I don't think it's all the same story.
When performed live, Brandon is also known to sing “she kicked and screamed while I held her close” as well.
I’ve even heard him sing “She kicked and screamed while I held her throat” on a couple of live occasions.
Also in an acoustic performance that can be found here on YT
he's also called jenny a slut lmao
thats the lyric on "Live from the Royal Albert Hall"
He says, “ she couldn’t scream while I held her throat.”
THEORY TIME: All of Hot Fuss is the murder story. Let me explain
1. Andy, you're a star: from the point of view of Jenny. She tells Andy that she loves him and reveals that he doesn't have any other real connection than with Jenny. "Andy you're a star, in nobody's eyes but mine.
2. Leave the Bourbon On The Shelf: She breaks up with him. "Oh Jennifer, you know I always tried/Darling don't you see I'm not satisfied until I hold you tight"
3. Smile Like You Mean It: Andy trying to cope with the breakup "Smile Like You Mean It / And someone will drive her around down the same streets that I did"
4. Mr. Brightside: He starts creeping on her. "Now they're going to bed and my stomach is sick / but she's touching his chest / I just can't look it's killing me"
5. Somebody Told Me: He meets up with Jenny and tells her about her new boyfriend and proceeds to mock him and prepares for the midnight show "Somebody told me you had a boyfriend who looked like a girlfriend / Pace yourself for me I said maybe baby please."
6. Change Your Mind: Right before the killing as he tries to reason with her, but ultimately makes the final decision "So if the answer's no can I change your mind / We're all the same and love is blind the sun is gone before it shines
6. Midnight Show: He proceeds to kill her "With jealous hearts that start with gloss and curls
I took my baby's breath beneath the chandelier Of stars in atmosphere and watched her disappear"
7.On Top: He watches her die "Your body's shaking and it's clear
You really need it, so let go / I look at you and smile because I'm fine now."
8. Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine: The police start to question him and he gives his alibi. They don't seem to believe him: There ain't no motive for this crime
Jenny was a friend of mine / I know my rights, I've been here all day and it's time
For me to go, so let me know if it's alright / And then you whisper in my ear
"I know what you're doing here" "
9. All These Things That I've Done: Andy starts to panic. "These changes ain't changing me The cold-hearted boy I used to be / You know you've gotta help me out "
10. Everything Will Be Alright: He starts to relax and plans on his escape. "I'm coming to find you if it takes me all night
Wrong until you make it right And I won't forget you At least I'll try and run, and run tonight Everything will be alright"
--
The only thing that isn't clear is Believe Me, Natalie. From my interpretation of the lyrics, Natalie could be an accomplice in the murder. So he calls her and tells her to run away. But it doesn't seem to make sense as he asks for her help in All These Things That I've Done. "This is your last chance to find a go-go dance to disco now
Forget what they said in Soho, leave the "Oh, no"s out And believe me, Natalie, listen, Natalie, This is your last chance"
This is the only missing part of the puzzle.
--
THEORY 2: Here's a lyric from Mr. Brightside and one from Midnight Show: "And it's all in my head but she's touching his chest / I got a blanket in the back seat on my mind"
So Jenny's murder is all in Andy's head and he imagines how it would unfold. Then, the Believe Me Natalie mystery could be justified by the fact that he's not sure how the story would ho.
I don't know if this is true, but it is mindblowing.
This video and Licia Martins comment helped me figure this out.
Really good summary. Only thing I disagree with is ‘everything will be alright’. That song has such a spooky otherworldly vibe, as if the narrator is maybe drunk, delirious and psyching themselves up for the murder, so I think it goes before Midnight Show.
Also, Flowers’ solo single ‘can’t deny my love’ must fit in this story somewhere.
you really opened my mind with On Top oh my god,, i've been too convinced on looking at it as some good-time song about going to the nightclub and not someone suffocating to DEATH
awesome theory! love it, on Believe Me Natalie is about her dying from AIDS (another girl dying in a Killers song) Brandon has said this
"It's about the last days of disco, how AIDS brought it crashing down," says Brandon. "I was born in 1981, so I don't remember it. There was some cheesy music, but I think a lot of good things then, especially bands like The Cure, intertwined dance with rock."
Great theories! Although I would say the "it's all in my head" line from Mr. Brightside is referring to his obsessive thoughts about her new relationship, and his acknowledgement that he knows he's only winding himself up with his continuous thoughts.
I'm starting to wonder if Brandon Flowers actually killed someone.
LOL hot fuss Brandon might do 🤣
Maybe that's why he has become progressively more religious over the years lol
Yeah he may have actually! I remember having heard something about him hitting someone by car once. I tried searching now and there isn’t much, but here www.google.com/amp/s/www.nme.com/news/music/the-killers-200-1317422%3Famp
@@amandalenko welp he definitely killed him. Laws are laws: if the shoes comes off, their dead.
@@keepmurmuring no he seems so sweet and he wouldn’t kill his ex girlfriend he found a girl that he loved so much and married her
YES FRANK.
Perfect timing for Imploding the Mirage as well.
I love when another one of these comes out. It’s the highlight of my day
Agree. Great content
Rocky Mountain construction
This dude out here trying to make All These Things That I've Done sound creepy
Ikr! I love how the video begins with a single piano note and we all know what song it is instantly 😂
I read that different for a second 😂😂
There are three songs related to this story
Jenny
Midnight show
Leave the Bourbon…
And they appear in reverse order.
And that’s it
Flowers had said as much
But everyone keeps trying to add songs to this imaginary story
It’s kinda frustrating
The Killers really killed that one. But honestly Brandon's mind is incredible
HAHAHAHAHAGAHAGAFA MR TEETH IS DEAD MAN NOT MURDEREE HE GOT MYRDERDD DYKUNLFJOUGJ MR BRANDON EURKKF IS DRIODD D RIL MD SRULGG GC DUOP
@@lifeinthebarbie2147 Could you say that again?
Basically their most successful album has a lot of dark themes
Not that much of an oddity when you think about it.
Yeah their name is The Killers so it kinda makes sense
As do most of their albums - Pressure Machine doesn’t even try to hide it
I like to see the murder trilogy as a “micro concept album”
It really is
The opening guitar riff for Jenny was a friend of mine is amazing
Always gets me hyped. Was the perfect opener!
@@Middle8 100% and as it's the first song in the first killers album. For all the people curious of this new band in 2004, they buy the CD they put it on. And boom amazing guitar riff
Killers are one of my favorite bands. These guys ROCK
There’s a playlist on Spotify labeled “homosexual love story that ends in murder”
Has the songs in order
@@SpacelyNYC link it-
kackle open.spotify.com/playlist/1hZVdITvpIdTe8EHxz4YOg?si=6TGiM7JlTCyuHSgUfJ7a-Q
@@SpacelyNYC thanks wow-
Thank youuu for linking.
It's interesting because whenever I hear "Andy you're a star" I think "toxic gay crush on you homophobic high school bully"
How the hell did you know that I was currently irritating my girlfriend about how good Hot Fuss is right now? Thanks for this, helped me prove the point!
Don't irritate her too much, she might break up with you......then again there seems to be some action you could take
Oh no...
I’d never really given a second thought to their band name, but ‘The Killers’ makes a whole load more sense now.
Ok but where's the murder trilogy film adaptation you talked about, Brandon?!
Luke This is curios considering Brandon’s core personal themes are that of the glitz and desert glamour of Las Vegas while infused with the dark synth pop themes of his impressionable youth.
To me, if his heart beats British blood, then his soul is American rooted - my ears are grateful for both.
This is the investigative journalism that Music albums deserve. If you don't already, please listen to entire albums!
Brandon flowers might be one of the best lyricists in music these days. So many of his songs do a fantastic job of mixing philosophical pondering and great storytelling. If you haven’t listened , check out the world that we live in and crossfire (by Brandon flowers)
Man I remember when I put this together when first heard Sawdust. One song that I always feel belongs on this was the song "All the pretty faces". Especially when you put it between bourbon and Midnight Show.
I ALWAYS KNEW MIDNIGHT SHOW WAS ABOUT A MURDER!!! I also suspected some of the stuff about Jenny was a friend of mine, but never realized the third song ties them together
I'll never really understand what the song "Somebody Told Me" means, but I'm convinced it has something to do with this story.
It’s about somebody (presumably looking for a girlfriend or hookup) meeting a girl in a club and hitting on her. She denies him because she heard a rumor about him. He responds to this rejection with an equally ridiculous runmor, (you had a boyfriend who looked like a girlfriend that i had in february of last year.)
when the song caution came out a couple of months ago, i thought it was talking about the girl from miss atomic bomb. the way they link some songs together is amazing, and i highly recommend their new album.
They are. I think the music video drew this parallel?
this is easily one of the best channels i’ve found
Finalllyyyyyy!!!!
I love this trilogy I wrote a whole essay about it in English class
I used to download every song on mp3 and reorder the trilogy into the album so it had a nice flow to it
I always made it end on "Jenny"
Finally someone makes a video about it. I've always thought hot fuss was almost a concept record. But like most, it doesn't quite go all the way.
Personally I think the structure of the songs now is better than just having it in a linear 1,2,3 style. To me, it adds mystery and a sense of: "How did things get this way? Where did everything go wrong?"
Jenny was a friend of mine throws us right in. Since we don't know any backstory we can't tell if the man was innocent or not. Therefore, since it is the first song on hot fuss, we can expect some backstory.
Midnight show establishes that the man is indeed guilty and gives insight into the man's mind right before, during and after the murder has been committed. Everything is established. We know that the man is guilty. One could also assume that the man and Jennifer were still in their relationship at this time. (Due to references of having sex in the back of the car, going to a nice, quiet, romantic spot, etc.) But either way, why the man murdered Jenny is still a mystery. Did they have an argument and did the man try to invite her out to make up for it? It's still unknown at this point, leaving some mystery to this plot.
That's where Leave the bourbon on the shelf comes in. Now this song seems to be the lost prequel that managed to see the light of day. And luckily so. This song serves to show us that the man wasn't entirely good even before the murder. Now, before this song came out, one could argue that Mr. Brightside could serve as the "Part 1" to this trilogy. After all it IS the 2nd song on Hot fuss, right after Jenny was a friend of mine. If it was, it would attempt to show that the mans murder was (or could be justified.) His wife, or significant other was cheating on him. He could of committed the act out of anger.
But no, leave the bourbon on the shelf serves to prove that the man was not entirely good/innocent. The relationship has ended during or before the songs events. (Possibly due to the man being a alcoholic?) This song serves to prove that nothing is black and white. Maybe Jennifer really did cheat on the man, maybe they were in a happy relationship before everything fell apart. But it doesn't matter now. Whether out of jealousy or rage, the man kills Jennifer. And all that's left for him is to accept his ambiguous fate.
I Fucking Love The Killers.
The English teacher in me is just begging homeboy to substantiate his analytical claims with sources and unpack his dang quotes
^^^
Shut up
For the music story, St. Vincent and Johnny
Somebody told me you posted a video!
Underrated comment
This deserves more likes.
@@bubblegumbitch2191 are you gay
"All the Pretty Faces" is def another tale of a lover turned killer.
Would love to hear an analysis of Pressure Machine... I live how the Killers tell stories through their songs
I remember one day really paying attention to the lyrics and looking it up but didn't find anything so thank you!!
I've been a killers fan for 7 years and I never knew the meanings of these songs. They're so much more literal than I thought. This is awesome
“No luck catching them killers, then?”
It's just the one killer, actually.
Midnight Show has to easily be my favorite from the trilogy.
My biggest regret in life is not purchasing that copy of sawdust when I saw it on the store shelf many years ago. Now all record stores have closed.
I always thought midnight show was about a rape that turned to murder.
It’s sad I just want to think about being in love with brandon
I had absolutely no clue about any of this. My mind is blown, can't believe I didn't connect it from a band called The Killers! Great video
That reminds me, on the Sirius XM acoustic performance of Jenny was a friend of mine he replaced “She couldn’t scream while I held her close” with “She kicked and screamed while I held her close.” Granted he only did it in the last verse of the song, but it makes so much sense now. This some how makes me love hot fuss even more now.
The presentation and animations while the lyrics are shown is so awesome. Great video
bro i love your videos, even though you look way too into these artist, you somehow make it super interesting. keep it up
Amazing! Im really looking forward for your new content in Nebula
I think Adam brodys character (a lead singer in a band and a killer) in the movie Jennifer’s body is inspired by Brandon Flowers
Maybe vice versa. If that makes sense. I think The Killers do things based on other things, including true crime.
Another great video. I've heard this story but this explained it in such detail, thank you.
Wildly creative editing the writing is very entertaining as well great video once again
This is good !! Please make another video around their new album ( Imploding the Mirage) !!
I definitely expected this to be about the flowers break up or to incorporate the mister bright side/miss atomic bomb story, but I was not disappointed!
There’s another song “Move away” that could be the guy facing his judgement. The lyrics show us literally a guy facing a jury: “ Don't worry bout what might have been
Just tell your woman that you're sorry
And you jumped out of your skin
Listen closely to your motto
Don't worry bout what might have been
Tell the jury that you're sorry
And just jump out of your skin”
Been waiting for this video to drop! I knew it would!
What a wonderful and well-produced analysis. This was a joy for a long-time Killer's fan. Thanks, Middle 8!!
midnight show is the best killers song hands down.
and a murder mystery directed by david lynch?? come on we need that
Maybe for the 20th anniversary of Hot Fuss? 🤔
Wow, loved this. First video of yours I’ve seen, now subbed
Love that channel, great work
Thank you for making my day ! Your videos are amazing !!!!
I will never view hot fuss in the same old way again
You have a new sub & now I'm gonna binge on your videos. :)
I love your videos so much Thank you for this 🖤
oof so happy you are doing since I left you for the modern classics
The editing is so frickin good
Great job! I was just about to sleep, now I cannot. I'd bring this in my dream for sure.
Great video! These songs are all masterpieces!
Hot Fuss needs a complete review. Track by track!
This is a great video, i love the content you are making.
Thanks!
I love your videos!
Brilliant video! Thanks.
Please never stop making videos.
Great Job!!
I love the Killers but never heard the full story. Thank you very much and it's crazy how professional your videos are. You are a gold mine on RUclips. Thank you
This is one of the reasons why I love the killers earlier albums (after day and age I’ve liked each album less and less but there was always songs I loved, until Imploding the Mirage. None of that album is great IMO. It’s ok, but it’s not a good killers album). Hot fuss has so much creativity, musically and lyrically. That why it’s my favourite album by them! Also I had no idea “Where is she?” even existed. Very well made video!
Great stuff man👍
I love this video!
Great job 👌🏻♥️
We need more videos like this. Explaining music!
0:40-pushes pause
Steps away and listens to whole album ( not for the first time)
Pushes play
Whoah
dude this is so cool!!!! mindblown cant wait for more
This is so great!! I love the Killers!!!! Their my favorite band, theirs was my first concert!
Dude. Just take my money. Signing up to your Patreon right now 🤘🏾 Everything you put out is just gold.
I always thought there was a vibe there I wasn't placing!!! Feels good to have this explained.
I love when you analyze the deeper meaning of albums aka the story
Love seeing a video about The Killers the same day Imploding the Mirage is released
Midnight Show is my fave. So good.
I love this channel so much. Wish you guys could pump out videos faster lol
Finally a good Video about the murder trilogy
In case I wasn’t already in love with their new album, my favorite channel posted a new video about them :))))
daam I'm signing up for Curiosity Stream - thanks for the hook up sir!
Great deep dive. Will never hear these songs the same way again
I enjoy watching these videos when I don’t even listen to the artists but I listen to the killers and it just makes it 10x better.
There’s also an idea that Mr. brightside and miss atomic bomb are connected which I think could be plausible.
it's more than plausible, the riff in Mr. Brightside is included in MAB
This is incredible! I didn’t know any of this and they are my favorite band
These video essays are amazing...
Also please do one about the Blinders. They've just released a great new album.
that album cover brings me RIGHT back to the summer of 2005, driving around blasting this CD in my car all summer long...they used to play alot of these songs in the clubs, too
Criminally underated channel!
LOVE your videos! Have you ever thought of doing one on Cky? maybe the Hellview trilogy?
Wow I had no idea about this lol great video once again
Middle 8 started out with a video
How did it end up like this?
(It was only a video), it was only a video
Holy shit, I never seen the album this way, but all of your guys theories (including this video) really changes the perspective of this album. That's really cool. Great job on the video, I'd like to see more music/ album theories !!
why you don't have more subs man, your content is sooooo good
great video!
I feel like mr brightside belongs on there somewhere. Jealousy, turning saints into the SEA, CHOKING on your ALIBI.
Its interesting to view the songs like this. I always thought Jenny Was a Friend of Mine was about the narrator getting caught being with another girl named Jenny