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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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)
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.
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!
@@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
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
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
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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!
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”
Bruh idk... there's one trilogy and two stories? "They named their band The Killers as that was the name of a fictional band in the music video for the New Order song Crystal." Cool tho cause I was always a bit confused about the general ideas in their songs, think it's j a common theme
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!
Hot fuss is one of my favourite albums because of that narrative. I tried to link all of the songs together into a cohesive plot but it ended up being a hot mess. White Lies to lose my life is a great album with narrative songs though I haven't nearly spent as much time trying to link the songs together
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
Hi Frank, I don’t know whether you are a Blur fan or not, but if you are I’d love to see a video on their 1999 album 13. It had quite an intense production, what with Damon and Graham both battling addictions and break-ups, which they used as the main lyrical crux and made a really experimental and beautiful noise rock album. There is a lot that you could get out of it for a video. Also, a video on The Unforgettable Fire by U2 would be quite cool. It was their first album with Eno and Lanois, who really challenged them to think outside the box and it’s considered the point where they truly transcended their post-punk labelling and became something greater. Those two albums are not only two of my favourites of all time but they would make great videos. I have no doubt you’d also be able to find stuff that we don’t know, as I only know the basics.
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.
you could place alot of killer songs in the story line (if you go away fro the real story). 1. somebody told me. this could be the protagonist finding out jenny had cheated on him, leading to a break up 2. bourbon on the shelf. this is the breackup 3 mr brightside. the protagonist sees jennifer with another man and feels a deep hatred to her 4 where is she. the protagonist hears about how a 14 year old was killed by her ex and starts to plot a plan to do the same to jennifer. (this could be swaped out with 3 as mr brightside could happen directly before the next one) 5 midnight show. the murder of jenny happens 6 jenny was a friend of mine. the questioning of the protagonist and eventualy the conviction 7 all the things ive done. the protagonist recapping over the murder (there are probably more but this is my view
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
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 !!
The first song I heard was Somebody Told Me, and I thought "oh this is.......cool" and the second one I heard was Midnight Show and all the hairs on my neck stood up so hard I was like "ohhhhhh shiiiiiitt'
For me - I see Somebody Told me as the point of view from the detective - chasing that culprit. "Breaking my back just to know your name" - i.e. looking for the killer. "Heaven ain't close in a place like this" i.e. a Police precinct. "Anything goes but dont blink you might miss" - i.e. Blinkand you miss a clue to solve the case. "I never thought I'd let a rumour ruin my moonlight" i.e. Maybe they had a different culprit but a rumour is keeping the detective up at night - or that they have nothing and that the detective is chasing up whatever little loose ends possible. Where the chorus, is an interogation - potentially of an ex-partner to the main suspect. Where the detective is trying to profile the suspect via the ex-partner "Somebody told me you had a boyfriend, who looked like a girlfriend [a short/curt way a saying had long hair at the time - where it lets the ex-partner know what pretenses they are being asked about the main suspect]. "It's not confidential. I've got potential" - potential alibi or motive? Just spit balling here but my take on it.
*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
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.
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.
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
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.”
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.
I love when another one of these comes out. It’s the highlight of my day
Agree. Great content
Rocky Mountain construction
YES FRANK.
Perfect timing for Imploding the Mirage as well.
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)
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?
Killers are one of my favorite bands. These guys ROCK
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.
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...
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
It's always reminded me of November Spawned a Monster, which is fitting if he was inspired by Morrissey.
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 like to see the murder trilogy as a “micro concept album”
It really is
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
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
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?
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.
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
This is the investigative journalism that Music albums deserve. If you don't already, please listen to entire albums!
I’d never really given a second thought to their band name, but ‘The Killers’ makes a whole load more sense now.
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.
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"
Would love to hear an analysis of Pressure Machine... I live how the Killers tell stories through their songs
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.)
I remember one day really paying attention to the lyrics and looking it up but didn't find anything so thank you!!
this is easily one of the best channels i’ve found
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.
Somebody told me you posted a video!
Underrated comment
This deserves more likes.
@@bubblegumbitch2191 are you gay
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"
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
bro i love your videos, even though you look way too into these artist, you somehow make it super interesting. keep it up
For the music story, St. Vincent and Johnny
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
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.
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!
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”
What a wonderful and well-produced analysis. This was a joy for a long-time Killer's fan. Thanks, Middle 8!!
Bruh idk... there's one trilogy and two stories?
"They named their band The Killers as that was the name of a fictional band in the music video for the New Order song Crystal."
Cool tho cause I was always a bit confused about the general ideas in their songs, think it's j a common theme
They're mentioned in this video.
ua-cam.com/video/7Eeo-82Eac8/v-deo.html
New order.
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!
Hot fuss is one of my favourite albums because of that narrative. I tried to link all of the songs together into a cohesive plot but it ended up being a hot mess.
White Lies to lose my life is a great album with narrative songs though I haven't nearly spent as much time trying to link the songs together
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
This is good !! Please make another video around their new album ( Imploding the Mirage) !!
Midnight Show has to easily be my favorite from the trilogy.
Please never stop making videos.
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
The presentation and animations while the lyrics are shown is so awesome. Great video
daam I'm signing up for Curiosity Stream - thanks for the hook up sir!
Amazing! Im really looking forward for your new content in Nebula
Hi Frank,
I don’t know whether you are a Blur fan or not, but if you are I’d love to see a video on their 1999 album 13. It had quite an intense production, what with Damon and Graham both battling addictions and break-ups, which they used as the main lyrical crux and made a really experimental and beautiful noise rock album. There is a lot that you could get out of it for a video.
Also, a video on The Unforgettable Fire by U2 would be quite cool. It was their first album with Eno and Lanois, who really challenged them to think outside the box and it’s considered the point where they truly transcended their post-punk labelling and became something greater.
Those two albums are not only two of my favourites of all time but they would make great videos. I have no doubt you’d also be able to find stuff that we don’t know, as I only know the basics.
Great job! I was just about to sleep, now I cannot. I'd bring this in my dream for sure.
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? 🤔
According to a 10 facts about MCR Video I watched
Jenny from Bulletproof Heart is the same jenny in their murder story
I always thought there was a vibe there I wasn't placing!!! Feels good to have this explained.
Dude. Just take my money. Signing up to your Patreon right now 🤘🏾 Everything you put out is just gold.
Wildly creative editing the writing is very entertaining as well great video once 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
Been waiting for this video to drop! I knew it would!
I love your videos!
"All the Pretty Faces" is def another tale of a lover turned killer.
The editing is so frickin good
you could place alot of killer songs in the story line (if you go away fro the real story).
1. somebody told me. this could be the protagonist finding out jenny had cheated on him, leading to a break up
2. bourbon on the shelf. this is the breackup
3 mr brightside. the protagonist sees jennifer with another man and feels a deep hatred to her
4 where is she. the protagonist hears about how a 14 year old was killed by her ex and starts to plot a plan to do the same to jennifer. (this could be swaped out with 3 as mr brightside could happen directly before the next one)
5 midnight show. the murder of jenny happens
6 jenny was a friend of mine. the questioning of the protagonist and eventualy the conviction
7 all the things ive done. the protagonist recapping over the murder
(there are probably more but this is my view
Wow, loved this. First video of yours I’ve seen, now subbed
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
Another great video. I've heard this story but this explained it in such detail, thank you.
This is a great video, i love the content you are making.
Thanks!
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 !!
For more stories with recurring characters and plots weaving through songs, check out The Hold Steady and Lifter Puller.
Criminally underated channel!
Thank you for making my day ! Your videos are amazing !!!!
“No luck catching them killers, then?”
It's just the one killer, actually.
I love when you analyze the deeper meaning of albums aka the story
These video essays are amazing...
Also please do one about the Blinders. They've just released a great new album.
Great deep dive. Will never hear these songs the same way again
The first song I heard was Somebody Told Me, and I thought "oh this is.......cool" and the second one I heard was Midnight Show and all the hairs on my neck stood up so hard I was like "ohhhhhh shiiiiiitt'
You should do a video about pressure machine, such a great album with a very depressing but also content message
You have a new sub & now I'm gonna binge on your videos. :)
In case I wasn’t already in love with their new album, my favorite channel posted a new video about them :))))
Love seeing a video about The Killers the same day Imploding the Mirage is released
Thank you always knew it was something close to this just couldn't put all the pieces together
We need more videos like this. Explaining music!
For me - I see Somebody Told me as the point of view from the detective - chasing that culprit. "Breaking my back just to know your name" - i.e. looking for the killer. "Heaven ain't close in a place like this" i.e. a Police precinct. "Anything goes but dont blink you might miss" - i.e. Blinkand you miss a clue to solve the case. "I never thought I'd let a rumour ruin my moonlight" i.e. Maybe they had a different culprit but a rumour is keeping the detective up at night - or that they have nothing and that the detective is chasing up whatever little loose ends possible.
Where the chorus, is an interogation - potentially of an ex-partner to the main suspect. Where the detective is trying to profile the suspect via the ex-partner "Somebody told me you had a boyfriend, who looked like a girlfriend [a short/curt way a saying had long hair at the time - where it lets the ex-partner know what pretenses they are being asked about the main suspect]. "It's not confidential. I've got potential" - potential alibi or motive?
Just spit balling here but my take on it.
Great Job!!
LOVE your videos! Have you ever thought of doing one on Cky? maybe the Hellview trilogy?
The English teacher in me is just begging homeboy to substantiate his analytical claims with sources and unpack his dang quotes
^^^
Shut up
Thank you Middle 8!
I’m always ostracized for suggesting ‘All These Things’ is the fourth song to the story.
I love your videos so much Thank you for this 🖤
I've always loved this album, and now I'm excited to listen to it all over again. ♡
Midnight Show is my fave. So good.
Hot Fuss needs a complete review. Track by track!
This is so great!! I love the Killers!!!! Their my favorite band, theirs was my first concert!
Midnight show is definitely one of my favorite killers songs
This has just made one of my favorite bands that much more interesting to me.
Great video! These songs are all masterpieces!
Love that channel, great work
“Where is she” is probably my favorite Killers song. It’s soo good!
I feel like mr brightside belongs on there somewhere. Jealousy, turning saints into the SEA, CHOKING on your ALIBI.