The year was 2004, and “Somebody told me” you had a boyfriend. Don’t make a Hot Fuss about it. (oof)
A statement no one was saying that about me when I first heard The Killers. It’s funny how some songs and albums take you more vividly to a time and place than others. I remember hearing the aforementioned “Somebody Told Me” for the first time. I was driving in the car with my mom and I even remember what street we were on. The song came on the radio (now kids, a radio is…) and my mom turned it up, stating she just heard the song and it was a good one, and it was from the same band as “Mr. Brightside.” She was right. For me there’s not a lot of music that I listen to and are absolutely hooked from the first listen. It even happens with some of my favourite bands. (It look me an embarrassingly long time to appreciate “Long Road To Ruin.”) The second single from the band didn’t disappoint. It had a lot to live up to, after all.
I’m of course referring to the song you couldn’t escape, though I wasn’t complaining. That song, sing it with me, was “Mr. Brightside.” Although I haven’t seen the music video in fifteen plus years I can still picture it like it was yesterday.
The other singles came in the form of “Smile Like You Mean It”, and “All These Things That I’ve Done.” Though I honestly thought the first song on the album, “Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine”, was one as well, and might just be my favourite song on Hot Fuss.
I honestly think looking back, that The Killers were a big part of shaping my musical tastes. I was still figuring it out, but this embedded itself in my psyche. They were there throughout high school were I found my so called sound. At some point thereafter I got away from the band, I’m not sure why, because every time I go back to them, I say to myself they need to be put back in the rotation. Maybe writing this will finally make it stick. As I’m listening to it now, I can just picture myself in that specific moment in time. Graduating elementary school, and entering high school. Nostalgia is a funny thing, and I’m sure a few of you out there are in the same boat as I am with this record.
What’s your favourite song?
Also, don’t hesitate to add your suggestions.
And if you missed last weeks recommendation, you can find it here. The band, Florence and the Machine, the album…