Today, we start a new topic on our blog, because music, like traveling, is the
sense of our life. We simply can’t imagine our lives without music. Because, as
Lou Reed said, “Music is all”.
A few days ago The Killers released the
best of album. Is this album really necessary? Probably not, because everyone
who knows The Killers is familiar with all those songs. The Killers have been
playing together since 2003 and they have recorded only four studio albums.
After 10 years, the band decided to compile their 15 best songs and put them on
one album called Direct Hits. That is not the last album of the band as
many people suggested, it is just a summary of their 10 years together, to
close one chapter and start another.
The album was released on 11st Nov. 2013 in 2 versions:
CD Album
Deluxe CD Album
Tracks:
1. Mr.
Brightside
(Hot Fuss), written by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning.
released on 29th September 2003.
That was the debut single of the band. The song is about a man who is
jealous of a girl. Lyrics is inspired by Brandon Flowers’s story with his ex
girlfriend and his friend (probably MGG).
2. Somebody Told Me
(Hot Fuss), written by
Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer, Ronnie Vannucci.
released in The UK on 15th March 2004
The second single and second big hit. There was a lot of controversy about
the video which is very similar with New Order video to Crystal.
3. Smile Like You Mean It
(Hot Fuss), written by Brandon
Flower and Mark Stoermer.
released in The UK on 2ndMay 2005
That’s one of my favorite song on the album.
4. All These Things That I've Done
(Hot Fuss),
written by Brandon Flowers.
released in The UK on 30thAugust 2005
The band recorded the song with a gospel choir.
Favourite line:
“I got soul, but I'm not a soldier”
5. When You Were Young
(Sam’s Town), written by
Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer, Ronnie Vannucci.
released in The UK on 18thSeptember 2006
The music video was filmed in Mexico and was inspired by 2 Mexican movies.
For me this song is really special because that was my first The Killers song I
have ever heard.
“And sometimes you close your eyes
And see the place where you Used to live
When you were young”
6. Read My Mind
(Sam’s Town), written by Brandon Flowers, Dave
Keuning, Mark Stoermer.
released in The UK on 13th February 2007
The video was filmed in Tokyo, Japan. On the last concert in Europe the
band played the acoustic version of the song, fans were truly excited about
that.
Favourite line:
“Oh well, I don't mind, you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine”
7. For Reasons Unknown
(Sam’s Town), written by
Brandon Flowers.
released in The UK on 25th June 2007
When I saw it for the first time I thought that the video id really weird
:/ Now I love it. When the band plays it live, the bassist Mark Stoermer plays
the guitar and Brandon Flowers plays the bass.
Favourite line:
“But my heart - it don't beat, it don't beat the way it
used to
And my eyes - they don't see you no more”
8. Human
(Day &
Age), written by Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer, Ronnie Vannucci.
released in UK on 12nd September 2008
That was the first single from the third album – Day and Age. I was shocked
when I watched it for the first time. Why? Because everything was different. the
Music, the band, the video… just everything…
Different The Killers? Why not!
Favourite line:
“Are we human? Or are we dancer?”
9. Spaceman
(Day & Age), written by Brandon Flowers,
Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer, Ronnie Vannucci.
released on 4thNovember 2008
I simply love the suit ;)
Favourite line:
“The star maker says, "It ain't so bad"
The dream maker's going make you mad
The spaceman says, "Everybody look down
Its all in your mind"
10. A Dustland Fairytale
(Day & Age), written by
Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer, Ronnie Vannucci.
released in UK on 10thJune 2009
This song has a personal background, it’s about Brandon’s parents. Big and
emotional song, especially live.
Favourite line:
“Now Cinderella don't you go to sleep
It’s such a bitter form of refuge
Ah don't you know the kingdoms under siege
And everybody needs you
Is there still magic in the midnight sun
Or did you leave it back in sixty-one
In the of the cadence in the young man’s eyes
And were the dreams roll high”
11. Runaways
(Battle Born), written by Brandon Flowers.
released on 17th September 2012
The Killers came back after 4 year brake with this song. The song received
positive review from the critics, who said that this is the most powerful
single, one of those everyone wants to hear.
The Killers
- Runaways
Favourite line:
“There's a picture of us on our wedding day
I recognize the girl but I can't settle in these walls”
12. Miss Atomic Bomb
(Battle Born), written by Brandon Flowers and Ronnie Vannucci
released on 23rdOctober
2012
The Killers filmed two videos to this song, the first
one was made by G. Testi and shows images from The UK tour. The seconds one is the continuation of the story from Mr. Brightside. The main female character was played by Polish actress Isa Miko.
Live video by Giorgio Testi:
Animated video shoot by Warren Fu:
Favourite lines:
“You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone”
13. The Way It Was
(Battle Born), written by Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer,
Ronnie Vannucci
This song wasn't a single, so, to be honest, I have no
idea why it is on the album. Maybe The Killers feel sentimental about that
song?
Favourite line:
“Darling! Darling!
If we go on. Can it be (can it be) the way it was
When we met
Did you forget all about them golden nights?”
14. Shot at the Night
(New), written by Brandon Flowers
Brilliant, especially live!
Live:
“Once in a lifetime”
“Give me a shot at the night
Give me a moment, some kinda mysterious”
15. Just Another Girl
(New), written by Brandon Flowers
The Killers - Just Another Girl
Favourite line:
“Then why
can't I sleep at night?
And why don't the moon look right?”
3 additional songs on
the deluxe album:
16. Mr.
Brightside (original demo)
17. When You Were
Young (Calvin Harris Remix)
----------------------------------No
Idea ---------------------------------
Never heard and never will
18.Be Still
(Battle Born),
written by Brandon Flowers, Lanois
Now, you know exactly what is on the cd. The band has chosen 3 to 4
songs from every album and, except “The way it was”, all of those songs
were singles. I think the whole idea is great, and rhe album is a good
opportunity for new fans to get to know The Killers music.
The band's music had changed over the years. They began with Hot Fuss
album which was very British in style. There are four
songs from that album: “Mr. Brightside”, “Somebody
Told Me”, “Smile Like You Mean It”, “All
These Things That I've Done”. It’s hard to pinpoint my favourite of those, As
they are all different. Mr. Brightside” and ““Somebody
Told Me” are rhythmic song with
big recognizable chorus. “Smile Like You
Mean It” is a little bit slower. I have found the beauty of
that song after watching the video which is perfect. “All These
Things That I've Done” has the most famous line from all the lyrics on
that album: “I’ve got soul but I’m not a soldier”. This 4 songs should
appear on the album, but I definitely miss "Jenny was a friend
of mine”. I know that it wasn’t a single but it is the most popular song
among The Victims (The Killers fans).
2 years after Hot Fuss, the band released their second album called
Sam’s Town, which is totally different from the first one. From Sam’s Town we
have got 3 songs: “When You Were Young”, “Read My Mind”,” For Reasons Unknown”.
The Killers changed their image, added to their music more rock sound and
stronger vocal. “When you were young” was the first single from this album
and I’ve got a big sentiment for that song, because as I wrote before,
that was the first The Killers song I have ever heard. I was totally
impressed by it. Everything is perfect, guitars, drums and Brandon
Flowers' voice. “Read My Mind” has a funny video, but the lyrics is
serious and motivating. As the third song from the album the band has chosen
“For Reason Unknown”. That song has a different bass sound because it isn’t
played by Mark Stoermer but by Brandon Flowers. Sam’s Town is my favourite The
Killers album so I missed a lot of songs like “Sam’s Town”, Bling (confession
of a king), “Uncle Johny” and “The river is wild”. We couldn’t have everything
so I forgive them this small mistake ;)
The third album is/was Day & Age. To be honest, I have a big
problem with it. There are few very good songs and some which I don’t get. On
Direct Hits there are: “Human”, “Spaceman” and “A Dustland Fairytale”. “Human”
is probably the most well-known The Killers song, you could hear it everywhere,
even in Polish shops. I was shocked when I heard it and watched the video for
the first time. I liked it but I couldn’t believe that was The Killers ;)
“Spaceman” - this song shows you that everything is possible - the success only
depends of your mind. My favorite song from
Day and Age is definitely “A Dustland Fairytale”. It's a Very personal
song and you can hear it in every verse. Big emotions and big lyrics. I
only miss one song from this album: “The World That We Live In”. It was a
single, not very popular but the song has a specific character.
“Runaways”, “Miss Atomic Bomb”, “The Way It Was” and “Be Still” are from
the newest studio album called Battle Born, which was released a year ago.
“Runaways” was the first single after 4 years break. I remember waiting for
that song, because we didn’t know what to expect. Great rock song! That was a
short come back to Sam’s Town era. “The Way It Was” is a great song but only
played live. The second part has a strong verse beginning with the words:
“Darling, darling….” On the deluxe version you will find a song titled “Be
Still”. Calm ballad with beautiful lyrics.
The Killers recorded 2 brand new songs for the album:
“Shot at the Night” and “Just Another Girl”, which were written by
Brandon Flowers during The Battle Born World Tour.
I’m sure that every Victim will buy The Killers new
album. Because, as fans, they just want to have it and of course for two new
songs. I bought it too, I went to a music shop in Manchester where there were
playing the whole album and simply felt that I should had it. If you don’t know
The Killers music and if you are The Victim – buy it! It’s worth to spend your
money on. You really
should consider buying the deluxe version, as it includes the best song of that
album - a demo version of “Mr. Brightside”.
