Mr. Brightside Lyrics

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

About

Genius Annotation

This was The Killers' first ever recorded song for their 2002 demo. The song was composed by guitarist Dave Keuning and the lyrics written by Brandon Flowers. It was re-recorded and released as a single in 2004.

Despite its upbeat feel, the song deals with issues of infidelity, paranoia, and jealousy. This is due to Brandon Flowers' heartache when his ex-girlfriend cheated on him while they were together.

The single went 2x Platinum in the US, selling over 2 million copies and is 3x Platinum in the UK, selling almost 1 million copies. It has also clocked over 200 weeks in the UK Top 100, more than any other song.

The single also won ‘Best New Artist in a Video’, ‘Best International video’ and is often referred to as one of the best songs of the 2000’s.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did The Killers say about "Mr. Brightside"?
Genius Answer

I remember being in the studio, recording the demo but still writing the lyrics. I was procrastinating, and that’s why the second verse is the same as the first one, but it just stuck. What strikes me about it is how powerful that song still is, and the second verse is still as powerful as the first one, every night. There’s just something about it. It’s a moment.

- Brandon Flowers writing for NME, November 8, 2013.

I remember making the demo, and I was naive to everything. We passed the demo out, and I remember a girl who worked at one of the record stores in Las Vegas said to me, ‘Oh, Mr. Brightside, that should be your first single.’ That word had never even occurred to me before. It was way farther down the road than where I was in my headspace at the time. But something came to me when I heard her say that. I knew I had to sort of man up, to get my head in the right space!

- Brandon Flowers writing for NME, November 8, 2013.

Credits
Recorded By
Mixed By
Lead Vocals
Bass Guitar
Video Director
Assistant Recording Engineer
Synthesizer
Recorded At
Kill The Messenger Studios - Henderson, Nevada & Cornerstone Studios - Berkeley, California
Release Date
September 29, 2003
View Mr. Brightside samples
Tags
Comments