"Mr. Brightside" is the debut single by American rock band The Killers.
The song is featured on the group's debut studio album Hot Fuss and was written by Brandon
Flowers and Dave Keuning.
It was originally released on September 29, 2003 and achieved minor success.
It became more popular upon its re-release in 2004, peaking at number 10 in both the
United States and the United Kingdom.
It was named "Song of the Decade" by UK radio stations Absolute Radio and XFM, and in April
2010 Last.fm revealed that it was the most listened to track since the launch of the
online music service, with over 12.2 million plays "scrobbled".
In October 2010, it was voted ninth in the Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 21st Century
so far by Total Guitar magazine.
It is The Killers' best-selling song in the US where it has sold over 3 million copies.
History Lyrically, "Mr. Brightside" depicts the jealousy
and paranoia of a man who suspects his significant other is cheating on him.
The song is inspired by an unfaithful ex-girlfriend of frontman Brandon Flowers.
Guitarist Dave Keuning composed the song's verses before meeting Flowers.
Flowers then wrote lyrics and composed the chorus after hearing Keuning's ideas.
In November 2001, the group had recorded "Mr. Brightside" along with three other demos including
"Desperate", "Replaceable", and "Under the Gun" at Mike Sak's Kill the Messenger Studio
in Henderson, Nevada.
They handed out a demo of the song for free during their shows in 2002.
"Mr. Brightside" became a popular song within the Las Vegas music scene with one reviewer
calling it a "feel-good anthem that ranks as one of the best local tracks in a long
time."
After signing with UK indie label Lizard King Records, the track was sent to radio as a
buzz single and it received frequent spins by influential BBC Radio 1 DJ's Zane Lowe
and Steve Lamacq as well as being playlisted by XFM.
In a glowing review, NME said the song was filled with "ambition, sex, and noise".
An early demo of the song featured Dave Keuning on bass and Matt Norcross on drums, before
Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci were members of the band.
The original demo was officially released on the 2013 compilation album, Direct Hits.
A remix of the song by Stuart Price was featured on The Killers' 2007 B-side and rarities compilation
Sawdust.
During the tour for Brandon Flowers's solo record, he performed the remix version with
Stuart Price during his show at Brixton Academy and has since performed it on his tour as
the show closer, again in the remix form.
On the Killer's 2012 album, Battle Born, they released "Miss Atomic Bomb", which is considered
a companion song to "Mr. Brightside" lyrically.
Music video There are two videos for this song: the first
version also known as the UK version was filmed in April 2004 on Staten Island, New York;
the first video was directed by Brad Palmer and Brian Palmer under their studio surround.
Later on in the year the label decided to create a more mainstream video for the US
market: the second video also known as the US version was filmed in Los Angeles, California
during November 2004.
It stars Flowers, Izabella Miko, and Eric Roberts in a love triangle, occurring within
the context of a burlesque show.
Directed by Sophie Muller, it is reminiscent of the 2001 film Moulin Rouge!.
The American version won an MTV VMA in 2005 for Best New Artist in a Video.
The photos that are featured on the inner sleeve of the album Hot Fuss were shot on
set during the filming of the UK version music video and were inspired by the black and white
look of that video.
Cover versions The song has been covered in a swing/jazz
style by Paul Anka on his 2007 covers album Classic Songs, My Way.
Crossover rock-jazz artist ELEW created a piano version for his 2010 ELEW Rockjazz Vol.
1.
English pop-rock band McFly covered the song as a B-side to their 2005 single, "I Wanna
Hold You".
Texan artist Playradioplay!
covered the song on his 2007 EP The Frequency as well.
Many other artists have performed live covers of the song, including American rock band
Fall Out Boy, Isa Raja on X Factor Indonesia and Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald.
The song has also been covered by the Vitamin String Quartet, Boyce Avenue and on the UK
television show Orange Unsigned Act by contestant Tommy Reilly.
Additionally, a cappella versions have been produced by groups including Wheaton College's
Gentlemen Callers and Boston-based Overboard.
Brandon Flowers performed the song during his solo tour in 2010.
Indonesian hardcore band Thirteen also cover this song.
The Wanted covered the song as part of a medley of The Killers songs during their summer 2013
live shows.
Soundtrack Mr. Brightside appeared on the 2006 movie
The Holiday's soundtrack.
The song is played by character Amanda Woods, portrayed by Cameron Diaz, on a CD player,
while she's yelling the lyrics along, to relieve stress and forget her boyfriend cheated on
her.
This song was also briefly played in the movie About Time.
Track listings Chart performance
"Mr. Brightside" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #40 on February 12, 2005, and peaked
at #10 on June 11, thus making it a sleeper hit.
It has sold more than 820,000 copies in the United Kingdom as of July 5, 2014, making
it the UK's No. 12 most downloaded rock track of all time.
Charts and certifications Accolades
BPI Pop Gem Hall of Fame Inductee Awards
The song was nominated for a Grammy in 2006 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group
with Vocal, but it lost to a live version of "This Love" by Maroon 5.
References
External links Watch "Mr. Brightside" on YouTube
Watch "Mr. Brightside" UK Version on YouTube Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics