The MJ Show #22 (The Killers)

The Killers are an American alternative rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2002. The band consists of Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards), Dave Keuning (guitar, vocals), Mark Stoermer (bass guitar, vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion).
They're one of my favourite young bands and I thought that today, I'd feature a new band for a change.

I'll take you through my favourite songs from their discography.
Call this...an introduction to the band, in case you've not heard them...and a "Best Of" collection if you have heard them and love them :)

So let's start with their first album.

Album #1 - Hot Fuss (2004)
The song was named 'Song of the Decade' by UK radio stations Absolute Radio and XFM.
I don't know if I'd go that far...but hey...it's a great song for sure. My first song from the first Killers album is...
1st Song - The Killers - Mr.Brightside #TheMJshow


The next song I have reached #11 in the UK single chart and #15 in the Billboard U.S. Modern Rock Chart. The song was notably covered by the band Tally Hall for the sixth The O.C. soundtrack: Music from the OC: Mix 6.
I also remember hearing about this song when I met Simon Webbe (Singer in boyband Blue) a few years ago when he was touring India. I was working with EMI Music back then and had a chance to hang out with Simon and I remember him telling me how much he loved this song...especially it's title. And I have to agree with him.
I mean how good a title is "Smile Like You Mean It" :) Brilliant!
2nd Song - The Killers - Smile Like You Mean It #TheMJshow


Lead singer Brandon Flowers refers to this song as "Our most Vegas-influenced song on the album. Sin city, The Strip. It's where I grew up and of course it affects the songs I write. This song has a lot of sexual energy".
When The Killers first started out, their music was little noticed by music-buyers and the media, which is why "Somebody Told Me" has been released twice in slightly different forms. The first, with the pink background cover, is the rarer version of the single as it was their first release of it; due to poor sales not as many were produced. When re-released, the cover-art sported a blue background colour and is the more common version of the single.
The single peaked at #51 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The re-issued, blue edition of the single peaked at #3 in the UK.

Full fun song! :)
3rd Song - The Killers - Somebody Told Me #TheMJshow


The next song was released as the third single in 2005 in the United Kingdom and as the fourth single in the United States. The single peaked at 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at 18 in the UK Singles Chart.
It's my favourite song on the album...in fact, it's my favourite Killers song of all time.
"I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier" What a BRILLIANT line! :)
4th Song - The Killers - All These Things That I've Done #TheMJshow



Album #2 - Sam's Town (2006)
In the US, the album opened at #2, selling 315,000 in its first week. The album went straight to #1 in the UK selling over 260,000 in a week. The album has been certified 2x Platinum in Canada. As of July 11, 2007, it has sold 1,205,621 copies in the US.

For the first song from the album I have the title track of the album for you.
5th Song - The Killers - Sam's Town #TheMJshow


The nextt song was released as the lead single from that album in September 2006. It has proven to be one of their most successful singles, peaking at #14 on the U.S. Hot 100, as well as their only number 1 to date on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks. It is also their highest charting single to date in the United Kingdom and Australia, peaking at numbers 2 and 10 respectively.
6th Song - The Killers - When You Were Young #TheMJshow


The next song is the sixth track on the album, and it was released as a single in October 2006. It peaked at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also charted at #15 on the UK singles chart.
My favourite song on the album...here is...
7th Song - The Killers - Read My Mind #TheMJshow


The next song was released as the fourth single from that album in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2007, and also the fourth and final North American single.
The B-sides of the single were a cover of Dire Straits' "Romeo and Juliet" and an acoustic version of "Sam's Town" both recorded live at Abbey Road Studios for the Channel 4 show Live from Abbey Road, and later featured on their compilation album Sawdust. (You'll see the song later :)
8th Song - The Killers - For Reasons Unknown #TheMJshow



Album #3 - Sawdust (2007)
Sawdust is a album of re-recorded B-sides, rarities, covers and remixes. It has some really interesting songs. I've chosen two covers they've done from this album for you.

First up, a song by one of my all time favourite bands is done by one of my favourite young bands. Here's The Killers' take on a Dire Straits classic.
9th Song - The Killers - Romeo and Juliet #TheMJshow


I love how they've shown their musical diversity in all their albums. Here's a perfect example of what I'm saying. This is The Killers' take on a country classic.
10th Song - The Killers - Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town #TheMJshow


Album #4 - Day & Age (2008)
The album has been certified Multi-Platinum or Platinum in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Spain. The album has also been certified Gold in the US, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. This makes Day & Age the Killers' most far reaching international album.
The album debuted at number one in the UK albums chart selling over 200,000 copies in its first week. It reached number 6 in the USA selling over 193,000 copies in its first week. It has since gone 3x Platinum in the United Kingdom selling 1,000,816 copies (19th July 2009) and 1x Platinum in Australia and New Zealand, and was certified Gold in the United States[18] and Greece.
The album sold more than 2,700,000 copies in the first year of its release. To date, Day & Age has sold 2.8 million records worldwide

I have three songs from this album for you.
First up, the first single they released. I was a little perplexed when the song came out...but later, this song kinda grows on you. Here it is...
11th Song - The Killers - Human #TheMJshow


The next song was released as the second single from the band's third studio album Day & Age on November 4, 2008, as a digital download on iTunes, and as 7" and promo CD in the US, Canada and UK. It has been released to radio in Australia and has gone into regular rotation on Triple J. This song was number 17 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008. The song has been used regularly as the opening song during the band's tour.
Here's an awesome live version of the song.
12th Song - The Killers - Spaceman #TheMJshow


My final song today is the third single from this album in the UK and Europe.
13th Song - The Killers - The World We Live In #TheMJshow


On the recommendation of a massive Killers fan here's a Bonus track for you!
(Thanks @allVishal)
Bonus Track! The Killers - Mr Brightside (Jacques Lu Cont's Thin White Duke Mix)


Hope you enjoyed this.
I think there are some really great young bands out there and The Killers are definitely one of them.
Hope this show encourages you to go out and pick up more new bands! :)

Rock n Roll is still very much alive!

That's it for today :)
Take care and I'll see you soon!

Oh yeah...and...HAPPY NEW YEAR! :D
Hope to have LOTS of musical fun with you all this year :)



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