The Killers are an American rock band formed in Las Vegas in 2001 by Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards, bass) and Dave Keuning (lead guitar, backing vocals). After going through a number of short-term bass players and drummers in their early days, both Mark Stoermer (bass, rhythm guitar, backing vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion) joined the band in 2002. The band’s name is derived from a logo on the bass drum of a fictitious band portrayed in the music video for the New Order song “Crystal.”
I first started listening to Hot Fuss when the album released by The Killers in 2004 through my older son. What’s funny is he’s moved on from them since then but I have continued to buy their albums. Hot Fuss was The Killers’ debut album and they released 4 singles from it: Mr. Brightside, Somebody Told Me, All These Things That I have Done, and Smile Like You Mean it.
Change Your Mind, written by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning, was the 8th of 11 cuts and very easily could have been another single. Like many of their songs, it’s about relationships. Here it is story of an anguished sufferer of unrequited love that the singer hopes will change at some point. Another song on the album, “Andy You’re a Star,” has a similar theme but the object of adoration may not even know his admirer. Andy, You’re a Star is actually my favorite song on the album; it was never released as a single either so it would also fit the prompt.
Hot Fuss and its first 3 singles garnered 5 Grammy nominations.
I found something interesting about the way Brandon’s vocals were recorded on the album, at wikipedia.
The album heavily features a vocal effect called Echo Farm on Flowers’ voice… At that time, Echo Farm had just come out, and that was really the only vocal effect he had. If you open up Echo Farm, the first setting that comes up is the default setting, which overdrives the vocal a bit and sets an 84 ms delay. That was basically what he put on everything and it sort of became the default vocal tone on the whole record…
The lyrics are on the video itself.
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. Jim’s challenge for us this week is to find a:
Song that was not originally released as an album single, or never became a single.
Tao Talk 
I listened to this band in the early 2000s as well. An old boss of mine told me about them. Really good rock band…no grunge just a regular rock band which I liked.
Oh and nothing wrong with grunge…but at this point I wanted…this!
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Yes, they are a really talented group of guys. Cool and you have good taste if you like The Killers.
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I didn’t like my boss….but this was the best thing he ever did lol.
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New one for me. Nice choice, Lisa. Unrequited love never sounded so “up”; the anthem of an optimist.
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Now that you mention it, it is very “up.” They are Las Vegas based so that might have something to do with it?
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I’d like to think they intentionally planned to feature the dichotomy between the loneliness of unshared feelings and the hopefulness for those feelings to change. 🫶🏼
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good band, great song choice!
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Thanks, Carol Anne!
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I could see this being a single, as it has a really nice sound.
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Thanks, Jim, glad you think so.
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A great choice, Lisa. Loved the band and this album.
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Glad you enjoyed it and like the band, thanks!
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I’m familiar with the hit songs from Hot Fuss but never listened to the album. After hearing this cut I think maybe it’s time!
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Maybe it is :) So interesting how they put a filter on his voice. I knew he sounded different on this one and now I know why.
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This was a new song for me and I’m surprised it wasn’t released as a single because it sure sounded like it could have been. I’m off to check out other songs on the album now.
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Make sure you listen to the one I linked to. I was watching a live video of it last night. He really gives his all in this song.
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I liked that song quite a bit. It’s open whether or not it’s a guy singing to a Andy, or if it was a guy singing as a girl to Andy which really makes the song better because it speaks to more people. And the people it doesn’t speak to, it reminds them that there’s more to life than just themselves. It’s really a great song.
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I like how you see it, Michael. Thanks for giving it a chance.
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The Killers first album; ‘Hot Fuzz’ is certainly all killers and no fillers.
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Well-said!
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I like this a lot. I hadn’t heard it before. I’ve only ever heard Mr. Brightside. :)
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Happy you like this new tune to you. I hope it inspires you to check out more of their music. Sam’s Town is another excellent album. They recently put out one called Pressure Machine that is what I consider a concept album and pretty low key but really good.
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It does have single written all over it. I like the echo farm effect too. (K)
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A very good selection. I enjoyed tuning in. Thanks for sharing 👏👏
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Thanks much, Sanjeet :)
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One of my all-time favorite bands! Nice to see them featured here.😃
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Glad I’m not the only one. I love Hot Fuss and Sam’s Town and also the latest one, Pressure Machine, which is a very subdued departure for them.
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I’m also a big fan of Brandon Flowers’ second solo effort called “The Desired Effect.” There’s a track on it called “Lonely Town”…love that song!
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Didn’t realize he did some solo albums. Just listened to it on spotify. Good song. Thanks for the heads up, Bruce!
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Wonderful album. 😊
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Gia, glad you know it and like it :)
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