Discussion
I'm not a big lyrics person but this is one of the few songs where every word feels powerful and meaningful to me. The lyrics are very immediately grabbing and moving. Not relatable to me, just a hard hitting story.
But if some of you guys are more lyrically focused, what do you think of this song? Is it lyrically speaking one of the Killers' best, to you?
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Yeah hands down.
I also think that whether you can relate to the entirety of that specific situation or not (and I hope you can’t) you can relate to parts and there’s always a fear of being a worse person than you are.
I think it’s a song young people can relate to as it speaks to a young love as it grows, and old people can relate too as it’s a metaphor for how difficult life is.
It’s the first true precursor to key Pressure Machine themes.
Anyway, a near perfect song imo. Love seeing the Brandon fist pumps live on the third verse. Maybe my favorite live ‘thing’
Yeah for sure, you hit the nail on the head. The song is very tragic, but is still easy to see yourself in on some level, which makes it chilling.
It’s one of sad songs that’s masquerading as an upbeat love story.
I never thought I’d compare the two, but it reminds me of Hey ya by OutKast in that sense.
Agreed! I feel a similar melancholy from both.
Multiple upvotes for this statement. Runaways' content is relatable (or understandable) across a larger age range whereas Pressure Machine's themes likely resonate more with older people.
And, lyrically and musically, Runaways is a masterpiece.
Yeah, you said it best. What I should’ve said was: it was the first time it felt like they gave that nod towards ageing and disappointment
"Ageing and disappointment" elicited a sad chuckle. In an earlier thread I'd described the theme of Pressure Machine as potential and hope giving way to "reality." Your words are more direct.
Yesss, I always thought this about Runaways.
I do, however, think almost all their songs as of the Battle Born album have great lyrical meaning.
I can imagine, Runaways is just very immediately attention-grabbing. What’s a song from them that I should look into more in terms of lyrics?
The sound is, obviously, completely different from Runaways, but the entire Pressure Machine album is story-based songs with varying degrees of melancholy. Desperate Things immediately comes to mind.
All the lyrics on Battle Born are awesome. I honestly think it is peak kILLERS. I didn’t care for Wonderful Wonderful at first but now I find the lyrics to be incredible as well….to layer on your sentiments, their lyrics have gotten to be more powerful/relatable. But I think that is simply a byproduct of us all getting older. Kids and families really change things.
Duatland Fairytale also has great lyrics. Also a fan of Quiet Town because I grew up in rural Utah.
Brandon tells a story about the song having some limited air play before it's was released as a single and running into a young cashier at a grocery store that had heard the song, loved it, and told him how much the song meant to him. (I thought it was on one of the shorts leading up to Rebel Diamonds, but I can't find it now.) This young kid was a father (or soon to be father) and told Brandon, I don't want to be that guy, (they guy in runaways) and it really touched Brandon.
I think of that interaction now whenever I hear the song, and it makes me cry. This song is so good.
I'm not qualified to preach to anyone, but fellow victims, don't runaway.
This song is a masterpiece and I love the lyrics too ! I’ve never been in this kind of situation but I guess it must be meaningful for many people.
Contrary to what some people think, it’s not about Brandon’s relationship but he saw many friends divorce at that time, that inspired him to write this song. Oh, and if I recall, he wrote this on the tour bus after a concert that went badly
I’ve always thought of Brandon to be an amazing songwriter. He’s a fantastic storyteller, even in his solo stuff!
I think it's a catchy song but the lyrics always bothered me. It sounds possessive to me, what if his lady wants to run away. I take it as let's work through our problems I won't let you give up on us so easily. It does come across a little controlling to me. Then the part towards the end about not being settled in the home anymore makes me think he should move on. Makes me wonder why he's trying so hard to get her to stay when he's miserable. It makes me sad that him or whoever he's writing about is struggling so much to be happy with his life.
My take is the lyrics tell a story over time. It starts with the adrenaline rush of attraction, then rushing into commitment and realizing, holy shit, I can't live up to it. Now we're stuck and fighting, but dang I reminisce of what could have been. And if I could have a redo or run away that does look attractive.
Don't think it's one sided and possessive, but it's always good discussion to see other views.
Yeah, I mean I’m no expert on lyrics… but do you think that the song is intentionally describing a possessive partner? I always thought so…
It’s hard for me to choose any one song as “the best” when it comes to lyrics, but I absolutely believe that Runaways (the recording) is Brandon’s best vocal performance.
I think it’s one of the best-written songs in their catalogue.