1. Floorfilers Part 1 - The Killers - Mr Brightside

 


Background

One of the most requested songs in modern times, Mr. Brightside by the Killers was released in 2003 as part of their first album, ‘Hot Fuss’ and is one of the first songs that the band wrote together. It became a hit on its re-release in 2004, reaching a peak of number 10 in the UK and spending a total of 208 weeks in the charts.

There are many interpretations of the song, but the favoured one is that it is about the lead singer, Brandon Flowers, ‘Mr Brightside’ who caught his girlfriend cheating on him. The songs explore the visions of jealousy that he goes through in his head about what they may have got up to behind his back, but despite that tries to put a brave face on it by looking on the ‘Brightside.’

Throw in a killer guitar riff and a thumping bassline and you have a perfect modern rock floorfiller.

From a DJ’s Perspective

I have played this song many times over the years and it is always something I turn to if I have a young-ish crowd and want to ‘Get the guitars out,’ so as to speak, especially if I have played other genres beforehand. The unmistakable intro to the song allows my guests to scramble onto the dancefloor before the bass and lyrics kick in, so it therefore makes the perfect introduction to an ‘indie section’ of the night. If successful (which it usually is) I like to follow it up with other rock songs of the 2000s, such as ‘Chelsea Dagger’ and ‘Sex on Fire.’ Mr Brightside is one of the most requested songs of my time as a DJ because it seems to strike a chord with people both young and old.




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