Song Analysis

Analysis of Mr. Brightside

Although love can be a truly wonderful thing, it can also leave a person feeling sad and lonely. Unreciprocated love can be followed by a period of self-doubt and a loss of hope. Luckily, we can all learn from past mistakes and over time, realise that there is always something out there to look forward to.

After spending a short time in the independent music world, The Killers reached mainstream recognition with the debut of their single, Mr. Brightside. This narrative piece begins as a story of unrequited love that leads to a significant time of self-discovery. The lyrics behind this upbeat and electrically charged song reflect on a lost love and sheds light into different interpretations of a past relationship. Ironically, the musical approach to Mr. Brightside is in stark contrast to the lyrical content.

The opening lines, I'm coming out of my cage / And I've been doing just fine set the scene and make it apparent that the song is of a retrospective nature. Before reflecting on this event, he is announcing the arrival of a new perspective and attitude on this situation. Continuing through the verse, the narrator tells his unfortunate story of falling hopelessly in love. This love is of a woman who, to his despair, is looking for nothing more than a one-night-stand. Although the lines, It started out with a kiss. /How did it end up like this prove his unwillingness to give up on love, soon the narrator turns his self-pity into jealousy. This song reflects the artists confessed jealousy by using lines such as Now theyre going to bed / And my stomach is sick / And its all in my head. Now, take note of these last few lines and it will become clear that perhaps the narrator is ...