What Makes This Song Great? "Mr. Brightside" The Killers

In this episode we take an in-depth look at The Killers' timeless hit "Mr. Brightside".
📚The Beato Ultimate Bundle - $99 FOR ALL OF Rick's Courses. Get it here: ⇢ rickbeato.com
📘- The Beato Book Interactive - $99.00 value
🎸 - Beato Beginner Guitar - $159.00 value
👂- The Beato Ear Training Program - $99.00 value
🎸- The Quick Lessons Pro Guitar Course - $79.00 value
… all for just $99.00
Get it here: rickbeato.com
Catherine Sundvall
Clark Griswold
Ryan Twigg
LAWRENCE WANG
Martin Small
Kevin Wu
Robert Zapolis
Jeremy Kreamer
Sean Munding
Nat Linville
Bobby Alcott
Peter Glen
Robert Marqusee
James Hurster
John Nieradka
Grey Tarkenton
Joe Armstrong
Brian Smith
Robert Hickerty
comboy
Peter DeVault
Phil Mingin
Tal Harber
Rick Taylor
Bill Miller
Gabriel Karaffa
Brett Bottomley
Frederick Humphrey
Nathan Hanna
Stephen Dahl
Scott McCroskey
Dave Ling
Rick Walker
Jason Lowman
Jake Stringer
Steven crawford
Piush Dahal
Jim Sanger
Brian Lawson
Eddie Khoriaty
Vinny Piana
J.I. Abbot
Kyle Dandurand
Michael Krugman
Vinicius Almeida
Lars Nielsen
Kyle Duvall
Alex Zuzin
tom gilberts
Paul Noonan
Scott Thompson
Kaeordic Industries LLC
Duane Blake
Kai Ellis
Zack Kirkorian
Joe Ansaldi
Pzz
Marc Alan
Rob Kline
Calvin Wells
David Trapani
Will Elrics
Debbie Valle
JP Rosato
Orion Letizi
Mike Voloshen
Peter Pillitteri

[@marktanner679]

I was worried he wasn’t doing these anymore. And then he comes back with this song. Rick is the man.

[@sonoman77]

Love that he's doing this and with this song but I detest the whole "Season" format bollocks. This IS NOT TV. Dude, you're too cool for this crap format. BTW, thank you for the ridiculous amount of awesome content and please do continue to kick ass. ...but this is not moving with the times and getting it right--you had it right! ❤‍🔥

[@Algebra2Master]

Best song choice. Such a 'killer' song

[@6thwilbury2331]

Hear, hear. No disrespect to the other videos, but this series was/is the real reason I sub to this channel.

[@eross21]

i love these “what makes this song great” invaluable information for anyone trying to learn music production! please don’t ever stop making them

[@piteusx8440]

Rick kind of did one on Duran Duran's Ordinary World last week. Just wasn't titled as such.

[@matt.loupe.]

You’ll never know the power of this song until you’re in a packed bar at 1 am and hundreds of people sing along as loud as they can because that’s exactly how they feel

[@raymondduck6492]

I don't know, some of use are tuned to feel the power of a song, regardless of the setting.

[@stefansnijders8943]

Or a stadium a half hour or so outside Detroit...

[@obnxsdonky9394]

@@raymondduck6492 its not the song you're feeling the power of in that specific setting

[@trevorflegler6563]

I thought the same thing. This song, a bar in a college town on a Friday night.. unrivaled

[@Samcoin1]

In any setting. This song is just amazing haha.

[@Cestariarts]

This song is universally loved. I was once on a Karaoke bar in Osaka - Japan, people from all over the world and THE WHOLE BAR WERE SINGING IT TOGETHER

[@rolandomontenegro4130]

That must have been a kick ass moment

[@AgoristAlex]

GOTTA GOTTA BE DOWN CAUSE I WANT IT ALL

[@omomyx7600]

all of them were singing it in english?

[@Kingofcasamere]

I’m an Uber driver, I love this song like most people, and one night I was driving a couple home and this came on the radio. The woman said she loved this song, I cranked it up to 20 and we ROCKED out on it! 😅😅 SUCH A GREAT SONG 🎶

[@evenmoreevil]

This was the first song that The Killers wrote. Insane.

[@pocok5000]

what's even better is that they weren't a one hit wonder.

[@eboethrasher]

@@pocok5000 What's even better is that this song was recorded as a demo, shopped in the UK along with 3 other abandoned songs, and the band kept it for it spontaneity, and thus released it on the album. Surprised Rick didn't mention it. Multiple songs on the album were recorded in this fashion, originally as demos and then kept for the very same reason. Goes to show that a very good demo can really, really take you places ;) Probably the RRHOF in 5 years when they are eligible.

[@andresbarriga5305]

It Shows. Not that their other material is any better.

[@CC-hg9un]

@@andresbarriga5305 Totally. I'd rather listen to all the Andres Barriga hits on the airwaves.

[@KToll5784]

@@andresbarriga5305 it shows how? Explain yourself.

[@FacheChanteDeux]

The final chord and bass segment were Beethoven's Ode to Joy. Lots of hidden gems.

[@pocok5000]

aw finally someone else noticed that

[@MrStayPuft222]

THAT’S what that is. I knew i recognised it.

[@TheLuke...]

The solo

[@HareK0nnen]

Technically it's not 1:1 Ode to Joy. Just the first few notes, but it resolves differently. Which is actually a great way to refference a piece without copying it outright

[@psuaj93]

YESSSS!!! I’m so happy to see someone else say it!

[@ponsholm]

Rick; I understand the talent you and your team have for putting these together but good lord, the preparation, the isolation tracks, the tablature (how to play or ear training) and research for putting these videos together is just absolutely amazing. I’m a lurker and rarely comment, I just wanted to let you know I enjoy them.

[@comajoebuck999]

👍👍👍

[@ameneses27]

Same!!! Kudos to Rick and team!

[@jrodohio]

The entire album Hot Fuss was , and still is, a masterpiece. I was blown away the first time I heard it, and it's still one of favorite albums.

[@henrikibsen6258]

In my opinion, "We took a walk that night but it wasn't the same/We had a fight on the promenade out in the rain" is one of the best opening lines of any record.

[@the_katman2181]

I agree. It's a killer debut album, and Jenny was a Friend of Mine is one of the best opening tracks ever.

[@LiamLovegrove]

Every song on that album could easily be a single

[@tostades]

One of the few albums to have no bad/filler songs, every single one was great.

[@lluewhyn]

@@the_katman2181 What I came here to say.

[@thethesaxman23]

I love when Rick says “Yeah kinda tricky to play” then proceeds to play it perfectly! 😂 love to see this series back!!

[@RickBeato]

Well, it’s tricky for other people to play haha!

[@jamieosborn]

@@RickBeato Tricky to play on a Fender Strat with the long scale when you get to the lower register stuff. Need Holdsworth finger stretches.

[@TheMoqueca]

@@RickBeato Rick, not the right place maybe, however may I ask you if you have ever reviewed Jamiroquai? Hope you’ll read this, cheers.

[@joesmith4443]

@@RickBeato I always liked this track, Rick but it’s overproduced and overly compressed dynamically, distorted and clipped. I wish more musicians/bands would just play in room and use the natural acoustic. It’s just fatiguing to listen to and definitely suffers the Loudness War to compete with iPod shuffle and now streaming. Too much Post Production is making music sound computerized, digital and unnatural. That’s why people think analog sounds better and that one day AI will one take over. As a musician you STILL need it know how to play in a room. Back in the days you have go pay your dues on the road. That feeling has been missing for a VERY long time in recorded music because the plug-ins have gotten better than analog gear which cost a fortune. The challenge today is how to makes something tasteful and frugal in a endless amount of production “value.” Nobody records “flat” mono anymore either. It’s all plugins,presets digital Eq, limiters and compressors which is ok for dance/pop music played in a club I guess. Listen to U2 in 80s recordings Or Fleetwood Mac and you get the natural sound and feel. Bono voice was so powerful naturally and his range was phenomenal. It’s just doesn’t sound right to my ears anyway. It’s gotten far worse with streaming and play counts then Radio was since dynamic range compression and loudness most ordinary people believe sounds better. That’s my two cents anyway.

[@moonwrusse5649]

​@@RickBeatoplease check out the almighty Cog from Australia, there are so many tracks of theirs worthy of an episode!!

[@mattjns]

I’m happy you changed your mind not to retire this series Rick. It’s the best thing in KZbin, glad it’s back.

[@muffinbutter100]

As the bass player in a cover band, this was one of my favorites to play. It kept me on my toes throughout the song because every verse, chorus was slightly different and had the bass line jumping all over the place. Challenging, but fun!

[@Caine61]

I'm a bass player and this is a very fun song to play!

[@elaceyb]

I love the bass in this song. Severely overlooked imo

[@ronnievaughn1257]

I’m the bass player in my band and I also sing it lol, talk about concentrating.

[@copbabycombo1311]

I'm sorry you got stuck with this band

[@frankietank1966]

Spot on dude for sure

[@Woelan]

I have listened to this song hundreds of times. And you found a way to make me feel like I'm hearing it for the first time. That is why this series is so special. Thank you for bringing it back, Rick!

[@jnbriss8517]

Same here! There is so much that I had never heard from this song before after listening to this breakdown 😂

[@TheJpyne518]

this is also not the version of the song you'd hear on the radio or spotify so that's why it sounds new

[@JulesFox]

Couldn't have said it better

[@JonH611]

He breaks down all the little things you somehow always knew were there but never really appreciated 😊

[@craigjeffs6733]

I can’t say it better than this.

[@EchtellionN]

So so happy that you decided to rescind on your decision to do these. Some of the greatest case studies in music to be found, IMHO.

[@SCHTRAM]

It's what got me interested in this channel and pretty much what usually draws me back to this channel so I agree!

[@vagabond197979]

He said he was retiring the series and there were literal riots!

[@matcoffidis1135]

It's my favorite series. I love hearing the isolated tracks and how they fit together in the finished song.

[@richardbloemenkamp8532]

"Cause I'm Mr. Brightside" is the perfect phrase ending. It sounds so fantastically ironic and heartfelt.

[@bodefosho]

The lyrics are just incredibly relatable. Who hasn't driven themself half mad obsessing over an ex and what they're doing now? Combine that with a melody that is easy for pretty much anyone to sing along with and you have a timeless smash hit.

[@tuneesq]

Rick is a fucking national treasure. I'm flabbergasted about how he can just so insanely accurate deconstruct these tracks/songs.

[@rizzadc2515]

This 💜👌

[@kimhoitomt8527]

👍

[@ajaytuk7416]

one of the most iconic songs of the 2000s- probably the most in a live context, everyone sings and jumps along

[@AimingWanderously]

This one and When You Were Young. Timeless masterpieces.

[@Batmans_Pet_Goldfish]

This song, along with with, "Killing in the Name," and "Smells Like Teen Spirit," are songs that everyone at a concert will sing along to.

[@trickster_qc]

" That melancholy mood that makes you want to listen to it again " Right on the money!

[@jonathancant2031]

Mr Brightside is the most British (non-British) song ever! It’s a classic and has almost become a British classic even though The Killers are from Las Vagas, Nevada, USA

[@alexdrakeus1772]

*Vegas. And it's an American classic.

[@henrydavel1440]

@@alexdrakeus1772Well duh

[@carladean6117]

'Choking on your alibis' Wonderful lyric

[@totallykoolyeah]

Modern classic. I'll be honest this is my fave series on youtube

[@davidwho5504]

Song was 20 years ago, it’s just a classic now

[@WizardOfOss]

This has never been my favorite song by The Killers, but I also never realized how much is actually going on in the song. It seems so deceptively simple, but so many neat little tricks that you don't really notice but all serve their purpose. And that's exactly why we love these videos! Keep them coming!

[@nickharvey7233]

​@ghost mall Totally in accordance. I would always go for the melodic euphoria of "All these things" over the bleak obsession of Mr Brightside (an iconic song, but not my favourite).

[@Driver8takeabreak]

Jenny Was a Friend of Mine is killer with that bassline.

[@TheBrokenLife]

@ghost mall Agreed. It was played seemingly 5 times an hour back in the day. This video is probably the first time I've _enjoyed_ hearing that song in nearly 20 years.

[@charliestevenson3500]

At about 16:10, I was reminded of Beethoven’s 9th symphony.

[@JimGeigerMusic]

That entire album is excellent. "Smile Like You Mean It" is my favorite.

[@peterkamhout1544]

I understood about 10% of this and LOVED 100% of it. These song breakdowns are so great.

[@notsureigaf]

Would love to see some more 2000s alt/indie rock songs in this series! Stuff like Interpol, The Strokes, Vampire Weekend, Death Cab 👍

[@llewmills6406]

Yes. And some Elliott Smith. I'd love Rick to explain why Waltz #1's melody is so riveting. All in dorian apparently.

[@h879xx]

Definitely need to hear interpol’s obstacle 1 broken down. Amazing.

[@Barbaste]

I've been complaining about that for ages, though I like other artists, Ariel Pink, sufjan Stevens, Chromatics, Phoenix, churches, beach house, mgmt, grimes, royksopp, oof

[@dahliafiend]

Elliott Smith. It’s shocking Rick hasn’t delved into Elliott. Prodigious classically trained musician who played every instrument and songwriting guitar playing as good as anyone in the nineties. @rickbeato !

[@GCKuss23]

Wow, never realized how crucial the bass is in building excitement in this song. Awesome, love that this series is back!

[@My-Channel_forever]

@ghost mall, any recommendations for Killers songs with a bass line that a beginner could handle. I have a friend learning bass and I love The Killers.

[@tastefulsubstance]

​@@My-Channel_forever Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine has a bassline that really pops

[@My-Channel_forever]

@@tastefulsubstance - Thank you!

[@er5490]

All their songs rely heavily on the bass although mostly goes unnoticed but they have great fillers and drive the Melody

[@kenthawley5990]

When you listen to the song, the whole seems so simple, but when you break it down, each part is so dynamic and sounds so different. I've always loved this song, but your analysis makes me realize why it's so good and why I love it even more now.

[@RokDAWG1]

One of my friends was with The Killers for 6 years as a touring member. I can’t say enough about his playing or the band’s playing! Top notch all the way around.

[@kane6529]

My homeboy Brandon Flowers wrote this song! Great dude and one he’ll of a morman

[@arottie4097]

@@kane6529 How many wives does he have? Ha!

[@MatteoPrezioso]

@@kane6529 you mentioned his weakest point but hey, no one's perfect I guess.

[@jamescassidy3995]

Can we take a moment for the fabulous heartbreaking lyrics & heart wrenching vocal performance ♥️

[@pw-s1564]

No one ever talks about the lyrics in this song but it contains one of the all time classic hanging innuendos. "Now they're going to bed, And my stomach is sick, And it's all in my head, But she's touching his..." and your mind just jumps to the dirty word... and then he pauses and says 'chest'! Makes me smile every time.

[@Cryogenius333]

DOnt think I ever got "that" out of it. You know where its leading, but I never pictured Brandon saying "sex" here. The song is a snapshot of a young mans mind going insane seeing a girl hes crushing on in the arms of a cooler, more confident guy and that teenage angst carrying your thoughts to conclusions that only serve to poison your feelings into jealousy.

[@tonypapas9854]

So glad you decided to bring this format and series back - it's the best music analysis series on KZbin.

[@hauntedmilk8540]

As a bass player I might be biased, but for me the running bass line in the pre-chorus is what makes this song so damn catchy. That distorted bass gives the song so much angst.

[@1clkgtramg]

The Killer's basslines are some of the most underrated out there. Once you realize how insane Somebody Told Me is it brings out a whole other appreciation for it.

[@freedomruss]

It's the sound I always wanted my bass to have but I could never afford the gear to make it happen.

[@jaysamaha3194]

Really? I love the bass sound but it’s not hard to get-crank the tone, add some overdrive, and play with a pick.

[@brendanwalker987]

I always sing that part too

[@gefaehrlich]

So you've never played through an amplifier at all?^^​@@freedomruss

[@TheOlesarge]

This song...I used to play this song with my old cover band every weekend. It is POWERFUL, man, let me tell you. It pulls the emotion out of you and makes you that much of a better musician having played it. Kudos to The Killers for having written and recorded it.

[@plopperator]

Were you the tambourine player?

[@BarryWarne]

@@plopperator tamborine players aren't cheap at union rates

[@jongzhao4689]

@@plopperator Pretty sure you are

[@ronmexico1975]

@@plopperator He played the skin flute.

[@GhostGuitars]

yeah man. There is (probably) a law in the UK that if this isnt played at your wedding you arent officially married

[@connoranderson136]

First time I saw them in concert they opened with this song and it was absolutely electric

[@IgorRozinov]

The music is really good, but let’s be honest - what really makes this song GREAT are the gut wrenching and honest lyrics that only a true artist can deliver and stir the listener. Thank you so much for the video, like everyone is mentioning so far - really happy the series is back - some of the best content to watch here on YT.

[@patrickolivier1]

Not if you’re a guitarist or bassist or drummer 😉

[@erikhuseth1578]

It's like two notes and he can't even sing them in tune. So no.

[@Cryogenius333]

@@erikhuseth1578 Thats the point? Why does one have to sing in tune like a dutiful little choir boy? That frantic angst(And now this is happening and then this and then this and ughh its making me so sick to think about and it gets worse and worse and worse...) and the deapan delivery are part of WHY the lyrics are so powerful. This is a young mans seeing a girl hes crushing on(or possibly an ex he still has feelings for) in the arms of another guy likely cooler and better looking and probably more confident and running amok with the possibilities.

[@erikhuseth1578]

@@Cryogenius333 Sounds like olivia rodrigo lyrics but with the sexes changed. Maybe if she sang out of tune people would take her more seriously

[@stef4492]

This CD lived in my car on continuous repeat for like 6 months... So good.

[@ChrisPernaDrums]

Played this song hundreds of times in a cover band in the early 2000’s. Crowd favorite.

[@dennisjhodges]

also been playing it since then, and I can confirm it still kills to this day! All ages, all crowds

[@fransarmy1]

This song undeniably has “it”. Something special. Something that makes you FEEL something. It’s top tier music, born of quality songwriting and production that tickles the ears and mind. The Killers struck gold with this masterpiece.

[@markeythesharkey6153]

What makes this song great? The guy that mixed it.

[@robertgerow670]

Hot fuss has got to be one of the greatest debut albums of all time

[@crazyfor60]

Facts! I honestly love their first two albums soooo much that I don’t even know if I can fully separate them honestly

[@davidgdraper6269]

The murder trilogy is fascinating as well but I’ll always love Mr. Brightside.

[@alexwlf8434]

Truer words have never been spoken!

[@SteveClark-t5s]

Respect.. but Meatloaf, Boston, and Hootie might have something to say about that

[@nathancooley7685]

Rick pointed out the dissonance with the guitar and synths in the pre-chorus “… and taking control part.” What makes this song so great and so freaky catchy is how that dissonance just totally resolves and points everything in a completely aligned single direction with the “Jealousyyyyyy …” chorus. I mean, our brains are literally hardwired to seek that chorus harmony and alignment after the sonic dissonance. Such a great song!!

[@OnePaintedMan]

Oh yes. Welcome back WMTSG. It's like a favourite old friend dropping in for a drink. Sheer quality. You have made my appreciation for music so much deeper with your insight and gift for explanation Rick. Thank you so much for all you give us.

[@kothrising4762]

Not The Killers fan but this song is pure rock/pop perfection. Hook after hook after hook in all fronts.

[@JonathanMarsala]

Have you actually listen to them? Like more than 3songs cus bro they are incredible

[@kothrising4762]

@@JonathanMarsala actually bought Hot Fuss because of this song. Non of the other songs did much for me, sounded like a disjointed mix of New Order and early Depeche Mode, then My gf at the time lend me a copy of Sam's Town, did nothing for me. Not saying they are Bad, just not My cup of tea. People tend yo have different musical tastes, You know?

[@JonathanMarsala]

@@kothrising4762 she was the one dude I get, it obviously can't be for everyone

[@eboethrasher]

@@kothrising4762 I mean, considering where they got their name, the New Order call isn't off the mark, but that's precisely what I love about them.

[@fuzzysnuffles]

@@kothrising4762 - Weird, didn't think I'd like Sam's Town but I love that cd too. Another one I can listen to every track on and don't ever skip one.

[@bloodromance4776]

Finally!! This series is a reason why i love KZbin overall

[@ryanleu]

Dave Keuning isn't recognized for being a great guitarist, but he is the entire reason why I wanted to first pick up a guitar. I love this band. Got to see them at Lollapalooza back in 2017 and will get to see them again this May. Can't wait.

[@godzillabass]

another thing that makes this song great is the lyrics. some great lyrics in this song. one of the things i love the most about the killers…

[@brewcewillis8328]

Mr Beato - The way that you take a song that everyone has heard a million times, dissect it under a microscope and expose subtleties missed a million times is magic. A true service to the music community. I don't know if you've already picked your songs for the season, but a breakdown of "Obstacle 1" by Interpol would be interesting, I think. Like "Mr brightside" it's a dense song with a lot of moving parts. Thank you so much for what you do!

[@stux]

I also love the wide-eyed enthusiasm Rick has when doing these. He never lets the analytical aspect detract in the slightest from the passion he has for music and for sharing it with us mere mortals. 😂

[@johnb6850]

I agree, I love hearing things in these songs I’ve never heard before

[@siriusfun]

Great choice for this episode. Alan Moulder's mixing had a lot to do with how powerful this album hits.

[@Mr.A_LDN]

Alan is the man!

[@stuartalanrook]

Did Alan moulder mix it? I thought he wasn’t involved until sams town?

[@joxyjoxyjoxy1]

The engineer deserves a ton of credit for this song. That gained-up bass with that sweet synth fill this song up under that arpeggiod (is that a word?) guitar. So powerful.

[@crichardson3903]

My kids introduced me to this song when it came out. I can still remember driving from Key West to the main land singing this song with them at full volume. Awesome memories. Still one of my favorites.

[@kadu51044]

It's crazy to me that there are all these elements that I never caught in a song such as this. You would think as a listener it is not needed, but then you hear why it is. Like why that one seasoning that you only add a teaspoon of to a massive pot of chili can make all the difference. Thank you Rick for doing this!

[@billymays1761]

Music arrangement is truly about filling up the space with subtleties that add up to become one with the leading parts driving the song forward. On their own, certain elements might sound thin or questionable, but just like an orchestra, everyone has their important role to play.

[@ryanmccann2539]

I think how they sneak in of a riff on Ode to Joy in the bridge. It makes me smile every time.

[@RC32Smiths01]

Great to see a new era ushered in. This series has absolutely helped my ear and appreciation for the music I already enjoy.

[@stefansnijders8943]

Ronnie Vannucci (Jr.) is hands-down the best overlooked drummer in current popular music. Really, what he does for their music is often underappreciated, but really is so integral to their sound since the beginning. No other drummer would have been the right drummer.

[@User-jk8wq]

His playing with the Rentals was killer as well

[@melrupinski88]

As an interesting side note, the Drumeo channel did an episode where they played this song without the drum track for Dirk VerBeuren, the drummer for Megadeath, and had him come up with his own drum part. Was an interesting take on the song, but demonstrates just how integral Ronnie’s original drum track was to this song. I’d recommend it for a fun watch.

[@lippi2171]

Rick please continue this amazing series!! WMTSG is basically the pinnacle of educational but entertaining popular music content on YT and it's badly, badly missed.

[@danpro4519]

This is a song where I kind of roll my eyes at the beginning but by the chorus I'm singing my lungs out. It really is a perfect example of a song that utilizes a tense, long buildup with a hook at the chorus that is just so satisfying.

[@kraftwerk974]

This is so 80's sounding ! Love it. Reminiscent of The Chameleons, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Killing Joke, The Cure...

[@Grantallica]

There's an emotion in Brandon's voice that hits so well. I think they have objectively more interesting songs musically off later albums, but I suppose it's the simplicity of this one that makes it a hit

[@slimydroid]

You should try some of Brandons solo work, it's absolutely phenomenal. And not just because he managed to convince Charlize Theron to star in one of the music videos!

[@hallgen2013]

@@slimydroid Crossfire was our first dance at our wedding! 💒💃🍾

[@mikemakesmusic7]

Does anyone else feel like a complete genius when you notice something in the track as you’re watching and then 2 seconds later Rick calls it out!?

[@flame_half]

Brandon Flowers is an amazing vocalist. He performs every note.

[@balohna]

This song has way more to it than I ever would have thought! Takes me back to high school in the mid 00s. It was a huge song.

[@tonypapas9854]

9:33 The lead vocals in the chorus sound so much like the 1st Wave 80s music that exploded when I was in college in the early 1980s. Cool sound.

[@varuns9723]

​@ghost mall I love that I'm seeing you everywhere in the comments 😆

[@TheJFerg24]

The Killers and Stranger Things feel like a predestined match.

[@dancollins8296]

The killers helped bring in what is now called the second coming of new wave in the 2000s.

[@paulinagrochoa6123]

OMG I was so afraid that you had no intention of bringing these back, I'm so relieved! I can't wait to see which songs you will be discussing in this series 😍

[@CuntyMcShitballs100]

If you watch them playing this live, just as the second chorus finishes the crowd always go nuts. It happens in every single live performance of this song. The song whips the audience into a frenzy at that point.

[@mrsuns10]

When I saw them live the whole stadium was shaking when Mr Brightside came on

[@GM-pn7ih]

They played it twice when I saw them. That was years ago mind you, when they just had the one album.

[@MoahGentle]

@@GM-pn7ih when I seen them live around 2008 they played “All These Things That I’ve Done” twice as an encore. People weren’t really thrilled:(

[@creamyhorror]

@@MoahGentle All These Things That I've Done is a great, melodically rich song too, but I guess the crowd wanted the climaxing high of Mr. Brightside...

[@nicholaswightman822]

One of my favorite rock songs of all time. He broke it down perfectly.

[@carladean6117]

Every time I hear this song I think of Bowie's 'Queen Bitch'. Stylistically, rhythmically and lyrically. Bowie sings : 'And I'm phoning a cab, Cause my stomach feels small, There's a taste in my mouth, And it's no taste at all, It could have been me, Oh yeah, it could have been me' Brandon sings : 12:44 onwards Interesting ...... lyrics are very similar.

[@pajordan]

Wow, I love Hunky Dory and I would’ve never made that connection - pretty cool.

[@carladean6117]

@@pajordan plagiarism at its finest ☺️

[@Parula06]

Yay! So glad you're back doing WMTSG! The Killers song that really lights me up is "The Man". Fabulous Brandon Flowers vocals, so interesting musically. A banger.

[@TheBrokenLife]

I strongly agree. I even went back into my archive when that song came out and realized that I owned Hot Fuss and never really gave it a chance. It's a solid album. I need to look into the stuff that came out in the 15 years between the two. 😆

[@cloudpump1]

​@@TheBrokenLife I highly recommend the album "battle born". Hugely underrated IMO

[@jr2904]

​@@TheBrokenLife Sam's town has some great songs

[@tompowers9296]

I dont give a damn

[@vincenzoa2929]

Rick, I teach drums at a School Of Rock in south Austin and I’ve told so many of my students and fellow instructors about your channel and how educational it is for music lovers. Keep up the great work and please do more of WMTSG videos!

[@kidgmusic]

This song is pure magic. Something that’s unexplainable. Every single time I play this the dancefloor lights up like fire.

[@ridwanarifiandi6867]

This song was featured on MTV back in the day. How nostalgic!

[@kmw5100]

This is easily the best series on KZbin

[@infinitmusic7286]

I've always felt like the dissonance between the vocals and bass line worked so well with this one. The genius of it is in the meaning of the song. It's meant to be that way. Amazing.

[@Ofthe7thSon]

How in the world can artists, producers and the abhorrent music companies NOT let Rick make these unbelievably amazing videos…! Me, a consumer, just bought The Killers best of because of this video…..

[@crichardson3903]

Right??? Free advertising at its finest. Makes no sense and I don't see the downside for the artists or the labels.

[@regpither3392]

One of the greatest choruses written in the last 30 years

[@ataberkyavas7476]

It reminds me of special k by placebo.

[@imjustthegarbageman759]

This album and THIS song… such a great record and if there was ever a time for a new rock band to break through and give us melodic, powerful tunes - it’s now. Big songs you can sing along to

[@Pensfan5919]

Hot Fuss, front-to-back, is a solid contender, in my opinion, for a top 10 debut album in music history. So good any way you listen to it, and it gets added meaning as a concept album

[@juhos30000]

Agreed, Appetite For Destruction and Hot Fuss are some of the debut albums ever

[@connieb6161]

Throwing Copper

[@RockTheBass]

​@@connieb6161 Throwing Copper wasn't Live's debut album, though.

[@John-tr5hn]

I'd add Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville and Morrissey's Viva Hate to that list.

[@eboethrasher]

@@John-tr5hn You can't really call a solo album by a person who was a singer in a hugely popular band for 5 years a "debut album" - he did nothing that he hadn't already been doing. He didn't write the music. He wrote lyrics and vocal melodies, the same as he had always done. Viva Hate is a 90% great album, but just not a debut album. Stone Roses, if you discount the earlier singles, is a master debut album.

[@gabrielpaiva9070]

Amazing comeback with these series, Rick! Season 2 had better include Iron Maiden or The Offspring. Those are bands that I bet people are waiting forever to see on a What Makes This Song Great.

[@HamiltonRb]

Neither band is anywhere near my top choices, but thats what makes music so great, we all like what we like

[@calle68]

Yes, after Somebody told me

[@gabrielpaiva9070]

@@HamiltonRb I didn't mean just those two bands (to be honest, they're nowhere near my top choices either), I also meant all the bands Rick never or hardly ever featured on this series.

[@HamiltonRb]

@@gabrielpaiva9070 I hear ya. Iron Maiden did have a few songs I like though 👍

[@chilledpenguins8381]

I love this series because it consistently points out to me how much a producer and mixing engineer matter in how a song turns out. All of the little things that happen behind the front of the song (like the synth parts or dual guitar part in the chorus) help so much, and i'm sure much of that was felt out in the studio with the producer.

[@scottbubb2946]

So glad to see WMTSG is back. I think a lot of us started watching this channel because of it. Also, now that I hear the isolated parts of this song, I see why it always sounded so empty when my band played it.

[@garyzsaludko1490]

Mr.Beato, thank you!!! your channel is the best ever!!! I can't get enough of this stuff!!! I love how we can hear all the goodies....and the TONE.....it's all about the TONE!!!!!! thank you sir!!!!

[@TFWaffleman]

I've listened to "Mr. Brightside" I think 40 million times (conservatively) in the 20 years since it came out, and I've noticed and appreciated so many of the song's subtle hooks--but there were *still* things I hadn't picked out, like how sick those drum fills are. That's how jam-packed with cool textural elements this song is.

[@godinflt555]

I absolutely love, LOVE!, that you covered this song! The Killers are probably my favorite rock band of the last 20 years. There’s a reason why this song has been on the charts in different countries since 2004. Brilliant song, and one of the best debut albums of a band ever. EVER!

[@323johnnybravo]

Iv seen them live 3 times now and when they perform this song everyone in the stadium sings along. It’s amazing.

[@godinflt555]

@@323johnnybravo, I’ll go to a football game at the college where I teach, and these 19, 20-year olds are screaming this song! They know it! I love it, and it just brings up the crowd into a rock show atmosphere. I just love this band. Lol There are great bands, and, perhaps there are great arena rock bands; they are both.

[@justinkey4895]

I had always kind of thought of this song as one of the last really great pop songs that was heavily guitar based. But the lyrics and feel of the song were so great to me that I didn't really pay a lot of attention to the details like I usually do for most songs I love. This breakdown was superb. There's so much great stuff going on in this song. My subconscious must have realized that because I've always really loved this song. Thank you.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

I've been playing this song live for just short of a decade at this point. It's still one of the trickiest songs in the set of played correctly, as you pick every single 8th note in the entire song. String skipping, patch changes, arpeggios, open strings ringing out etc. it keeps you on your toes!!! Great video Rick. Missed this series.

[@titus2120]

This song is was a hidden masterpiece. So glad he picked it up…

[@Kingofcasamere]

Don’t know what I love more. Rick Beato, or this song 😅. Thank you Rick

[@skullhorse2286]

I'm so glad you highlighted the importance of the bass on this! Mark Stoermer's bass playing is severely underrated in my opinion and that entire first album is filled with absolutely genius bass lines from him.

[@intotheopendoor1308]

Such a great song…the drive underneath from the kick pushes this song ahead….a great example of the “pocket” and leading time. You feel like this song is being driven forward and gaining intensity throughout.

[@Nightwing690]

It's Killing Me!

[@HorkPorkler]

I find it rather boring.

[@marshallkkurtz]

Thank you so much for doing this Rick. The Killers are a phenomenal and underrated band. Saw them live for the Sam’s Town tour and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.

[@arista.g]

Underrated ? I don't think so. They're huge.

[@Billy-bd2oe]

I just found this song like 6 months ago, I had probably heard it in the background at events or on the radio, but never paid much attention to it... today as of 2023, it is one of the greatest songs ever recorded in my opinion =)

[@ahtoka7008]

Please never stop doing these Rick

[@drmachismo]

Missed these! Great song Rick - I spent hours trying to get this lick down when the song came out. The guitar part at 17:00 always reminded me of Beethoven's Ode to Joy

[@richardbloemenkamp8532]

True, they definitely lifted it from Ode to Joy, it's almost identical.

[@toddcnoker]

More of these, please! You mentioned doing Depeche Mode's "Never Let Me Down Again." Please do!

[@TheShadowKarl]

Agreed!

[@LANGI902]

100%

[@John-tr5hn]

Anything from Depeche Mode from before 1994, please!

[@thepianocoverman1800]

I bet that bass players just love all the attention you give them. And well deserved. They do deserve your attention as they do add a lot to the groove of a song.

[@johnglasgow83]

I like songs. You show why I like these songs. Thank you for opening the door of music magic.

[@jacobseal]

Amazing song from an incredible album. Proof that interesting arrangements hit people harder than difficult technical passages.

[@jimoconnor1892]

Thank you Rick for bringing this back, and with such a "killer" song!

[@pfzt]

Wonderful song choice! This reminds me of how great for guitar driven music the early 2000s have been, soo many great bands and nobody could imagine that all would end just a few years later.

[@dustinf11]

I actually learn more about producing music from these WMTSG videos than anything else. Glad to see season 2.

[@1scottrobert]

Rick, these videos demonstrate how simple it is to take a great song for granted. Breaking down the mechanics of why we love certain music is rewarding, thank you for this.

[@James-pq3qq]

Mr. Beato, I had no idea of your obvious mastery of music theory and structure. You are also as eloquent and moving a speaker as you are a musician, blessed with a high degree of intelligence. You have literally made MR BRIGHTSIDE come alive for me in brilliant new directions. You have painstakingly and lovingly broken down this enchanting song with great skill and precision revealing its innate magic in the sum of its parts. Thank you for posting this, sir, AND I HAVE LEARNED GREAT THINGS FROM YOU TODAY.

[@leotritt9809]

I was so happy to see this in my recommended. You're one of the gems of KZbin, and I really hope you keep this series up