The Killers Open Up About Writing ‘When You Were Young’ | Song Exploder | Netflix

The Killers and producers Flood and Alan Moulder discuss how they collaborated to write the iconic track, When You Were Young, for their second studio album, Sam’s Town (2006).
Interviewed by Hrishikesh Hirway of hit podcast and Netflix series, Song Exploder, they deep-dive into how they recorded the bass line, wrote the lyrics and which stems didn’t make it into the final mix.
Song Exploder is now streaming on Netflix.
LYRICS:
You sit there in your heartache
Waiting on some beautiful boy to
To save you from your old ways
You play forgiveness
Watch it now, here he comes
He doesn't look a thing like Jesus
But he talks like a gentlemen
Like you imagined when you were young
Can we climb this mountain?
I don't know
Higher now than ever before
I know we can make it if we take it slow
Let's take it easy
Easy now, watch it go
We're burning down the highway skyline
On the back of a hurricane that started turning
When you were young
When you were young
And sometimes you close your eyes
And see the place where you used to live
When you were young
They say the devil's water, it ain't so sweet
You don't have to drink right now
But you can dip your feet
Every once in a little while
You sit there in your heartache
Waiting on some beautiful boy to
To save you from your old ways
You play forgiveness
Watch it now, here he comes
He doesn't look a thing like Jesus
But he talks like a gentlemen
Like you imagined when you were young
(Talks like a gentlemen, like you imagined)
When you were young
I said he doesn't look a thing like Jesus
He doesn't look a thing like Jesus
But more than you'll ever know
#TheKillers #WhenYouWereYoung #SongExploder
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How The Killers Wrote ‘When You Were Young’ | Song Exploder | Netflix
/ netflixuk
The Killers, Natalia Lafourcade, Dua Lipa and Nine Inch Nails pull back the curtain on their personal songwriting experiences as the series continues.

[@benitocamelo1488]

While Mr Brightside is their most renowned song, I think When You Were Young is their best song ever. There's something to it that made it age better, idk it felt nostalgic back in the day but the feeling has never faded away 16 years later

[@Thisguy2532]

Same I remember when this song came out I was like in the sixth grade, now I’m almost 30 and this song is still awesome I sing along to it every time it comes on the radio or in my shuffle mix

[@mikehdzhdz14]

It is an amazing song, but their best song is Sweet Talk, hands down

[@oscarma15]

@@mikehdzhdz14 I was going to say Read My Mind is their best. Goes to show how many great songs these guys have produced

[@Charlieb82]

​@@oscarma15 I agree with Read My Mind 👌🏻

[@MayLily]

That's because WYWY IS their best song ever!

[@bowmosexual]

1:46 when he broke those lyrics out, that fucking voice, I broke down man!!!!!!!!!

[@hayfielddraw4364]

"Burnin down the highway skyline, on the back of a huricane that started turning, when you....were young." It just doesn't get any better than that. I think the Killers of the Sam's Town/Day and Age era will be remembered as the best rock and roll band of their generation. They were The Cars of my era. Clever editing here, and sad that the four men weren't in the same room for this.

[@aitanademichelli9068]

3:28 that smile omg

[@SaraCarraway]

The Killers are incredible and this is certainly one of their best songs.

[@trinaq]

This is definitely one of my favourite "Killlers" tracks, rivaled only by "Mr Brightside", in my humble opinion!

[@sinfulblacksoul]

same here!

[@chrisnichols6662]

What is Mr. Brightside? I’ve never heard of that one. Pretty big Killers fan, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard mention of Mr. Brightside. 🤔

[@Sentiisen-butwhichone]

i agree! This song never fails to give me goosebumps even after all these years..

[@comedownmachine4682]

Really? Their two biggest hits?

[@avery1830]

Sweet Talk and Read my Mind take it for me.

[@SamMarsh04]

One of the greatest and rawest songs ever made, hands down.

[@Caitecakess]

The Killers just do something to my soul! 😭❤️ I would die to see them!

[@keilagullion8070]

I just saw them live and it was the best show of my life

[@eddymoney045]

I said this a year ago, so I went and saw them last week, you must see them!

[@reston81]

Seen them twice Oct and March this year hooked for life

[@wildelifecoaching6225]

Don't die - Just go see them! Do whatever it takes.

[@branypoo]

_All These Things That I’ve Done_ is my favorite Killers song. It never fails to hook me, and just reach down in my soul, my psyche. Love The Killers ❤ Brandon ❤❤❤

[@MayLily]

When You Were Young is the Killers' masterpiece! It is truly one of the greatest rock songs ever made. Between this song and All These Things I've Done, they quickly became one of America's greatest rock bands ever! That's not even counting their 2 biggest hits, Mr. B and STM...

[@arunashamal]

I remember the day this song dropped. That was when we were young

[@shazanakaini803]

A band I've being in love with since I was a teenager and I'm 33 if there was any band I could go see it would be them they are amazing This band was my safe space ❤️😊

[@raebean6018]

I love watching explanations - the one around the ears pricking to the word "jesus" then the guitar rifling coming in and pushing emotion is really how I feel listening to it!

[@cristyangonzalez3578]

Insane that they made this from scratch and just went off how it would all connect

[@ezrakairoscano8766]

That song moved me deeply as a teen. It will be forever resonant

[@anthonymendoza9005]

When you were young is my childhood song, it just makes me fell im alive and im here always for more.

[@ryoichiwatanabe648]

There's catchy pop punk foo fighter-esque, post-punk style heavy vocal, British Invasion sound.., geez this band has got some nice taste for sure.., and not being a changing to edm genre sell out band (cough cough coldplay). The Killers are great!!

[@alexandriamahoneyy24687]

i literally know every word, one of those songs i will never not love. ❤

[@1988ZER]

Played it on repeat on 2007 after boot camp. It brings so much emotion....gonna listen again right now

[@jurius13]

Awesome track, brilliant delivery. So much talent and good work.

[@diasoliveira444]

I remember it very well hearing that last part of the choir in the Guitar Hero 3 version. I searched for so long on youtube and never found this version. There was a time i thought i was just imagining things but when i saw this episode, it confirmed.

[@shubhamannamwar2857]

Absolutely love this. Their best song imo.

[@jl.c.8673]

An incredible band. Saw them this weekend, extraordinary.

[@polepino]

ok... so its pretty obvious Andrew Garfield will play the lead singer if they ever do a biopic

[@maddawgzzzz]

@ForzaRaptus Yeah, lee is a decade older than these guys. Im not sure that would work

[@Jackferrett6781]

@@maddawgzzzz it would trust me

[@andsand21]

Grant gustine would be better the Andrew Garfield

[@Jackferrett6781]

@@andsand21 No he wouldn’t

[@Bumpy_barejevo]

Micheal Buble

[@melindakeown7500]

This song and the video to it are embossed in my memories forever 😮 🤩 I absolutely love The Killers!!

[@justindtackett]

I’ve desired for most of my life to be a part of what Brendan described. And I’ve been a Part of many bands where I experienced that magic, it feels like something I was made for.

[@6RshEuH2]

i hope one day the killers just release everything, all the scrap songs or alt versions.

[@lumilara2307]

When You Were Young is beautiful❤️

[@realbipedalbob]

I had the version with that byeeaaa shit off limewire back in the day. I love these guys more than they’ll ever know.

[@kab9706]

Limewire was where I got all my music, downloaded stuff as I discovered it, starting at age 12. Great memories.

[@panzeralienofficial]

One of the best tunes ever made. Thank you for this!

[@ojmccaf63]

My favorite Killers song! Love the lyrics

[@willemfendon2333]

Great video!!! Love the song you guys! Keep up the great work.

[@juanmartingonzalezgonzalez8085]

One of the best and my favorites songs ever, thanks to this band i know what is to hear good music is like,the first times i literally dream awake

[@W4TSKY]

I’ve loved this song ever since 12 year old me I heard it on Guitar Hero 3

[@mcgurkryans]

The Chanting: I *definitely* heard that version. I think KROQ was playing an early version with that chanting. Am I dreaming??

[@eloisa5383]

my absolute favorite song ❤️ love them sm

[@Littlestraincloud]

I love hearing how much is the band talking about process

[@tonnipaillard6911]

03:10 is actually used in the When You Were Young, Thin white duke remix at the very end of the song.

[@aiyannamanuel7823]

Love the Killers!

[@clairem730]

Such a special song.

[@Nothuman76]

"Take his laptop now" best line of the video!

[@ThisIsDownstate]

Burnin down the highway skyline, on the back of a hurricane that started turning when you............were yoooooooung. this is one of my favourite lyrics of all time, along with that riff, sheesh....... the picture it paints is so vivid and euphoric. And yes def full of redemption, its got 'main character training montage' written all over it lol.

[@Schaef25]

Love him or hate him (lead singer, Brandon Flowers) this song slaps!

[@shugacookie45]

I've never heard of anyone hating him or maybe I just can't imagine how anyone could

[@javierreyes786]

@@shugacookie45 people that have only listened to or are annoyed by the overplaying of Mr. Brightside and never listened to anything else

[@HarryNewell-bw7ju]

One of the greatest rock songs ever written/performed.

[@renemarrero6523]

Grate song and music video

[@victorhaland5474]

Brandon Flowers is one of the most underrated rated vocalists ever

[@Longtime420]

Your telling me that core progression randomly came at the last second 😳😳😳😳😳😳

[@salvoconducta]

i really like the "higher" part that got cut, it reminds me of their song "bones" in some way :]

[@sludgedisciple]

Besides the whole first record, When we were young is one of my favorite Killers songs.

[@leandrolima7965]

amo when you were young, thank you the killers, brazil we loved you.

[@kirbygb36]

That removed bit was in the K Rock version, it really doesn't sound terrible

[@luismarquez5038]

.épico

[@HT-wn3eh]

Best band ever.

[@misterros94]

1:46 chills

[@vinayakiyer8334]

Can we please have the song with that haiyya part also!!!! Really wanna hear it

[@fernandomata4242]

i remember downloading the song online and it had that, it starts almost at the end of the song lemme see if i can find it it must be online

[@bobbydrex5268]

Is this available in the states?

[@meh5552]

The line “back of a hurricane” refers to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, so this song might’ve been written in 2005, and recorded in 2006.

[@kao856]

Where does it say that?

[@meh5552]

@@kao856 I just thought of it.

[@ObiWanKenobi]

@@kao856lol source: trust me bro

[@natusfreedom472]

There beats are mad unimaginable , plus the lyrics makes things , songs that make u feel , something different .. there music 🎶 , emotional F’s u lol In a good way

[@EmersonFlemingEmRock13]

As much as I love Hot Fuss, Sam's Town is my favorite record of theirs because I think When You Were Young and Read My Mind are two of the best songs ever made. You can rock out, cry, or both to them.

[@marty5309]

I had hoped you would have asked about the most important aspect of this song.... The opening volume swell.

[@calebfangman1984]

Flowers & Ronnie 💕🥰💕🤤

[@werideatdusk]

2:13 the legends Flood and Alan Moulder who were responsible for great albums by U2, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins before the Killers were lucky enough to work with them!

[@Durellwilliamsssssss]

Jesus and Mary chain, Ride and My Bloody Valentine to add a few more.

[@FoxAPOLLO]

Drake Bell is KILLING it😤

[@roscoechance5155]

Jason Lee holding it down on drums

[@michellemckenna9568]

Acid AKA The meaning behind When YOU Were Yuuuuuunnnnnghh..

[@MedalionDS9]

BUY YA BUY YA

[@broccoliking6668]

Kinda feel weird saying this, but doesn't the singer look crazy handsome now? I want to age like that

[@MomtoZnE]

He’s beautiful

[@imakecontent2206]

"Doesn't look a thing like Je-us."

[@Wraiven22]

Good lord, between the lead singer of The Killers and Panic at the Disco where do they find these hot ass lead singers

[@JeremiahFernandez]

vegas

[@Caturday123]

Right?! 🔥🔥🔥

[@petkokrushev3840]

Does anyone else have a feeling, that Brandon speaks with some accents? Like when he speaks, he has a little bit of US accent and a little bit of British accent, but when he sings, he has a little bit of a russian accent

[@A.M......]

They always split up Ronnie with Brandon and Dave with Mark. I sense there's some tension there especially with Dave.

[@legacy_the_archer]

Ive always viewed WYWY to be a song in a trilogy with Born to run by Bruce and American Slang by the gaslight anthem . All three songs are same in a way but from different perspectives .

[@theOGofREDS]

I thought this was Tyler Rann?

[@Crystalcloudzz]

Brandon looks like Dexter

[@jabril4real637]

Yeah I kinda see it to. 😆🕵️

[@hahahaha-qu6uv]

The best song ever written

[@bmbordelon1]

Thank you, Flood and Moulder, for taking out that creepy chant. 😂🥴

[@theabraham8164]

It was probably with a pen.

[@sinfulblacksoul]

please 💀🤣🤣

[@user-hk8yp7cw1v]

Always thought it said "He doesn't like pain like Jesus"

[@mikeweiser2210]

I absolutely love this band, but it’s so odd whoever took the recorded vocals from the album and dubbed it to Brandon singing in the studio. I’d rather like to see and hear it raw and live.

[@rafaellima83]

He used to let the mic capture him breathing in air before singing. it's something that probably annoyed him at some point because it was very clear on their first albums and then it disappeared, and I see he ALWAYS do that nowadays when singing live. And you can see him doing it here and yet you hear the breath in , which makes it really odd indeed.

[@robertgomez6911]

Isnt the lineup different??

[@christopherrego8706]

That "higher, higher" was so cringe, thank god it didn't make it in.

[@NESherv]

It's really terrible. Just as bad as the "ooga-chaka ooga-ooga" in "Hooked On A Feeling" by Blue Swede. I know everyone loves that song, but I absolutely hate those parts of it.

[@jorgecumpeangarcen9178]

take his laptop xD

[@bobbyjayjohnson3460]

When was that filmed?

[@MayLily]

This originally aired in Dec. 2020, so they could have filmed this before the pandemic, most likely in 2019.

[@lizhernandez4997]

That weird background sound made it into Bones. Lol

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

Their best song... Jesus, said so ;-)

[@brennan7870]

✝️Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.✝️

[@ovrnightswrld]

@3:03 Interviewer: "I noticed something on the track that wasnt on the final song." The killers: "OOookay we took acid that night" :'D

[@andrewdunn-bauman8133]

One of those tracks where the Universe conspires in your favor...down to having the right people in your lives to save yourselves from destroying it lol

[@lt.reubenrozeyt5716]

Imagine if they kept the 🗿🗿🗿🗿 part

[@Nigel334]

This song was bestowed upon them by god himself

[@emilyedlund222]

Renew julie and the phantoms

[@sergiodottori484]

What Is this?

[@NESherv]

This is a video.

[@snoozyq9576]

Read the title lol

[@CountryCowboy008]

Who’s the hot guy in the clip? 😭

[@comedownmachine4682]

Brandon flowers

[@LazyFreak07]

Didn't know Matt Gaetz was in The Killers

[@fartspoo4244]

Satan

[@thisresinates5655]

Do you think it was demonic?

[@fartspoo4244]

@@thisresinates5655 I Hope so

[@zc8885]

So magnificently generic. Store brand "rock".