MR. BRIGHTSIDE

THE KILLERS

SONGWRITERS: BRANDON FLOWERS & DAVID KEUNING

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: HOT FUSS

LABEL: ISLAND RECORDS

GENRE: ALTERNATIVE ROCK

YEAR: 2003

 

          The Killers are an American rock band formed in Las Vegas in 2001 by Brandon Flowers(lead vocals, keyboards, bass) and Dave Keuning(lead guitar, backing vocals). The band went through a number of early lineup changes, but by 2002 they had settled on a lineup of Flowers, Keuning, Mark Stoermer(bass, rhythm guitar, backing vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr.(drums, percussion). The band's name is derived from a logo on the bass drum of a fictitious band portrayed in the music video for the New Order song "Crystal".

        The band has released six consecutive chart-topping studio albums: Hot Fuss(2004), Sam's Town(2006), Day & Age(2008), Battle Born(2012), Wonderful Wonderful(2017), and Imploding the Mirage(2020). They have also released a B-sides and rarities compilation, Sawdust(2007); a live album, Live from the Royal Albert Hall(2009); a greatest-hits album, Direct Hits(2013); and a Christmas compilation, Don't Waste Your Wishes(2016).

          Since 2016 and 2017 respectively, both Stoermer and Keuning have had extended periods of hiatus from the band, though both remain official members. Stoermer mostly retired from touring, citing both exhaustion from the road and lingering effects from a pyrotechnics accident, while Keuning has released a solo album. Despite his hiatus from touring, Stoermer has participated in recording sessions for Wonderful Wonderful and Imploding the Mirage, and it was announced that both Stoermer and Keuning were participating in recording Pressure Machine, set to be released on August 13, 2021. Ted Sablay, who had served as a touring keyboardist and rhythm guitarist for the band since 2006, assumed lead guitar duties for live shows in Keuning's absence, while bassist Jake Stanton has taken Stoermer's place in live shows. With Sablay moving to lead guitar, the band hired Taylor Milne and Robbie Connolly to play rhythm guitar and keyboards live.

        The Killers are considered one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century, and the most successful act to ever emerge from Nevada, selling more than 28 million records worldwide, including 10.8 million in the US alone. They have performed in over 50 countries and on six continents, headlining venues such as Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium and Glastonbury Festival (2007 and 2019).

         "Mr. Brightside" is the first single released by American rock band the Killers. It was released as the band's debut single and is featured on their debut studio album, Hot Fuss(2004). Written by band members Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning, it was one of the first songs the Killers ever wrote. Two music videos were made for the song: the first one was shot in black and white and features the band performing in an empty room. The second one, based on the 2001 film Moulin Rouge!, was filmed for the song's re-release.

        The song was first released on September 29, 2003. It became more popular upon its re-release in 2004, peaking at number 10 in both the United States and the United Kingdom. It is the Killers' best-selling song in the US, where it has sold over 3.5 million copies. In the United Kingdom it has also sold over 3.5 million copies and is the longest charting single on the UK Singles Chart Top 100 with 260 weeks (5 years) on the chart and is the most-streamed track released prior to 2010. It is also one of the top fifteen most downloaded rock tracks ever in the United Kingdom.

          "Mr. Brightside" was named "Song of the Decade" by UK radio stations Absolute Radio and XFM, and in April 2010 Last.fm revealed that it was the most listened to track since the launch of the online music service, with the track being played over 7.66 million times. In October 2010, it was voted ninth in the Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 21st Century so far by Total Guitar magazine. Additionally, in 2010 Rolling Stone listed "Mr. Brightside" as the forty-eighth best song of the 21st century.

Coming out of my cage

And I've been doing just fine

Gotta, gotta be down

Because I want it all

It started out with a kiss

How did it end up like this?

It was only a kiss

It was only a kiss

 

Now I'm falling asleep

And she's calling a cab

While he's having a smoke

And she's taking a drag

Now they're going to bed

And my stomach is sick

And it's all in my head, but

She's touching his chest now

He takes off her dress, now, let me go

 

And I just can't look, it's killing me

And taking control

 

Jealousy

Turning saints into the sea

Swimming through sick lullabies

Choking on your alibis

But it's just the price I pay

Destiny is calling me

Open up my eager eyes

'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside

 

I'm coming out of my cage

And I've been doing just fine

Gotta, gotta be down

Because I want it all

It started out with a kiss

How did it end up like this?

(It was only a kiss)

It was only a kiss

 

Now I'm falling asleep

And she's calling a cab

While he's having a smoke

And she's taking a drag

Now they're going to bed

And my stomach is sick

And it's all in my head, but

She's touching his chest now

He takes off her dress, now, let me go

 

'Cause I just can't look, it's killing me

And taking control

 

Jealousy

Turning saints into the sea

Swimming through sick lullabies

Choking on your alibis

But it's just the price I pay

Destiny is calling me

Open up my eager eyes

'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside

 

I never

I never

I never

I never.

WHEREVER YOU WILL GO

THE CALLING

SONGWRITERS: AARON KAMIN & ALEX BAND

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: CAMINO PALMERO

LABEL: RCA RECORDS

GENRE: POST-GRUNGE

YEAR: 2001

 

         The Calling is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1996 by lead singer and guitarist Alex Band and guitarist Aaron Kamin. The current, official lineup of the band (as of 2020) consists of Band, Daniel Thomson & Travis Loafman, the latter two both joining The Calling in 2016. They are best known for their hit single, "Wherever You Will Go", which topped the Adult Top 40 for 23 weeks, making it the second longest running number one in the chart’s history and later named the number one song of the decade of 2000s on the Adult Pop Charts by Billboard magazine. Their debut álbum Camino Palmero was released in July 2001 and was a commercial success.

      Their second álbum Two, was released in June 2004. Its lead single "Our Lives" was featured in the closing ceremonies of the 2004 Summer Olympics as well as the opening song of the 78th annual Academy Awards.

         The band broke up in 2005, but in 2013, The Calling reformed with a new lineup.

      "Wherever You Will Go" is the debut single of American band the Calling. The song was released on May 22, 2001, as the first single from their debut studio album, Camino Palmero(2001). It remains their most renowned and their most successful hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Adult Top 40 for 23 weeks, the second longest-running number one in the chart's history, behind "Smooth" by Santana and Rob Thomas. Outside the United States, the song experienced similar success, peaking atop the music charts of Italy, New Zealand, and Poland, reaching number three in the United Kingdom, number five in Australia, and becoming a top-ten hit in several European countries.

So lately, been wondering

Who will be there to take my place

When I'm gone, you'll need love

To light the shadows on your face

 

If a great wave shall fall

And fall upon us all

Then between the sand and stone

Could you make it on your own?

 

If I could, then I would

I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low

I'll go wherever you will go

 

And maybe, I'll find out

A way to make it back someday

To watch you, to guide you

Through the darkest of your days

 

If a great wave shall fall

And fall upon us all

Well then I hope there's someone out there

Who can bring me back to you

 

If I could, then I would

I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low

I'll go wherever you will go

 

Run away with my heart

Run away with my hope

Run away with my love

 

I know now, just quite how

My life and love might still go on

In your heart, in your mind

I'll stay with you for all of time

 

If I could, then I would

I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low

I'll go wherever you will go

 

If I could turn back time

I'll go wherever you will go

If I could make you mine

I'll go wherever you will go

I'll go wherever you will go.

THE PRETENDER

FOO FIGHTERS

SONGWRITER: GROHL DAVID ERIC; MENDEL NATE; SHIFLETT CHRISTOPHER A & HAWKINS OLIVER TAYLOR

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: ECHOES, SILENCE, PATIENCE & GRACE

LABEL: ROSWELL RECORDS

GENRE: HARD ROCK

YEAR: 2007

 

         Foo Fighters is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1994. It was founded by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of Nirvana after the suicide of Kurt Cobain. The group took its name from "foo fighter", a nickname coined by Allied aircraft pilots for UFOs and other aerial phenomena. Over the course of their career, Foo Fighters have won 12 Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album four times.

            Prior to the release of Foo Fighters' 1995 debut álbum Foo Fighters, which featured Grohl as the only official member, Grohl recruited bassist Nate Mendel and drummer William Goldsmith, both formerly of Sunny Day Real Estate, as well as Nirvana touring guitarist Pat Smear. The band began with performances in Portland, Oregon. Goldsmith quit during the recording of their second album, The Colour and the Shape(1997); most of the drum parts were re-recorded by Grohl. Smear departed soon afterward but appeared as a guest with the band frequently from 2005; he rejoined the band in 2010.

        Smear and Goldsmith were replaced by Franz Stahl and Taylor Hawkins, respectively, although Stahl was fired before the recording of the group's third album, There Is Nothing Left to Lose(1999). The band briefly continued as a trio until Chris Shiflett joined on guitar after the completion of There Is Nothing Left to Lose. The band released its fourth album, One by One, in 2002. The group followed that release with the two-disc In Your Honor (2005), which was split between acoustic songs and heavier material. Foo Fighters released their sixth album, Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, in 2007.

           The band's seventh studio album, Wasting Light, produced by Butch Vig, was released in 2011, in which Smear returned as a full member. In November 2014, the band's eighth studio album, Sonic Highways, was released as an accompanying soundtrack to the Grohl-directed 2014 miniseries of the same name. On September 15, 2017, the band released their ninth studio album, Concrete and Gold, which became their second to reach number one in the United States and was the band's first studio album to feature longtime session and touring keyboardist Rami Jaffee as a full member. In February 2021, the band released its tenth album, Medicine at Midnight, and in October will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.

     "The Pretender" is a song by the American alternative rock band Foo Fighters. It was the first single from the group's 2007 album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace. It is one of Foo Fighters' most successful songs; peaking at number 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100(making it their third top 40 single), only "Learn to Fly" and "Best of You" beat its position on the Billboard Hot 100.

Keep you in the dark

You know they all pretend

Keep you in the dark

And so it all began

 

Send in your skeletons

Sing as their bones go marching in again

They need you buried deep

The secrets that you keep are ever ready

Are you ready?

I'm finished making sense

Done pleading ignorance

That old defense

Spinning infinity, boy

The wheel is spinning me

It's never-ending, never-ending

Same old story

 

What if I say I'm not like the others?

What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays?

You're the pretender

What if I say I will never surrender?

 

What if I say I'm not like the others?

What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays?

You're the pretender

What if I say that I never surrender?

 

In time, or so I'm told,

I'm just another soul for sale, oh well

The page is out of print

We are not permanent

We're temporary, temporary

Same old story

 

What if I say I'm not like the others?

What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays?

You're the pretender

What if I say I will never surrender?

 

What if I say I'm not like the others?

What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays?

You're the pretender

What if I say I will never surrender?

 

I'm the voice inside your head you refuse to hear

I'm the face that you have to face mirrorin' your stare

I'm what's left; I'm what's right; I'm the enemy

I'm the hand that'll take you down and bring you to your knees

 

So, who are you?

Yeah, who are you?

Yeah, who are you?

Yeah, who are you?

 

Keep you in the dark

You know they all pretend

 

What if I say I'm not like the others?

What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays?

You're the pretender

What if I say I will never surrender?

 

What if I say I'm not like the others?

What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays?

You're the pretender

What if I say that I'll never surrender?

 

What if I say I'm not like the others?

(Keep you in the dark)

What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays?

(You know they all)

You're the pretender

(Pretend)

What if I say I will never surrender?

 

What if I say I'm not like the others?

(Keep you in the dark)

What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays?

(You know they all)

You're the pretender

(Pretend)

What if I say I will never surrender?

 

So, who are you?

Yeah, who are you?

Yeah, who are you?

YELLOW

COLDPLAY

SONGWRITERS: BERRYMAN GUY RUPERT; BUCKLAND JONATHAN MARK; CHAMPION WILLIAM & MARTIN CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY JOHN

COUNTRY: U. K.

ALBUM: PARACHUTES

LABEL: PARLOPHONE RECORDS

GENRE: ROCK

YEAR: 2000

 

       Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1996. The performing members comprise vocalist, rhythm guitarist and pianist Chris Martin, lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion. They met at University College London and began playing music together from 1996 to 1998, first calling themselves Pectoralz and then Starfish before finally changing their name to Coldplay. Their creative director and former manager Phil Harvey is considered the fifth member of the band.

         After changing their name to Coldplay, the band recorded and released two EPs, Safety in 1998 and The Blue Room in 1999, the latter was their first release under a major record label, Parlophone. Coldplay achieved worldwide fame with the release of the song "Yellow" in 2000, followed in the same year by their debut album Parachutes, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The band's second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head(2002), was released to critical acclaim. Their next record, X&Y, was the best-selling album worldwide of 2005. While the Brian Eno-produced fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends(2008) was the best-selling album of said year and earned the band three Grammy Awards. In 2011, Coldplay released their fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto, which topped the charts in over 34 countries and was the UK's best-selling rock album of 2011. The band have since released Ghost Stories(2014), A Head Full of Dreams(2015) and Everyday Life(2019). In 2021, they announced their ninth studio álbum Music of the Spheres.

        Coldplay have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling music artists. They have won numerous awards throughout their career, including nine Brit Awards, seven MTV Video Music Awards, eight MTV Europe Music Awards and seven Grammy Awards from 35 nominations. The band's first three albums—Parachutes(2000), A Rush of Blood to the Head(2002), and X&Y(2005) — are among the best-selling albums in UK chart history.

    "Yellow" is a song by the British rock band Coldplay. The band wrote the song and co-produced it with British record producer Ken Nelson for their debut album, Parachutes(2000). The song was recorded in March 2000 and released on 26 June that same year as the second UK single from Parachutes, following "Shiver", and as the lead single in the United States.

        "Yellow" reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, giving Coldplay their first top-five hit in the United Kingdom. It was Coldplay's breakthrough hit internationally, reaching number one in Iceland, number five in Australia, number nine in Ireland and number 48 in the United States. Helped by heavy rotation and usage in advertising, the song thrust the band into popularity. "Yellow" has since been covered by various recording artists worldwide, and remains one of the band's most popular songs.

Look at the stars

Look how they shine for you

And everything you do

Yeah, they were all yellow

 

I came along

I wrote a song for you

And all the things you do

And it was called Yellow

 

So, then I took my turn

What a thing to've done

And it was all yellow

 

Your skin

Oh yeah, your skin and bones

Turn in to something beautiful

Do you know

You know I love you so

You know I love you so

 

I swam across

I jumped across for you

What a thing to do

'Cause you were all yellow

 

I drew a line

I drew a line for you

What a thing to do

And it was all yellow

 

And your skin

Oh yeah, your skin and bones

Turn in to something beautiful

Do you know

For you, I'd bleed myself dry

For you, I'd bleed myself dry

 

It's true

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine for

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine

 

Look at the stars

Look how they shine for you

And all the things that you do.