@@Riley-Radford on multiple occasions during my life people have called me “Dan” or “Daniel”… I can’t believe I’ve now done it to somebody else! I’ve brought shame on my kind 🙃
I remember seeing a comment on reddit years ago. It said the reason why the song repeats its verse is because "drunk people only remember the forst verse" With how popular of a song this is in uk bars to this day, yep is checks out.
I'm not sure I really agree with that. I was a student before The Killers, when James' "Sit Down" was pretty much the end-of-the-night standard. Everybody knew the words no matter how pissed they were.
For an interesting view, the Drumeo channel did a session where they played a Mr. Brightside drumless track for Dirk VerBeuren (the drummer for Megadeath…who claimed he never heard the song), and had him come up with his own drum part after one listen. I thought his take was really cool, but it was a completely different take (half-time on the verses), and really shows how the original drums make the song.
@@sinatra222 He’s from Belgium, the song was only popular in the US, Canada, and Britain (it didn’t even chart in Belgium or France). It’s definitely possible to have never heard the song, or only have heard it in the background while not paying attention.
Really surprised you don't mention how the melody finally hits by the second part of chorus with the lyrics "But it's just the price I pay/destiny is calling me" creating SO.VERY.MUCH awaited resolution from the monotone of the vers and "duotone" of the prechorus and beginning of the chorus! That's quite extreme to keep the listener "underfed" for such a portion of the song.
It’s interesting that The Killers were formed to play this song because it was not their first hit. I specifically remember “Somebody Told Me,” which has a similarly staccato and monotone vocal melody, was the first song they had on MTV and the radio back in the day.
Whenever this question is asked I always think of this comment I saw once on an article. The headline was something like "Why has Mr Brightside spent 7 years in the top 100 charts?" and the first comment just said "Because it fuckin' slaps. Next question?"
The song is pure emotion. Anybody who has ever felt forlorn, melancholy, betrayed, depressed, or just reflective can connect and be "in tune" with the vibe, with everything. And the fact that it doesn't resolve urges you to replay it again. I remember the first time I ever heard/saw this song. I was just caught watching it play on a small television screen at a Journey's shoe store at the mall when I was shopping with my family. Thought the outfits were silly but I stood there watching, and then it didn't matter. I was in the zone. Don't think I saw the entirety though
You can even cycle between all of them. I have a huge nostalgia and yearning for a happier and simpler time because this song reminds me of a very happy period of growing up. It's incredible! Absolutely love it!
So why at a Wedding or sporting event, right? I agree about those feelings but i don't feel those feelings at a Wedding or game, just the opposite. The music thought, unbelievable. Great for those events
I think another thing that deserves mention is the cultural aspect of the subject matter of the song, and how it syncs perfectly with the rhythm and pacing of the music. Unrequited, unfulfilled love is an absolutely universal phenomenon. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has been in a situation at some point in their lives where they see someone that they yearn for in the arms of someone else. The monotone of the first verse, the fast-paced drum beats. Is it the music? Or the rapid beating of a heart, and a mind that is stuck, REALLY stuck on one thing...
On top of that, the lyrics also work on the basis of jealousy. So either unrequited love or being cheated on and seeing it happen with the cheating party blissfully unaware they've been caught. All those emotions are so universal that you won't find anyone singing along who isn't getting a great deal of catharsis from it
I feel like songs that dont resolve at the end are great for concerts. The rockus applause acts as the resolution not the song itself. Also its probably easier to segway into another song when the last one doesnt feel so FINAL.
7:52 I experienced this at a Bob Segar concert back on his "Like A Rock" tour. He started the first line of "Turn The Page" and I didn't hear him again until the song was over. The entire audience drowned him and his band out for the rest of the song. It was ethereal.
I remember that happening when I saw Nine Inch Nails play Hurt, and Trent gave a (not so serious) speech about how we paid good money to attend the concert just to drown out the music.
I watched 12tone's video on this ages ago and he didn't mention Ode to Joy. I thought I was crazy. I'm glad you noted it. I always thought it directly quoted or even sampled OtJ, but that's because I've probably never heard it sober. I may be frequently drunk and factually mistaken, but nice to know I'm not delusional.
What a wonderful breakdown. I was lucky enough to be at uni in 2004/5/6 and the Hot Fuss album was being played everywhere. Listening to Mr Brightside is like a time machine for me now and I try to avoid it as it stirs up too many emotions I don't really want to feel. Congrats on the 1m subs btw 👏
There's a pub in my home city (Perth, Australia) that hosts a regularly scheduled event whet they just play Mr Brightside over and over again all night
I'd argue that the first and second verses aren't the same. The first time he's "doing just fine" and the second he's "doing JUST fine". 😂 Anyway I don't care if it makes me basic, I love this song and I will die on this hill. I love it, the way the line between the verse and pre-chorus subverts your expectations ("But she's touch his... chest now" -- chest is NOT the word you thought was coming next) and how the verse does have that monotone sound like he's narrating in disbelief and then the prechorus and chorus, realization hits and emotions swell. Like you know when you see on TV or in a movie, a character watching something happen, going "no.. no.. no... NO!" Like that. Am I reading too much into it? God I hope so.
I have a copy of the first demo they recorded of this song in 2001. In that version he says "doin just fine" in the first verse, and "everything is just fine" in the second verse 🤣
At EDC 2024 in Vegas they played Mr. Brightside about 5 times and it was all different DJs and mixes. That was just the stages I saw. I heard it twice just last night there.
I love how the one note melody brilliantly changes into a two note melody and finally builds to the climactic three note melody when the song's almost over.
Somehow this song doesn't get old, just so well crafted. Great use of tension-release, perfectly executed melodic simplicity to go along with a relatively unique and complex sounding guitar part, and an overall melancholic and relatable sentiment. I think its popularity in the UK far eclipses the popularity here in the US, but everyone still knows it. It's a classic of that era and one of those songs that sticks with you. I remember the first time I heard it, how old I was, and what I was going through at the time. I think the Britpop melancholic sentiment and chant-like quality of the verse are obvious reasons it is so popular in the UK. When I first heard it, I thought the Killers were British!
Another reason is that its lyrics tap into an indescribable mix of emotion we've all felt: They don't love me, they love that person over there! They suck. The person they love sucks. I suck. Goddammit!
I would say the "chanting" aspect also plays a part in how emotional or memorable a song is. Chanting something at a fast rate like that makes it hard to breathe properly, which puts the brain into a more excited state.
Speaking of repeating lyrics: Nirvana did something similar, often they would have the first and 3rd verse be the same. So you would have a solo, and then you got to go back to the first verse, really cementing the lyrics in your head.
My first exposure to the killers and Mr. brightside was on my mom's iPod in 2004, when she downloaded the Hot Fuss album. I've always loved that entire album. Between that, Mr. Brightside being such a bar favorite song, and with my favorite college football team, Michigan, riding high with this song for the past 3 years, has made me absolutely insufferable to the rest of my friends when there's Touch Tunes at whatever bar we go to.
Glad you are showing the wave form, it is LOUD all the way through. Whats really interesting is if you watch a frequency spectrum as it plays, it doesn't move from start to finish, just a mountain of sound. Surprised me when I first saw that since you can hear all the parts, great engineering I guess.
Thanks for the video. Good call on showing it's played as if in the key of D at 0:42 -- the guitar strings are tuned down a semitone -- so playing a D *sounds like* Db -- which is why it's not really at odds with the Db key 2:17 🙂
If I watch a music video before just hearing a song, the two become inextricably linked for me. Which means there is power in the visual. This is a great video. Great videos make for popular songs, IMHO (ask me about Fortnight).
It's easy for someone like David, who's so well versed in music theory, to look down on Mr. Brightside, especially because of how simple the notes are, but he took the time to really examine it in depth and explain why it resonates with so many people. I think that really sets him apart.
Reminds me a bit of an old school literal drinking song from here - "Bliss" by Th' Dudes, starts out with a recognisable guitar riff which brings that familiar feeling and then has a very "we all yell along" section. The most popular pub/wedding/group sing along songs seem to have that everyone can just yell-sing along to (even if it is just Yaaaah Yah Yah Yah Yah in this case) I do also like the "implied word" lyrics of Mr. Brightside, as someone who enjoys word play it's fun to see that used well in a song.
Coming back a few days later to say I have had the urge to listen to Mr brightside every few hours every day since I watched this video. What have you done to me
I've often asked myself why certain songs are so popular that many people just can't avoid liking it. So I'm happy you made a video about that! Other examples I ask myself this question about are: Psy - Gangnam Style Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk It would be great if you analyse one of those songs!
That was smart ending the video on how the song ends up uniting the whole crowd as they sing while the band stops and all you hear is the fading out voices of the audience singing together in unison.
At Reading recently they played the whole thing twice so that the crowd could sing it by themselves first, and then they did it again actually performing it - it was pretty magical to be honest
Awesome video! As to answering the question “why is this song so damn catchy” I think the video underemphasizes the value of the guitar riff. It grabs you immediately and doesn’t let go, just like Slash’s lead in Sweet Child o’Mine.
Ever noticed that the Killers song “Somebody Told Me” ‘s chorus has the same progression as Fame. I just sing “Fame! I’m gonna live forever” when I hear it.
I hear lyrics wrong All The Time. Thought it was common until my 8 year started singing the “correct lyrics” of songs I’ve been listening to for 30/35 years. This song has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it, and since then you would have heard me screaming out “Diana!” instead of “I never!” No one ever corrected me, until my little girl did. I thought it was the name of the girl who broke his heart!
For my money, it's the instruments that make this more than the vocals. The pre-chorus chord progression and instrumentation hugely adds so much tonthe emotion and build up to the song, it's one of my favourite riffs/progressions in a song ever. There's probably an element of the sum of its parts here, where any change to any part of the song and it wouldn't be as big as it is.
David Bennett out here promoting sponors for learning piano like they aren't an amazing teacher in their own right (but seriously, you taught me how to play piano and because of you I started doing lessons and it's going really well so far so thanks for that even though you don't know me)
Although I’m not a particular fan of the band I think that the Killers show great song writing all across their catalogue. Most of their songs really stand the test of time and are rememberable.
Everyone in Britain knows the song. Everyone in a British club instantly all know the lyrics, and most can completely relate to the lyrics of young love/jealousy/uncertainty and so everyone sings along in unison
I too don't understand why this song is such a big hit at weddings and even more so at sporting events. I love this song and was immediately drawn to it due to its tremendous drive and musical qualities. I am known as someone who doesn't pay attention to lyrics. I consider the vocals as just another musical instrument. BUT, this song touches me greatly due to its Lyrics. I had a crushing breakup when I was in high school back in the 80's and this song perfectly depicts how I felt then. It's what I thought about all day, while lying in my bed trying to get to sleep and the first thing I thought about when I woke up. I'm so confused when I hear it at a sporting event and everyone get's so amped up. I love the song and love to hear it, but it immediately draws me back to a very dark and hurtful period in my life. PS, Love the Killers @ 62.
Interesting how you think about what it should be like if it would resolve at the end. The more fullfilling variant for me would be to keep what is now tge last bar and add a full bar of the tonic/one-chord. So you'd get both a half bar of an "enveloping" five-chord, and the resolution. The half-bar of the five-chord builds the tension/expectation for the resolution. Thats how I've always "heard it inside my head". A not played last bar. And that's brilliant, BTW! Unfullfilled song about unfulfilled love.
It's popular because everyone has a little snigger when the song gets to "and she's touching his...". Brandon Flowers said in an interview that he's indebted to Benny Hill for that line.
Brilliant analysis David. Perhaps we need you to analyse the winning song at the Eurovision song contest and help write a winning tune? I know there would be the urge for Europe to give UK 'nil points' but if we have a decent tune, earworm melodies, chant back lyrics then we might stand a chance. I know there is the politics but looking at the last 3/4 years the winning songs have all had the above in their makeup. Have you ever done any analysis on Eurovision?
"Jealousy" the song, "Mr Brightside" is the face you wear when you try to keep it bottled up. A piquant emotion for those who've felt its intestine grip and twist and repeat, relentless like the monotone vocals, but it also evokes longing, melancholy, pity, and very little judgement. I don't see shows anymore, I saw at the show that I think got them big when they were just playing a side stage and, man, while I don't think of the vocals as "good", they were in fact, not at all bad when played live -- they sounded great! Crowd loved it, and it was no surprise it exploded. When you overthink it you might get embarrassed, but this is a beautiful little pop track, a deserved hit for what it is.
📌 the Killers’ guitarist is “DAVE” Keuning, not “DAN”. Sorry for any confusion 😅
him having the same name as you makes it funnier
@@Riley-Radford on multiple occasions during my life people have called me “Dan” or “Daniel”… I can’t believe I’ve now done it to somebody else! I’ve brought shame on my kind 🙃
@@DavidBennettPiano Don't be so hard on yourself, Dan.
@@DavidBennettPiano Ah Dannit
Don't get hung up on it, Mr Bennet. Tomorrow is another Dave and you will have forgotten all about it..
I have a theory that the intro and first verse are intentionally designed to give people enough time to get to the dancefloor.
You may be on to something there.
An reverse of the old "don't bore us, straight to the chorus","Give it time for them to get in line" perhaps?
I've heard the same theory for Take Me Out with its relatively long building intro
That has been given as a bonus when it comes to the Nutbush dance in Australia. There's a lengthy intro for that too.
kind of the same to somebody told me, very clear call intro that is just long enough
So basically the band was formed to play this song into eternity.
He knew what he was doing lol
It started out with a riff, how did it end up like this.
It was only a riff, it was only a riff
Their new work is so bad
@@christianstupak2580Good one!
When you consider what this song is actually about, I find it REALLY weird that it's played at so many weddings.
ikr
i found it weird as well
it's almost like lyrics don't matter here
Same with "Every Step You Take" by The Police.
Same with Good Riddance at graduations. People latch onto a couple lyrics and don’t think too much about the rest lol
Most songs have questionable lyrics lol
I’ve actually banned it from my upcoming wedding. Always hated this song 🫠😂
I remember seeing a comment on reddit years ago. It said the reason why the song repeats its verse is because "drunk people only remember the forst verse"
With how popular of a song this is in uk bars to this day, yep is checks out.
I'm not sure I really agree with that. I was a student before The Killers, when James' "Sit Down" was pretty much the end-of-the-night standard. Everybody knew the words no matter how pissed they were.
when they are drunk, they definitely say "forst"
Bohemian rhapsody
Props to the drummer. He gives the song a massive energy boost and it wouldn't be as great with a more relaxed or restrained beat.
For an interesting view, the Drumeo channel did a session where they played a Mr. Brightside drumless track for Dirk VerBeuren (the drummer for Megadeath…who claimed he never heard the song), and had him come up with his own drum part after one listen.
I thought his take was really cool, but it was a completely different take (half-time on the verses), and really shows how the original drums make the song.
@@melrupinski88 He lied. Everybody has heard this song
@@sinatra222 He’s from Belgium, the song was only popular in the US, Canada, and Britain (it didn’t even chart in Belgium or France). It’s definitely possible to have never heard the song, or only have heard it in the background while not paying attention.
Alex melton covered this song with half-time drums, it's different but still good
@@melrupinski88I was going to post the same thing. I love that video. And I don't play drums or any instrument.
It was very fun hearing you talk in depth about the British national anthem.
Which is ironic since The Killers are from Las Vegas.
What about Rule Britannia? Imo it also slaps, just in a different way
actually i'd say sweet caroline might be the true british national anthem
@@ithk9496. Which is also an American song lol
Really surprised you don't mention how the melody finally hits by the second part of chorus with the lyrics "But it's just the price I pay/destiny is calling me" creating SO.VERY.MUCH awaited resolution from the monotone of the vers and "duotone" of the prechorus and beginning of the chorus! That's quite extreme to keep the listener "underfed" for such a portion of the song.
same reason everyone loves the second "just fine" in verse 2
Agreed. I think David underplays how relatable and well-crafted the lyrics are.
I love that part myself! It almost feels like a new section of the song. Think Froot by MARINA.
@@alexkunce I'll take Froot over Mr. Brightside any day, Marina slays
I read "under-fed" as "un-derfed" initially and I was like "Is that some obscure musical term I don't understand?"
It’s interesting that The Killers were formed to play this song because it was not their first hit. I specifically remember “Somebody Told Me,” which has a similarly staccato and monotone vocal melody, was the first song they had on MTV and the radio back in the day.
They are from the same album, but the demo for Mr. Brightside was the first thing they recorded as a band 2 years before their debut album release
The 16 note hihats give this song so much energy .
Disco drums go hard
Props to Ronnie!
Whenever this question is asked I always think of this comment I saw once on an article. The headline was something like "Why has Mr Brightside spent 7 years in the top 100 charts?" and the first comment just said "Because it fuckin' slaps. Next question?"
The song is pure emotion. Anybody who has ever felt forlorn, melancholy, betrayed, depressed, or just reflective can connect and be "in tune" with the vibe, with everything. And the fact that it doesn't resolve urges you to replay it again.
I remember the first time I ever heard/saw this song. I was just caught watching it play on a small television screen at a Journey's shoe store at the mall when I was shopping with my family. Thought the outfits were silly but I stood there watching, and then it didn't matter. I was in the zone. Don't think I saw the entirety though
You can even cycle between all of them. I have a huge nostalgia and yearning for a happier and simpler time because this song reminds me of a very happy period of growing up. It's incredible! Absolutely love it!
It's appropriate that a song about being cheated on, that makes you feel sick, doesn't resolve and ends on discontent.
So why at a Wedding or sporting event, right? I agree about those feelings but i don't feel those feelings at a Wedding or game, just the opposite. The music thought, unbelievable. Great for those events
It's got a rhythm anyone can dance to and has shoutable lyrics anyone can sing to.
I think another thing that deserves mention is the cultural aspect of the subject matter of the song, and how it syncs perfectly with the rhythm and pacing of the music. Unrequited, unfulfilled love is an absolutely universal phenomenon. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has been in a situation at some point in their lives where they see someone that they yearn for in the arms of someone else.
The monotone of the first verse, the fast-paced drum beats. Is it the music? Or the rapid beating of a heart, and a mind that is stuck, REALLY stuck on one thing...
Absolutely agree the lyrics are super tight and personal enough to hit you emotionally but universal enough to be relatable to pretty much anyone
On top of that, the lyrics also work on the basis of jealousy. So either unrequited love or being cheated on and seeing it happen with the cheating party blissfully unaware they've been caught. All those emotions are so universal that you won't find anyone singing along who isn't getting a great deal of catharsis from it
yes, the song feels entirely like a nervous breakdown in the best way possible. like, it's insane how well they capture what it feels like.
I feel like songs that dont resolve at the end are great for concerts. The rockus applause acts as the resolution not the song itself. Also its probably easier to segway into another song when the last one doesnt feel so FINAL.
@@topherthe11th23🤓🤓
@@topherthe11th23 "BUT I DON'T SPEAK ITALIAN!🤌🤌"
"rockus" :-D
It took off so well in the UK because the verse is a basically a football chant
Soccer
@@Ottophil i hardly knew 'er
@@Ottophil There is football, American football and Bastardised English for football.
Association Football => Assoc. Football => Soccer
@@andersjjensen bastardised by British school children, but okay, slag 'em I guess
7:52 I experienced this at a Bob Segar concert back on his "Like A Rock" tour. He started the first line of "Turn The Page" and I didn't hear him again until the song was over. The entire audience drowned him and his band out for the rest of the song. It was ethereal.
I remember that happening when I saw Nine Inch Nails play Hurt, and Trent gave a (not so serious) speech about how we paid good money to attend the concert just to drown out the music.
Sounds like a song that would play at the end of music
I cracked up🤣
@@Littlelordf0ckleroy it was meant to be movie, but since this is funnier why not.
@@TheStickCollectorno no no, you're still right. If music had to finish, this is probably where it ends. I think we could all be happy with that!
Videos like this are why I love your channel so much. Simple, yet exciting and masterfully put together.
Just like Mr. Brightside!
Glad you like them!😀
Unusually, The Killers are an American band who sound British.
bro this is not remotely unusual
@@ReganAtSea Same with vice-versa!
Like LCD Soundsystem
What sounds British about it?
You mean like Blondie.
I watched 12tone's video on this ages ago and he didn't mention Ode to Joy. I thought I was crazy. I'm glad you noted it. I always thought it directly quoted or even sampled OtJ, but that's because I've probably never heard it sober. I may be frequently drunk and factually mistaken, but nice to know I'm not delusional.
Rick Beato also did a video on it. It feels very weird for David Bennett to cover this after so many have.
What a wonderful breakdown. I was lucky enough to be at uni in 2004/5/6 and the Hot Fuss album was being played everywhere. Listening to Mr Brightside is like a time machine for me now and I try to avoid it as it stirs up too many emotions I don't really want to feel.
Congrats on the 1m subs btw 👏
Voice as a rhythm instrument
Rhythm is a dancer
@@pensivepenguin3000Rhythm is *dancer*
Guitarists know how hard this song is to play perfectly. There’s that monster five fret stretch.
I also think the themes in the lyrics make the song relatable to everyone, so it feels "personal"
There's a pub in my home city (Perth, Australia) that hosts a regularly scheduled event whet they just play Mr Brightside over and over again all night
I’ve visited Perth a lot. How have I not heard of this 😂
@TheJayson8899 it was a recurring event advised on Facebook. I did a bit of googling and it looks like they don't do it anymore
that sounds amazing lol
It's always great to listen to you, David.
Thanks 😊
I'd argue that the first and second verses aren't the same. The first time he's "doing just fine" and the second he's "doing JUST fine". 😂
Anyway I don't care if it makes me basic, I love this song and I will die on this hill. I love it, the way the line between the verse and pre-chorus subverts your expectations ("But she's touch his... chest now" -- chest is NOT the word you thought was coming next) and how the verse does have that monotone sound like he's narrating in disbelief and then the prechorus and chorus, realization hits and emotions swell. Like you know when you see on TV or in a movie, a character watching something happen, going "no.. no.. no... NO!" Like that. Am I reading too much into it? God I hope so.
I have a copy of the first demo they recorded of this song in 2001. In that version he says "doin just fine" in the first verse, and "everything is just fine" in the second verse 🤣
It's not just about the music, it's also about the lyrics man this song hits so damn hard
David, your videos are a Masterclass in how to teach music. the killers found the perfect formula and so have you. Thank you.
This song came out when I was 17. And this is first I've ever heard of it.
How is it even possible?
I was about the same age back then and I also never heard the song before. To be honest, I don't get its appeal. Sounds pretty bland.
this is absolutely crazy, you’re either not british or you’ve never left your home
I’m a bit jealous 😏
@koiloylo Actually, my ancestors fought a war so that they could stop being British, so I guess that explains it.
Great analysis. Great tune. I'm in a happy mood now. Thanks from Argentina 🇦🇷
At EDC 2024 in Vegas they played Mr. Brightside about 5 times and it was all different DJs and mixes. That was just the stages I saw. I heard it twice just last night there.
I love how the one note melody brilliantly changes into a two note melody and finally builds to the climactic three note melody when the song's almost over.
Great storytelling in this video
Thank you!
A shout out to the bass and how hard it drives the song and adds to the melody
Somehow this song doesn't get old, just so well crafted. Great use of tension-release, perfectly executed melodic simplicity to go along with a relatively unique and complex sounding guitar part, and an overall melancholic and relatable sentiment.
I think its popularity in the UK far eclipses the popularity here in the US, but everyone still knows it. It's a classic of that era and one of those songs that sticks with you. I remember the first time I heard it, how old I was, and what I was going through at the time.
I think the Britpop melancholic sentiment and chant-like quality of the verse are obvious reasons it is so popular in the UK. When I first heard it, I thought the Killers were British!
It’s also a great way to check if your guitars intonation is way off above the 12th fret lol
Great, now I want to listen to Mr. Brightside again, thanks.
Another reason is that its lyrics tap into an indescribable mix of emotion we've all felt:
They don't love me, they love that person over there! They suck. The person they love sucks. I suck. Goddammit!
what an incredible and highly analytical video. more of these please
Thanks 😊
It revolves to Smile like you mean it. 😊
revolves?
@@TheMotiveDJ 😆 darn typos *resolves
I would say the "chanting" aspect also plays a part in how emotional or memorable a song is. Chanting something at a fast rate like that makes it hard to breathe properly, which puts the brain into a more excited state.
Speaking of repeating lyrics: Nirvana did something similar, often they would have the first and 3rd verse be the same. So you would have a solo, and then you got to go back to the first verse, really cementing the lyrics in your head.
My first exposure to the killers and Mr. brightside was on my mom's iPod in 2004, when she downloaded the Hot Fuss album. I've always loved that entire album. Between that, Mr. Brightside being such a bar favorite song, and with my favorite college football team, Michigan, riding high with this song for the past 3 years, has made me absolutely insufferable to the rest of my friends when there's Touch Tunes at whatever bar we go to.
Glad you are showing the wave form, it is LOUD all the way through. Whats really interesting is if you watch a frequency spectrum as it plays, it doesn't move from start to finish, just a mountain of sound. Surprised me when I first saw that since you can hear all the parts, great engineering I guess.
Thanks for the video. Good call on showing it's played as if in the key of D at 0:42 -- the guitar strings are tuned down a semitone -- so playing a D *sounds like* Db -- which is why it's not really at odds with the Db key 2:17 🙂
If I watch a music video before just hearing a song, the two become inextricably linked for me. Which means there is power in the visual. This is a great video. Great videos make for popular songs, IMHO (ask me about Fortnight).
OMG! One of my favorite songs of all time😃 Like first, then start watching video😁
It's easy for someone like David, who's so well versed in music theory, to look down on Mr. Brightside, especially because of how simple the notes are, but he took the time to really examine it in depth and explain why it resonates with so many people. I think that really sets him apart.
Always impecable videos. Great work. It's always nice to come back to some music analysis.
Reminds me a bit of an old school literal drinking song from here - "Bliss" by Th' Dudes, starts out with a recognisable guitar riff which brings that familiar feeling and then has a very "we all yell along" section. The most popular pub/wedding/group sing along songs seem to have that everyone can just yell-sing along to (even if it is just Yaaaah Yah Yah Yah Yah in this case)
I do also like the "implied word" lyrics of Mr. Brightside, as someone who enjoys word play it's fun to see that used well in a song.
Coming back a few days later to say I have had the urge to listen to Mr brightside every few hours every day since I watched this video. What have you done to me
I've often asked myself why certain songs are so popular that many people just can't avoid liking it. So I'm happy you made a video about that! Other examples I ask myself this question about are:
Psy - Gangnam Style
Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk
It would be great if you analyse one of those songs!
"This one really brought down the house when we played it..." - Brandon Flowers 35 years from now
That was smart ending the video on how the song ends up uniting the whole crowd as they sing while the band stops and all you hear is the fading out voices of the audience singing together in unison.
Clicked on this just for the "how did it end up like this" in the thumbnail dont disappoint
At Reading recently they played the whole thing twice so that the crowd could sing it by themselves first, and then they did it again actually performing it - it was pretty magical to be honest
I listen to it a lot and im not even from UK. Then again I listen to a lot of their song in general. great timeless band
I could never understand why this song is so popular as I can't stand it. Appreciate the insight.
i love how this channel has the answear to all my questions
Because it’s a great song!! But it’s kinda weird that it became a UK national anthem even tho the Killers are very much from Las Vegas, USA lol
The killers take huge inspiration from British rock bands like the smiths
Don't know this song and I am at a wedding every Saturday for work.
@@laartwork No worries, took me quite some time to get familiair with those complex melody lines as well.
The sound of their music is very British
The vocals could be placed on top of Underworld's 'Born Slippy' and no one would ever know.
Dude, you took the words out my mouth 😂
And I'd wager the Killers were conscious of this. They have a more recent song called "Spirit" which sounds very reminiscent of Born Slippy.
I had that song in mind for why it might be so continuously popular in Britain lol
@@Shroomdiffnuclear It must have been while you were kissing me!
I did a quick mashup to demonstrate the alignment of the two songs th-cam.com/video/B-kZ1iMZtg8/w-d-xo.html
Most popular indie single ever! Good choice David, about time.
Awesome video! As to answering the question “why is this song so damn catchy” I think the video underemphasizes the value of the guitar riff. It grabs you immediately and doesn’t let go, just like Slash’s lead in Sweet Child o’Mine.
Ever noticed that the Killers song “Somebody Told Me” ‘s chorus has the same progression as Fame. I just sing “Fame! I’m gonna live forever” when I hear it.
I knew this song from a Warrior Cats AMV and even thought I didn't know anything about Warrior Cats, it really made me feel the emotions!
I hear lyrics wrong All The Time. Thought it was common until my 8 year started singing the “correct lyrics” of songs I’ve been listening to for 30/35 years. This song has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it, and since then you would have heard me screaming out “Diana!” instead of “I never!” No one ever corrected me, until my little girl did. I thought it was the name of the girl who broke his heart!
And here I thought it was "My alibi!"
I have no idea why he'd be saying "my alibi", but whatever
That's hilarious
For my money, it's the instruments that make this more than the vocals. The pre-chorus chord progression and instrumentation hugely adds so much tonthe emotion and build up to the song, it's one of my favourite riffs/progressions in a song ever.
There's probably an element of the sum of its parts here, where any change to any part of the song and it wouldn't be as big as it is.
David Bennett out here promoting sponors for learning piano like they aren't an amazing teacher in their own right (but seriously, you taught me how to play piano and because of you I started doing lessons and it's going really well so far so thanks for that even though you don't know me)
Because it's a f@©king fantastic piece of music.
I'm from pPoland, been to many weddings, never heard this song. but I kinda like it.
Although I’m not a particular fan of the band I think that the Killers show great song writing all across their catalogue. Most of their songs really stand the test of time and are rememberable.
Everyone in Britain knows the song. Everyone in a British club instantly all know the lyrics, and most can completely relate to the lyrics of young love/jealousy/uncertainty and so everyone sings along in unison
I don’t. Barely ever listened to it and avoid it at all costs. 😊
@@ShiningHourPop but you will know by pure osmosis and just by being the pub when it came on, such is the universal and everlasting nature of the song
I too don't understand why this song is such a big hit at weddings and even more so at sporting events. I love this song and was immediately drawn to it due to its tremendous drive and musical qualities. I am known as someone who doesn't pay attention to lyrics. I consider the vocals as just another musical instrument. BUT, this song touches me greatly due to its Lyrics. I had a crushing breakup when I was in high school back in the 80's and this song perfectly depicts how I felt then. It's what I thought about all day, while lying in my bed trying to get to sleep and the first thing I thought about when I woke up. I'm so confused when I hear it at a sporting event and everyone get's so amped up. I love the song and love to hear it, but it immediately draws me back to a very dark and hurtful period in my life. PS, Love the Killers @ 62.
The last “build up” is where everyone catches their breath and get ready to repeat “I never”
I love this channel!
Thanks 😊
Fantastic video! Why is it so much more popular in the UK than in the US?
Interesting how you think about what it should be like if it would resolve at the end. The more fullfilling variant for me would be to keep what is now tge last bar and add a full bar of the tonic/one-chord. So you'd get both a half bar of an "enveloping" five-chord, and the resolution. The half-bar of the five-chord builds the tension/expectation for the resolution.
Thats how I've always "heard it inside my head". A not played last bar.
And that's brilliant, BTW! Unfullfilled song about unfulfilled love.
At 6:40 I don't agree with your resolved ending. In my mind it'd be the 3 chords as normal, but then (a bar later) has a bar of Db major.
No, the Db should come on beat 4 of the next-to-last measure.
@@markadurham64ok, that too. I was just letting chord 3 ring out longer, slowing down, before the resolution.
!!!! this
What makes this great is that the second verse is the same as the first, except that "just fine" is replaced by "Just Fine!"
I’d love to have that plugin for itunes that would allow to automatically detect and color-code different parts of the song as in 0:36!
Thank you.
Can't unsee darling Cameron Diaz shouting it (off-note) and punching the air.
I ask myself this question every time I hear the damn song.
It's popular because everyone has a little snigger when the song gets to "and she's touching his...". Brandon Flowers said in an interview that he's indebted to Benny Hill for that line.
Mr. Brightside is Becoming a Internet Meme Now 📈🇰🇷
I just ended 2 shows with that song this weekend alone.
It's a trademark song that defines "Upbeat, yet atmospheric".
12Tone did a pretty great video going into more detail about this tune.
Brilliant analysis David.
Perhaps we need you to analyse the winning song at the Eurovision song contest and help write a winning tune?
I know there would be the urge for Europe to give UK 'nil points' but if we have a decent tune, earworm melodies, chant back lyrics then we might stand a chance.
I know there is the politics but looking at the last 3/4 years the winning songs have all had the above in their makeup.
Have you ever done any analysis on Eurovision?
One of my favorite parts of Bryant Denny Stadium in football season is Mr. Brightside sung by 100,000 people.
To this day, I'm still 'convinced' he sings Paella at the end because he was hungry.
Best song ever
In other words, an absolute banger
"Jealousy" the song, "Mr Brightside" is the face you wear when you try to keep it bottled up. A piquant emotion for those who've felt its intestine grip and twist and repeat, relentless like the monotone vocals, but it also evokes longing, melancholy, pity, and very little judgement. I don't see shows anymore, I saw at the show that I think got them big when they were just playing a side stage and, man, while I don't think of the vocals as "good", they were in fact, not at all bad when played live -- they sounded great! Crowd loved it, and it was no surprise it exploded. When you overthink it you might get embarrassed, but this is a beautiful little pop track, a deserved hit for what it is.
U of M uses this for sporting events. Most notably football. You now have a stadium of 100K+ fans singing this.
The University of Mainrylassachigasotippissouritana?
GO BLUE!
It very interessant i like the explication, and i subs nu 1025,, Alain,, greeting from Canada
I feel what the lyrics are actually saying is equally as important as the musical elements of the song.