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Sometime within the last 15 years you’ve probably found yourself belting out The Killer’s Mr. Brightside.

The adored indie-anthem assisted The Killers in becoming one of the most successful rock bands of the 21st century all the while still managing to hold its own in 2018. It only ever peaked at number ten on the UK singles chart, but get this, since it’s reissue in 2004 it’s rarely ever left those very same charts -- appearing in the top 100 singles every year since. In fact the track is spending it’s 204th week on the chart as I speak.

In 2005, it was the sixth most downloaded song on iTunes. It’s now the 12th most downloaded rock track in the UK ever. Last.fm revealed that it was the most listened to track since the launch of their online music service with more than 12 million plays and counting. Mr. Brightside is the most streamed song of any track released before 2010. Averaging nearly a million plays per week across all major streaming platforms. Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, VH1 and countless others have called it one of the best songs of the decade. Not bad for a band’s first song.

The Killers have never not played that song live. That’s not a hyperbole, it’s the truth. They’ve literally never played a gig without playing Mr. Brightside. Flowers himself isn’t bored of singing it. And somehow it has stood the test of time while it’s popularity is showing no signs of dwindling.

So what is it about Mr. Brightside that has listeners returning a decade and a half later?

Let’s take a look at THE LEGACY OF MR. BRIGHTSIDE

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Who wrote/sings Mr. Brightside?
The Killers

How old is Mr. Brightside?
Approximately 15 years old now.

When did Mr. Brightside come out?
Mr. Brightside premiered on BBC Radio 1 in 2003 and was re-released in 2004 by Island Def Jam Records.

Which album is Mr. Brightside on?
The KIller’s debut Hot Fuss.

What does Mr. Brightside mean? What is Mr. Brightside about?
The track is focuses on an unfaithful lover and ultimately moving on from the failed relationship.

How long has Mr. Brightside been in the charts?
Mr. Brightside is spending its 15th year on the UK Top 100 Singles Chart. While it has left the charts, it manages to find its way back year after year.

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Written, voiced & edited by Frank Furtado
#thekillers #mrbrightside #middle8