In 2004, I didn’t know much about music. I mean, I really didn’t know a lot. I was sporting some very on trend box braids and still contemplating the merits of a post N’sync Justin Timberlake solo career and obvi Destiny’s Child. I don’t remember the details of how Hot Fuss fell into my lap but I’m sure it was definitely not purchased legally (sorry Brandon Flowers!). Like many bands at the time (I’m looking at you Death Cab for Cutie), the Killers found commercial success after getting some love from The O.C.
That year I was 12 years old, in the 7th grade, and dreaming of making Seth Cohen my man at any cost. However, 12 year old me had definitely never heard anything quite so edgy as the stuff on Hot Fuss. I mean, for starters the lyrics talked about stuff like one night stands, kissing, and smoking (verryyy risque at the time). In a lot of ways 2004 was my music awakening. The Killers, Green Day, Gwen Stefani, and My Chemical Romance all had releases that year--all of which I listened to on my boombox because I literally owned a boombox in 2004 (but, like very low key and swaggy or whatever )
I remember one particular conversation I had with my mother where I told her I liked a band called The Killers. At that time the media were airing a lot of “investigative” pieces on how music was poisoning the minds of the youth so what I got was a 2 hour lecture on why I shouldn’t listen to a band called the Killers (thanks a lot, Brandon Flowers!).
Hot Fuss was very ahead of its time. I mean, way ahead. It’s probably weird for The Killers to think of themselves as influencers considering the fact that Brandon Flowers doesn’t age. The only bands in the realm of The Killers at that time were Bloc Party and of course The Strokes who still hadn’t really started playing around with electronica in the way that The Killers did .
Two years later The Killers released Sam’s Town, further enabling a very long and successful string of chart topping singles. To celebrate 10 years since the release of Hot Fuss, here’s a list of 10 things Hot Fuss taught me.
1. Mormon guys can be cute too
I mean, guys from any religion can be cute but Mormons are usually low-key cute. Not like B. Flow
I mean, guys from any religion can be cute but Mormons are usually low-key cute. Not like B. Flow
2. ‘I’ve got soul but I’m not a soldier ‘is a very catchy lyric
3. Everyone knows every lyric to Mr.Brightside
3. Everyone knows every lyric to Mr.Brightside
I’m really not sure what the reason for this is but any time Mr.Brightside is played to a crowd comprised largely of under 25s, they know every lyric to Mr.Brightside. Why is that?
4. Listening to the same album day in and day out will commit the lyrics to your memory and make your mother want to commit murder
5. You can always judge a person by asking what their favourite track from Hot Fuss is
They might think the answer is Mr. Brightside but the correct answer is ‘All these things that I’ve Done’
They might think the answer is Mr. Brightside but the correct answer is ‘All these things that I’ve Done’
6. 80s electronic infused with modern pop can either be a good thing or a very bad thing
8. A band’s first album will almost always be their best album
9. It pays to be mysterious and constantly wear a white button down shirt
10. How to pirate music (again, I’m really sorry Brandon.)
