“Somebody Told Me” – The Killers
Well, we’re in the final round of the song draft, and like everyone else in the group, I have a ton of songs I’d like to share but, alas, need to choose only one. And the winner is, “Somebody Told Me” by American rock band the Killers. Serving up three minutes and 17 seconds of exuberant foot-stomping beats, roiling guitars, spacey synths and thunderous percussion, it’s an electrifying blast from start to finish, and one of my favorite songs of the 2000s. It also features one of the best lyric phrases ever written: “Somebody told me you had a boyfriend who looked like a girlfriend that I had in February of last year.”
The Killers formed in Las Vegas in 2001, taking their name from a logo on the bass drum of a fictitious band portrayed in the music video for the New Order song “Crystal”. And though they’ve turned out to be one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century, it took them a few years to gain traction. Surprisingly, both “Somebody Told Me” and their debut single “Mr. Brightside” were not successful upon their initial release. (“Mr. Brightside” was re-released in 2004 and went on to become their biggest-selling single, reaching #10 in both the UK and on the Billboard Hot 100. To date, the song is also the longest-charting single on the UK Top 100 Singles Chart, with 278 non-consecutive weeks!)
“Somebody Told Me” was the second single released from the Killers’ debut album Hot Fuss in 2004, and though it eventually reached #3 in the UK and on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, it failed to crack the top 40 on the Hot 100, peaking at only #51. Nevertheless, it’s become one of their most enduring and popular songs, garnering nearly 450 million streams on Spotify alone.
The song is essentially about trying to meet someone at a club, but not having much success. I love lead singer Brandon Flowers’ plaintive vocals that beautifully express his exasperation over striking out with the ladies despite repeated attempts to woo them with his considerable charms:
Breaking my back just to know your name
Seventeen tracks and I’ve had it with this game
I’m breaking my back just to know your name
But heaven ain’t close in a place like this
Anything goes but don’t blink, you might miss
‘Cause heaven ain’t close in a place like this
I said, oh, heaven ain’t close in a place like this
Bring it back down, bring it back down tonight (Ooh-ooh)
Never thought I’d let a rumor ruin my moonlight
Well, somebody told me you had a boyfriend
Who looked like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It’s not confidential, I’ve got potential
Ready? Let’s roll onto something new
Taking its toll then I’m leaving without you
‘Cause heaven ain’t close in a place like this
I said, oh, heaven ain’t close in a place like this
Bring it back down, bring it back down tonight (Ooh-ooh)
Never thought I’d let a rumor ruin my moonlight
Well, somebody told me you had a boyfriend
Who looked like a girlfriend
That I had in February of last year
It’s not confidential, I’ve got potential
slicethelife 
When I was younger this happened a lot- in recent years not so much– but when I heard “Somebody Told Me’- the next day I went out and bought the album- great song/ great album.
Yes, I used to do that a lot too, back when I bought a lot of music.
Last choice, where do you go? I guess to something you dig a lot. First time listen and yes nd can hear why it grabbed you. Good rock song.
Exactly CB. It’s an earworm for sure.
I always assumed they were British for some reason. Seems like around the last era that guitar rock was in the mainstream.
This is a good song! I always liked hearing it when it came on the radio. Glad to have it in the draft.
You’re welcome Diana!
I remember this one. It was released while I was living in Texas. This also got played a lot on the U of T @ Austin radio station where I heard Lissie. It’s a great song with, like you said, ear-worm lyrics. LOL!
Good pick Jeff…greak rock song. I llike this band. A friend of mine got me on this band and The Strokes.
one of the better rock songs of recent years.
This is one of those songs that has the honor of being a part of a Weird Al Yankovic Polka Medley. That’s actually where I first heard it.
I love love love The Killers. My older son introduced me to Hot Fuss and I’ve been a fan ever since. I love all of the songs on it but I think my favorite is the one about Andy. Great choice and write-up. Have you heard their new album? It’s way more introspective but oh is it good.