Thing a Day! 2: The Killers Hermeneutics

Okay. Let's get this ball rolling. I've got things lined up for almost every day of the month. If there's anything you want to see, let me know. There's no way for me to track if anyone is reading this, so probably the best thing is for you to leave a comment, even if it's "I read this" or "I let my eyes roll lazily over this." Otherwise, I'll more than lose interest and it will never happen (see National Novel Writing Month). Also, check back regularly since there will be something new every day. Tell all your friends! Make up little stickers that say thebratch.blogspot.com and slap them on stop signs and things all over town like the cool local bands do! I tend to ramble, which results in long posts, but for this project I will do my best to follow the KISS rule (Keep It Simple Sanjaya). Hmm... I think that's all the housekeeping issues. Onward!

I love the Killers. I really do. If anybody can seamlessly transition from fake brit-pop to All-American Western-infused rock they get my vote. As I was working tonight, I stopped to actually listen to the lyrics and I realized that I have no idea what he's saying. Sure, I can understand the words, but what the crap does "I took a bullet, and I looked inside Running through my veins An American masquerade" mean?

Luckily, boys and girls, I went to college. There I studied hermeneutics . My intentions are to break down, line by line, the song "Sam's Town" and maybe together we can unlock its hidden meanings.

"Nobody ever had a dream round here"
-Okay, apparently the singer, Brandon Flowers, is upset about how his neighbors and the people around him have a complete lack of initiative. Or they're all insomniacs.

"but I don't really mind that it's starting to get to me"
- He is acknowledging the fact that everyone's apathy bugs him.

"Nobody ever pulls the seams round here"
- It's not very well known that "pulls the seams" is a phrase that is similar to "does a good job" or "excels at what they do" or "usually doesn't drool on self."

"but I don't really mind that it's starting to get to me"
-Brandon's okay with being surrounded by jackasses.

"I've got this energy beneath my feet"
- Okay, maybe this explains why everyone's wearing knickers on their heads: they're living by a nuclear power plant, most likely exploded Chernobyl-style.

"like something underground's gonna come up and carry me"
- Ah! Brandon Flowers is also a fan of the movie Tremors! His daydreams of fighting desert worms alongside Kevin Bacon certainly get him through the hum drum of every day.

"I've got this sentimental heart that beats"
- He makes a point to mention that his heart beats, so this is obviously something that has come into contention. It would seem that the oafs around him have mistaken him for a zombie. Truly tragic.

"but I don't really mind that it's starting to get to me"
- His heart is "starting to get to him." I think this might mean he was born with some some of congenital heart problem. It is getting worse, how terrible! To make it worse, what life he has to live is lived amongst mutant blockheads.

"Now why do you waste my time?"
- This makes sense, considering the last line. Remember, boys and girls, it's all about context. Brandon is frustrated that we are taking up his time. This makes sense given his situation but is still a bit rude.

"Is the answer to the question on your mind"
- This half statement/half question is obviously Brandon's attempt at confusing us in hopes that we'd get so wrapped up in the riddle he'd be able to slip off to the side and leave our pathetic selves in a logic prison.

"And I'm sick of all my judges"
- Despite his bad heart, Brandon Flowers has done something naughty and found himself before a jury of his peers. Since he's still able to walk around, one can assume that he is simply on probation. This must make touring difficult.

"so scared of what they'll find"
- Brandon! Didn't you learn the first time? You're on parole, and if you screw this one up, they'll lock you up for a long time.

"But I know that I can make it"
- Our first positive comment from Mr. Flowers. He aspires to leave the mouth-breathers behind him. Let's hope the skeletons in his closet don't find him out.

"As long as somebody takes me home every now and then"
- Like every good Anglophile/Las Vegasian, Brandon is fond of the drink. When he's had too much, he does the responsible thing and takes a cab home.

"Oh, have you ever seen the lights?"
- This is obviously the tequila talking. Pay no attention to this.

"Have you ever seen the lights?"
- Brandon stutters.

"I took the shuttle on a shock-wave ride,
where the people on the pen pull the trigger for accolade
I took a bullet, and I looked inside"
- You know what. . . this is ridiculous. Either Brandon Flowers eats a lot, a lot of prescription medicines or he writes using a door covered in nouns, adjectives, and verbs, with a handful of darts.