Most music critics did not take very well the second album of the American rock band The Killers, which was released under the name “Sam’s Town”. However, almost everyone liked one of the tracks of the disc. We are talking about the song “Read My Mind”, the story of which this article is devoted to.
The band’s vocalist Brandon Flowers told Rolling Stone that “Read My Mind” was originally called “Little Angela” and was meant to be released on the back of the single. And then he became an unwitting witness to the dispute between their producers over the song:
I heard Alan [Моулдер] said, “We’re trying to turn ‘Peggy Sue’ into ‘With Or Without You'” which came as a shock to me as he basically stated that my lyrics weren’t good enough. So I started humming different tunes, and after two hours it became a completely new song. I think it’s the best song we’ve ever written.
Flowers also admitted that “Read My Mind” is mostly based on his life experiences, but did not go into details. Fans of the group express different opinions about the meaning of the song. For example, a popular version is that Brandon wrote about his desire to return from Nefy, Utah, where he moved with his family as a child, to his native Nevada (which he succeeded at the age of sixteen). If so, then he is clearly referring to someone who stayed in that town.
“Read My Mind” was the sixth track on Sam’s Town and was released as a single. It peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number fifteen on the UK Singles Chart.
The video for “Read My Mind” was filmed in Tokyo (which is said to be why the song is so popular on Asian TV channels). It makes no sense to retell his story. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch it.
Interesting Facts
- Musicians from the Pet Shop Boys heard “Read My Mind” at one of the concerts and suggested that The Killers members make a remix of the song. It was released under the name “Read My Mind” (Pet Shop Boys Stars Are Blazing Mix).
Read My Mind Lyrics by The Killers
On the corner of main street
Just tryin’ to keep it in line
You say you wanna move on and
You say I’m falling behind
Just trying to control myself
You say you want to move on and
You say I’m pulling you back Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
Breakin’ out of this two-star town
I got the green light
I got a little fight
I’m gonna turn this thing around
Trying to break out of this two star city
I was given the green light
I had to fight
I’ll do my best The good old days, the honest man
The restless heart, the Promised Land
A subtle kiss that no one sees
A broken wrist and a big trapeze
Troubled heart, promised land
A secret kiss, unnoticed by anyone,
Broken wrist and big trapeze Oh well, I don’t mind, you don’t mind
Cause I don’t shine if you don’t shine
Before you go, can you read my mind?
‘Cause I can’t be happy if you’re not happy
Before you leave, can you read my mind? It’s funny how you just break down
Waiting on some sign
I pull up to the front of your driveway
With magic soaking my spine
Waiting for some sign
I overtook you on the way
Soaked to the marrow with magic The teenage queen, the loaded gun
The drop dead dream, the Chosen One
A southern drawl, the world unseen
A city wall and a trampoline
A ruined dream, the only man you chose
Southern dialect, unseen world,
City wall and trampoline Oh well, I don’t mind, you don’t mind
‘Cause I don’t shine if you don’t shine
Before you jump
tell me what you find
When you read my mind
‘Cause I can’t be happy if you’re not happy
Before you jump
Tell me what you find
When you read my mind Slipping in my faith until I fall
He never returned that call
Woman, open the door, don’t let it stay
I wanna breathe that fire again
He never called back
Woman, open the door, don’t keep me waiting
I want to breathe that fire again She said, I don’t mind, you don’t mind
Cause I don’t shine if you don’t shine
Put your back on me
Put your back on me
Put your back on me
‘Cause I can’t be happy if you’re not happy
turn away from me
turn away from me
Turn your back on me The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun
When you read my mind The stars shine like rebellious diamonds plucked from the sun
When you read my mind
Song quote
Who needs guitars when you have such precise musical machines
New York Times on the “Read My Mind” (Pet Shop Boys Stars Are Blazing Mix) remix
