Lyrics for All These Things That I've Done as interpreted by K-nuxXx

All These Things That I've Done Lyrics
When there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
One more son
If you can hold on
If you can hold on, hold on

I wanna stand up, I wanna let go
You know, you know - no you don't, you don't
I wanna shine on in the hearts of men
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand

Another head aches, another heart breaks
I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no

Help me out
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah

And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me
The cold-hearted boy I used to be

Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

I got soul, but I'm not a soldier (x10)

(Time, truth and hearts)

Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me ou, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down

Over and out, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
(Time, truth and hearts)
If you can hold on
If you can hold on

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kaleidoscopeeyes8
07-20-2006

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And I think it is "Over and in" not "Over and out".

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kaleidoscopeeyes8
07-20-2006

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I think this song is about families, definitely. I think an important line is "I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand". Perhaps some physical abuse is happening in this family.

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Zeusofmusic
07-20-2006

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Great song!!!!

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SeLfkiLL
07-24-2006

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I was starting to get worried that this song was actually another song wasted to religion. Luckily, I found out the contrary:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_These_Things_That_I%27ve_Done

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im_no_superman
07-29-2006

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i think "I got soul but I'm not asoldier" means that he believes in god but he doesn't follow the religion, becasue having a soul is often related to being of god, and being a soldier could represent 'god's army' i.e. his followers

dunno bout the rest of it though, just a great song

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xo_lani_hoku_ox
08-24-2006

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i love this song!

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bekstah123
08-31-2006

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Everyone gets something out of songs like this. I see it as when you feel like everything isn't going the way you expected and you want to turn things around, but you can't. So desperate you just turn to God to help you, he isn't a religious man but he is desperate.It's like when you pray to god when something really bad happens, it probably won't help, but your in that state where you feel there is nothing left to turn to.

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bekstah123
08-31-2006

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Has anyone listened to Matt Willis' version of this song? He does a real good job :)

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guitargrl246
09-04-2006

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Over and out, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done


I think those last lines are a reflection of the whole song. like maybe hes looking towards religion. and its a story. so maybe he's about to confess his sins, and its potentially the last time he can sin.
and while everyones lost the battle is won, everyone hasnt found what they're looking for in religion yet, but he has won the battle from evil, because of everything hes gone through and done to get there.

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[[mariah]]
09-18-2006

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I don't know why this song didn't achieve the heights of their other songs (i.e. Mr. Brightside, Somebody Told me) because its a really good song. It's different, but the lyrics are great and i love the "i got soul but im not a soldier..." part/

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Shnikej
09-28-2006

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"I've got soul but I'm not a soldier"-- it's statement, or possibly a statement in response. "I'm not a soldier" but "I've got soul". It makes me think of how religion has been used as a means (or excuse) for war, all throughout history. People die for their beliefs, and it's interesting to learn the Flowers is or was a morman. Maybe this is his rebuttle to what his own family/friends think of him and his new path in life. I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier. Maybe he's not willing to hurt others, but he has faith and is willing to use it to hold on and to help him reconcile "all these things that [he] has done."

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plain_jane
10-03-2006

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Parts of this song get stuck in my head for days and days...so catchy. Ehh, I hate it when I feel like someone is putting me on the backburner. Worst feeling ever.

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Bernadetteblu
10-21-2006

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GOLD-hearted boy!

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kristinlynnn
11-10-2006

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brandon flowers says the song's meaning is: 'you're not always going to be perfect ... For me it was more of a religious thing. Going through this phase in my life of ... believing what I believe and being thrown to the dogs. To the rock'n'roll world ... Because even when I slipped I still believed what I believe."

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surferswingen
12-28-2006

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This song to me means that it's about someone who ran from everything when they when they were younger. Now that they have grown and realized all wrongs he reailzes that he needs help. God's help. The best place to run to in my opinion.

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Sefex
01-16-2007

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...Time, Truth & Hearts...

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airwolf queen
01-22-2007

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The gospel influences of this song make it pretty much the best off the album.

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suclid003
01-26-2007

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This song is used in the movie the Matador. I think you could interpret this song as a soldier or "killer" perhaps, who finally faces his guilt and reconciles himself with his own past deeds. It kind of reminds of Crime and Punishment for some reason, the end where he finally faces his guilt. I guess it's just the notion of forgiveness that appeals the most to me, the idea that everyone has a fighting chance to survive and finally life if they find some peace within themselves and with others. Its about mending yourself by accepting what's done and gone. My favorite song on the whole album.

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suclid003
01-26-2007

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*live

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TheRealTashMaybe
02-03-2007

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I really didn't think it was anything to do with religion - in fact, having returned to this song after not listening to the Killers for a long, something immediately struck me, and now I'm pretty much convinced that it's about a kid leaving home.
"Is there room for one more son?" is him asking if he can stay with someone for a while. He wants to "stand up...let go", or escape from his home. "You know...no, you don't" is an argument with parents/guardians, when they claim they understand his need for freedom.
The head ache/heart break line refers again to the arguments [head aches from the yelling; heart breaks from what was said]. He feels like he's mature enough to leave home, but no-one seems to get that.

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getborn182
02-03-2007

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I somewhat agree ^^^

The boy is reflecting on all the mistakes he's done while he's running away from home. Makes sense, actually.

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lukewagoneer
02-05-2007

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I definitely think it's about Jesus; or Mr. Flowers comparing himself to him, I WOULD NOT put it past him) Anyways, I think it might be about Jesus, and namely his final days, him 'questioning God/doubting him in the Garden of Gethsemane (Don't put me on the Backburner, You gotta help me out Et Cetera)
Also kind of just talking about him in general (I've got soul but I'm not a soldier) this hints at him having a heart and compassion, but not being a violent or angry man. 'Another Head/Heart Aches' I think is about people seeking a God; Head aches tend to come from Hangovers (Alcohol/withdrawal) and heart aches come from a void in a relationship. Ideally and perhaps subconsciously, when people drink or even are involved in relationships, this can be seen as an attempt to feel God or at least an affect similar to that, maybe at times hiding from him. Jesus had to 'bring himself down' to a Man's status and die like men do, but he also could have taken the easy way out and given Pilate or Herrod What they'd wanted, and avoided death to save his own skin. He 'brought himself down' by standing up and doing what was right, what he was suppossed to do, which was die. The voice in this song seems stressed and scared/confused. I really like this song and just now put the pieces together. Unfortunately, Brandon Flowers is the most Arrogant person ever, and hearing words like these from him makes it seem less genuine. Its hard to seperate a good song from a narcissistic lead singer, who may even think he's the next Jesus! (is there room for one more son?!?!)

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lukewagoneer
02-05-2007

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PS- Last call for sin- Jesus wanting people to repent before he takes their sins to hell...?

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spokmage
02-14-2007

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I think the Christian interpretation is interesting, I can definitely see the symbolism. However I think that the song has an ultimately broader meaning.

When I listen to the song, I can't help but pick up a hint of existential dilemma...

Asking if there's "room for one more son" seems to me like he's referring to the impersonal, modern world, where he's just one person among millions.

Most people can probably relate to the concern of growing older and trying to find meaning in life. Since modern life lacks the collective spirit of pre-modern life, we find ourselves as individuals searching for meaning or a purpose to live (i.e. religion, consumerism, political activism).

So how does this relate to the song? I think the protagonist is somebody who was raised with some unquestioned beliefs, but now that he's out in the world he's reexamining himself.

And though he's alienated, he calls for help (maybe to God, maybe to friends, maybe to complete strangers). He thinks maybe they can help him find meaning.

However, I think that the revelation at the end of the song is that his interactions w/ the people he's met (who are probably going through the same thing) and the things that he's done (the "battle" to find meaning) were meaningful in themselves.

In this light "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" line could be acknowledging that he's not trying to change the world, only live in it.

Not saying that this interpretation's airtight, but it definitely has personal significance for me and anybody else who's trying to cope w/ modernity (read: college).

And sorry for the long post. =)

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lukewagoneer
02-18-2007

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I definitely see that too, especially since the killers don't seem overtly religious or anything, regardless, it's a rally cool song, Kind of empowering I guess?

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