The Killers – All These Things That I've Done

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  My Interpretation:This song can be interpreted in many ways, but the way I interpret it is the way that I believe Brandon Flowers meant for it to be. Brandon was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormons. In the Mormon faith there is the option for worthy young men to serve on a mission, which is to preach the gospel to various regions of the world. Brandon however did not serve a mission, from unworthiness or from choice, and regrets that decision. When it says is there room for one more son he is implying about life after death. The song portrays how many people feel about sin and forgiveness, he feels as if all these things he has done will prevent him from returning to his father in heaven. Also, by saying that "I want to shine in the hearts of man," further concludes the interpretation that this is about a mission, seeing as the prophet of the church has said "go forth and shine in the hearts of men" whilst talking about missions. In addition to that, later in the song it keeps repeating "I got soul but I'm not a soldier." That statement right there is implying that Brandon does indeed believe in the Mormon religion, but he could not get himself to go forth and serve a mission, as a soldier of God. Perhaps this is entirely wrong, but this is my interpretation of the song... Maybe it is because this is applying to my life right now. I am currently deciding on whether or not to serve a mission. And listening to this song makes me want to go.

  Flagged ryrytheguyon April 25, 2013   Link

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  My Interpretation:To me, this song has always been about struggling to find your place in the world and finally achieving success ("the battle is won with all these things that I've done")
  I'll try to give my interpretation to every verse:
  
  "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"
  
  The author is trying to find his place in the world, since we only have this world and "there's nowhere else to run".
  
  "I want to stand up, I want to let go
  You know, you know - no you don't, you don't
  I want to shine on in the hearts of men
  I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand"
  
  He wishes to be happy, forget the failures he's been through and actually get to do something he'll be remembered for ("shine on in the hearts of men"). He wants to find a purpose for his hard work (->"broken hand") but he feels useless, like he'll never do anything worth remembering, in the end.
  
  "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've got to help me out
  Yeah oh don't you put me on a backburner"
  
  He starts to feel bad, he's anxious, he feels like there's not enough time to realize his dreams, that's why he can't stand how old he's already got. He's so disappointed at life and downhearted that he sometimes can't even feel affection for anyone or anything, and he wishes someone could help him. He's also afraid to be forgotten and "put on the backburner", he wants his chance to shine.
  
  "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"
  
  Well, there's not much to explain here, actually :D
  Though the world changes he still stays the same, a "cold hearted" person, maybe also 'cause he doesn't trust much other people and he feels misunderstood around them.
  
  "I got soul, but I'm not a soldier"
  
  I believe it's a way to say "I have a lot to offer inside of me, I want to stand out of the crowd and finally be able to be myself and do something great, but I don't think I'm strong enough to achieve success".
  Now, the only words I couldn't adjust in this interpretation were "Last call for sin. While everyone's lost..."
  And then there's "Time, Truth, Hearts" that, I believe, are the things you need to get to your goal. "Truth" because you have to be true to who you are, I guess.
  
  I don't know, I've always identified myself in this song, basically 'cause I'm just 16 and I don't know where I'll end up yet. :) And there are times in which I already feel the pressure of time flowing, and my life gets slowly shorter and shorter... Someday, I hope I'll "win my battle", too :D
  
  Anyway, I hope my contribution will be useful, sorry for any possible mistakes, since I am Italian I'm not that good at expressing myself in English. :)

  Flagged LGamgeeon April 20, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:Well.. To me this songs is about a man who stopped a second and is trying to analyze is life. Trying to keep his self solid despite all the things he's done. The problem is that he doubt about it, he's asking to himself if he could still make it or not... he, like everybody, wants to reach the top, to be a better person. But he, alone, on his own, with all the mistakes he did, is not so sure to make it. Then here we have this lyrics that are basically a request of help.
  But, in my opinion, maybe he's not begging help from someone to give him a chanche, but he's asking from god and from his soul to guide him. He's still a bold-hearted guy even after all the things he's been through, he can still be reached by the love.
  That becasue i think the artist who wrote this song believe that god is in every soul. And so this allows god to spread the love to the men.

  Flagged Silvio1983on March 24, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:So this song describes my nephew perfectly right now. The kid had a bad childhood and subsequently became a troubled teen and has not done much as an adult with his life (he is about 21 now). He dropped out of high school and works little part time jobs and blows his money. My mom has bent over backwards for him, but he hasn't stepped up to be a man. My mom and him have a horrible relationship for various reasons. So now my mom has been unemployed and has to sell her house and move in with me, but I can't take them both so he has to find a place of his own. So now that you have back ground you likely don't care about, the song interpretation...
  
  The first verse:
  The house is getting sold out from under him, so he is trying to get a place to stay. He has a lot of aspirations, but he needs some confidence and a reality check.
  
  Second verse:
  He had to deal with a lot really young, more than he ever should have. He is angry at the world and takes it out on my mother. He needs advice and direction to get right.
  
  Chorus:
  He is now getting angry because he is asking for help, and feels like no one cares about him.
  
  Fourth Verse:
  He is stubborn.
  
  "I got soul but I'm not a soldier"
  He has a great sense of humor and can do great things, but he isn't gonna do it in the conventional way.
  
  Last verse:
  He is at a breaking point. Hopefully, he is gonna grow up. Everyone that has tried to help him in the past has been disappointed and lost something. Hopefully, like in the song, though everyone has lost in the situation, the battel will be won and he will come out on top.

  Flagged aag3981on December 20, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:So this song describes my nephew perfectly right now. The kid had a bad childhood and subsequently became a troubled teen and has not done much as an adult with his life (he is about 21 now). He dropped out of high school and works little part time jobs and blows his money. My mom has bent over backwards for him, but he hasn't stepped up to be a man. My mom and him have a horrible relationship for various reasons. So now my mom has been unemployed and has to sell her house and move in with me, but I can't take them both so he has to find a place of his own. So now that you have back ground you likely don't care about, the song interpretation...
  
  The first verse:
  The house is getting sold out from under him, so he is trying to get a place to stay. He has a lot of aspirations, but he needs some confidence and a reality check.
  
  Second verse:
  He had to deal with a lot really young, more than he ever should have. He is angry at the world and takes it out on my mother. He needs advice and direction to get right.
  
  Chorus:
  He is now getting angry because he is asking for help, and feels like no one cares about him.
  
  Fourth Verse:
  He is stubborn.
  
  "I got soul but I'm not a soldier"
  He has a great sense of humor and can do great things, but he isn't gonna do it in the conventional way.
  
  Last verse:
  He is at a breaking point. Hopefully, he is gonna grow up. Everyone that has tried to help him in the past has been disappointed and lost something. Hopefully, like in the song, though everyone has lost in the situation, the battel will be won and he will come out on top.

  Flag aag3981on December 20, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:My thoughts......these lyrics hit right to the heart......
  "Over and again, 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, hearts)":)

  Flag in2sighton November 26, 2012   Link

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  My Interpretation:I have very little doubt in my mind that this is another Brandon-talking-to-God songs (a la "Why Do I Keep Counting"). The first verse begins in describing his distance from God, asking to be considered another son (Jesus being the first son he refers to). He sort of dismisses God when he says "I want to stand up, I want to let go. You know you know, no you don't, you don't". He's sort of dismissing Him as not knowing Brandon's pain and struggling since God is supernatural. The chorus goes on to show Brandon in desperation-mode, pleaing with God to help him out and begging to not be put "on the backburner". He wants God to be present in his life

  Flagged jpughon September 11, 2012   Link

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    He could also be talking about God when he says "And my affection, well it comes and goes", meaning that sometimes he's asking for God to accept him, and some other times he's "dismissing" God.
    "I need direction to perfection, no no no no " again he could be referring to God when he talks about "perfection", since God is known to be perfect.

    Flag heycarolon November 13, 2012  
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  General Comment:I think in the part where he says is there time for one more son, maybe he means Sun, as in one more day to have the chance to change things. Also I wonder if when he says that you gotta help me out & ur gonna bring yourself down if he is talking to himself. Saying hey listen, I know what you want but you kepp chossing what you dont want & its like your subconsious is saying you gotta help me on this one here. Your gonna bring yourself down. Either way I love it :)

  Flag valleygirlon June 15, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:I've been listening to the song for a few years frequently but I just now found another meaning in it. I think its about a person who has done a lot of bad things and they want to go into the military ("room for one more son"). They've "got nowhere else to run" and they're lamenting about all of those things that they've done. They might not be a soldier, but they can be because they have soul and that's part of what it takes.

  Flag bunnaron May 17, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:No song makes me as happy as this one. Seriously, Brandon only creates gold, he puts so much meaning and passion into all of his songs.

  Flag michi25on May 16, 2012   Link

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