The Killers – I Can't Stay

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The emotion it was, electric
And the stars, they all aligned
I knew I had to make my, decision
But I never made the time
No, I never made the time

[Chorus]
In the dark, for a while now
I can't stay, so far
I can't stay, much longer
Riding my decision home

Exoneration lost his, eraser
But my forgiver found the sun
And there are twisted days that I take comfort
Cause I'm not the only one
No, I'm not the only one

[Chorus]

There is a majesty at my doorstep
There is a little boy in her arms
Now we'll parade around without game plans
Obligations, or alarm

[Chorus: x2]

In the dark

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Lyrics submitted by jeremygrim

Track duration: 03:05

"I Can't Stay" as written by Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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I Can't Stay song meanings
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23 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:Fantastic band. Interesting track that appears rather simple. S/he saw the light (it could be a relationship or some other occurance that was emotionally important to him/her) but for some reason s/he chose to remain in the dark. The "twisted days" he takes comfort in may just mean that it's easier and safer to remain in the dark; many of us at times choose a decision based on what is emotionally easier. But he feels he has to make a move to finally return from the dark (the confusion; the pain; etc); he's been there too long and it's taken its toll on him. He has come to a decision, and regardless of what it is it will lead him out of darkness. Creative song.
    Flag MissCharlotteSometimeson September 17, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:The song is about a man who has to make a decision about his faith. He has to make a decision, but he feels so distant from his forgiver. He's in the dark, but he can't stay without deciding which path to take.

    There are times he feels at ease fighting his own faith because others don't believe what he does. But he can't stay much longer. The majesty is at the door with a boy in her arms, which is a religious undertone perhaps of glory or the virgin Mary.

    The song can work well with any sort of inner struggle that is less majestic than faith in a higher being and a forgiver.
    Flag smugderbyon July 11, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Try listening to this as someone who has made peace with the fact that she doesn't have much time left on this earth (checked myself out of the hospital last week). Without going into the particulars, when it's real, you know it. When you're okay with what's going on and see a level of beauty in everything that you had never seen before, these lyrics are amazing. Namaste'.
    Flag Teewacketon September 06, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:If you're kept in the dark, then you are not being told something important or you're being lied to. Maybe that would help someone understand the song.
    Flag gerbichhhon July 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is all about rushing into a good thing and then finding out that it wasnt very responsible or good and now having trouble pulling urself out of it, because you cant stay in the dark
    Flag maximuspayne3on July 03, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I feel like I might be the only person who lists this as their favorite Killers song.
    Flag teenqueen22on January 16, 2010   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    Song Meaning:Okay so chaseyA is correct. This song is about his religious beliefs and feelings. It is about how the life style he was living before he met his wife wasn't in line with his religious beliefs. Thats what "in the dark" is about, in a dark place. It talks about making a choice to give up bad habits etc, to come back to the light. The lyric "my forgiver found the sun" is wrong, it is "my forgiver found a son" He is talking about Jesus as his forgiver and how Brandon is now God's son. I was at the killers show in seattle and when he sang that line he looked straight up towards the ceiling. The majesty is his wife and their little boy in her arms.
    Flag cranderon May 05, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I may be way off - but I see this song as having religious imagery - "There's a majesty at my doorstep...". It seems there is an inner struggle between living a lifestyle that doesn't necessarily fit in with his faith. He's "not the only one" - but he knows that's just an excuse and he's not sure how long he can remain "in the dark".
    Flag ChaseyAon March 29, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:As just about the majority of the other people responding to this song, I think it's Flowers' reflection on how touring affects his family life. However, I think it focuses more on his guilt at having to leave his family at home every time he goes on tour with the band, and how hard it is to leave when the time comes.

    With the bridge, he's talking about the family waiting for him to come home, and how he misses the lack of schedule and organization there, as opposed to how his days on tour are dictated by time and order and urgency (game plans, obligations or alarm.)

    I love this song. It's one of my favorites. It's just so cleanly instrumented, and it's heartrending at times, because (I think) the way he expresses his feelings in the song tug at my heartstrings.
    Flag technicolor7664on March 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm sure I read somewhere that is simply is just about his family and basically what everyone's already said. Just saw the Killers perform this at the O2 Arena, it was class! Favourite song on my favourite Killers album.
    Flag Samsterson February 24, 2009   Link

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