The Killers - Read My Mind Song Meanings
 Top Rated Interpretation
anonymous
February 28th, 2009 01:10AM
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To me this song is about this couple that was in relationship and both realize that they have grown apart. The beginning of the song is talking about being "on the corner of main street." This doesn't necessarily have to be an actual street, it could be a metaphor because main street has many different turns and intersections and could possibly mean that they stand on the edge of a 'street' and they've come to a fork in their relationship when the song says, "you say you wanna move on and you say I'm falling behind." The song then says "can you read my mind" meaning he was thinking the same exact thing.
Then the next verse is talking about how he wants to break "out of this two-star town" and there is a "green light" meaning he see's this as his chance--"i'm gonna turn this thing around," to get out of town and start a new life.
The next part is a series of 'random' things that are being compared together. These series of things suggests that their relationship was good in the beginning because of all the 'good' things that are aligned together.
Then they are both agreeing that "I don't mind, if you don't mind" saying they both know that the relationship is over and they are okay with it. They seem like they are still going to stay friends--"cause I don't shine if you don't shine." Then goes back to saying "can you read my mind" meaning again that they are thinking the same thing.
The next verse is hard to depict. It could mean that the girl is possibly 'unhappy' with the relationship? And she wants it to be over, but he really isn't willing yet to break up. The verse could also refer back to the line "A broken wrist and a big trapeze," meaning that this is the time they tried breaking up and it wasn't the right time.
The next verse is going and saying 'random' things again. Now these 'random' things are opposite, being a metaphor to their relationship saying the couple is opposite. The last line says, "a city wall and a trampoline" which means that their relationship is a wall and they are going to 'jump' over it, which would mean ending it. The last line refers to the verse before meaning now is the right time to end it.
It goes back to them agreeing it's over and they will remain friends. Then it says, "before you jump" which refers back to the 'city wall and trampoline' and the girl is about to 'jump' and he wants to know if she can 'read his mind.'
The next verse could mean he did not originally want it to end but knew it was over when she "never returned that call." She knew it hurt him when he knew she wanted it to be over, but now he's so tired with it he just wants it to be over with so he can "breathe that fire again."
It goes one to say "put your back on me," which is the couple saying they will be friends and they can still count on each other.
The song ends on a happy note saying "the stars are blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun," which means they are happy with the way things ended. And then the last line is "can you read my mind," which again is saying that they are thinking the same thing.
anonymous
February 24th, 2007 10:41PM
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I think this is about a guy who is dating this girl who wants to break up. He doesn't want it to end. He doesn't want to tell her that he still loves her and wants to stay togethe. He is afraid of revealing his feelings, he hopes she knows him well enough to figure it out on her own.
Roo
May 27th, 2007 11:23PM
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I think this song is about a couple breaking up. The girl is making the actual call but the guy has been thinking of it all along. They both feel as though the other is holding them back. He's got a little fight left as he sings so I think his relationship has drained him of his life goals and dreams but this current situation is kicking him back into action, getting back to who he is and where he is going with his life. As the timing of the breakup is so in line with what he wants, I can see him pretending to be upset but thinking, Jeez, can you read my mind?! This is exactly what I wanted to happen!
anonymous
July 14th, 2007 07:41PM
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The guys girlfriend wants to move on and he feels the same, but something in him doesn't want to let her go because he still loves her and he feels that they're so close that she can read his mind.
anonymous
February 2nd, 2008 05:40AM
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You want to move on, I'm falling behind- Giving a feel for the situation a couple is in.
never gave up on breaking out etc etc, green light might be referring to lime light or go light (meaning that he can move on from the position he's in life wise or relation ship wise--He hasn't given up on his dreams
the restless heart, the promise land-- referring to things he can be doing.
the drop dead dream.. a city wall a trampoline- trying to jump over the walls to move on.
oh well, I don't mind if you don't mind-- meaning if we have to break then we have to break up
she said I don't mind if I don't mind- meaning that she feels the same
Can you read my mind- basically they are breaking up because its the best for both of them. or it might be mainly him because of his drive to do more.
put your back on me, put your back on me,put your back on me-- from what I think, when she is putting her back on you it can mean like hugging someone from the back like how 2 people in love would. Sounds like they love each other but in the very end its bitter sweet that they have to break up for bigger reasons.
kschoeck
July 2nd, 2008 03:30PM
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I think it's about a guy who lives in a small town, desperately wants to break out and make it and he isn't as inspired as he used to be. He is waiting on a sign, he probably has to leave behind a girl and is saying I don't shine if you don't shine. He is deciding on whether or not to go and follow his dream or stay stuck in a rut
anonymous
July 14th, 2008 02:21PM
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The meaning of this song came to me while I was on my dark place; then, I realized this song was about friendship, you know that everlasting, side by side friendship that last for years and you know that person is the one who gets you the most and for whom you'd do anything, except that the two friends grew up and they drifted from one another. but in the end and deep down he/she ask his/her friend to read his/her mind like he/her used to and to put his/her back on him/her, in a 'I got your back, man' way.
anyway, just my thought...
yomariva
September 12th, 2008 03:42PM
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Anon has a beautiful interpretation - if you feel it you know it. I can.
russt
February 10th, 2009 05:15AM
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This is basically about the conflict of Brandon's mormon religion with his, and his girlfriend's sexual relationship. His girlfriend wants to move on to next base as it were. While he wants to as well, he is torn between his faith's stance on pre-marital sex and his belief that his girlfriend will leave him if he doesn't move on as well. She is not of a religious faith ( "you never returned that call" ie religious calling ).The song also highlights how society's approach to sex has changed over the years leading to the dilemma he faces.
fireball9128
April 13th, 2009 06:36PM
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Ok so basically I think the song is about friends and life and having one thinking about moving away
You say you wanna move on and
You say I'm falling behind - the friend telling him that he wants to leave
never really gave up on
Breakin' out of this two-star town
I got the green light
I got a little fight
I'm gonna turn this thing around - the singer deciding that his friend may be right
The good old days, the honest man; - simple things in life that they enjoyed together
The restless heart, the Promised Land - what lies ahead if they move on
A subtle kiss that no one sees - gossip we have through our lives
A broken wrist and a big trapeze- stupid ideas they had but were still fun
Oh well I don't mind, if you don't mind - explaining their closeness
Cause I don't shine if you don't shine - if he doesn't want to move on nieghther will he
Before you go, can you read my mind? - trying to tell him that he wants to stay
It’s funny how you just break down
Waitin' on some sign - still decideing on wether or not to leave and waiting for a sign to tell
I pull up to the front of your driveway
With magic soakin' my spine- talking about getting drunk or high with each other
The teenage queen - prom queen
the loaded gun- suicide threats
The drop dead dream - the dreams we have
the Chosen One - the one we actually follow
A southern drawl,- idk
a world unseen - as kids we played with imagination
A city wall and a trampoline - stupid ideas to have fun
anonymous
May 25th, 2009 04:40PM
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i believe it is about a guy and his girlfriend. I believe they are having troubles and she is about to commit suicide by jumping off of a tall building. When he says "woman open the door and let me in" she is the FBI holding people back and then he says "put your back on me" i believe he is saying don't jump, fall back into my arms. Just a different take from a 15 year old boy. Anyone agree?
anonymous
June 29th, 2009 06:36PM
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I think this is about a couple in a long distance relationship.
They have plans to be together in the future, but still don't decide who's moving... She thinks he's the one that has to make the call, but he can't decide what to do. He wants her to figure what he wants... Thous read his mind.
He's really thinking he's not sure of staying where he is, he wants to move on to somewhere else, she's not sure he should move, so they fight about it. Still not saying everything is in their minds.
Still they both think on being with the other one, it doesn't if it's not the perfect idea, because they could end up hurt (broken wrist)
So get to a little agreement, they don't mind who's moving, just want to stay together and happy, so the girl is the one moving... The guy hasn't say everything and still wants to be the one moving.
As it was "planned" The girl tries to move, and finds some difficulties, so she's sad because their plan is not working... which turns to be a sign to him for do what he really wants, so he arrives to her doorstep, and is sure everything is going to be great and feels its going to be magical. And hopes she thinks the same (and read his mind).
She turns out to be immature, explosive and sad, because she is not convinced she wanted to stay, she was ready to move, to star over... She feels trapped and is looking for a way out.
Anyway, the boy agrees she has to leave, she's not happy and he can't be happy neither. He don't wants her to go.
Now he realizes that she never wanted this and just agreed to stay because of him, but she never said a thing, so she needs to ventilate the problem. Also he's ready follow her, so he can "breathe that fire again".
She wants him to go with her, cause she can't be happy without him, so they finally really talk on what they want and need. After their talk they can finally rest their backs on each other.
In the end... The couple is happy, because now they know what the other one thinks so they can read their minds.
anonymous
July 21st, 2009 10:59PM
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i think that this is a song about a boy and a girl being best friends, but they actually like each other as more than friends, but neither knows how the other feels.
then one day, the boy has to move to a place far away from the girl.
and its about all the times they had together....good, bad, stupid, embarrassing.
its about love, and how the girl is so overwhelmed that her best friend is really leaving her. she wants to tell him how she feels but cant bring herself to actually say anything, until she knows for sure he feels the same, but its killing her inside.
she wants him to read her mind and tell her that he likes her, so things will end up the way their supposed to, happily ever after.
anonymous
August 24th, 2009 11:58PM
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this song is about a near break up...the girl's tired of him, and wants to move on, but he's going through all these memories that they shared etc and is trying to get her to feel the way he does about the situation - that they can move on together.
...he knows she's right and wants to get out of the town and escape the rut that he's fallen into...so he goes to her house to see if she's read his mind and wants to reignite their passion, not be scared, and start life anew with him.
in the end, the beautiful "the stars are blazing..." line i think refers to them driving off together, with everything resolved and wonderful again :)
placebo
September 14th, 2009 05:09PM
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In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, lead singer Brandon Flowers explained that this started out as a B-side called "Little Angela." Andy Moulder and Flood (he has just one name), who produced the album, got into an argument over the song during recording. Says Flowers, "I heard Alan say, 'We're trying to make "Peggy Sue" into "With Or Without You,'" which came as a blow because he was basically saying my lyrics weren't good enough. So I started singing different melodies, and in 2 hours it was a whole new song. I think it's the best song we've ever written.
so yup thts what the songs about but nice stories and intersting ways ppl per sieve a song
anonymous
November 29th, 2009 12:17PM
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If you look at this song from a geek's perspective, you get starwars elements in the song. Such as "teenage queen loaded gun" meaning princess laya(propably spelled that wrong) Or when he says "drop dead dream the chosen one." Obvisouly Luke skywalker, another example is "the good old days the honest man a subtle kiss that no one sees a broken wrist and a trapeze" the first part of these lyrics refer to Obi wan kenobi and his representation of the good old days and correct me if im wrong doesnt the princess kiss luke and no one sees it. then when vader cuts off Luke's wrist then it looks like hes hanging from a trapeze when he jumps off the platform. Then when he says breathe that fire again it could possibly refer to han solo.
Chickenita
December 16th, 2009 07:35PM
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In my opinion this song is about a couple that breaks up because he is going away and because they didn't understand each other.
In the corner of main street
Just tryin' to keep it in line.- they were trying to still be together and move in the same direction
You say you wanna move on and
You say I'm falling behind- his girlfriend felt that he wants sth different, to turn the corner that is mentioned already. Thats why he is surprised that she knows him so well:
Can you read my mind?
It’s funny how you just break down,
Waitin' on some sign- she is waiting for the proof of his love
I pull up to the front of your driveway
With magic soakin' my spine.
Can you read my mind?- he loves her but he's not sure if she understands it, if she knows about the magic
The teenage queen, the loaded gun;
The drop dead dream, the Chosen One- he has two dreams- being with her (with queen) or go out of the city to fight for new life (loaded gun) he has to choose (Chosen One)
A southern drawl, a world unseen;
A city wall and a trampoline- unseen world is waiting for him, now he has a chance to get out of the city (wall and trampoline to jump over the wall)
Oh well I don't mind, if you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine- depends on who is saying that. If she says that she doesn't mind it means that she agrees to break up if he has already chosen to leave the city. She cannot shine if he cannot shine means that she cannot be happy if he is not happy by staying in the city. She thinks that he doesn't care that's why she says that she doesn't care as well.
Before you jump,
tell me what you find
when you read my mind- she asks if he understands what she feels like if he decide to leave the city, and as we can see later he didn't understand
Slippin’ in my faith until I fall.
You never returned that call.- he was surprised that she doesn't want to talk with him anymore. Probably she felt that he didn't love her because he decided to leave.
Woman, open the door, don't let it sting
I wanna breathe that fire again- he loves her and he wants to be with her. And he's upset, how it could happen? but:
She said I don't mind, if you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine.
Put your back on me- she wanted to support him to realize his dreams? or he wanted to support her in long-distance relationship?
The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun- stars are shining because the sun is not. He was a rebel by leaving the city, he became a star. Now he shines but the sun (she) doesn't shine. And they are separated as he sings that diamonds are "cut out"
Can you read my mind?
He asks if she knows what he feels like? Or what he felt that time? What he thinks about it?
What guys do you think about it??:)
MVFGrant
February 7th, 2010 02:43AM
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Well, the basis of the song is about this statement: all couples have his fights because our differences, but our true inner feelings can resolve anything if only all can said to our couple...
this is the fact, but a lot people have a hard time said it (especially younger couples), the people who have a long couple/marry knows than a lot of break ups and fights can be solved only with talk, sharing feelings and avoid misunderstanding... So the killers go to the very easy way :P "can you read my mind"
i feel than all the song is about a couple than have a hard fight with break and all, but the man always says "can you read my mind" and always have INSIDE HIS MIND (never said it) "Oh well I don't mind if you don't mind 'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine" this means than "I don't mind our problems if you feel the same... and I'm at best when you're at the same too (the basis of a couple, two as an entity)
... and the best part, in the climax... The guy is almost lost but SHE SAID " I don't mind if you don't mind 'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine"
that means the girl at the end READS HIS MIND (or at least knows what he thinks ^^)... and the guy is so happy than hugs her (true shared feelings.. The BEST scenario in a couple) and ... The last sentence is about the couple reunited (shared feelings and good communications beats all differences) :P
anonymous
February 7th, 2010 06:12PM
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In the first line, Main Street=Point in their relationship where they've been dating for a while and it's a vital part because problems are starting to arise. Now is GF wants to break up.
I think "Can you read my mind" refers to him wanting to tell her how he really feels but can't.
The next verse could refer to the way his relation wasn't going great and was a "2-star" relationship. But he wants to turn it around and make it great.
The next verse seems to be a series of random things. However, at the beginning, like his relationship, things are good. But then at the end there's the line of:
"A Broken Wrist And A Big Trapeze"-
I feel the "Big Trapeze" refers to the relationship. If you can hold on long enough, you can make it to the end. However, in their relationship they fell and "broke a wrist".
The next 2 lines I think he's saying that even though he wants to keep going he's ok with a break up because he wants his GF to be happy.
The next verse could refer to how they just kept waiting on some magic to turn their relationship around rather than doing something about it. I think the last 2 lines refer to how now he wants to do something about it because this time "he brought the magic".
"The teenage queen, the loaded gun; The drop dead dream, the chosen one"-
She was made to be his GF and so he doesn't want to break up.
"A city wall and a trampoline"-
If you look at the next few lines it doesn't appear that the couple wants to jump over the wall but rather "YOU". The wall could be their relationship and when it talks about "you" jumping over the wall it could talk about how she wants to end the relationship.
"Before you jump tell me what you find when you read my mind"-
He wants her to know how he really feels before she ends it but he doesn't know how to tell her.
The next verse is the hardest.
"slipping in my faith..."- he seems to be less confident that they can fix their relationship. He's starting to accept that it could be over.
"You never returned that call. Woman, open the door, don't let it sting"-If it's over, he wants them to at least be friends. However, it seems like she's breaking off all communication (that call) and "closing the door" on him.
"I wanna breathe that fire again."- He's saying that just one more time he wants to be with her and experience that "fire" that he gets when he's with her.
"Put your back on me"- This could imply that he's willing to carry both of them through the relationship. This sounds like his last desperate cry to not end the relationship.
"The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun; Can you read my mind?"
This time "Can you read my mind" seems like it's used in a different context. Looking at stars is something a lot of couples tend to do. It seems like he's staring at the stars and thinking about her and wondering if she's doing the same.
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