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Somebody Told Me

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For other uses, see Somebody Told Me (disambiguation).

"Somebody Told Me"
UK 2004 release artwork
Single by the Killers
from the album Hot Fuss
B-side
  • "Under the Gun"
  • "The Ballad of Michael Valentine"
  • "Show You How"
ReleasedMarch 15, 2004 (2004-03-15)[1]
StudioThe Hearse, Berkeley, California
Genre
Length3:17
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Killers
The Killers singles chronology
"Mr. Brightside"
(2003) 		"Somebody Told Me"
(2004) 		"Mr. Brightside (re-issue)"
(2004)
Music video
"Somebody Told Me" on YouTube

"Somebody Told Me" is a song by American rock band the Killers. It was released as the second official single from the group's debut studio album Hot Fuss (2004), and was written by band members Brandon Flowers, Mark Stoermer, Dave Keuning and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Brandon Flowers said: "This is the story of trying to meet someone in a club."[2] It is written in the key of B-flat minor.

The single peaked at number 51 on the United States Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, it charted at number 28 upon its first release in March 2004, becoming the band's first hit in the Top 40, it was then re-released in January 2005 and reached number three.

In Australia, the song was ranked number four on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004. In 2009, it was voted at number nine in XFM's Top 100 Songs of the Decade.

Composition

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Stylistically, "Somebody told Me" has been cited as alternative rock,[3] new wave,[4] dance-rock,[5] and disco.[6] The song is in the verse-chorus form. The intro of the song is a B♭m chord, leading into the first verse, which consists of a B♭m–E♭m–B♭ chord progression repeated twice, followed by a pre-chorus of G♭–A♭–B♭m chord progression repeated twice.

The chorus follows the B♭m–G♭–A♭–F chord progression repeated twice. The first time through the chorus, the last F chord is cut off. The song has a second verse and chorus, then has a bridge with the chord progression E–G♭–B–E–B–E–A♭m–G♭–E–E♭–G♭, which leads into the chorus for a final time.[7]

Critical reception

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Billboard called the song "wildly infectious",[8] and "as addictive as nickel slots".[9] Blender asserted that the single is a "superb blaze of synthesizers and guitars that builds to the year's best one-liner: 'Somebody told me you had a boyfriend who looked like a girlfriend I had in February of last year.'"[10]

Entertainment Weekly hailed the single as "three smashingly punchy minutes of garage pop so tightly wound that singer Brandon Flowers seems to be accusing his girl of cheating on him with another woman."[11] Rolling Stone said the single was a "nightclub anthem in the making" and continued, "the acid-tongued 'Somebody Told Me' blasts into outer space on a wave of synthesizers and singer Brandon Flowers' cheeky chorus."[12]

Michael Paoletta of Billboard praised the remixes done by, respectively, Josh Harris and King Unique for "maintaining the original song's integrity" but recommended readers to buy the album, Hot Fuss, rather than the single.[13]

In 2020, Paste ranked the song number six on their list of the 20 greatest Killers songs,[14] and in 2021, American Songwriter ranked the song number three on their list of the 10 greatest Killers songs.[15]

Music video

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The music video for "Somebody Told Me", was filmed in February 2004 in California, and was directed by Brett Simon. It shows the Killers performing their song in the moonlight of a desert location, with a giant LED screen displaying scrolling characters and flashing images of their logo, as well as an alternate version of the video shot during the day. The imagery in the video pays homage to that of "Crystal" by English alternative dance group New Order; the Killers named themselves after the fictitious band performing in the New Order video.

Live performances

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The band performed the song during an appearance on an episode of Saturday Night Live, hosted by Topher Grace in 2005.[16] They also performed the song at the Sideshow Lollapalooza in June 2011.[17]

Accolades

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Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Rock & Pop Chile Rock & Pop 20 Años 200 Canciones[18] 2013
192
XFM United Kingdom 100 Greatest Songs of the Decade[19] 2009
9
Absolute Radio United Kingdom 100 Best Songs of the Decade[20] 2009
60
NME United Kingdom 100 Greatest Tracks of the Decade[21] 2009
41
Triple J Australia Hottest 100 of 2004 2004
4

Awards

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Year Ceremony Award Result
2005 Grammy Awards Best Rock Song Nominated
Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Nominated
2005 International Dance Music Awards Best Alternative/Rock Dance Track Nominated

Track listings

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[59] 7× Platinum 490,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[60] Platinum 60,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[61] 5× Platinum 400,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[62] Gold 150,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[63] Platinum 100,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[64] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[65] 3× Platinum 1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA)[66] 5× Platinum 5,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom March 15, 2004
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
 Lizard King [1]
United States May 3, 2004 Alternative radio Island [67]
July 26, 2004 Hot adult contemporary radio [68]
August 9, 2004 Contemporary hit radio [69]
United Kingdom January 10, 2005 CD Lizard King [70]
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The song can be heard in the episode of Six Feet Under, "Grinding the Corn", from 2004.[16] The song appears as a master track in Rock Band 4. The song also appears in the background in a bar in a scene from the movie Rocky Balboa.

In 2017, Italian rock band Måneskin covered the song live on Italian X Factor,[71] and released it on their EP Chosen (2017). In 2020, American metalcore band Motionless in White released a cover of the song.

References

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  1. ^ a b "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. March 13, 2004. p. 27.
  2. ^ Garin, Pirnia (May 7, 2012). "Somebody Told Me". RollingStone.com. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  3. ^ "Picks and Pans Main: Music : People.com". Retrieved February 21, 2015. "Somebody Told Me" is an alt-rock anthem...
  4. ^ "It's party time: Springsteen is headlining, but March Madness Music Festival is loaded with big stars". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2015. The New Wave [strain of] "Somebody Told Me"...
  5. ^ "7 More Bands". ParentDish. Retrieved February 21, 2015. [The Killers'] dance-rock songs (like "Human" or even "Somebody Told Me")...
  6. ^ Partridge, Kenneth (September 1, 2015). "With Hot Fuss, The Killers caused (and defined) a scene". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 18, 2020. the disco lark "Somebody Told Me,"...
  7. ^ "Somebody Told Me Chords". Ultimateguitar.com. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  8. ^ Paoletta, Michael (August 28, 2004), "Somebody Told Me (Music)". Billboard. 116 (35):46
  9. ^ Paoletta, Michael (June 12, 2004), "Somebody Told Me (Music)". Billboard. 116 (24):3
  10. ^ Langer, Andy (June 2004), "Rock Radio Wakes Up". Esquire'. 141 (6):48
  11. ^ Brown, David (June 18, 2004), "A Hot Fuss (Music)". Entertainment Weekly. (770):86
  12. ^ Eliscu, Jenny (July 8, 2004), "The Killers: Hot Fuss (Music)". Rolling Stone. (952/953):
  13. ^ Paoletta, Michael. Billboard, August 28, 2004, p. 46
  14. ^ Lane, Lexi; Gutierrez, Juan (August 25, 2020). "The 20 Best Killers Songs". Paste. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  15. ^ Walthall, Catherine (August 26, 2021). "The Killers Top 10 Songs". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  16. ^ a b "The Killers". IMDb. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  17. ^ Fuentes, Nathalie (April 2, 2011). "The Killers-Somebody Told Me @Lollapalooza 2011". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2015 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ "Rock & Pop – El Gran Sonido". Rock & Pop. February 4, 2013.
  19. ^ "10 - 1". Xfm. Archived from the original on December 2, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  20. ^ "Somebody Told Me by The Killers". Song of the Decade. Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  21. ^ "100 Tracks of the Decade". Nme.Com. May 2, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  22. ^ Somebody Told Me (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). The Killers. Island Records. 2004. B0003253-11.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^ Somebody Told Me (UK CD single liner notes). The Killers. Lizard King Records. 2004. LIZARD009.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ^ Somebody Told Me (Australian CD single liner notes). The Killers. Island Records. 2004. 9863514.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ^ Somebody Told Me (UK 7-inch single sleeve). The Killers. Lizard King Records. 2004. LIZARD009X.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ^ Somebody Told Me (European CD single liner notes). The Killers. Island Records. 2004. 0602498638927.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ^ Somebody Told Me (UK CD1 liner notes). The Killers. Lizard King Records. 2005. LIZARD014CD1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ^ Somebody Told Me (UK CD2 liner notes). The Killers. Lizard King Records. 2005. LIZARD014CD2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ^ Somebody Told Me (UK 12-inch single sleeve). The Killers. Lizard King Records. 2005. LIZARD014X.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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  33. ^ "R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1580. November 5, 2004. p. 27. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  34. ^ "R&R Canada Hot AC Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1586. December 17, 2004. p. 51. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  35. ^ "RR Canada Rock Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1567. August 6, 2004. p. 57. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
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  37. ^ "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 5. January 29, 2005. p. 43. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  38. ^ "The Killers – Somebody Told Me" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  39. ^ "Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 5–11/6" (in Greek). IFPI. Archived from the original on June 12, 2005. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  40. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Somebody Told Me". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  41. ^ "The Killers – Somebody Told Me". Top Digital Download. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  42. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 45, 2004" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
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  45. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  46. ^ "The Killers – Somebody Told Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  47. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  48. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  49. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  50. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  51. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  52. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  53. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  54. ^ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 26.
  55. ^ "Year in Music & Touring: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-70.
  56. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2005" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  57. ^ "2005 The Year in Charts: Top Adult Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 13, no. 50. December 16, 2005. p. 31.
  58. ^ "2005 The Year in Music & Touring: Hot Dance Airplay". Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 52. December 24, 2005. p. YE-60.
  59. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  60. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – The Killers – Somebody Told Me" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  61. ^ "Canadian single certifications – The Killers – Somebody Told Me". Music Canada. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  62. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Killers; 'Somebody Told Me')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  63. ^ "Italian single certifications – The Killers – Somebody Told Me" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  64. ^ "Spanish single certifications – The Killers – Somebody Told Me". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  65. ^ "British single certifications – Killers – Somebody Told Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  66. ^ "American single certifications – The Killers – Somebody Told Me". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  67. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1553. April 30, 2004. p. 24.
  68. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1565. July 23, 2004. p. 21.
  69. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1567. August 6, 2004. p. 23.
  70. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. January 8, 2005. p. 17.
  71. ^ "Watch Eurovision winners Måneskin cover the Killers Somebody Told Me".
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