In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Remember Rio and get down
Like some other DJ, in some other town
She's been trying to tell me to hold tight
But I've been waiting this whole night
But I've been down across a road or two
But now I've found the velvet sun
That shines on me and you
In the back, ah-ho, I can't crack
We're on top
It's just a shimmy and a shake, ah-ho
I can't fake, we're on top, we're on top
The day is breaking, we're still here
Your body's shaking and it's clear
You really need it, so let go
And let me feed it, but you know
That I've been down across a road or two
But now I've found the velvet sun
That shines on me and you
In the back, ah-ho, I can't crack
We're on top
It's just a shimmy and a shake, ah-ho
I can't fake, we're on top, we're on top
We bring the bump to the grind, ah-ho
I don't mind, we're on top
It's just a shimmy and a shake, ah-ho
I can't fake, we're on top, we're on top
And we don't mean to satisfy tonight
So get your eyes off of my pride tonight
'Cause I don't need to satisfy tonight
It's like a cigarette in the mouth
Or a handshake in the doorway
I look at you and smile because I'm fine
And we don't mean to satisfy tonight
So get your eyes off of my pride tonight
'Cause I don't need to satisfy tonight
It's like a cigarette in the mouth
Or a handshake in the doorway
I look at you and smile because I'm fine now
Like some other DJ, in some other town
She's been trying to tell me to hold tight
But I've been waiting this whole night
But I've been down across a road or two
But now I've found the velvet sun
That shines on me and you
In the back, ah-ho, I can't crack
We're on top
It's just a shimmy and a shake, ah-ho
I can't fake, we're on top, we're on top
The day is breaking, we're still here
Your body's shaking and it's clear
You really need it, so let go
And let me feed it, but you know
That I've been down across a road or two
But now I've found the velvet sun
That shines on me and you
In the back, ah-ho, I can't crack
We're on top
It's just a shimmy and a shake, ah-ho
I can't fake, we're on top, we're on top
We bring the bump to the grind, ah-ho
I don't mind, we're on top
It's just a shimmy and a shake, ah-ho
I can't fake, we're on top, we're on top
And we don't mean to satisfy tonight
So get your eyes off of my pride tonight
'Cause I don't need to satisfy tonight
It's like a cigarette in the mouth
Or a handshake in the doorway
I look at you and smile because I'm fine
And we don't mean to satisfy tonight
So get your eyes off of my pride tonight
'Cause I don't need to satisfy tonight
It's like a cigarette in the mouth
Or a handshake in the doorway
I look at you and smile because I'm fine now
Lyrics submitted by Linger:, edited by kpraetsch, emily608, Aaronblake
On Top Lyrics as written by Dave Brent Keuning Brandon Flowers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Word Collections Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is definetly one of my fave killers songs! Lyrics in second line should be “Like some other dj from some other town”. Its so sexy and upbeat…..its baby making music!! Haha! I think that Brandon wrote it about the night he proposed to his fiancé (they are now engaged and getting married later this year I do believe) and the sheer happiness and excitement that they both were feeling….it sounds as if they have gone out dancing and he feels like nothing can ever bring him down…he’s “on top” of everything. He feels complete now – “the velvet sun that shines on me and you”, and I think he was a bit down and out before he met her and he waited a long time, but now everything is perfect. “Get your eyes off my bride” I think is him realizing that she’s actually said yes, and they are really getting married…he’s going out of his way to drop the words “my bride” into the conversation. He doesn’t need to satisfy anyone, as they are both so blissfully happy…I also think theres some sexy dancing going on on a dancefloor to, but he doesn’t care if anyone sees – “we bring the bump to the grind….i don’t mind”. I used to think this was about the band hearing that they had gone to number 1 on the music charts and being “on top”, but have since changed my mind after listening in more detail! Would be great to get some feedback on what people think of my take on the song!
I listen to this song every time I smoke pot. When Brandon sings... It's so beautiful. I love it! I feel so good when I hear it. TO THE POINT! When I first heard it, I definately thought it was about sex. Reason 1. "I've been waiting this whole night" Perhaps he's been waiting to get in her pants all night. 2. "In the back I can't crack" In the back of a car? 3. "Your body's shaking" That usually happens when you've had good sex heh. 4. "YOU REALLY NEED IT, SO LET'S GO"... Come on now, you know what that sounds like. 5. "Let me beat it".................... 6. "It's like a cigarette in the mouth"... Smokes after sex, 7. "handshake in the doorway"... Perhaps he had sex with a friend with benifits, and as a goodbye after the sex, they only shake hands because it's nothing serious. I at least like to think that's what the song is about because I think about sex a lot, although I never get any... But as I said above, I smoke when I listen to this and lots of people get horny when they're high? Think about it ha. It really is a GREAT song to "F" to. Anyone see my point? heh
SEXY.......
Their album came out March 04' and he proposed in October 04' so probably not. I heard someone say it was about sex though. I could see that. Finding that special someone and sharing that special moment with them. "But I've been waiting this whole night But I've been down across the road or two But now I've found the velvet sun That shines on me and you"
This song is awesome. Extremely happy in a certain sense. It makes me think of past times that I had with my girlfriend...how we used to spend the days and nights with each other...I love the part in this song where Brandon sings "And we don't mean to satisfy...tonight...So get your eyes off of my bride...tonight..." Great song, and will always be a great song.
This is my favorite Killers song. It's just so fun to listen to, and Brandon sings it very sexily.
I've always thought it was "Get your eyes off of my PRIDE tonight, though."
That would make more sense.
I think this song is about a band playing at a club, when the lead singer sees the most beautiful girl in the audience.
After he sees her he doesn't care if they play good or satisfy the rest of the audience that night. The "velvet sun" probably refers to the lights inside the club.
When he says "get your eyes off of my bride," the singer sees another guy in the crowd eyeballing his love, but he can't do anything about it, he can't "crack" while he's on stage.
But it doesn't matter if he ends up with this girl that night, because him and the band can get anything they want, they're "On Top."
i just looooved jshine's interpretation (L)
but the song is sooo ovbiously about sex! cmon brandon you can deny it all you want, but we all know the truth ;) sex sex sex!
1 uh huh i cant crack WE'RE ON TOP 2 i've been waiting this whole night 3_ your body's shaking, and it's clear you really need it so let go and let me feed it ! etc etc etc
i believe it is not: It's another DJ, it's another town but: Like some other DJ, in some other town.
I agree with madoka13, and to fullfil his comentary, i add: It's like a cigarette in the mouth Or a handshake in the doorway(this intercourse it's just like this, very common, daily) I look at you and smile because I'm fine (satisfied, what else can I say)