You woke up in the rusted frame
Burned out old Deville
Your legs are shot and they're flushed with pain
But you can't keep them still
The sun sets and you're afraid
Of the itching in your skin
You stumble down the boulevard
Of neon encrusted temples
You're looking for the grace of God
In the arms of a fellow stranger
Disciples hand you catalogs of concubines
As you stumble down the boulevard crying "Hosanna"

Welcome to fabulous
Welcome to fabulous
Las Vegas
Give us your dreamers, your harlots and your sins
Las Vegas
Didn't nobody tell you the house will always win?

Cameras on the ceiling tile no place for you to hide
It's a hundred seven and you're looking for shade
That no palm tree can provide
But there's a little girl you remember back in Tennessee
You have this reoccurring dream
Where you see her playing hide and seek
With a woman who used to know you very well

Sunsets and neon lights
Call girls and neon lights
Black jack and lady luck
Cocaine and lady luck
You call upon her on holy knees tonight

In Las Vegas
Give us your dreamers, your harlots and your sins
Las Vegas
Didn't nobody tell you?
Didn't nobody tell you?
Didn't nobody tell you the house will always win?


Lyrics submitted by MayaMoo

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Lyrics as written by Brandon Flowers

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas song meanings
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    General Comment

    Since Brandon is a rather fervent Springsteen fan, I definitely think

    "You woke up in the rusted frame Of a burned out old DeVille"

    is a tip of the hat to "Thunder Road":

    "There were ghosts in the eyes of all the boys you sent away They haunt this dusty beach road in the skeleton frames of burned out Chevrolets"

    Considering that Brandon has expressed his appreciation for that particular song (and got to perform it live with Bruce himself...HOW MUCH BETTER COULD LIFE GET?! lol), I doubt it's a coincidence. Great way to set the atmosphere for the album...so many of the songs on Flamingo are stories, and "Thunder Road" is, to me at least, perhaps the most beautiful and well-crafted narrative song in rock history.

    I wonder if there will be a music video for this. It's very cinematic and grand just listening to it...it would make for a good one.

    equestrienneashon October 07, 2010   Link

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