The Man (The Killers song) explained

The Man
Cover:TheKillersTheMan.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Album:Wonderful Wonderful
Recorded:
Genre:
Length:
  • 4:10 (album version)
  • 3:41 (radio/Rebel Diamonds version)
Label:Island
Producer:Jacknife Lee
Prev Title:Peace of Mind
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:Run for Cover
Next Year:2017

"The Man" is a song by American rock band the Killers from their fifth studio album, Wonderful Wonderful (2017). It was released on June 14, 2017, as the lead single from the album.

Background and artwork

Drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. stated that the song's lyrics were "largely about how when we were younger we felt invincible. What it meant to be a 'man' in your 20's. Sort of your chest out, the breadwinner, nothing could stop you, invincible sort of thing. It's sort of tongue-and-cheeking that, how that is not really the point of being a man at all. It's actually more about compassion and empathy."[1] According to the band's vocalist Brandon Flowers, the song is a response to the more delicate songs of the album, including "Rut" and "Some Kind of Love": "Those songs came and it was like, 'These are more tender or contemplative than we've ever been, how did we get to this point?' Reflecting on that was where 'The Man' came from."[2]

The artwork for the single features Flowers's youngest son Henry and was shot by Anton Corbijn.[3]

Composition

"The Man" is a new wave, pop rock,[4] disco-rock,[5] and glam rock[6] song written by the Killers and Jacknife Lee, the latter of whom also produced it.

The track contains elements of the 1975 Kool & the Gang song "Spirit of the Boogie".

Lyrically, the song is a self-reflection of Brandon Flowers' cockier early years and described by himself as a way of reconciling that wide-eyed character with the man he is now.[7] [8] Flowers intended for the album to capture where he was at the time, but realised towards the end of the album's sessions that he couldn’t do this without acknowledging his younger self, which is captured in "The Man".[9] The song was written by Flowers as a response to the album’s more delicate, quieter songs.[10]

Release and promotion

Starting on May 6, 2017, the band tweeted a series of photographs and short videos to tease their then-untitled fifth studio album.[11] [12] Among the tweets was a photograph of Flowers wearing a silver jacket with gold lettering spelling out "The Man". On June 14, 2017, "The Man" was released as the lead single from Wonderful Wonderful.[13] BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac debuted the track as "Annie Mac's Hottest Record in the World".[14]

On July 31, 2017, the band performed "The Man" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[15] On August 20, 2017, Showtime released a promotional video featuring the band performing "The Man" to promote Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor.[16] [17] [18]

Critical reception

The single received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Ryan Dombal from Pitchfork described "The Man" as an "over shiny, strutting funk descended from James Brown's '80s anthem 'Living in America'", saying Flowers brags about himself to the point of ridiculousness. He added: "The song is called "The Man", but its ideas of manliness are nothing but boyish. As American masculinity continues to evolve, and threatens to fall back on ugly old norms, The Killers try to have it both ways here, poking fun at dick-swinging supremacy while serving up something that could reasonably soundtrack a rough-and-dusted pickup truck commercial."[19] Writing for DIY magazine, Will Richards praised Flowers' confidence on the song and called it "huge, bombastic and fearless".[20] Robin Murray of Clash called the song "daft, delirious and completely addictive".[21]

Commercial performance

The song debuted on Billboards Alternative Songs chart at number 26 the week after its release. On the same week, it ranked as Alternative Radio's most added song.[22] [23] [24] The track subsequently became The Killers' ninth song to reach the top 10 of the Alternative Songs chart, before entering the top five.[25] "The Man" subsequently reached number one on Billboards Adult Alternative Songs chart, their first song to do so in over 10 years since "Read My Mind".[26] The song also reached number one on Mediabase's alternative airplay chart.[27]

Music video

The accompanying music video for the single was directed by Tim Mattia and released on June 28, 2017.[28] The video, filmed in Las Vegas, features Flowers portraying five characters—a gambler, a lounge singer, a playboy, a motocross racer, and a karaoke singer—that are connected by their obsession with ego and fame. By the end of the video, all of Flowers' characters begin to fall apart as their success fades: the gambler loses his car; the curtains close on the lounge singer; the girls all ditch the playboy; the old tapes show the rider's career-ending accident; and the karaoke singer gets beaten up for flirting with a customer's wife.[29] [30] It includes a cameo by former Mayor of Las Vegas and current First Gentleman of Las Vegas Oscar Goodman.[31]

Accolades

PublicationCountryAccoladeYearRank
BBC Radio 1United KingdomAnnie Mac's Hottest Record of the Year 2017[33] [34] 2017
BillboardUnited StatesThe 25 Best Rock Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks[35] 2017
BillboardUnited StatesBillboard's 100 Best Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks[36] 2017
DIYUnited KingdomThe DIY List 2017[37] 2017
NMEUnited KingdomBest Songs of the Year 2017[38] 2017
NMEUnited KingdomBest Songs of the Decade: The 2010s[39] 2019
Radio XUnited KingdomThe 30 Best Songs of the Year 2017[40] 2017
Triple JAustraliaTriple J Hottest 100 20172017

Usage in media

The song was featured in a trailer for Vice, a 2018 biopic of former Vice President of the United States Dick Cheney.[41]

The Jacques Lu Cont remix was featured in the 2018 video game Forza Horizon 4.

The song is featured in the 2018 video game EA Sports UFC 3.[42]

The song plays at the end of DC's Stargirl season 1, episode 2 ("S.T.R.I.P.E.").

The song was featured in the 2018 season of Hard Knocks. In a segment where a then free agent Dez Bryant tours the Cleveland Browns facility.

The song was used in the German tv show "Who steals the show from me" (Wer stiehlt mir die Show) presented by Joko Winterscheidt. (Since 2021)

The song was featured in the 2023 Netflix series Quarterback over a highlight reel of Patrick Mahomes.

The song was used in the intro for Comedy Central’s Roast of Alec Baldwin in 2019.

Track listing

  1. "The Man" – 4:08

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Wonderful Wonderful.[44]

Recording

Personnel

The Killers

Additional personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2017)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Argentina Anglo (Monitor Latino)[45] 16
Australia (ARIA)[46] 65
Netherlands (Dutch Single Tip)[47] 24
Switzerland Airplay (Schweizer Hitparade)[48] 94

Year-end charts

Chart (2017)! scope="col"
Position
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[49] 7
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[50] 7
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[51] 18
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[52] 9

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
VariousJune 14, 2017Digital downloadIsland

Cover versions

A cover by English jazz-pop singer Jamie Cullum was released as the lead single from the soundtrack to the 2018 heist film King of Thieves.[53]

Notes and References

  1. Web site:
    • LISTEN* The Killer's share new album, Wonderful Wonderful, and lead single
    . Baker. Jeremy. 102.1 the Edge. September 17, 2017.
  2. Feeney. Nolan. Inside the Killers' New Album Wonderful Wonderful: 'It's the Closest Thing We've Done to Sam's Town. June 22, 2017. Entertainment Weekly.
  3. Web site: WATCH: Brandon Flowers Is "Proud" To Front The Killers. Radio X. July 8, 2017. September 17, 2017.
  4. Grow. Kory. The Killers Talk 'Grown-Up' New Album 'Wonderful Wonderful'. Rolling Stone. August 8, 2017. September 25, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170918022242/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-killers-talk-grown-up-new-album-wonderful-wonderful-w495818. September 18, 2017.
  5. Web site: The Killers – "The Man" Video. Stereogum. DeVille. Chris. June 28, 2017 . July 21, 2017.
  6. News: Smith. Patrick. The Killers deliver a formidable surprise set at Glastonbury – review. The Daily Telegraph. June 25, 2017. July 21, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170625211753/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/concerts/killers-deliver-formidable-surprise-set-glastonbury-review/. June 25, 2017.
  7. Legaspi. Althea. The Killers Release First New Song in Five Years, 'The Man'. Rolling Stone. June 16, 2017. September 17, 2017.
  8. News: Sharples. Grant. The Killers Release New Single, Announce New Album Wonderful Wonderful. Paste. June 14, 2017. September 17, 2017.
  9. Web site: Brandon Flowers talks about The Killers' new album, 'Wonderful Wonderful' . 2024-06-27 . www.thecurrent.org . en.
  10. Web site: Inside the Killers' New Album: 'It's the Closest Thing We've Done to Sam's Town' . 2024-06-27 . EW.com . en.
  11. Bell . Sadie . The Killers Tease New Song . Billboard . June 9, 2017 . August 12, 2022.
  12. Web site: White. Jack. The Killers' new single is coming this Wednesday. Official Charts Company. June 12, 2017.
  13. News: Britton. Luke Morgan. Listen to The Killers' new single 'The Man'. NME. June 14, 2017. September 17, 2017.
  14. Web site: BBC Radio 1 – Annie Mac, The Killers + HAIM Time, The Killers – The Man . . June 15, 2017.
  15. News: Radke. Brock. Las Vegas' hometown heroes the Killers rock the Strip. Las Vegas Weekly. August 1, 2017. September 17, 2017.
  16. News: Skiver. Kevin. The Killers give Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather fight its own theme song. CBS Sports. August 21, 2017. September 17, 2017.
  17. News: Weatherly. Kaleel. Mayweather vs. McGregor: The Killers' new music video hypes the big fight. SB Nation. August 21, 2017. September 17, 2017.
  18. Kreps. Daniel. The Killers Hype Mayweather Vs. McGregor Fight With New 'The Man' Video. Rolling Stone. August 19, 2017. September 17, 2017.
  19. Web site: Dombal. Ryan. The Killers: "The Man". Pitchfork. June 15, 2017. September 17, 2017.
  20. Web site: Richards. Will. The Killers – The Man. DIY. June 16, 2017. September 17, 2017.
  21. News: Murray. Robin. The Killers Drop New Single 'The Man'. Clash. June 15, 2017. September 17, 2017.
  22. Web site: Cantor. Brian. The Killers' "The Man" Ranks As Alternative Radio's Most Added Song. June 20, 2017. Headline Planet.
  23. Web site: A Recap of Radio Add Recaps. Hits Daily Double. June 20, 2017.
  24. Web site: Your Radio Add Recap. Hits Daily Double. June 20, 2017.
  25. Lipshutz . Jason . The Killers' Brandon Flowers Talks New Album 'Wonderful Wonderful' . Billboard . July 13, 2017 . August 12, 2022.
  26. Rutherford. Kevin. The Killers Earn First Airplay Chart No. 1 in More Than 10 Years. Billboard. September 14, 2017. September 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170916213710/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7965623/the-killers-first-airplay-chart-number-one-10-years. September 16, 2017.
  27. Web site: Cantor. Brian. The Killers' "The Man" Reaches #1 At Alternative Radio. Headline Planet. October 8, 2017. December 29, 2017.
  28. Web site: Butler . Will . Watch The Killers' new video for latest single 'The Man' . NME . June 28, 2017 . July 21, 2017.
  29. Reed . Ryan . Watch the Killers' Brandon Flowers Strut Around Vegas in 'The Man' Video . Rolling Stone . June 28, 2017 . July 21, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170714170650/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7849266/the-killers-the-man-video-brandon-flowers . July 14, 2017.
  30. Bell . Sadie . The Killers 'The Man' Video: Watch . Billboard . June 28, 2017 . July 21, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170714170650/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7849266/the-killers-the-man-video-brandon-flowers . July 14, 2017.
  31. Web site: Leinwand. Jason. The Killers To Perform Pop-Up Concert In Front Of Caesars Palace. Las Vegas Blog. July 26, 2017. September 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170802230150/http://blog.caesars.com/las-vegas/las-vegas-hotels/caesars-palace/killers-free-show-caesars-palace/. August 2, 2017.
  32. Web site: The Killers, Lorde, Queens of the Stone Age & more nominated for "Q" Awards. ABC News Radio. August 1, 2017. September 20, 2017.
  33. Web site: Annie Mac – The Killers Claim Annie Mac's Hottest Record of 2017 – BBC Radio 1. BBC. December 29, 2017.
  34. Web site: Britton. Luke Morgan. The Killers react to 'The Man' being named Radio 1's Hottest Record Of The Year. NME. December 8, 2017. December 29, 2017.
  35. The 25 Best Rock Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks. Billboard. December 20, 2017. August 12, 2022.
  36. Billboard's 100 Best Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks. Billboard. December 13, 2017. August 12, 2022.
  37. Web site: The DIY List 2017: sound the horns, it's an absolute banger. DIY. December 20, 2017. December 29, 2017.
  38. Web site: Best Songs of the Year 2017. NME. November 27, 2017. December 29, 2017.
  39. Web site: Best Songs Of The Decade: The 2010s. . December 4, 2019.
  40. Web site: The 30 Best Songs Of The Year 2017. Radio X. December 20, 2017. December 29, 2017.
  41. Leight. Elias. 'Vice' Trailer: See Christian Bale as 'Ruthless' Dick Cheney. October 3, 2018. Rolling Stone. October 5, 2018.
  42. Web site: Official EA SPORTS UFC 3 Soundtrack and Playlist. January 22, 2018. Electronic Arts.
  43. Web site: The Man – Single by The Killers . . United Kingdom . June 16, 2017.
  44. . liner notes . . . 2017 . B0027046-02.
  45. Web site: Top 20 Anglo Argentina – Del 19 al 25 de Junio, 2017. Monitor Latino. es. June 19, 2017. June 26, 2017.
  46. Web site: ARIA Chart Watch #441. auspOp. October 7, 2017. October 7, 2017. January 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220107075835/https://www.auspop.com.au/2017/10/aria-chart-watch-441/. dead.
  47. Web site: Dutch Single Tip – 15/07/2017. nl. Dutch Charts. July 15, 2017. January 15, 2021.
  48. Web site: Schweizer Airplay Charts – 34/2017 . hitparade.ch . de . February 23, 2022.
  49. Adult Alternative Songs – Year-End 2017 . Billboard . December 22, 2017.
  50. Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2017 . Billboard . December 22, 2017.
  51. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2017 . Billboard . December 22, 2017.
  52. Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2017 . Billboard . December 22, 2017.
  53. Web site: Jamie Cullum's 'The Man' Cover from 'King of Thieves' to Be Released. Film Music Reporter. September 6, 2018.

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