The Killers’ Mr Brightside becomes biggest single never to reach No.1 in the UK
By Dan Biggane | May 10, 2024
It started out with a kiss… now The Killers’ Mr Brightside is third biggest song of all time in the UK
The Killers’ Mr Brightside has overtaken Oasis’ Wonderwall to become the UK’s biggest single of all time not to reach No.1.
According to the Official Charts Company, the song’s combined UK sales and streams of 5.57 million (including 1.1 million sales and 530,340,000 streams – 100 paid streams or 600 free streams equal one sale), has made the modern synth-pop anthem the third biggest song of all time in the UK.
Initially released via the Lizard King label in 2003, the Las Vegas outfit’s debut had a limited run of 500 CDs and failed to dent the chart. However, when The Killers’ second single, Somebody Told Me, charted at No.28 in March 2004, Mr Brightside was reissued and subsequently peaked at No.10.
Now, having spent more than 410 weeks in the UK Top 100, Mr Brightside is the longest-running Top 100 hit in Official Chart history.
Destiny is calling me…
Lifted from the band’s debut studio album, Hot Fuss (2004), the song tells the true story of frontman Brandon Flowers’ jealousy when he discovered his girlfriend cheating on him.
Now a guaranteed dancefloor filler at wedding parties and indie discos across the UK, the Karaoke favourite has garnered multigenerational appeal.
Martin Talbot, Chief Executive, Official Charts said: “The success of Mr Brightside is a triumph of extraordinary longevity, it is a song which has lived with so many of us throughout the recent decades of our lives – and, for some, an entire lifetime.”
Reacting to the news, The Killers told the Official Charts, “Thank you so much to all our fans for making Mr Brightside the third biggest song of all time in the UK, and the biggest ever not to have reached No.1; not yet at least!
“Mr Brightside has been completely embraced by the British public and we can’t wait to celebrate with you all on the road. Thank you for supporting us. See you soon!”
Rebel Diamonds Tour
The Killers return to the UK and Ireland for their Rebel Diamonds Tour this summer. They will be performing 16 arena shows in June and July with support from Travis.
12 June 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
14 June 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
15 June 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
18 June Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
19 June Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
21 June Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
22 June Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, UK
25 June OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK
26 June OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK
27 June OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK
4 July O2 Arena, London, UK
5 July O2 Arena, London, UK
7 July O2 Arena, London, UK
8 July O2 Arena, London, UK
10 July O2 Arena, London, UK
11 July O2 Arena, London, UK
To book tickets click here
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