Shot At The Night

Album: Direct Hits (2013)
Charted: 23
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This glitzy synth opera is one of two new tracks that feature on Direct Hits, The Killers' first greatest hits compilation. The other fresh cut, "Just Another Girl," was produced by longtime collaborator Stuart Price.
  • The song was produced by the French electronic musician Anthony Gonzalez, who records under the name of M83. Guitarist Dave Keuning told Radio.com that it was their label, Island Records, who suggested they work with M83. "There was a mutual thing like, 'Yeah we think he's good. We'll try him out,'" Keuning said. "It's something we finally agreed with our label on."
  • Speaking with NME, vocalist Brandon Flowers lauded Gonzalez for being a "real musician." "He's one of these new skool producers," said the singer. "He's a technical wizard, but you can't discount his musicality. A lot of people do, because of the involvement of computers, but he's a real musician, too."
  • The accompanying music video stars Australian actress Bella Heathcote (Dark Shadows, In Time) as a hardworking hotel maid who hooks up with English actor Max Minghella (The Ides of March, The Social Network). The clip was shot on location in the band's home city of Las Vegas.
  • Flowers told NME: "It's a perfect fit for Anthony (Gonzalez). I was in the middle of touring when we recorded it and I think my voice sounds great, and that's something to take into consideration. If you haven't been keeping the chords lubed up it's not the best, so it's made me think about my time off and how I'll practice."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?