Miss Atomic Bomb

Lore & Background

The band released two music videos for "Miss Atomic Bomb." A tour video directed by Giorgio Testi was released on November 2, capturing footage of the band performing in the UK during their Battle Born World Tour. The official video, directed by Warren Fu (who also directed the first single "Runaways"), was released on December 11. Part live action and part animation, the video has been described as "the epic companion to Mr. Brightside," continuing the love triangle depicted in the 2004 "Mr. Brightside" music video. Actors Izabella Miko and Eric Roberts reprise their roles from that earlier video.

The video's synopsis begins with an elderly man in his trailer home reflecting on his past after noticing a letter. Animated sequences show his younger self (depicted as an animated Brandon Flowers) with his band, watching a young girl's dance recital. They fall in love, but the man's paranoid jealousy surfaces when he imagines a faceless stranger. After the woman wins the Miss Atomic Bomb pageant with her dance partner (Eric Roberts), the man becomes convinced she is unfaithful. On New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, he leaves an engagement ring on the ground and walks away, aging visibly as he returns to his trailer. The letter reveals the woman's confusion about that night. The video then shows live-action scenes where the woman tearfully holds the ring, and it is revealed that the man's suspicions were fictional—products of his jealousy. The final shots show the letter disappearing and the elderly man alone as a photo of the woman fades.

Reader's Guide

"Miss Atomic Bomb" holds significance as a companion piece to The Killers' earlier hit "Mr. Brightside," expanding the narrative of that song's music video through a blend of live action and animation. The song's commercial impact is underscored by its topping of the Rolling Stone Readers' Poll for Best Song of 2012, reflecting its resonance with listeners. The track also received a remix by The Chainsmokers, indicating its crossover appeal. The music video, directed by Warren Fu, continues the band's visual storytelling tradition, reusing actors from the "Mr. Brightside" video to create a cohesive thematic arc. The song's legacy lies in its role as a narrative extension within The Killers' discography, its chart success, and its ability to engage audiences through a complex, emotionally charged music video that explores themes of jealousy and regret.

Did You Know?

• The song was remixed by The Chainsmokers.
• The official music video was directed by Warren Fu, who also directed the video for "Runaways."
• The video features actors Izabella Miko and Eric Roberts reprising their roles from the "Mr. Brightside" music video.