Run for Cover (The Killers song)

Background and release

Brandon Flowers originally wrote "Run for Cover" for the band's 2008 album Day & Age with producer Stuart Price, but could not finish the second verse at the time. Drummer Ronnie Vannucci described the early version as "slower, sweeter and busier." After meeting Australian musician Alex Cameron in Las Vegas, Flowers completed the second verse with Cameron's help.

In early 2017, Flowers indicated the song had a strong chance of appearing on the band's album. The song contains the first overtly political references in a Killers song; Flowers told NME it was partly a response to the first presidency of Donald Trump, though the lyrics were mostly written nine years earlier. The Killers debuted the song live at Borgata in Atlantic City on June 10, 2017, and released it as a promotional single on July 28.

Composition and lyrical interpretation

The song has been characterized as new wave, post-punk revival, pop rock, heartland rock, and synth-pop. It was written by Brandon Flowers, Mark Stoermer, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., Alex Cameron, Jacknife Lee, and Stuart Price. Although Price initially produced the track, Lee finished its production. The song contains an interpolation of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song." Lyrically, it addresses domestic violence, with Flowers telling a woman to "run for cover" from her abusive husband.

Critical reception

Critics praised the track. NME's Andrew Trendell called it a synth-pop banger with post-punk energy, likening its sound to Sam's Town. Rolling Stone's Daniel Kreps found it glossy and buoyant, showing the band sticking to its signature style. The Musical Hype! rated it four out of five stars, deeming it a well-rounded, energetic, up-tempo record that is next-level and elite.

Did You Know?

• The music video for "Run for Cover" was directed by Tarik Mikou and released on August 22, 2017.
• In the video, a woman sets her ex-lover's car on fire with him inside after he hits her with the vehicle.
• The cassette tape in the video reads "07/28/17", the release date of the single.