Somebody Told Me

Lore & Background

The song was written by all four members of the Killers and released as the second single from Hot Fuss. In an interview, Brandon Flowers described it as "the story of trying to meet someone in a club." The music video, filmed in February 2004 in California and directed by Brett Simon, shows the band performing in a desert location at night, with the scene turning to day during the final chorus. The imagery pays homage to the video for "Crystal" by New Order, after whose fictional band the Killers named themselves.

The single first charted in the United Kingdom at number 28 in March 2004, becoming the band's first Top 40 hit. It was re-released in January 2005 and reached number three. In the United States, it peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Australia, it ranked number four on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004, and in 2009 it was voted number nine on XFM's Top 100 Songs of the Decade.

Critical reception was positive. Billboard called the song "wildly infectious" and "as addictive as nickel slots." Blender praised its "superb blaze of synthesizers and guitars" and singled out the lyric about a boyfriend who looked like a girlfriend. Entertainment Weekly described it as "three smashingly punchy minutes of garage pop." Rolling Stone called it a "nightclub anthem in the making."

Reader's Guide

"Somebody Told Me" remains one of the Killers' most recognizable early songs, helping establish the band's sound—a blend of alternative rock, new wave, and dance-rock—and their reputation for crafting infectious, synth-driven anthems. Its success in the UK Top 40 and its enduring presence on decade-end lists underscore its impact as a breakout single. The song's music video, with its desert setting and LED screen imagery, became a visual signature for the band. In retrospective rankings, Paste placed it number six on its list of the 20 greatest Killers songs in 2020, and American Songwriter ranked it number three on its list of the 10 greatest Killers songs in 2021. The track's multiple remixes and re-releases also reflect its commercial and club appeal. Overall, "Somebody Told Me" is a key entry in the Killers' discography, capturing the energy and lyrical wit that defined their early work.

Did You Know?

• The song is written in the key of B-flat minor.
• The Killers named themselves after the fictitious band in the New Order video for 'Crystal,' to which the 'Somebody Told Me' video pays homage.
• The song was performed on Saturday Night Live in 2005, hosted by Topher Grace.