The Killers Classic That Billie Eilish Used to Cry To

Billie Eilish, known for her record-breaking career and making history as the youngest artist to headline Glastonbury, is not just a superstar—she’s also just like many of us, using music to navigate the ups and downs of life. While Eilish’s meteoric rise in the music world has catapulted her into the spotlight, she remains deeply rooted in the emotional comfort that songs can provide, especially during challenging times. And when she needed to cry as a teenager, there was one track she found herself returning to: The Killers’ Mr. Brightside.

The Las Vegas natives’ debut album Hot Fuss—released in 2004—was a pivotal soundtrack in Eilish’s formative years. Interestingly, Eilish was only two years old when the album first hit shelves, but it became a constant presence in her family home. Hot Fuss played a key role in shaping her childhood musical experience, and it was more than just a collection of tracks; it was an album that her and her brother, Finneas, bonded over. For both of them, the record holds sentimental value, a connection rooted in their early years.

A Teenage Catharsis

Although Mr. Brightside has become one of the most played and overexposed songs in modern pop culture—one that some fans might happily never hear again—Eilish holds a different perspective. When she needed an emotional outlet, the song became her refuge. “There was a lot of times when I would just sit in the car and cry to Mr. Brightside, even though nothing in my life, at all, was that situation,” Eilish admitted in an interview with Variety. The song’s powerful, driving beat and its narrative of heartbreak and jealousy somehow offered her a sense of being heard during tough times, even if her personal circumstances weren’t directly related to the lyrics.

The emotional connection to Mr. Brightside speaks to something universal in music: it’s not always about the song aligning with our own experiences, but about how the music makes us feel, or how it gives voice to emotions we may not fully understand. Eilish continued, “Their music just makes you feel heard—even if what you feel heard for isn’t how you feel, if that makes sense. I love it—love The Killers.”

The Unlikely Lifespan of Mr. Brightside

The phenomenon of Mr. Brightside is something almost impossible to explain, especially considering its initial underperformance in the charts. Released in 2003, the song lasted just four weeks in the UK Top 40 upon its original release. Yet over time, Mr. Brightside has become a defining anthem, staying ever-present in the music world. In 2021, it celebrated a staggering 260th non-consecutive week in the UK Top 100, which is the equivalent of five full years. Remarkably, no other song has come close to matching this record.

Its enduring popularity continues to amaze, with Mr. Brightside being streamed an average of 1.2 million times a week, according to figures from the Official Chart Company. On top of that, the song has sold over 3.5 million copies. It’s safe to say that the song has evolved from being a hit to an undeniable musical institution, still resonating with listeners all around the world, from those who first discovered it in the early 2000s to the current generation of fans.

A Moment of Connection

Eilish’s fondness for Mr. Brightside highlights a deeper connection to the music of her youth and her ongoing relationship with it. The way she speaks about it offers a rare glimpse into the emotional life of an artist who, despite her fame, still turns to music for solace, just as we all do. The song, like many of her favorites, represents not just nostalgia, but also a shared human experience.

Perhaps it’s the song’s driving rhythm, the pain woven through its lyrics, or its sense of yearning that speaks to the raw emotions that Eilish—and countless others—can relate to. It’s not just a pop song; it’s an anthem that transcends generations and remains ever-relevant. For Eilish, as for many, Mr. Brightside will always be more than just a hit—it’s a soundtrack to both personal catharsis and a symbol of music’s timeless ability to speak to the heart.

At Glastonbury in 2019, The Killers, with Johnny Marr, performed Mr. Brightside to a sea of fans, many of whom no doubt shared in the same emotions that Billie Eilish did all those years ago. For her, the song remains a reminder of her roots, her connection to music, and the deep well of feeling that music can bring to the surface.