Are The Killers a political band? You wouldn’t say so. Known for their stadium-sized choruses and infectious synth lines, The Killers are one of the world’s biggest bands, known more for Brandon Flowers’ incredible wardrobe and electric stage presence than their political views. A single line on ‘Run For Cover’ hints at slight dissatisfaction with American politics right now, but overall, Wonderful Wonderful took on Flowers’ own insecurities and his wife’s PTSD, rather than assessing the multitude of things likely to cause America’s future PTSD.
But enough was enough it seems, as the Las Vegas band have returned with a one-off single, ‘Land of the Free’, which shares Flowers’ disillusionment with the present-day US of A. A piano-led ballad about his beloved but volatile nation, the music creates a feeling of hope, inspirational percussion coming in half-way-through removes any panic and shows optimism for the future whilst the backing vocals have a gospel feel, a possible ode to the culture that immigrants have introduced to America in the past, one of the many reasons America’s increased hatred seems so hypocritical.
The chorus, and song-title, uses ‘the’ American slogan ironically, whilst in the verses, Flowers sums up exactly why America isn’t anywhere near being the land of the free nowadays. He doesn’t shy away from his perspective as a straight white male, acknowledging his privilege, “when I go out in my car, I don’t think twice”, but the song has a specific focus on ethnic minorities and the vulnerability and violence they face. The song gets increasingly political as it progresses, Flowers unable to hide his anger any further as it reaches the bridge, taking a blatant swipe at America’s gun laws and Trump’s wall policy. It’s obvious which side Flowers is on with everything, by articulating it in a song, it just seems to make more sense.
Meanwhile the music video, a Spike Lee joint, adds extra impetus, images of refugees camping on the streets, living in squalor, guards carrying guns blocking people from moving, blocking people from crossing the border for a better life, isolating the weak through violence, it’s incredible powerful.
This collaboration between one of music’s biggest stars and one of the most political film directors around sends out a clear message to fans of popular culture and whilst it may not impeach Mr. Trump or change the minds of his supporters who happen to be fans of The Killers, it offers another articulation of what’s going on in America. It has allowed Flowers and Co. to express their emotions and may even wake any Trump-supporting Killers fan up to the atrocities going on in America right now. Unexpected it may be, but The Killers’ venture into politics is certainly welcome at this time.
