For Reasons Unknown

Updated on Oct 19, 2023

Edit

Comment

A-side "For Reasons Unknown" Genre Post-punk revival		Recorded 2006
B-side "Romeo and Juliet" (Live at Abbey Road Studios) "Sam's Town" (Live at Abbey Road Studios) Released June 25, 2007 (2007-06-25) Format 7" CD single digital download

"For Reasons Unknown" is a song by American rock band The Killers and was written by lead vocalist Brandon Flowers. It is the fifth track on their second studio album Sam's Town, released in October 2006. The song was released as the fourth single from the album in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2007, and also the fourth and final North American single.

When the song is played live, bassist Mark Stoermer plays guitar on this track, with Flowers playing the bass.

Background

The B-sides are a cover of Dire Straits' "Romeo and Juliet" and an acoustic version of "Sam's Town" both recorded live at Abbey Road Studios for the Channel 4 show Live from Abbey Road, and later featured on their compilation album Sawdust, and also on their 2013 compilation album Direct Hits.

It is rumored that the song was inspired by Flowers' paternal grandmother and her battle with Alzheimer's.

Critical

The song received positive reviews from music critics. Billboard said of the track, "this synth-free rocker opens with ominous multitrack vocals and grinding fuzz guitars and builds to a huge pop chorus as Flowers dances on the edge of a relentlessly pumped groove."

Music video

The video was premiered in the UK on May 18, 2007 and was shown on the International Music Feed and MTV Two as well as various other UK music channels. The video was shot in black-and-white, and has already premiered on MuchMusic in Canada. The video premiered on Australian music channels on August 3, 2007 (2007-08-03).

This video has over 6 million views on YouTube. Source

Chart performance

It became one of their lowest charting singles in the UK to date, peaking at #53 on July 1, 2007. It spent only one week in the UK Top 75. This song was #78 on MTV Asia's list of the Top 100 Hits of 2007. Singer Brandon Flowers has stated that they did not "promote" the single like previous ones, stating four singles for the album was too much, and said he wished they hadn't released "Bones" as a single.