Swallow It

Album: Flamingo (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This synthy ballad is from Flamingo, the debut studio album by American singer/songwriter and The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers. The song was a free download for iTunes customers who pre-ordered the album prior to release.
  • Flowers told Spin Magazine that this tune is the record's most ambitious track. He explained: "There's a fair amount of experimentation on that song, but it's still very much a pop song. I'm so proud of that one. That's what I admired so much about bands like the Beatles. When they did experiment or go out on a limb a little bit, it was still accessible, it still made the world go 'round."
  • On this song Flowers initially appears to be doling out life lessons to his two sons, Ammon, born July 14, 2007 and Gunner, born July 28, 2009. Later, we realise the tune is actually about the Killers frontman himself.
  • The last lines on this song are, "Just take your time/But not too much time." Qmagazine asked Flowers if he feels life is ticking away? He replied: "I do. It's starting to scare me. Time seems to go faster now than it ever has; I realise I'm not getting it back. I'm starting to take notice of an hour whereas before I never did. I have a real fear of missing out on things with my family."
  • According to an interview with Flowers on Dose.ca, this song can apply to any process of growing.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")Song Writing

Wes Edwards takes us behind the scenes of videos he shot for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Chase Bryant. The train was real - the airplane was not.