A Dustland Fairytale

Album: Day & Age (2008)
Play Video
  • Dustland fairytale beginning
    Just another white trash
    County kiss
    In '61
    Long brown hair and foolish eyes
    He looks just like you want him to
    Some kind of slick chrome American prince
    A blue jean serenade
    And Moon River, what'd you do to me
    I don't believe you

    Saw Cinderella in a party dress but
    She was looking for a night gown
    I saw the devil wrapping up his hands
    He's getting ready for the show down
    I saw the minute that I turned away
    I got my money on a pawn tonight

    Change came in disguised of revelation
    Set his soul on fire
    She said she'd always knew he'd come around
    And the decades disappear like sinking
    Ships we persevere god gives us hope
    But we still fear
    We don't know
    The mind is poison castle in the sky
    Sit stranded vandalized
    The draw bridge is closing

    Saw Cinderella in a party dress but
    She was looking for a night gown
    I saw the devil wrapping up his hands
    He's getting ready for the show down
    I saw the ending were they turned the page
    I threw my money and I ran away
    Straight to the valley of the great divide

    And where the dreams all hide
    And where the wind don't blow
    Out here the good girls die
    And the sky won't snow
    Out here the bird don't sing
    Out here the field don't grow
    Out here the bell don't ring
    Out here the bell don't ring
    Out here the good girls die

    Now Cinderella don't you go to sleep
    Its such a bitter form of refuge
    Ah don't you know the kingdoms under siege
    And everybody needs you
    Is there still magic in the midnight sun
    Or did you leave it back in '61
    In the cadence of the young man's eyes
    And where the dreams all hide Writer/s: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 7

  • Carol from HomeLove it
  • Dan from New YorkBrandon said in an interview that his mother, Jean Flowers, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer when he was putting the song together, before he recorded it in the studio. Knowing that her time was near, he wanted to learn as much about her life and all the knowledge his parents had to share, including the story of how they met. He then released A Dustland Fairytale with Day & Age in November 2008. When Brandon's mother had about 9 months left to live, he performed the song live with a full orchestra on David Letterman, a performance that is considered to be one of his most emotional. She lost her battle with cancer that February. Please remember the mother who raised him to be the wonderful man we know every time you hear this song.
  • Barb from Philadelphia, PaThis is by far, my favorite song of theirs.
  • Paris from Cardiff, United Kingdomits lovely that Brandon wrote this song about his parents, and it's great to see that the 'fame game' hasn't gone to there heads too :) Also, if he was a mistake, it was very lucky (lol) because there would be no Killers without him...gorgeous song guys, i love all your work
  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnGorgeous ballad! Brandon Flowers knows how to convey emotion through his unique lyrics.
  • Maxine from Leeds, United KingdomI love this one too. I find it quite haunting though despite the fact that it speeds up.
  • Kylie from Ventura, CaThis song is very beautiful. Love everything about it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.