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PaperclipPerfector  2d ago (text post)   1593 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for June 7, 2026

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Anyone have any theories on the song Mr Bright side by the killers? Specifically why it's been so popular for so long?

I like the song, it's good. I just don't know if I'd label it as one of the greatest songs of the last 50 years, which is what is implied by it's longevity in top song charts.

Because it's one of the last really big, universally known rock songs before rock lost the last remnants of its cultural force (or was killed by poptimism, whatever?) Sure, there are some well-known songs coming after it (Sex on Fire, Chelsea Dagger etc.) but I don't think they compare in bigness. Seven Nation Army is a competitor.

Also, it came in just at the right time to lodge itself in the minds of the Millennials, a generation that's bigger (IIRC) than the generations coming both before and after it.

universally known rock songs

I gave it a quick listen and based on that I've either never heard it or have managed to entirely ignore it as just another piece of annoying and forgettable pop punk slop with absolutely horrible production values. It triggers my ctrl-w reflex in 10 seconds. I wouldn't be so sure about it being "universally known".

It's probably more (universally) popular in anglo countries. Yes, I know, that's not what "universal" means. Still...

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