A Dustland Fairytale

## Single by The Killers

"**A Dustland Fairytale**" is a song by The Killers, released as a single on May 9, 2009, from their third studio album, *Day & Age* (2008). In 2021, they released a version featuring Bruce Springsteen, simply titled "**Dustland**".

## Background

Regarding the track, Brandon Flowers told *NME*, "That song is me not being completely able to let go of *Sam's Town*! I wanted to—I wanted to go in a new direction, and there were a lot of new sounds on *Day & Age*, but on that song, I was really holding onto the last record. I still love *Sam's Town*, and you can really hear it in the words and sentiment of that song. It's more like an extension of *Sam's Town*, and not a reaction to it. It's one of the more personal narratives I've written, and it seems like the more personal I get, the more the fans respond and grow attached to the song."

In 2021, Flowers shared over Twitter that upon receiving a text from Springsteen, he was unsure if it was a joke or a different Bruce. After the confirmation that it was indeed Springsteen, they did the collaboration. The track was written while his mother was battling cancer. He explained over Twitter, "It was an attempt to understand my dad, who is sometimes a mystery to me. To grieve for my mother. To acknowledge their sacrifices and maybe even catch a glimpse of just how strong love needs to be to make it in this world. It was my therapy. It was cathartic."

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Verse 1]

A Dustland fairytale beginning with just another white trash county kiss

In '61, long brown hair and foolish eyes

He looked just like you'd want him to, some kind of slick chrome American prince

A blue jean serenade

[Pre-Chorus]

Moon River what'd you do to me?

I don't believe you

[Chorus]

Saw Cinderella in a party dress but

She was lookin' for a night gown

I saw the devil wrappin' up his hands

He's gettin' ready for the showdown

I saw the minute that I turned away

I got my money on a pawn tonight

[Verse 2]

A change came in disguise of revelation, set his soul on fire

She said she'd always knew he'd come around

And the decades disappear like sinkin' ships, but we persevere

God gives us hope, but we still fear what we don't know, the mind is poison

[Pre-Chorus]

Castles in the sky sit stranded vandalized

We're drawbridges closin'

[Chrous]

Saw Cinderella in a party dress

But she was lookin' for a nightgown

I saw the devil wrappin' up his hands

He's gettin' ready for the showdown

I saw the ending when they turned the page

I threw my money and I ran away

Straight to the valley of the great divide

Out where the dreams all hide

[Bridge]

Out 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

[Outro]

Now Cinderella don't you go to sleep

It's such a bitter form of refuge

Oh, don't you know the kingdom's under siege

And everybody needs you

Is there still magic in the midnight sun

Or did you leave it back in sixty-one

In the cadence of a young man's eyes

Out where the dreams all hide

## References

1. ↑ Greene, Andy (June 16, 2021). "The Killers and Bruce Springsteen Unite for 'A Dustland Fairytale' Remake". *Rolling Stone*.
2. ↑ "Brandon Flowers Writes Track-By-Track To The Killers' Greatest Hits Album". *NME*. November 8, 2013. Archived from the original.
3. ↑ "This new music video from The Killers, Bruce Springsteen was filmed in Utah". *Deseret News*. June 16, 2021.