Tranquilize
{{Short description|2007 song by the Killers}}
{{For|the Telenova song|Telenova#Discography}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Tranquilize
| cover = Tranquilize.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = the Killers featuring Lou Reed
| album = Sawdust
| released = October 8, 2007
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:45
| label =
| writer = Brandon Flowers
| producer =
- Flood
- Alan Moulder
- the Killers
| chronology = The Killers
| prev_title = Shadowplay
| prev_year = 2007
| next_title = Don't Shoot Me Santa
| next_year = 2007
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Lou Reed
| type = singles
| prev_title = Satellite of Love 2004
| prev_year = 2004
| title = Tranquilize
| year = 2007
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
}}
"Tranquilize" is a song by Las Vegas-based rock band the Killers, featuring Lou Reed. Written by Brandon Flowers, it is featured on the compilation album Sawdust. The song was made available for download on iTunes from October 12, 2007. A limited edition etched 7-inch vinyl of "Tranquilize" was available from November 5, featuring a lyric from the song hand-picked by Brandon Flowers etched on one side.
The song reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and also charted in Australia, Austria, and Canada. It won Best International Alternative/Indie Track at NME{{'}}s first ever USA awards. It was featured in a trailer for the fifth and final season of HBO's original series Boardwalk Empire.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/boardwalk-empire-season-5---watch-first-trailer/347683|title='Boardwalk Empire' season 5 – watch first trailer|work=NME|date=August 12, 2014}}
Background
"It took a day to break the ice with him," Flowers said of Reed. "The second day of recording was a lot nicer than the first. On the first day we were all really stiff. It's funny, because you refer to him as 'Lou Reed', not 'Lou'. I remember somebody came into the studio. They could only stay in the room with him for two minutes. They left, saying, 'Lou Reed's really freaking me out.'"{{cite magazine|first=Matt|last=Allen|title=Cash for Questions: The Killers|magazine=Q|issue=258|date=January 2008|page=20}}
Music video
The music video features Lou Reed and was released on the 29 October 2007 in the UK.
The video features Flowers wandering around an empty house. Somewhere in the house is Lou Reed, sitting at a piano. Flowers sings the song, including Reed's parts, making it look like he has been possessed. Intercut with this are shots of the rest of the band in a darkly lit, red room, around a table, apparently performing a seance. The video ends with Flowers finding and pointing at Reed, singing his outro.
Live performances
In concert, Flowers changes the lyrics at the end from "the Bushes and the bombs are tranquilized" to "the vampires and the bombs are tranquilized".{{citation needed|date=March 2013}}
Awards and nominations
{{award table}}
|-
| rowspan="2"|2008
| rowspan="2"|NME Awards
| Best Indie/Alternative Track
| {{Won}}
|-
| Best Video
| {{Nominated}}
|}
Track listing
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2007) !Peak |
| {{single chart|Australiapandora|84|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20071119130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20071120-0000/issue923.pdf|urltitle=Issue 923|rowheader=true|access-date=December 16, 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} |
| {{single chart|Austria|57|artist=The Killers feat. Lou Reed|song=Tranquilize|rowheader=true|access-date=March 12, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|59|artist=The Killers|rowheader=true|access-date=March 12, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Scotland|26|date=20071117|rowheader=true|access-date=February 10, 2025}} |
| {{single chart|UK|13|date=20071027|rowheader=true|access-date=March 12, 2018}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Refbegin}}
- [https://www.nme.com/news/the-killers/30721 New song featuring Lou Reed]
{{Refend}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVNGY1pInfI Watch "Tranquilize" on YouTube]
{{The Killers}}
{{Lou Reed}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Island Records singles
Category:Music videos directed by Anthony Mandler