Mr. Brightside

Amp settings (as recorded)

The recording

Mr. Brightside was recorded in 2003 during the sessions for the band's debut album, Hot Fuss. The recording took place at The Hearse Studio in Berkeley, California, and Cornerstone Recording Studios in Los Angeles, with production by Jeff Saltzman and the band. The guitar riff originated in Dave Keuning's closet in Las Vegas, where he developed the arpeggio patterns on his Ibanez Destroyer. The final mix, completed by Mark Needham in under an hour, favored the spontaneity of the band's initial takes over later, more polished studio efforts, capturing the raw, driving energy that defined the track.