The Christmas single, "Boots." Also very poignant, as it's about being with one's family - and this is Brandon Flowers' first Christmas since his mother died.
Sam's Town has "Enterlude" and "Exitlude". Both songs bookend quite nicely while providing the American West small town feel in tone with the album: "Enterlude" introduces you to the fictional small town and no matter if you’re just passing through or if you're staying there for a while, they hope you enjoy it. "Exitlude" sees you off as you "leave" Sam's Town, but not before the townsfolk send you off on a good note, recognizing that there's some good people outside of their small worldview.
It’s good to have you with us even if it’s just for the day
Outside the sun is shining seems like heaven ain’t far away...
There's also the more literal view that the band is addressing you, hoping that you enjoy/enjoyed their album.
"Running Towards a Place" discusses a couple who has hope their love can conquer all the trials ahead of them, and that they can be with each other again in the afterlife.
Because we're running towards a place Where we'll walk as one And the sadness of this life Will be overcome If I lay with you in love Will you meet me there? And shake the lightning from the locks Of your unbound hair
While "Quiet Town" is a mostly somber song, the ending of the song addresses the comfortable memories of growing up in a small town.
And every time I see my parents in the prime of their lives Offering their son the kind of love he could never put down Part of me is still that stainless kid, lucky In this quiet town Salt of the land Hard-working people, if you're in trouble They'll lend you a hand Here in this quiet town
The duology of the themes in Wonderful Wonderful and then Imploding the Mirage being a story about a couple struggling with depression and PTSD, and overcoming it with faith (both religious faith and faith in each other). The albums are both partially autobiographic based on Brandon and his wife Tana's relationship, and her path to overcome her childhood trauma. The title track for "Imploding the Mirage" can be seen as a flashback to the two as impulsive young adults meeting each other for the first time in a wild fling, and starting the path which would lead to the events of the rest of the songs in the two albums.
I was a timid, Rockwellian boy She was tattooed and ready to deploy Gave me reservation and the like For she could be the dangerous type But I threw caution 'cause something about that Yin and the yang was pushing my boundaries out Beyond my imagining
