The Killers - On Top Lyrics Meaning

Personally I think this song is about Brandon (or any person) who has been in love with someone and it didn't work out. The two lovers remain friends after the relationship ends, but it will never really be the same as it was before. Brandon is reflecting back to a time when they were "on top" (of the world)together.

Remember Rio and get down
It's another DJ, it's another town
(He's reflecting on when they traveled to Rio and went out to the bars or clubs dancing and having a good time together)

She's been trying to tell me to hold tight
But I've been waiting this whole night
(Girls like to make you wait for it. She's just telling him to hold on till the end of the night but he's ready)

But I've been down across the road or two
(I think the point is he's been with other girls in his past but wants to be with the one he's with. His lover)

But now I've found the velvet sun
That shines on me and you
( When I think of velvet sun I think of being under a velvet blanket with her and the sun coming through the threads. sexual reference)

In the back, uh huh, I can't crack
We're on top
It's just a shimmy and a shake/shack, uh huh
I can't fake, we're on top
We're on top
(Having sex with a love one and not wanting to "crack". Wanting to make it good for her. Dancing with her and them being "on top" of the world)

The next verse is where the relationship is a little weird for them. I think they broke up and are probably friends with benifits.

The day is breaking, (good sex)

we're still here
(The realization that they aren't lovers anymore and they probably shouldn't have had sex because emotional issues or whatever)

Your body's shaking, and it's clear
You really need it, so let go
And let me beat/feed it, but you know
(She's horny and he knows it. He's trying to persuad her to have sex. Maybe he feels that's all that's left of there relationship. I don't think she really wants it because "she knows that he's been down across the road or two" recently. They end up having sex anyway with their velvet blanket)

Chorus (he's remembering when they were "on top" again)

And we don't mean to satisfy tonight
(It's probably not the best thing for their relationship to "satisfy" each other (sexually)tonight, but they might do it anyway)

So get your eyes off my bride tonight
(Imagine being out with someone you loved but weren't in a relationship with. He's saying we might or might not have sex tonight but that's MY girl to the other guys at the bar/club. He says "bride" cause that's how much he loves her. Enough to marry)

It's like a cigarette in the mouth (they had sex)
Or a handshake in the doorway ( or maybe not)
I look at you and smile because I'm fine
(he's fine cause she's there. And he loves her. Wheather they are just friends or together or having sex or not)

I think it's a possitive song though. Just remembering when you and her where having the time of your lives together. The realization that you are just friends now and that's just how the relationship is. And accepting that. Being fine with it. Coming to terms with it.