If you know me, you know that I absolutely adore the band, The Killers. In between the release of their albums, I look forward to their annual Christmas single to maintain my patience. When I heard that this special would feature another favorite band, Wild Light, my expectations rose high and I could not wait for its debut, Dec 1.

However, when “Happy Birthday Guadalupe” greeted my ears, my stomach sank. It was certainly not to my liking. The collaboration of two favorite bands and Mariachi El Bronx was the last thing I expected to hear at Christmas. Instead of background jingle bells or a story about Santa Claus, the bands sang about a lost desert romance.

The song focuses more on a struggling relationship during Christmas time. As many do, the subjects seem to worry about their lives’ status, but distract themselves with holiday spirit. As lead singer of The Killers, Brandon Flowers sings encouragement to relax and enjoy the season, putting aside the current difficult times.

For four years, the band has produced a Christmas single to benefit (RED), a charity to aid those infected with HIV in Africa, supported by many celebrities. The Killers’ collection includes “Great Big Sled,” “Don’t Shoot Me Santa,” “Joseph, Better You Than Me,” and finally “Happy Birthday Guadalupe.”

“Happy Birthday Guadalupe” took me by surprise, as I expected more of The Killers. They have met success on many levels with well-known tunes such as “Mr. Brightside,” “When You Were Young” and “Human,” yet their holiday release does not seem up to par. This single and its music video took odd and random ideas, mixing almost too many views in one song.

One thing about The Killers that I very much respect is their bravery to experiment with different concepts, sounds and cultures. The band certainly does not fear standing apart from other groups with a unique sound, taking risks. Many of their songs step outside of the basic format of rock, such as this single. Instead of restraining music to what everybody is used to, The Killers love introducing new variations.

Although I usually enjoy these changes, “Happy Birthday Guadalupe” was an unfortunate exception. The style has no appeal to me, and I feel that the song does not do the band justice. I look forward to what The Killers produce next Christmas and have faith in their future work.