Unnatural Selection (song)
| Muse song | |
|---|---|
| Name | Unnatural Selection |
| Album/single | The Resistance (6)[1] |
| Length | 6:54, 7:20 (5.1 DVD Version) |
| Alternative titles | Billions of Digits Carved Into Tablets of Crystal[2] |
| First live performance | 4th September 2009 |
| Latest live performance | 19th March 2015 |
| Recorded | Studio Bellini, Lake Como and Milan, Italy, 2009 |
| Writer/composer | Matthew Bellamy, Dominic Howard, Christopher Wolstenholme |
| Producer | Muse |
| Song Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guiding Light | < | Unnatural Selection | > | MK Ultra |
| Album Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Holes and Revelations (2006) | < | The Resistance (2009) | > | The 2nd Law (2012) |
Description
"Unnatural Selection" opens with a church organ, giving way to a fast, heavy guitar riff backed up by steady drumming. During the verses, this guitar riff is mirrored by the bass. A calmer section with a slow tempo kicks in later, before the song ends with a heavy riff outro.[3] NME described Unnatural Selection as one of the more guitar-driven songs on The Resistance.[4] It is notable for it's fast-paced, energetic sound, which is particularly effective when heard by a live crowd.
Christopher Wolstenholme thinks that the song might address the idea of the British royal family being descendants of giant lizards, as proposed by David Icke among others.[5] Wolstenholme also stated in an interview with FHM that it was influenced by Queens of the Stone Age in places, and that it was the most 'rock' track on the album. [6]
Matthew Bellamy said, "This song is influenced by the book 'Black Swan' which is basically a whinge about how we live in a 'winner takes all' world i.e. those who do well take more and more and the losers have to settle for less and less. Amongst other things, the song is saying 'If you can't beat them, then join them.'"[7] On My Taratata, a French TV program Matt said, "The song Unnatural Selection is about luck, and how much luck has a big impact on people's lives, depending on where you're born, where you are." A video of this program can be seen here.
Dominic Howard described the outro riff as "clean Iron Maiden" in an interview.
The bridge of the song bears a resemblance to "Lay All Your Love On Me" by ABBA, and also Chopin's Polonaises Op. 71 Allegro moderato. The bridge's chord progression also resembles the beginning progression of Mozart's Symphony No. 25 In G Minor, K. 183: I. Allegro Con Brio. During the final pre-chorus, Matt sings "Ocean" in a vocal style similar to that of Serj Tankian of System of a Down, who have influenced Muse in the past.
Information
On the 5.1 Surround Sound edition of the album, the track features a short Queen-esque guitar solo after the organ intro and before the main riff begins.
Matt can be clearly heard making a "whoo!" sound at 2:02 and a more faint "phwoa!" sound at 6:27 which is better heard on good speakers or the 5.1 version.
The song has been used as filler music by the Australian TV channel 9's coverage of the 2010/2011 Ashes series.
Live
Unnatural Selection appeared very often on The Resistance tour, especially in 2009. This would be short-lived, however, as the song was excluded from 2011 and 2012 setlists. It wouldn't be until the end of the 2013 tour that it would be performed live again. It continued to be performed live far more frequently than other revived songs from around the same time. For the Psycho UK Tour, Muse prepared Unnatural Selection to be performed, deeming it a fan favourite enough to bring it back to setlists. Unnatural Selection was performed at two out of the first three gigs in 2015, at both of which fans yelled for Assassin to be played instead. Muse listened, and replaced Unnatural Selection from that point onwards with Assassin.
Lyrics
They'll laugh as they watch us fall
The lucky don't care at all No chance for fate It's unnatural selection I want the truth
I'm hungry for some unrest I wanna push it beyond a peaceful protest I wanna speak in a language that they will understand Dedication to a new age Is this the end of destruction and rampage? Another chance to erase and then repeat it again
Counter balance this commotion We're not droplets in the ocean Ocean
They'll laugh as they watch us fall The lucky don't care at all
No (hey) Chance (hey) For fate (hey) It's unnatural selection I want the truth!
No religion or mind virus Is there a hope that the facts will ever find us? Just make sure that you are looking out for number one I'm hungry for some unrest Let's push it beyond a peaceful protest I wanna speak in a language that you will understand
Counter balance this commotion We're not droplets in the ocean Ocean
They'll laugh as they watch us crawl The lucky don't share at all
No (hey) Hope (hey) For fate (hey) It's a random chance selection I want the truth!
Try to ride out the storm Whilst they'll make you believe They are the special ones (We have not been chosen)
Injustice is the norm You won't be the first And you know you won't be the last
Counter balance this commotion We're not droplets in the ocean Ocean, ocean, ocean!
They'll laugh as they watch us fall And the lucky, they don't care at all
No (hey) Chance (hey) For fate (hey) It's unnatural selection, I want the truth! I want the truth! I want the truth! I want the truth!
References
- ↑ 6.UNNATURAL SELECTION (2009-07-03). Twitter. Retrieved 2009-07-03 from twitter.com.
- ↑ Michael Odell. (2009-07). Hot New Albums 42: Muse. Q, 78. Retrieved 2009-07-25. [verify]
- ↑ Julien Bordier. (2009-07-0?). Jai ecoute le nouveau Muse. L'Express. Retrieved 2009-07-10 from www.muselive.com. [verify]
- ↑ Dean Chalkley. (2009-07-07). Muse New Album - First Listen. NME magazine. Retrieved 2009-07-08. [verify]
- ↑ Michael Odell. (2009-08-21). resistance is FUTILE. Q, 48–56. Retrieved 2009-08-23 from board.muse.mu. [verify]
- ↑ FHM - "Muse: The Resistance - Album number five and Muse have lost the plot in the best possible way."
- ↑ iTunes LP - The Resistance