Won't Stand Down (song)

Muse song
Name	Won't Stand Down
Album/single	Will of the People (4) » Won't Stand Down (1)
Length	3:29
Alternative titles	WON'T STAND DOWN
First live performance	7th April 2022
Latest live performance
Recorded	2021
Writer/composer	Matthew Bellamy
Producer	Muse, Aleks Von Korff
Chart position	56

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Liberation	<	Won't Stand Down	>	Ghosts (How Can I Move On)

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Simulation Theory (2018)	<	Will of the People (2022)	>

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Description

First song released from Will of the People. According to Matt Bellamy, Won't Stand Down is about "standing your ground against bullies, whether that be on the playground, at work or anywhere.", adding, "Protecting yourself from coercion and sociopathic manipulation and to face adversity with strength, confidence and aggression".

The song reached number 13 on Billboard's Rock & Alternative Airplay charts, number 1 at the Official Charts Company's rock and metal charts and it reached the peak position of number 56 on the Official Charts Company's general singles charts.

Release

On December 25th, 2021, Bellamy made a short livestream from his Tesla on Muse's Instagram profile, showcasing part of the verse of this song, the chorus and a metalcore breakdown. The one minute excerpt from Bellamy's stream can be listened to here.

The nearing release of the song was teased once again on Muse's New Years Eve post on Instagram, when a caption saying "Looking forward to WSD. We'll see you on the other side!" was quickly changed upon posting, replacing "WSD" with "2022", before being announced a week later, on January 7th, 2021, that the single would be released on January 13th on all digital platforms. The song could pre-saved to Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music at wontstanddown.muse.mu. The opening part of the song was showcased via an Instagram stories filter on January 9th.

Additional information

Bass wah pedals for Won't Stand Down

Written in the key of B-Minor and running at 105 BPM, a more stylistic, "alternative" title for this song is "WON'T STAND DOWN", based on the YouTube title, written in all-caps. According to Von Korff on Instagram Stories, Won't Stand Down was the first song that was recorded for the album (and the first one to be out). The song has been mixed by Dan Lancaster, UK-based producer and mixer, known for working with bands such as Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember and Lower Than Atlantis, amongst others.

Based on Aleks Von Korff's picture posted on Instagram, the massive "bwah" parts of the bass guitar, which can be heard during the verses, were recorded using two wah pedals, attached together on the top with a wooden cutting board and some tape, so they can be controlled simultaneously, with the distortion recorded direct, as opposed through an amp, giving it a gnarly sound. They're also doubled with some synth bass.

Instrumentation

It is one of the heaviest songs that Muse have ever made. It includes a full-on metal sections (breakdown and outro), something that rarely occurs through Muse's discography, while also including some electronic elements, most notably during the verses, with guitar almost playing a reggae rhytm during the first verse. This could mean a return to a harder, heavier sound for the upcoming album. The chorus is very reminiscent to the chorus of Lacrimosa's song 'Lichtgestalt', due the metal sound, and the Swedish band 'Ghost'. The intro notes in the beginning are, allthough likely unintentional, the same as the beginning notes of A-Ha's "Take On Me" lead synth. The pre-chorus section has seemingly took an influence from Dan Lancaster's (Muse's current additional member and Won’t Stand Down’s mixer) long time collaborator band, Bring Me The Horizon's bridge from Post Human: Survival Horror EP, Parasite Eve.

The song's drums rely on their organic sound, with perhaps some samples added during the mixing phase, with Dom using a double kick pedal throughout the entire song. The verses include heavy distorted bass, providing the big "bwah" sound, with, presumably, the help of two wah pedals stuck together, as noted on the picture above, taken by Aleks Von Korff. With verses having a big bass sound, the choruses and the metal breakdown/outro have a simpler bass tone, with guitar being the heaviest element in it. During the verses, some synth effects and keyboard pads can be heard, while the chorus contains an industrial lead synth. According to producer Aleks Von Korff, he recreated Mick Gordon's "Doom Instrument", as explained on Gordon's GDC presentation, which was used in the song also.

Matt Bellamy used a "GuitarViol" for the pizzicato string parts during the verses. A half-guitar/half-viola/cello, it's looks are reminiscent to that of an orchestral stringed instrument (a mini cello), and it's tuned and played like a guitar, having six strings. Bellamy recorded between 12 to 16 takes to mimic an entire orchestral ensemble playing it.. Aside from that, this might be the first stepping stone of Muse putting a metalcore growl and screaming elements in the song or maybe in Muse's songwriting career.

Music Video

The Won't Stand Down music video was released alongside the single itself on January 13th, and uses dark-looking horror style imagery. It is nominated for the MTV Video Music Award 2022 under the "Best Rock" category. Voting can be done on MTV VMA's official website.

More here.

Live

Won't Stand Down got it’s live debut at the very first gig after the song was released and Will of the People was announced, on April 7th, 2022. When performed live, surprisingly, Matt sings the distorted whispers himself, rather then having Chris perform them.

More here

Lyrics

I never believed that I would concede and let someone trample on me

You strung me along, I thought I was strong, but you were just gaslighting me I’ve opened my eyes, & counted the lies, & now it is clearer to me You are just a user, and an abuser, living vicariously

I never believed that I would concede and get myself blown asunder You strung me along, I thought I was strong, but now you have pushed me under I’ve opened my eyes, and counted the lies, now it is clearer to me You are just a user, and an abuser, and I refuse to take it

Won’t stand down I’m growing stronger Won’t stand down I’m owned no longer Won’t stand down You’ve used me for too long, now die alone

Now I’m coming back, a counterattack, I’m playing you at your own game I’m cutting you out, a shadow of doubt Is gonna hang over your name I’ve opened my eyes, I see your disguise, I will never see you the same I know how to win, before you begin I’ll shoot you before you take aim

Now I’m coming back, a counterattack, A psychological war I’m cutting you in, I’m under your skin Now I’m gonna settle the score I’ve opened my eyes, I see your disguise, I will never see you the same I know how to win, before you begin I’ll shoot you before you take aim

Won’t stand down I’m growing stronger Won’t stand down I’m owned no longer Won’t stand down You’ve used me for too long, now die alone

Won’t stand down I’m growing stronger Won’t stand down I’m owned no longer Won’t stand down You’ve used me for too long, now die alone

Won't stand down