Compliance (song)
| Muse song | |
|---|---|
| Name | Compliance |
| Album/single |
|
| Length |
|
| Alternative titles | |
| First live performance | 7th April 2022 |
| Latest live performance | |
| Recorded | 2021 |
| Writer/composer | Matthew Bellamy |
| Producer | Muse, Aleks Von Korff |
| Chart position | |
| Song Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will of the People | < | Compliance | > | Liberation |
| Album Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simulation Theory (2018) | < | Will of the People (2022) | > | |
Description
Announced on March 11th, 2022, their second song off to be released and to be featured on Will of the People, Compliance, is set to be released on March 17th, 2022.[1] The song, and its music video, leaked two days earlier, on March 15th, 2022, through Vimeo.[2]
Additional information
According to Matt Bellamy, "Compliance is about the promise of safety and reassurance sold to us by powerful entities during times of vulnerability. Gangs, governments, demagogues, social media algorithms & religions seduce us with misleading untruths and comforting fables. They want us to join their narrow worldview in exchange for obedience and turning a blind eye to our own internal voice of reason & compassion. They just need our Compliance."[3]
The song is mostly reminiscent of elements from 80s and 90s pop and synthpop, while bringing in some elements of big beat. The the guitar lick during the verses, and the synth solo line are reminiscent to the Knight Rider theme song.[4]
There are two versions of the song; The shorter edit of the song (which was leaked as it's on the music video) misses the post-solo "ooh" falsetto part.
Instrumentation
Compliance is based around organic elements, with a simple drum part, almost sounding like its looped, and a distinctive bass line riding throughout the entire song. The song doesn't appear to include a lot of guitar, apart from the palm-muted "Knight Rider" one in the verses and the final chorus, and the heavily-synthisized guitar during the solo. It also seems to include a keytar during the solo and the final chorus. The lead synth during the chorus was inspired by Van Halen's Jump, as it (the Jump synth) was heard in an Instagram video, posted by Aleks Von Korff in Muse's studio back in 2021.[5] The song runs at a tempo of 110BPM.
During the solo, Bellamy can faintly be heard beatboxing, giving the already distorted drums during that part a turntable-ish effect. All the choirs in the choruses are sung through vocoder. The vocoder sound is provided by an analog Moog 16 Channel Vocoder.[6]
Music Video
Directed by Jeremi Durand, the music video is loosely continuing the theme from Won't Stand Down's music video. More can be read here.
Live
First performed live on April 7th, 2022, on the first show after its release and the album announcement. Allthough the studio version doesn't feature much guitar, Matt is reportedly using guitar live for the song. It is unknown at the moment, however, whether the song's played with additional guitar added, or whether the synth parts and other bits are played on it.
Lyrics
Compliance
We just need your compliance You will feel no pain anymore And no more defiance We just need your
Compliance Just give us your compliance We won’t let you feel lost anymore No more self-reliance
Fall into line, you will do as you’re told No choice fatigue, your blood is running cold We lose control, the world will fall apart Love of your life, will mend your broken heart
Life lived in fear, you need protection, You’re all alone, too much rejection, We have what you need, just reach out and serve We can save you (Save you) We just need your
Compliance We just need your compliance You will feel no pain anymore No more defiance Just give us your compliance
Cover your tracks, we know what’s best for you You’ve bitten off much more than you can chew You’re running scared, you’ll run into our arms Come join our clique, we’ll keep you safe from harm
Our toy soldier, you’ll do the dirty work Stay loyal to us, we’ll take away the hurt We have what you need, just reach out and serve We can save you (Save you) just give us your
Compliance We just need your compliance You will feel no pain anymore No more defiance Just give us your compliance
Compliance We just need your compliance You will feel no pain anymore And no more defiance
Compliance We just need your compliance You will feel no pain anymore And no more defiance
We just need your compliance
Oh, fear is controlling you It’s time to give it up And give into us (We can save you, save you) Give us your compliance