Intro music

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These may be included within set-lists by using various templates, which are listed here.

Recordings played back as an introduction, shortly prior to Muse going on stage.


We Are the Universe

Intro Music
Name We Are the Universe (Intro)
Artist Muse
Length -
Album -
Writer/composer -
Appearance 22nd October 2009 - 20th April 2010


Consists mostly of synth arpeggios, and what seems to be a slowed down version of the synth in Uprising. A female voice speaks the following:

  • Lyrics »
  • We are

    the universe observing itself observing itself

    We are the universe observing itself observing itself

    We are the universe observing itself observing itself

    We are the universe destroying itself destroying itself destroying itself

Dance of the Knights/Montagues and Capulets

Intro Music
Name Dance of the Knights (Intro)
Artist -
Length 1:44
Album H.A.A.R.P. (1)
Writer/composer Sergei Prokofiev
Appearance 16th June 2007 14th October 2009

Montagues and Capulets - also known as Dance of the Knights - was used as a playback introduction to Knights of Cydonia during the 2007 stadium leg. It is a classical piece with a predominant string section. You may recognise it as the theme tune to the BBC's The Apprentice. It can be seen here, along with Knights of Cydonia. You can find a live version here. (Flac format, Live at Nimes Arena)

John F Kennedy speech

Screen at Madison Square Garden gig
Intro Music
Name JFK speech
Artist John F Kennedy
Length -
Album -
Writer/composer -
Appearance 6th August 2007 22nd September 2007

An audio sample of this speech by US President John F. Kennedy was played live at most of shows during the August/September, 2007, tour of the US. The speech was originally given to the American Newspaper Publishers Association at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on April 27, 1961. [1] It is not quoted in its entirety, nor are all the excerpts presented chronologically. The full transcript is available through the external reference.


  • Speech »
  • The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society;

    and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings.

    For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence-- on infiltration instead of invasion, on subversion instead of elections, on intimidation instead of free choice.

    It is a system which has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations.

    Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried, not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised. No expenditure is questioned, no secret is revealed.

    That is why the Athenian lawmaker Solon decreed it a crime for any citizen to shrink from controversy.

    I am asking your help in the tremendous task of informing and alerting the American people..., confident that with your help, man will be what he was born to be,

    free and independent.

What's He Building

Intro Music
Name What's He Building
Artist Tom Waits
Length 2:59
Album Hullabaloo Soundtrack (pregap)
Writer/composer Tom Waits
Appearance 2001


Written and performed by Tom Waits, this is a suitably weird poetic intro to Hullabaloo.

Apparently, this was written about nosy American neighbours who seem unable to mind their own business. Listeners are supposed to be on the side of the man who's building, inside the house.

To hear the full introduction on Hullabaloo Soundtrack, rewind from the first track.

  • Lyrics »
  • What's he building in there?

    What the hell is he building In there? He has subscriptions to those Magazines. .. He never Waves when he goes by He's hiding something from The rest of us ... He's all To himself ... I think I know Why ... He took down the Tire swing from the Peppertree He has no children of his Own you see ... He has no dog And he has no friends and His lawn is dying ... and What about all those packages He sends. What's he building in there? With that hook light On the stairs. What's he building In there ... I'll tell you one thing He's not building a playhouse for The children what's he building In there?

    Now what's that sound from underneath the door? He's pounding nails into a Hardwood floor ... and I Swear to god I heard someone Moaning low ... I keep Seeing the blue light of a T.V. show ... He has a router And a table saw ... and you Won't believe what Mr. Sticha saw There's poison underneath the sink Of course ... But there's also Enough formaldehyde to choke A horse ... What's he building In there? What the hell is he Building in there? I heard he Has an ex-wife in some place Called Mayors Income, Tennessee And he used to have a consulting business in Indonesia ... What's he building in there?

    He has no friends But he gets a lot of mail I'll bet he spent a little Time in jail ... I heard he was up on the Roof last night Signaling with a flashlight And what's that tune he's Always whistling ... What's he building in there? What's he building in there?

    We have a right to know ...

References