Exo-Politics (song)
| Muse song | |
|---|---|
| Name | Exo-Politics |
| Album/single | Black Holes and Revelations (8) |
| Length | 3:53 |
| Alternative titles | |
| First live performance | 8th April 2005 |
| Latest live performance | 22nd November 2006 |
| Recorded | New York Avatar/Electric Lady Studios 2005 |
| Writer/composer | Matthew Bellamy |
| Producer | Rich Costey |
| Chart position | 64 |
| Song Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin | < | Exo-Politics | > | City of Delusion |
| Album Nav | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absolution (2003) | < | Black Holes and Revelations (2006) | > | The Resistance (2009) |
Description
A very groove-based bass line which is maintained until the chorus which opts for a slight variation on this bass line. A guitar solo heavily based on the chordal progression which then leads back into the verse. The piece ends with the original groove riff played twice and then ended on a tonic chord. Strong lyrics and vocals with a memorable melody especially in the chorus, coupled with the 4-on-the-floor beat and bassline, would seem to indicate that the boys have been listening to Franz Ferdinand a lot lately.
Matthew said that: "'Exo Politics' is dealing more with the aspect I think is daffy, though [laughs]. It is about a trade agreement between the US government and extraterrestials, about the use of new technologies. Many people believe that a large part of the contemporary techniques came from a different world. I'm not sure about that, but it is certainly interesting".[4]
Matt has said the idea of the projects being aimed at fighting aliens is much more appealing. While stating he takes this idea seriously, he has been simultaneously reduced to incoherent, hysterical laughter by this.
Additional information
The theremin sound effect on the introduction is actually played by Matt using a Kaoss pad controller.[5]
Known as Burning Bandits when first played, by fans who had mistakenly thought is was the Western-themed song (Knights of Cydonia) that Matt had referred to in a 2005 interview as the 'Bandit Song'. The early live versions featured an extended introduction and the focus of the lyrics regarded 'demons' instead of (apparent) aliens. The reference to demons had been replaced by 'symbols' after the song was performed live only a handful of times. When played live, the song is played half a step down, the same as Starlight.
The song is about the inhabitants of the Zeta Reticuli Star System invading Earth, or as Matt said: "That’s about the possibility of an orchestrated alien invasion created by the New World Order". It is also about PSYOPs, using the paranormal as a method of covering secret "black" projects - for example Groom Lake in Nevada, the role of conflict in controlling public thought, and the Star Wars Strategic Defense project.
The song was added to Guitar Hero 3 as part of a track pack along with Supermassive Black Hole and Stockholm Syndrome.
Live
Exo-Politics was played at nearly every US Campus Invasion Tour gig in 2005, with the sole exception being the April 20th gig, leading to a high number of early performances. Early versions are incredibly hard to find, but many fans believe them to be superior than the finished version (something early Assassin performances also have in common). For whatever reason, the finished version was rarely played at all, making three appearances in September 2006 and four in November. Interestingly the last two performances of the song were in a run through of the entire album, and not the band's unique selection of the song. The band may have not been satisfied with the finished product, and for that reason avoided playing it. It was the only album track not to make an appearance in 2007.
Trivia
In the Black Holes & Revelations CD sleeve, it says 'Antique items crushed on "Exo-Politics" by Tom Kirk', although this does not appear to be audible on the track/has not yet been heard.
According to Kirk the object that he crushed was an antique brass megaphone. [6]
Lyrics
Studio
Open the skies over me
I am waiting patiently I'll wait for the sign
As conspiracies unwind Will you slam shut or free your mind Or stay hypnotised
When the Zetas fill the skies Will our leaders tell us why Fully loaded satellites Will conquer nothing but our minds
But I'm waiting patiently I'll wait for the sign
Carried through the centuries Secrets locked up and loaded on my back Well it weighs me down
When the Zetas fill the skies It's just our leaders in disguise Fully loaded satellites Will conquer nothing but our minds
But I'm waiting patiently I'll wait for the sign But I'm waiting patiently I'll wait for the sign
2005 tour
Open the skies over me
I am waiting patiently I'll wait for the sign
Whisper through centuries Secrets locked up lonely And I'm waiting until
Stop asking yourself why You can't see the symbols in your eyes Stop asking where to find the truth to compensate your lies
So it forms in my mind I am searching for a twisting world And there's no scars on my side
Stop asking yourself why You can't see the symbols in your eyes Stop asking, where to find the truth to compensate your lies
Well I'm waiting patiently I’m waiting for a sign Well I’m waiting so patiently But I’ll wait for the truth
References
- ↑ Manchester Field 2005-04-28 set list
- ↑ Buffalo Sphere Entertainment Complex 2005 (gig)
- ↑ Raleigh Disco Rodeo 2005 set list
- ↑ INTRO Magazin. (2007). INTRO Magazine online article. Retrieved 2015-01-16 from INTRO.
- ↑ EQ 200703
- ↑ [Tweet from kirk]
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