The Small Print (song)
| Muse song | |
|---|---|
| Name | The Small Print |
| Album/single |
|
| Length | 3:28 |
| Alternative titles | Action Faust, TSP |
| First live performance | 26th May 2002[1] |
| Latest live performance | 7th May 2005 |
| Recorded | London Air Studios, 2003[2] |
| Writer/composer | Matthew Bellamy |
| Producer | Rich Costey[3] |
<flashmp3>http://www.musewiki.org/images/TSP.mp3%7Crightbg=0xDDEEFF%7Cleftbg=0xDDEEFF%7Cbg=0xFFFFFF</flashmp3>
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Description
A simple metal come heavy rock song.
Additional information
Chosen ahead of "Fury" in the final track listing for Absolution.[2] It was a live favourite from the 2002 tour up to and including the 2005 tour.
While initially played before Absolution's release, it went by the name 'Action Faust.' The song can be understood as, clearly alluding to Goethe's Faust, being sung from the point of view of the Devil to someone selling their soul to him in exchange for, presumably, musical prowess and fame. It shows the transaction as ultimately manipulative on the part of the Devil, dooming the recipient to be a "slave to the grave" and robbing him of all memories of "the good days". The Devil's identity can be seen in the line "I'm a priest God never paid"; he is able to mediate supernatural power but does so outside of the service of God. The final title "The Small Print" yet again underlies the motif of a dishonest contract between a Devil and Faustian figure.
Lyrics
Take, take all you need And I'll compensate your greed With broken hearts Sell, I'll sell your memories For 15 pounds per year But just the good days Say, it'll make you insane And it's bending the truth You're to blame For all the life that you'll lose and You watch this space And I'm going all the way And be my slave to the grave I'm a priest God never paid Hope, I hope you've seen the light 'cause no one really cares They're just pretending Sell, and I'll sell your memories For 15 pounds per year But you can keep the bad days Say, it'll make you insane And I'm bending the truth You're to blame For all the life that you'll lose and You watch this space And I'm going all the way And be my slave to the grave I'm a priest God never paid Say, it'll make you insane And I'm bending the truth You're to blame For all the life that you'll lose and You watch this space And I'm going all the way And be my slave to the grave I'm a priest God never paid
References
- ↑ Muselive.com 20070313
- ↑ a b Reference needed!
- ↑ Absolution notes
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