Megalomania (song)
| Muse song | |
|---|---|
| Name | Megalomania |
| Album/single |
|
| Length | 4:38 |
| Alternative titles | Thoughts of a Dying Atheist, Go Forth and Multiply |
| First live performance | 12th April 2001 |
| Latest live performance | 12th April 2008 |
| Recorded | Real World Studio Wiltshire, 2001 |
| Writer/composer | Matthew Bellamy |
| Producer | John Leckie |
<flashmp3>http://www.musewiki.org/images/Megalomania.mp3%7Crightbg=0xDDEEFF%7Cleftbg=0xDDEEFF%7Cbg=0xFFFFFF</flashmp3>
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Description
An overblown anti religious album closer using a Gothic style church pipe organ.
General information
Bellamy has described the recording of this anti-church song, using the organ at St. Mary's Church, Bathwick, as a "dark moment" in his life. The vicar of the church insisted on seeing the lyrics to the song before allowing them to use the organ, although none had yet been written for the song. Bellamy proceeded to write out some "positive", "nice" lyrics for him and he allowed them to record the song.[1]
Matt wrote the song on holiday in the Maldives, whilst learning to dive, and it was inspired by his pessimism towards the relationship he was in at them time.[1]
The earliest known performance used a grand piano rather than an organ or keyboard with organ effect. A video can be found of this performance on the DC Muse Hub.
Not to be confused with the later song of the same name as the WIP name, Thoughts of a Dying Atheist on Absolution.
After nearly a 6 year break after having last been played on 5th May 2002, Megalomania was played at London's Royal Albert Hall on 12th April 2008, seven years to the day it was first played. The song was played on the Royal Albert Hall's pipe organ, the first time it had been played on a pipe organ in concert. Matthew Bellamy introduced the song by saying something like "since we're at the Royal Albert Hall, it would be rude not to play this beast" (referring to the organ). Morgan Nicholls played an ukelele during the song.
Megalomania
Megalomania is "a symptom of mental illness marked by delusions of greatness, wealth, etc." or "an obsession with doing extravagant or grand things".
Lyrics
Paradise comes at a price That I am not prepared to pay What were we built for? Could someone tell me please The good news is she can't have babies And won't accept gifts from me What are they for? They'll just grow up and break the laws you've loved Take off your disguise I know that underneath it's me Who are you oooh Useless device it won't suffice I want a new game to play When I am gone - it won't be long Before I disturb you in the dark And paradise comes at a price That I am not prepared to pay What were we built for? Will someone tell me please Take off your disguise I know that underneath it's me
References
- ↑ a b Muse: The Making of Origin of Symmetry (2007-10-07). Xfm. Retrieved from www.muselive.com. [verify]