Exogenesis: Symphony (song)
| Muse song | |
|---|---|
| Name | Exogenesis: Symphony
|
| Album/single | The Resistance (9, 10, 11), Exogenesis (1) |
| Length | 12:51
|
| Alternative titles |
|
| First live performance | 22nd October 2009 (Part 1: Overture) |
| Latest live performance | - (Part 1: Overture) |
| Recorded | Lake Como and Milan, Italy, 2008-2009 |
| Writer/composer | Matthew Bellamy, Dominic Howard, Christopher Wolstenholme |
| Producer | Muse |
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Description
"Exogenesis: Symphony" is the last song on The Resistance,[1] and is split into three four-minute tracks, each separately named. It features an orchestra of "about 40 musicians" throughout, being described by Matt as "almost purely classical in style"[2] The song tells the story of humanity leaving a destructive Earth behind to populate elsewhere in the Universe.[3]
Matt later said that "This is influenced by Rachmaninov, Richard Strauss, Chopin and Pink Floyd. It looks at the concept of 'Panspermia.' It is a story of humanity coming to an end and everyone pinning their hopes on a group of astronauts who go out to explore space and spread humanity to another planet."
Part 1 (Overture)
The first part of the song starts off mellow.[4]
According to Matt, "Part 1 is a jaded acceptance that civilisation will end."[5] The drum part displays a Massive Attack influence.[6]
Part 2 (Cross-Pollination)
In the Muse Q&A in November 2008, Dominic Howard stated that the song would change genres throughout, indicating a significantly different middle section.[4]
Matthew Bellamy stated, "Part 2 is a desperate hope that sending astronauts to find and populate other planets will be successful alongside the recognition that this is the last hope."[7]
Matt has wanted but been reluctant to play Part 2 live because of its difficulty.
Part 3 (Redemption)
The track by track review by Gigwise describes that it concludes in a "suitably Muse-like way" and that "the song builds into an emotive and epic chorus where Bellamy and Wolstenholme share vocal duties". [4]
Matt said, "...Part 3 is when the astronauts realize that it is just one big cycle, and recognize unless humanity can change it will happen all over again."[8]
Additional information
The term exogenesis is the technical name for panspermia, the hypothesis that life is seeded across the universe from other sources, for example, arriving to Earth on comets, hence "cross pollination".
The song was first mentioned in March 2008 as a "15-minute space-rock solo"[9] and mentioned by the band numerous times after that. Prior to that, it had been alluded to by Matt in 2007 as "a few bits and pieces that we kind of set to one side that were ... a little bit too progressive and symphonic for [Black Holes and Revelations]", suggesting that the band may have first attempted to record it in 2005.[10]
The orchestral parts within the song are arranged by Matthew Bellamy. He stated he wanted to do this himself as he "never wanted to collaborate with a string arranger as they may make it 'theirs'".[1] The orchestra which performed said parts was comprised of twenty-five musicians, who were layered into fifty parts, so as to keep production costs low.[11]
Chris said in an interview the piano parts from the song have been around for quite a while. He mentioned Matt always "plays these beautiful piano pieces that we could never figure out how to work into a Muse song until now."
During the recording session with the orchestra, Chris "felt a bit jaded" and was pretty upset for not being able to see the recording due to being sick at the time.
Dom plays the Timpani in the beginning of Overture.
Lyrics
Part 1 (Overture)
Aping my soul,
You stole my overture, Trapped in God's program, Oh I can't escape
Who are we? Where are we? When are we? Why are we? Who are we? Where are we? Why, why, why?
I can't forgive you, And I can't forget
Who are we? Where are we? When are we? Why are we? Who are we? Where are we? When are we? Why are we in here?
Part 2 (Cross-Pollination)
Rise above the crowds
And wade through toxic clouds Breach the outer sphere The edge of all our fears Rest with you We are counting on you It's up to you
Spread our codes to the stars You must rescue us all Spread our codes to the stars You must rescue us all
Tell us, tell us your final wish Now we know you can never return Tell us, tell us your final wish We will tell it to the world
Part 3 (Redemption)
Let's start over again
Why can't we start it over again?
Just let us start it over again
And we'll be good This time we'll get it... Get it right
It's our last chance to forgive ourselves
References
- ↑ a b Matthew Bellamy via Muse Answers. (2008-11-22). Question 23. Official Message Board. Retrieved 2008-11-22 from board.muse.mu.
- ↑ Ray Wilkinson. (2009-07). Progressive stadium rock three dream up album five. Mojo magazine, 1802. Retrieved 2009-07-05 from www.muselive.com. [verify]
- ↑ New album preview (2009-07-22). New Musical Express, 23–25. Retrieved 2009-07-29 from www.muselive.com. [verify]
- ↑ a b c Dominic Howard via Muse Answers. (2008-11-28). Question 6. Official Message Board. Retrieved 2008-11-22 from board.muse.mu.
- ↑ iTunes LP - The Resistance
- ↑ Muse's Dominic Howard (2010-01). Modern Drummer. Retrieved 2009-12. [verify]
- ↑ iTunes LP - The Resistance
- ↑ iTunes LP - The Resistance
- ↑ Muse: next album to have '15-minute space-rock solo' (2008-03-12). NME. Retrieved from nme.com.
- ↑ Lindsay McDougall. (2007-08-02). [Interview with Matthew Bellamy]. The Breakfast Show. Retrieved 2007-08-02 from abc.net.au. [verify]
- ↑ Breakfast with Muse (2009-09-14). Kevin and Bean. Retrieved from www.muselive.com. [verify]