Symphony of Destruction

Megadeth

About Symphony of Destruction

"Symphony of Destruction" is a song by American heavy metal band Megadeth, released as a single from their 1992 album, Countdown to Extinction. The lyrics explore the hypothetical situation where an average citizen is placed in a position where he runs the country while the public is led by a phantom government. Penned by vocalist and frontman Dave Mustaine, the song received significant radio play and charted in various territories, making it one of Megadeth's best known songs. The song was generally well received by critics, and its accompanying music video by Wayne Isham initially received heavy rotation on MTV, but eventually became controversial and was edited because of an assassination scene that MTV felt was "too harsh". The video features each band member individually playing, with a mostly black-and-white nonlinear narrative revolving around a political candidate who is assassinated, and the massive amount of anarchy and riots caused by the event. The song has been featured in several sources of media, and has been covered by several bands. 


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You take a mortal man
And put him in control
Watch him become a god
Watch people's heads a'roll
A'roll, a' roll

Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like the marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Of destruction

Acting like a robot
Its metal brain corrodes
You try to take its pulse
Before the head explodes
Explodes, explodes

Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony

Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Swaying to the symphony
Of destruction

The earth starts to rumble
World powers fall
A'warring for the heavens
A peaceful man stands tall
Tall, tall

Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony

Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Swaying to the symphony
Of destruction

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Megadeth

Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson, after Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums. A pioneer of the American thrash metal movement, Megadeth rose to international fame in the 1980s and was ranked as one of the "Big Four of Thrash" along with Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, who were responsible for creating, developing and popularizing the thrash metal sub-genre. more »

8 fans

Written by: Dave Mustaine

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


17 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Symphony of Destruction" is a song by American heavy metal band Megadeth, from their 1992 album "Countdown to Extinction".
Video Content
The music video for the song, directed by Wayne Isham, portrays a man controlling a politician puppet, symbolizing the principle that politics is manipulated by invisible puppet masters.
Success
It is one of the band's best-known songs and has been a concert staple since its release, often played as a closer.
Chart History
"Symphony of Destruction" reached No. 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States and peaked at No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart.
Singles Sales
In February 1993, the song was certified gold in the United States for sales of over half a million copies.
Megadeth's Recognition
This song helped Megadeth to become widely recognized and to reach a broader audience.
Genre
The song has been described as a thrash metal and heavy metal anthem.
Musical Style
It stands out for its memorable and simple riff, composed of quavers played at a slow pace.
Cover Versions
Over the years it has been covered by several artists, such as Nightwish, Arch Enemy, and Halestorm.
Song Theme
"Symphony of Destruction" tells the story of a citizen being controlled for the purpose of political manipulation and overthrow.
Story Behind the Name
The title and music reflect Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine's fear of the world being controlled by a secret society.
Song Length
The original song is approximately 4 minutes and 2 seconds long.
First Release
It was first released as a single on July 6, 1992.
Track Order
Within the "Countdown to Extinction" album, "Symphony of Destruction" is track number 2.
Awards
"Symphony of Destruction" was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 1993 Grammy Awards, but lost to Nine Inch Nails' "Wish".
Influence
The song had a large impact on the heavy metal genre and is often credited with helping to bring heavy metal into the mainstream in the early 1990s.
Use in Media
"Symphony of Destruction" has been used in numerous films, TV series, and video games, including The Simpsons, WWE, Guitar Hero, and NHL Rock The Rink.

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    Symphony of Destruction

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1993

    Billboard #71


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