Cult of Personality

Living Colour

About Cult of Personality

"Cult of Personality" is a song by rock band Living Colour. It was their second single off their debut album, Vivid, released on July 14, 1988. "Cult of Personality" reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990. Its music video earned the MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video and MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist. The song was ranked No. 69 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs. The solo was ranked No. 87 in Guitar World's "100 Greatest Guitar Solos" list. It was also selected for inclusion in the musical reference book, 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die: And 10,001 You Must Download. The band's guitarist and founder, Vernon Reid, described the song as very special for the band not just for its commercial success but because it was essentially written in just one rehearsal session. The riff was stumbled upon while practicing something else and by the end of the session they had written what was to become Living Colour's best known song.  


Year:
2009
4:53
826 

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{And during the few moments that we have left
We want to talk right down to earth
In a language that everybody here can easily understand}

Look in my eyes
What do you see?
The cult of personality

I know your anger, I know your dreams
I've been everything you want to be
Oh, I'm the cult of personality

Like Mussolini and Kennedy
I'm the cult of personality
The cult of personality
The cult of personality

Neon lights, a Nobel prize
When a mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You don't have to follow me
Only you can set me free

I sell the things you need to be
I'm the smiling face on your TV
Oh, I'm the cult of personality

I exploit you, still you love me
I tell you, one and one makes three
Oh, I'm the cult of personality

Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi
I'm the cult of personality
The cult of personality
The cult of personality

Neon lights, a Nobel prize
When a leader speaks, that leader dies
You won't have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune, you gave me fame
You me power in your God's name
I'm every person you need to be
Oh, I'm the cult of personality

I'm the cult of, I'm the cult of
I'm the cult of, I'm the cult of
I'm the cult of, I'm the cult of
I'm the cult of, I'm the cult of personality

{Ask not what your country can do for you
The only thing we have to fear is, fear itself}

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Living Colour

Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, hip hop, hard rock, and heavy metal. Their lyrics range from the personal to the political, in some of the latter cases attacking Eurocentrism and racism in America. more »

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Written by: WILLIAM CALHOUN, COREY GLOVER, VERNON ALPHONSUS REID, MUZZ SKILLINGS

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Band Origin
"Cult of Personality" is a song by the rock band "Living Colour". The band was formed in New York City in 1984.
Song Classification
The song falls in the genres of hard rock and funk metal.
Album Details
"Cult of Personality" is a part of the band's debut album, "Vivid", which was released in 1988.
Chart Performance
The song was a hit and reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.
Award Recognition
"Cult of Personality" won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1989 and was nominated for Best Rock Song.
Song Theme
The song's lyrics discuss the phenomenon of the cult of personality, where an individual uses mass media to create an idealized and heroic public image.
Famous Speeches
The song includes samples of speeches from significant political figures such as John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Music Video
The music video for the song won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video in 1989.
Solo Recognition
Vernon Reid's guitar solo in "Cult of Personality" was ranked No. 87 in Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.
Song Staying Power
"Cult of Personality" continues to have a significant cultural impact, with it being used in various TV shows, films, video games, and wrestling events.
Re-release
The song was re-recorded and released in 2007 for the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
Sports Use
It was used as the entrance music for professional wrestler CM Punk during his time in Ring of Honor and WWE.
Activism Influence
The song was influenced by the band's activism and is considered a critique of personalities who manipulate their image for political power or personal advantage.

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    Cult of Personality

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1989

    Billboard #13


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