Betrayed

Album: City Of Evil (2005)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is about the murder of former Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell in a Columbus, Ohio nightclub on December 8, 2004. Dimebag was performing with his band Damageplan when a man named Nathan Gale shot him before killing three others at the scene. The song is a tribute to Dimebag and also a message to the shooter, who was also killed that night:

    A smoking gun in hand, now don't you realize what you've done
    Put a bullet in his back, your hero since you were so young
    How could you kill the man who brought salvation through your pain
    He must mean everything to end it all this shameful way
  • Dimebag Darrell and his group Pantera were big influences on Avenged Sevenfold. "When Dime comes on, you know it's him playing guitar," lead singer M. Shadows told Loudwire. "He's an innovator, he was the best at guitar. He was one of my biggest influences."

Comments: 8

  • Nick from Cairns, AustraliaDevon...Are you tellin the truth? if so, how do you know this? Great song though and r.i.p dimebag one of my guitar idols. As long as he made awesome riffs, solos, music, and well, came to rock, which we all know he did, well in that case he's still alive to me.
  • Devin from Roanoke Rapids, NcThe part that goes
    "When I fell down, I needed you there
    Every note and every word seems so hard to take
    Finally, In destiny"
    is actually sung by Dimebag.
  • Iris from San Diego, TxThat is a good song I almost cried to it. Its kinda sad, R.I.P dimebag. Why would some1 kill dimebag?
  • Austin from Parma, OhTo Spencer from Windsor, Gale was shot by an officer while he was holding a fan hostage. He is rotting as we speak, and if there is a Hell, he's burning.
  • Spencer from Windsor, Canadai never really listened to dimebag but i know that he was an outstanding musician and i have much respect for him and a7x is my favorite band i hope the guy that shot him fries.
  • Alex from St Louis, Moalthough in not a fan of a7x they have a great respect for music and the people who make it
  • Keaton from Fort Walton Beach, FlThis song is actually written in three seperate points of view, each with a different font in the CD booklet. The chorus and first part of the first verse are in the perspective of Dimebag's murderer, Nathan Gale. The part coming after the voice over in the first verse beginning with "A smoking gun in hand" is in the perspective of the band, or at least a spectator of the murder. The second verse is in the perspective of Dimebag Darrell. In the part immediately following the interlude, it seems to begin as an omnicient or an outsiders POV, but then at "Finally together..." it shifts back to Nathan Gale's perspective.
  • Aaron from Columbus, OhThis is a good song
    R.I.P. Dimebag
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Tony Banks of Genesis

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Songs About Movies

Songs About MoviesSong Writing

Iron Maiden, Adele, Toto, Eminem and Earth, Wind & Fire are just some of the artists with songs directly inspired by movies - and not always good ones.

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.