The Great Deceit

Album: Incarnate (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Killswitch singer Jesse Leach penned this political anthem about his unhappiness and fury with the way the world and in particular the US government works. He told TeamRock: "I don't subscribe to it and I don't believe in it. I think the system's broken, and I don't want any part of it right now. That might not last, and eventually I might change my tune, but right now I feel like money, corporations and greed run the world and we're all by-products of their neglect. That's what this song is about."

    "We're entering into a new Reagan era in the United States," Leach continued. "We need to have someone in office for at least four years who's going to tip the balance a little bit back towards the people. Whether you want to call them a socialist or whatever, we need a bit of that. We've been so run dry by the corporations and banks in our country that we need somebody in there who maybe is a bit radical to give some balance back."

    "But let's be totally honest," he added. "Presidents are just puppets and their strings are pulled by people who we don't even know. I firmly believe that. The rich people who own everything make the real decisions. The system is broken and I don't have the answers."

    "This is not the only song that I'll say this on," Leach concluded. "I'm really conscious of letting people know that I'm a regular person. I've got my own problems and I'm not your role model. I'm just a musician, and I'm broken just like you. For me, it's just about being a humanitarian and trying to be positive and show love. That's my political movement."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.