Symphony of Destruction by Megadeth

Album: Countdown to Extinction (1992)

Charted: 15 71

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Songfacts®:

This song is about political leaders who essentially puppets for the powerful organizations that control them. It relates to military dictatorships, but also to democratically elected leaders.

As Dave Mustaine points out in the song, the problem is not just the leaders, but also the people who blindly follow them. These politicians, once they gain power, lead a "symphony of destruction" that the people follow, often to their own detriment.
Dave Mustaine says that inspiration for this song came when he was watching The Manchurian Candidate.

The film is an American Cold War suspense thriller that was released in 1962 at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It tells the story of the son of a prominent right-wing political family who has been brainwashed to be an unwitting assassin for an international Communist conspiracy. The song makes a similar point that anyone can be propped up as a political leader and controlled by those how put him in power.
This song came very quickly to Dave Mustaine, who says he was driving home when inspiration struck. He's told different stories about his canvas for the lyrics (a receipt for sushi, his arrest paperwork), but he wrote the chorus in the car and finished the song after he arrived home.
The music video was directed by Wayne Isham, who worked on several Megadeth clips as well as some much lighter fare, including "Bye Bye Bye" for 'N Sync and "I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman" for Britney Spears.

Comments: 22

Reason from UsaPower corrupts. We fail to see it because we elect our leaders based on a belief that they will serve us. Thus, the Pied Piper Reference. The robot is our democracy, rusting due to corruption and apathy.
Colton from Grierlyrics:you try to take his pulse
my brain: you try to take his balls
Quinton from Monroe City, MoHow come there aren't this many comments on endgame or this day we fight?
Jude from Denver, CoGoddamn, this song is way too overrated. The demo version is way better anyways, and f--k guitar hero. Dave's written way better material than this. Not saying this song sucks or anything, but come on.
Zoltan from Budapest, HungaryI think he sings: "you try to take his pulse"
Eric from Lake Orion, Miat 1:27 does he say "you try to take its balls"?
Phil from Melbourne, Australiaone word AWSOME
Avery from Bucksport, MeIts "You take a mortal man, and put him in control Watch him become a god watch peoples heads aroll aroll aroll, Just like the pied piper, Led Rats through the streets we dance like the marionetts swaying to the symphony of destruction"!! not what Dave,Ft.Lauderdale,Fl said
Jeff from La Pine, Orthis is one of the very few songs where mustaines vocals sound good
Claire from Las Vegas, NvI love this song, to put it simply, and it states the truth. Thanks, Megadeth, for telling the world what it was too ignorant to realize on its own. Awesome song; not only does it sound catchy, the lyrics are incredibly clever.
Sasha from Winston, MsI LOVE this song! It's my favourite Megadeth song and probably on my top 20 list of the best songs ever. Go Megadeth!
Mikkho from Malabon City, OtherDave Mustaine is a very genius person. This song is perfect. But I think the demo version of Symphony of Destruction is also good, I like the long solos there. Megadeth rules and their song is kicking anyone's asses.
Aaron from Pittsburgh, PaThe lyrics for the chorous are absolutely clever.
Nick from Langhorne, Pathe line is actually just like the pied piper led rats through the streets not "land rats rule the streets" like dave from ft lauterdale said
Bill from Arroyo Gande, CaDude, Evan from Otway, ur such a poser
Chris from Philly, PaThis is what metal is,when i think of the metal i think symphony of destruction.

this song is simply perfect.
Evan from Otway, OhThis is probablly my...4th favorite Megadeth song. VERY catchy, especially the the riff that goes "da na na.....da na na...." then words kick in. And Ringgo, im right their with ya on Guitar Hero. I can beat it on Easy, but not anything else....>_<
Ringgo from Montclair, CaWhen your 12 year old cousin jumps at the beginning riff of this song and it gets him interested in Megadeth, you know you've got an awesome song on your hands. And plus, it's fun to sing along to also. Still cant finish this song in "Guitar Hero" without messing up. grr...
Kayla from Coquitlam, CanadaIlove how the song starts with the church-y beginning and then gets heavy.Awesome song!
Dave from Ft. Lauderdale, FlI always figured this song was about police with too much power taking away all of our liberties and eventually bringing down society as we know and love it, while people just sit back and take it.
"You take a mortal man, and put em in control, watch him become a god, watch peoples heads aroll. Just Like the pied piper, land rats rule the streets, dance like the marionettes, swing to the symphony of destruction."
Angela from La, Cathis is one of the greatest songs megadeth has made and i thank them for that thank you megadeth
Danielle from Swanton, Ohhow hot is dave mustaine? *sigh* i love this song. i play it in the car when i'm with my mom, and the very beginning with the church-y chorus always lures her into a false sense of security, and then it just gets really heavy and its awesome

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