Tornado of Souls by Megadeth

Album: Rust in Peace (1990)

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Songfacts®:

This song was written by lead singer Dave Mustaine and bass player David Ellefson. The lyrics talk about ending a dysfunctional relationship, and near the end of the song, Mustaine sings about giving the girl "the kiss of death." This led to speculation that the song ends with him killing his partner, but Mustaine has dismissed that, explaining that it is a very personal written at a difficult time. Said Mustaine: "'Tornado of Souls' was written the day I broke up with my fiancé; it explains what I went through, how I sprang out of it. I thought my existence was in that relationship – I was trapped in the eye of a tornado, and if I stepped out of line, I'd be blown to oblivion. No more whirlwind romances for me. If I do get back in that situation, I'm gonna be very aware now and check the weather before I get involved."
The intro of this song is made up by an unusual guitar riff largely based on palm-muted natural harmonics.
Marty Friedman's complex solo in this song is one of his most classic and beloved ones, and it seems to have been an important one for himself too at the time. In a 2002 interview, he recalled: "When I finished the solo to this one, Mustaine came into the studio, listened to it down once, turned around and without saying a word, shook my hand. It was at that moment that I felt like I was truly the guitarist for this band." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Jon - Sweden, for above 2

Comments: 7

Dan Gillespy. from Courtenay Bc.This is 1 very very super good and a very super cool Megadeth song and it is 1 of my favorite Megadeth songs.
K3n from Princeton NjThis discussion itself highlights one of the great things about Megadeth and Mustaine.

Whether he intends to or not, often the lyrics “beyond metaphor.” (Bob Dylan set that as a goal for himself.)

Whatever Mustaine meant when writing the lyrics, you don’t have to know or care. In fact, why bother to write with metaphor if you want to be taken literally? So ... Interpret the metaphors however it works for you. You get something out of it—it worked!
Jason from Ogden UtahGreetings. BBAM here. FYI that acronym is Big Bad Ass Megadethologist. The root meaning of the song Is, Being trapped in a web of lies and mistakes so bad if you come clean and hoest your dead, If you stay in the Lie and Deception your dead. The deception is a tornado, he is safe in the short term in the Eye of the Tornado. If you leave the eye you will be ripped apart, if you stay in the eye eventually the storm will rip you apart, Either way... Example, " I told the lies that let 1000 days go." But classic Dave the chance to start over is there, at the end he mentions a golden chance and seeing the light. Checkout the song Burn. Track 3 off Super Collider. Dave gives great advice, When you make mistakes, Burn them to the ground and move on. Be Safe... Jason the BBAM
Greg from Calgary, AbFreedom, while your interpretation is interesting, Dave Mustaine did say that it is about a dysfunctional relationship.
And the followup, Dawn Patrol, has nothing to do with Tornado of Souls.
Travis from Charleston, WvI totally heard Dave say in an interview it's about a bad relationship. No lie I swear I heard that. Although your interpretation does make sense.
Freedom from Chicopee, Mathis interpretation is totally wrong.
its about the masses being brainwashed and believing u have freedom when u dont.
that is my interpritation anyway.
listen again and read the lyrics.
also, being followed up with dawn patrol... listen and u will see the truth of this powerful song.

LYRICS:

This morning I made the call
The one that ends it all
Hanging up, I wanted to cry
But dammit, this well's gone dry
Not for the money, not for the fame
Not for the power, just no more games

But now I'm safe in the eye of the tornado
I can't replace the lies, that let a 1000 days go
No more living trapped inside
In her way I'll surely die
In the eye of the tornado, blow me away

You'll grow to loathe my name
You'll hate me just the same
You won't need your breath
And soon you'll meet your death
Not from the years, not from the use
Not from the tears, just self abuse

But now I'm safe in the eye of the tornado
I can't replace the lies, that let a 1000 days go
No more living trapped inside
In her way I'll surely die
In the eye of the tornado, blow me away

Who's to say, what's for me to say
Who's to say, what's for me to be
Who's to say, what's for me to do
Cause a big nothing it'll be for me

The land of opportunity
The golden chance for me
My future looks so bright
Now I think I've seen the light

Can't say what's on my mind
Can't do what I really feel
In this bed I made for me
Is where I sleep, I really feel

I warn you of the fate
Proven true to late
Your tongue twist perverse
Come drink now of this curse
And now I fill your brain
I spin you round again
My poison fills your head
As I tuck you into bed
You feel my fingertips
You won't forget my lips
You'll feel my cold breath
It's the kiss of death

THIS LAST PART IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.
megadeth is one of the few who really have something to say, so listen up!!
Eli from Wayne, WvLove this song's opening riff very catchy... Can hardly understand his voice in the beginning.

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