MK Ultra
by Muse

Album: The Resistance (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A fair proportion of Muse frontman Matt Bellamy's lyrics are informed by his fascination with passion surviving evil forces and this rock epic is named after the CIA's (alleged) mind control programme during the 1950s and 1960s.
  • Like several other tracks on The Resistance, shades of George Orwell's 1984 inform this song's lyrics. In this instance, like Winston Smith and Julia in the novel, a couple struggles to maintain their relationship against the pressure of the state.
  • Muse and MTV EXIT, in partnership with USAID, released a music video for this song, which highlighted the dangers and impact of human trafficking, human exploitation and trafficking especially in Asia and Pacific.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Band Names

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.