Propaganda
by Muse

Album: Simulation Theory (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Timbaland adds a slow, almost hip-hop type beat to this thumping track. The decision to work with the American producer was a conscious attempt by Muse to broaden their horizons and step outside from their usual rock sound.

    Frontman Matt Bellamy told The Sun the collaboration came from an idea he had while driving, which he recorded into his phone. "We had this sort of Prince thing going on," he said. "My voice is not a traditional rock voice, so with my falsetto I like to go down the Prince route. That is what that song is really. It's influenced by hip-hop and funk."
  • The Death Eaters are a group of wizards and witches that featured in the Harry Potter series of novels and films. Matt Bellamy is a big Potter fan and gives the Death Eaters a shout-out on this song. Muse drummer Dom Howard, who has never read any of the books or seen the movies told the BBC.

    "(Matt's) quite into it, and chucked that line in," Howard said. "I thought it was funny that he did, 'cause I had to ask."

    "I was like, 'What the f---'s a Death Eater?'" he added. "And then found out it was Potter."
  • Dominic Howard admitted to ABC Radio that he was initially unsure about this track.

    The Muse drummer was nervous that as it was not the sort of music the band would normally record, and he was worried their fans wouldn't like it. However, he and the rest of the group got a confidence boost from an unlikely person, Howard's mother.

    "I was driving around in the car with my mum with a very early version of it, and she's like, 'What's this? This is great!'" the drummer recalled. "She's quite a good barometer... just someone who doesn't know tons about music, but gives you an idea of whether it keeps your attention or not. And she was really into it."

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.