Stockholm Syndrome
by Muse

Album: Absolution (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is about a relationship that you feel trapped in (The term "Stockholm Syndrome" was coined by a Swedish doctor after hostages in a Stockholm bank robbery started to identify and even become attracted to their captors - the term is used to describe an instance of loving someone who holds you captive) but is going nowhere (references to flying, falling and burning; loving hoping and dying to no avail). The chorus is like an apology for abandoning and forgetting the other person, but secretly wishing that it was over: "The last time I'll forget you - I wish I could." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Adam - Sussex, England
  • The solo and outro are played the exact same way as the intro, just in a different speed and key. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Craig - Guildford, England
  • This began life as a filler riff during live shows until the band decided to expand it into a full song.
  • This was the first released on Absolution (Muse's third studio album) and was available as a download-only single. In summer 2005 it was released for the first time in the US. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Laura - Co. Tyrone, Ireland, for above 2
  • The video was shot with thermal imaging, and cuts between a hostage situation (where the original term Stockholm Syndrome originated), and the band. The word "Prisoner" is written on skin several times, and the word "Captor" is scrawled on a wall at the start. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Adam - Sussex, England

Comments: 10

  • Annaleigh from Cypress, CaFor me this song means when you love someone so much, but they keep hurting you in anyway like emotionally, physically, sexually, but you can't seem to let go of them even though you should and you convince yourself that it's all gonna get better, but it doesn't ever get better..
  • Steve from Lincoln, United Kingdomthe end riff isnt in a different key, its the same notes!
  • Nady from Adelaide, Australia"...and this is the last time I'll forget you, I WISH I COOOOOULD!!!" What a beautiful song, definately my favourite along with microcuts.
  • Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaBellamy's got "f*ck" written on his t-shirt if you watch the video reeeal careful. funny shtuff
  • Dan from Redcar, United StatesThe video for the song breifly flashes the F word, which was missed by censors.
  • Declan from Waterford, IrelandI used to think that this song was what it appears on the outside, about a violent, abusive relationship. However, after studying the lyrics, I now feel that it's a really beautiful song about love surviving through all odds.
    The girl says "I won't stand in your way" meaning that she trusts him even though she is abused, the guy says things like "we'll fly and we'll fall and we'll burn" meaning that he falls and burns when the abuse occurs. He then attempts to apologise, "this is the last time..." and wishes for their own sakes that he could forget her.
  • Drake from Holt, AlAnyone looking for Muse song meanings should visit http://www.musewiki.org/MuseWiki
  • Alex from Perth, Australiathis is my favourite muse song, killer riff anf flaunts the vocal range...sweet.
  • Doug from Balintore, Scotlandthere isn't much muse on this site, where's hysteria, time is running out, plug in baby, bliss etc.?!
  • Adam from Sussex, EnglandIt's about a relationship that you feel trapped in (the loving someone who holds you captive) but is going nowhere (references to flying, falling and burning; loving hoping and dying to no avail).

    The chorus is like an apology for abandoning and forgetting the other person, but secretly wishing that it was over ("...the last time I'll forget you - I wish I could").

    The video is shot with thermal imaging, and cuts between a hostage situation (where the original term Stockholm Syndrome originated), and the band. The word "Prisoner" is written on skin at several times.
see more comments

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