The Lie

Album: Cold World (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song comes from an idea that guitarist Alan Ashby came up with, which vocalist Austin Carlile then developed. Carlile explained its lyrical content to Metal Hammer: "The song is putting a spotlight on the one percent – the one percent of the one percent. The powers that be, the people that have control over money and imports and products and food. They have a responsibility to people, and they abuse that responsibility. Everything that we're doing to the Earth has repercussions."
  • The song finds Carlile venting his frustrations about today's medical system. He explained: "The line, 'Force-feeding chemicals into the mouths of all our youth' is talking about pharmaceutical companies. So many people are dependent on drugs, and it's not fair, because a lot of people don't know better. But the people that are doing it do know better."
  • This features handclaps by the late 14-year-old Cassy Colunga, a terminal brain cancer sufferer whom the band befriended. Upon hearing that her condition had worsened, Of Mice And Men arranged for a visit while recording the album. "Now Cassy's name and the sound of her clapping hands are on the record," said Carlile. "It's something that captures that moment and that relationship forever. When we think about everything we went through to make this record, that's something that we'll never forget."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.