Unafraid

Album: American Soldier (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • American Soldier is a concept album examining the life of a soldier and the consequences of war. Vocalist Geoff Tate interviewed veterans who fought in conflicts spanning from World War II to Iraq, and some dialogue from these recorded discussions is mixed into several of tracks on the album. The verses of this song feature the voices of Chris Devine, a Vietnam veteran and Sean Lenahan, a veteran of Somalia, recalling their war experiences. Tate observed to Billboard magazine: "I was surprised to learn how little has changed through the generations. I spoke with a Vietnam vet whose experience wasn't all that different from a soldier who fought in Somalia almost 30 years later. But what surprised me the most was how anti-war most soldiers are. To me, that makes their sacrifices even more moving."
  • Tate (from Anybody Listening): "Musically, it's a pretty adventurous track. We constructed the music around the verses. If you listen, the guitar in the verses is in mono, not stereo, so there is room to hear what is being said. On the chorus, the music changes to stereo again with me singing the lyrics. There are a lot of interesting audio things going on with this record, which is what makes it so effective to listen to with headphones."
  • The song is much more lyrically straightforward than most of Queensrÿche's songs, written exclusively in the band's later era by frontman Geoff Tate. Rather than narrativizing or discussing a particular theme, the song functions as a hard-jawed ode to determination. Each line is direct statement about lack of fear, variously stating that he fears nothing, hopes for nothing, is free, and, of course, is unafraid.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Tom Waits Lyrics Quiz

Tom Waits Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Pool balls, magpies and thorns without roses - how well do you know your Tom Waits lyrics?

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.