Symphony of Destruction
Megadeth Lyrics
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And put him in control
Watch him become a god
Watch people's heads a-roll
A-roll, a-roll
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Of destruction
Acting like a robot
Its metal brain corrodes
You try to take its pulse
Before the head explodes
Explodes, explodes
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Swaying to the symphony
Of destruction
The earth starts to rumble
World powers fall
A-warring for the heavens
A peaceful man stands tall
Tall, tall
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Swaying to the symphony
Of destruction
The lyrics of "Symphony of Destruction" by Megadeth are a commentary on the dangers of giving one person or a group of people too much control or power, and the potential disastrous consequences of such a situation. The opening lines, "You take a mortal man / And put him in control / Watch him become a god / Watch people's heads a-roll" suggest that when an individual is given too much power, they can become tyrannical, and those under their control suffer greatly. The reference to rolling heads implies that people are being executed for disobedience or dissent.
The song also draws parallels to the Pied Piper, a fairy tale character who played music to lead rats out of town. Here, the "Pied Piper" could refer to a person or group who is leading others down a dangerous path, causing them to act like "marionettes" or puppets, blindly following orders without question. At the same time, the "symphony of destruction" represents the chaos and violence that can arise from situations when people are stripped of their agency.
As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that this pattern of behavior could lead to the collapse of world powers, as a "peaceful man" eventually stands up against the tyranny. This person could represent a voice of reason or a symbol of resistance, challenging the status quo and potentially disrupting the cycle of destruction.
Overall, "Symphony of Destruction" is a warning against authoritarianism and the potential devastation that can occur when too much power is concentrated in the hands of a few.
Line by Line Meaning
You take a mortal man
A mortal man is given power and control.
And put him in control
This newly empowered man is now in charge.
Watch him become a god
With this newfound power, the man begins to feel god-like.
Watch people's heads a-roll
His power is causing others to suffer and roll their heads in agony.
A-roll, a-roll
Repeated for emphasis.
Just like the Pied Piper
An analogy comparing the situation to the story of the Pied Piper.
Led rats through the streets
The Pied Piper led rats through the streets with his music.
We dance like marionettes
The people who are suffering due to the man's power are like puppets on strings, dancing to his tune.
Swaying to the symphony
This is their 'dance', being swayed by the power and destruction caused by the man.
Of destruction
The symphony being played here is the symphony of destruction caused by the man's power.
Acting like a robot
People are acting like robots, devoid of emotion and solely focused on the destruction caused by the man's power.
Its metal brain corrodes
This robotic behavior is causing people to degrade mentally, as if their brains are corroding.
You try to take its pulse
Just like a doctor trying to check a patient's vital signs, people are trying to figure out what's going on with the man's power.
Before the head explodes
The situation is so explosive and dangerous that people are afraid the man's head might literally explode.
Explodes, explodes
Repeated for emphasis.
The earth starts to rumble
The destruction caused by the man's power is literally shaking the world.
World powers fall
This destruction is so significant that powerful nations are falling apart.
A-warring for the heavens
This destruction is even causing wars in the heavens or between gods.
A peaceful man stands tall
Despite all of this destruction, one peaceful man stands tall, a symbol of hope amongst the chaos.
Tall, tall
Repeated for emphasis.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dave Mustaine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mr.creepingdeath4136
You take a mortal man
And put him in control
Watch him become a god
Watch peoples heads a 'roll
A 'roll, a 'roll
Just like the pied piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like Marionettes
Swaying to the symphony of destruction
Acting like a robot
It's metal brain corrodes
You try to take its pulse
Before the head explodes
Explodes, explodes
Just like the pied piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like Marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Just like the pied piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like Marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Swaying to the symphony of destruction
The earth starts to rumble
World powers fall
A warring for the heavens
A peaceful man stands tall
Tall, tall
Just like the pied piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like Marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Just like the pied piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like Marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Swaying to the symphony of destruction
@zamoon
"Symphony Of Destruction"
You take a mortal man
And put him in control
Watch him become a god
Watch people's heads a-roll
A-roll, A-roll
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction
Acting like a robot
Its metal brain corrodes
You try to take its pulse
Before the head explodes
Explodes, Explodes
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the Symphony
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the Symphony
Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction
The earth starts to rumble
World powers fall
A-warring for the heavens
A peaceful man stands tall
A-tall, A-tall
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the Symphony
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the Symphony
Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction
@allgoodnamestaken76
You take a mortal man
And put him in control
Watch him become a god
Watch people's heads a'roll
A'roll, a' roll
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Of destruction
Acting like a robot
Its metal brain corrodes
You try to take its pulse
Before the head explodes
Explodes, explodes
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Swaying to the symphony
Of destruction
The earth starts to rumble
World powers fall
A'warring for the heavens
A peaceful man stands tall
Tall, tall
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Just like the Pied Piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Swaying to the symphony
Of destruction
@lokfuerer
on July 14, 1992 is the Megadeth album
COUNTDOWN TO EXTINCTION came out exactly 30 years ago, dammit!!
Peppered with great songs from beginning to end, for example like the last track ASHES IN YOUR MOUTH, a true riff orgy, the singles SYMPHONY OF DESTRUCTION, SKIN O‘ MY TEETH and SWEATING BULLETS with chart positions are still among the Megadeth classics par excellence.
Ok my dear friends; Comments are always welcome and much appreciated:-) but now maybe one or the other will say how good or better the earlier MEGADETH works were...hey, I know how good they are, I bought them all on LP myself back then: sometimes shortly after the release or at a MEGADETH concert, so that fits :-)))
This Album, as you all already know, was released on Capitol Records in 1992 and was the second MEGADETH album with Marty Friedman and Nick Menza. It is arguably the band's best-selling album to date, reaching double platinum status in the US with two million copies sold. It sold around three million copies worldwide. In 1993 it was even nominated for a Grammy for Best Metal Performance.
Hey MEGA-DAVE, MARTY and DAVID: congratulations on this timeless album that is still brand new in terms of themes!!
the Tour was great with PANTERA 1992!
R.I.P. Nick Menza
Dave Mustaine
Marty Friedman
David Ellefson
#megadeth #countdowntoextinction #symphonyofdestruction #sweatingbullets #davemustaine #davidellefson #martyfriedman #nickmenza #nickmenzarip #rustinpeace #theconjuring #vicrattlehead #edrepka #vintagevinyl #vintageshirt #megadethshirt #megadethvinyl #megadethcd #1992 #thrashmetal #headbanger #thrasher #satan #666
@jairdiaz930
They lowered the volume so our heads don't explode explooooooode
@samyelts8498
I was wondering why it’s so low
@hrtmjik1119
Lol
@bon4864
Lame
@sorbetgelato9497
totally
@timothycullinan9925
Is so low. Like kids
@rustbucketben7385
People fight over Megadeth and Metallica? Why? Both are awesome bands that make some really good tunes. Rock on.
@tammysigmon853
The best Metallica songs were the ones Dave wrote.
@JerryAsbury1985
+Tammy Sigmon From my understanding Dave just wrote some guitar riffs, James & Lars write the songs. But it's BS to say that.
@krishdutta5466
Tammy Sigmon Eh I don’t think you’re right about that