Anthrax's lineup has changed numerous times over their career, leaving Ian as the only constant member of the band. The band has had a revolving cast of singers and lead guitarists, including Neil Turbin, John Bush, Dan Spitz and Rob Caggiano. Since 2013, the band has consisted of Ian, drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frank Bello, vocalist Joey Belladonna and lead guitarist Jonathan Donais. Ian and Benante (who replaced one-time drummer Greg D'Angelo in 1983) are the only two members to appear on every album, while Bello has been a member of Anthrax since 1984, replacing original bassist Dan Lilker. After two stints in Anthrax, from 1984 to 1992 and again from 2005 to 2007, Belladonna returned to the band in 2010.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax_(American_band)
Studio albums
Fistful of Metal (1984)
Spreading the Disease (1985)
Among the Living (1987)
State of Euphoria (1988)
Persistence of Time (1990)
Sound of White Noise (1993)
Stomp 442 (1995)
Volume 8: The Threat Is Real (1998)
We've Come for You All (2003)
Worship Music (2011)
For All Kings (2016)
Alpha Male
Anthrax Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You should be happy
You should be really happy
I saved your life today
I didn't kill you
Although I meant to
You should be happy
Now go and put your toys away
It's the pecking order, back of the line
Pecking order, back of the line
Pecking order, back of the line
Climb up to the top, jump off and take a nose dive
Another societal breakdown
Another societal breakdown
What did you just say
What did you just say
You said something
Something that I already said
I smell like both of us
You smell like both of us
Revel in our sated lust
Open your eyes and watch me bust
It's the pecking order, back of the line
Pecking order, back of the line
Pecking order, back of the line
Climb up to the top, jump off and do a face plant
Another societal breakdown
Another societal breakdown
Another societal breakdown
And I don't need it around, I'm the king of the town
What did you do to me
I gotta get another hit off your energy
I'm cruising in neutral, you came into my life
And bam, kicked it up a big notch
What did you do to me, what did you do to me
I gotta get another hit off your energy
I dropped in from the top
Took off and carved a big slice
Another societal breakdown
Another societal breakdown
Another societal breakdown
And I don't need it around, I'm the king of the
The lyrics to Anthrax's song "Alpha Male" are about power dynamics, specifically the idea of the pecking order. The singer is addressing someone who they have saved, but who they also wanted to kill. The implication is that the singer is in a position of power over the other person, and that they are able to control their fate. The repeated refrain of "pecking order, back of the line" reinforces the theme of power dynamics and hierarchy. The singer is asserting their dominance and telling the other person to fall in line.
The second verse takes on a more sexual tone, with the singer boasting about their sexual prowess and dominance. The line "you smell like both of us" suggests that they have had sex with the other person, and that their scent has transferred onto them. The reference to "societal breakdown" may indicate that the singer sees themselves as an outsider or rebel, rejecting the norms of society in favor of their own power and pleasure.
The third verse continues the theme of the singer's dominance, with references to getting a "hit off your energy" and "carving a big slice." The final line, "And I don't need it around, I'm the king of the town," cements the singer's position as a powerful figure who does not need anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
You should be happy
I spared your life today even though I had the intention to kill you. You should consider yourself lucky and show gratitude for it.
You should be really happy
I risked my own safety to save yours. You should express immense happiness for this act of heroism that I showed.
I saved your life today
I took a risk and made a difficult decision to prevent your death. You should be appreciative of my actions.
I didn't kill you
Despite the fact that I wanted to kill you, I chose not to. You should be thankful for my restraint.
Although I meant to
My original intention was to kill you, but I changed my mind and decided not to. You should acknowledge the fact that I spared you.
You should be happy
Once again, I want you to be delighted that you were saved from death by me.
Now go and put your toys away
It's time for you to leave, like a child who is being told to put their toys away. Our interaction has ended, and you need to move on.
It's the pecking order, back of the line
There is a social hierarchy, and you are at the bottom of it. Accept your place and don't try to rise above it.
Climb up to the top, jump off and take a nose dive
You can try to climb the social ladder, but it will only lead to your downfall. Accept your position and move on.
Another societal breakdown
This is just another example of how society is inevitably doomed to fail.
What did you just say
I am questioning your words because they may threaten my position in the social hierarchy.
Something that I already said
Your words are not original or meaningful to me. I have already expressed similar thoughts.
I smell like both of us
We are intertwined in some way, whether through our actions, thoughts, or experiences.
You smell like both of us
You are similarly bound to me through our shared experiences, even if you don't realize it.
Revel in our sated lust
We have fulfilled some sort of desire or craving, and we should bask in the aftermath of it.
Open your eyes and watch me bust
Pay attention to my actions and the way I handle myself. I am in control and dominate this situation.
Climb up to the top, jump off and do a face plant
Again, trying to climb the social hierarchy will only lead to embarrassment and failure. Accept your place and move on.
Another societal breakdown
The world is constantly falling apart due to the innate flaws of society and human nature.
And I don't need it around, I'm the king of the town
I hold a high social status and don't need any more issues or breakdowns to arise. I am in power and control the town.
What did you do to me
Whatever you did or brought into my life, it had a significant impact on me.
I gotta get another hit off your energy
I need more of whatever you gave me, whether it was positive or negative, because it had a strong effect on me.
I'm cruising in neutral, you came into my life
I was coasting along without much happening until you appeared in my life and created some kind of shift or change.
And bam, kicked it up a big notch
Your appearance had an immediate and drastic impact on my life.
I dropped in from the top
I had a high initial position, but I quickly moved on to something else.
Took off and carved a big slice
I made a significant change or impact after moving away from my initial high position.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLIE L. BENANTE, FRANK JOSEPH BELLO, JOHN ROBERT BUSH, SCOTT IAN ROSENFELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Evillive
on Now its dark
Jesus… you need your art spoon-fed to you.
Now It’s Dark is about the movie Blue Velvet.