The opening bassline was also used as the theme for MTV News. Accotding to the Peace Sells Songfacts, Dave Mustaine never received any royalties from MTV for their use of the song. Lyrically, it deals with disillusion, Cold War politics, and military combat, all recurring themes in Megadeth songs. It also deals with negative stereotypes about "metalheads", all of which Mustaine claims are untrue.
A music video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KDO_yCYcuU) was also produced for the song, which features a teenage boy, wearing a Slayer t-shirt, watching a montage of a live Megadeth performance and war footage on his living room television set. The boy's father, played by Jello Biafra, states "I want to watch the news!," and changes the television channel to a news station using the remote control. His son, replying with "This is the news!," changes it back to the Megadeth performance using the TV set's channel knob. This part of the video was parodied by comedian Brian Posehn in his Metal by Numbers video.
The song was also featured in the popular games like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, True Crime: Streets of LA, and is a playable track on Rock Band 2.
Peace Sells
Megadeth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I talk to him everyday
What do you mean, "I don't support your system"?
I go to court when I have to
What do you mean, "I can't get to work on time"?
Got nothing better to do
And, what do you mean, "I don't pay my bills"?
Why do you think I'm broke? Huh?
If there's a new way
Oh, I'll be the first in line
But it better work this time
What do you mean, "I hurt your feelings"?
I didn't know you had any feelings
What do you mean, "I ain't kind"?
Just not your kind
What do you mean, "I couldn't be the President
Of the United States of America"?
Tell me something, it's still "We the people" right?
If there's a new way
Oh, I'll be the first in line
But it better work this time
Can you put a price on peace?
Peace
Peace sells
Peace
Peace sells
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Peace sells, but who's buying?
(No, no no no no)
(Peace sells)
(Peace sells, aah)
The lyrics of Megadeth's song "Peace Sells" are about questioning society's system and pushing against the norm. It starts with the singer responding to accusations of not believing in God, not being supportive of the system or paying bills, and not being on time for work. The character retorts by saying that they talk to God every day, they go to court when needed, they have nothing better to do, and that their financial struggles are the cause of their inability to pay bills.
The chorus then comes in with the character saying that if there's a better way, they will be the first in line to follow it, but it better work this time. The second verse continues with the character being accused of not being kind or capable of being the president of the United States. The character responds by questioning if they don't have the right to be part of society and to be heard. The chorus repeats the message that peace sells, but who's buying.
Overall, the song speaks to the frustration and questioning of societal norms and expectations. The character in the song pushes back against the accusations and challenges the listener to consider if society is truly fair and inclusive.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you mean, "I don't believe in God"?
Why are you surprised that I don't have faith in a higher power?
I talk to him everyday
But that doesn't mean I believe in him
What do you mean, "I don't support your system"?
Why are you assuming I don't believe in the laws and regulations of our society?
I go to court when I have to
I respect the judiciary system and abide by the law
What do you mean, "I can't get to work on time"?
Why do you think I'm always late for work?
Got nothing better to do
I have no motivation or drive to be timely
And, what do you mean, "I don't pay my bills"?
Why do you think I'm always in debt?
Why do you think I'm broke? Huh?
Because I have too many bills that need to be paid
If there's a new way
If there is an alternative method
Oh, I'll be the first in line
I'm willing to try it out
But it better work this time
But it has to be effective
What do you mean, "I hurt your feelings"?
Why are you bothered by something I said or did?
I didn't know you had any feelings
I didn't mean to hurt you, and I wasn't aware that you felt that way
What do you mean, "I ain't kind"?
Why do you think I'm not a nice person?
Just not your kind
I may not act the way you want me to
What do you mean, "I couldn't be the President
Why do you think I couldn't hold the highest office in the US?
Of the United States of America"?
Of the most powerful nation in the world?
Tell me something, it's still "We the people" right?
The government is for the people, by the people, and from the people, not the other way around
Can you put a price on peace?
Is it possible to determine the value of achieving peace?
Peace
The absence of violence, conflict, and turmoil
Peace sells
The concept of peace is desirable and attractive
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Everyone wants peace, but no one is willing to pay the price
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Are we willing to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve peace?
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Is peace just something people talk about, but never act upon?
(No, no no no no)
People deny that peace is difficult to attain
(Peace sells)
But still, everyone desires it
(Peace sells, aah)
The concept of peace is so appealing that it becomes a product that can be sold and marketed
Lyrics © TUNECORE INC, TuneCore Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dave Mustaine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Ad_Astra_interstella
flags in the video
2:59
2:59 Ethiopia
3:00 Kenya
3:00 Honduras
3:00 East Germany
3:01 Syria
3:01 Tunisia
3:02 Suriname
3:02 Yemen Arab Republic or North Yemen
3:02 Cameroon
3:03 Egypt
3:03 Turkey
3:03 Pakistan
3:04 Uruguay
3:04 Singapore
3:04 Barbados
3:05 Hungary
3:05 Guatemala
3:05 Union Jack
3:06 Peru
3:06 Netherlands
3:06 Pakistan
3:07 Uruguay
3:07 Singapore
3:07 Barbados
3:08 Hungary
3:08 Guatemala
3:09 Lebanon
3:09 Mongolia
3:09 Comoros (1978-1992)
3:10 Cyprus
3:10 Argentina
3:10 Panama
3:10 Bangladesh
3:11 Vietnam
3:11 Finland
3:12 Khmer Rouge
3:12 Brazil
3:12 Venezuela
3:13 New Zealand
3:13 Sierra Leone
3:13 Austria
3:14 Senegal
3:14 Iceland
3:15 South Yemen
3:15 Solomon Islands
3:15 Armenia
3:16 Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic
3:16 Cuba
3:16 Algeria
3:17 Zaire
3:17 Greece
3:17 Malaysia
3:17 Philippines
3:18 Niger
3:19 Soviet Union
3:19 Botswana
3:19 Italy
3:19 Belize
3:20
3:20 Guinea
3:20 Kuwait
3:20 black yellow and green flag
3:21 Australia
3:22 Canada
3:22 People's Republic of Benin
3:22 Bolivia
3:23 flag white and blue
3:23 Denmark
3:23 Venadillo
3:24 Ghana
3:24 Mali
3:24 Sweden
3:25 old German flag
3:25 Angola
3:25 United Kingdom
3:26 Peru
3:26 Netherlands
3:26 Pakistan
3:26 Uruguay
3:27 Singapore
3:27 Barbados
3:28 Hungary
3:28 Guatemala
3:29 Uganda
3:29 Iran
3:29 Colombia
3:29 USA
3:29 Cyprus
3:30 Panama
3:31 Bangladesh
3:31 Vietnam
3:31 Finland
3:32 Brazil
3:32 Venezuela
3:33 New Zealand
3:33 Livonia
3:33 Latvia
3:34 Myanmar
after minute 3:34 i don't put any other flag, i just get tired haha
@lucas28850
What do you mean, "I don't believe in God"?
I talk to him everyday
What do you mean, "I don't support your system"?
I go to court when I have to
What do you mean, "I can't get to work on time"?
I got nothing better to do
And, what do you mean, "I don't pay my bills"?
Why do you think I'm broke? Huh?
If there's a new way
I'll be the first in line
But it better work this time
What do you mean, "I hurt your feelings"?
I didn't know you had any feelings
What do you mean, "I ain't kind"?
Just not your kind
What do you mean, "I couldn't be the President
Of the United States of America"?
Tell me something, it's still "We the people," right?
If there's a new way
I'll be the first in line
But it better work this time
Can you put a price on peace?
Peace
Peace sells
Peace
Peace sells
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Peace sells, but who's buying?
No, no, peace sells
No, peace sells
@iFlyPlanesSoYouDontHaveTo
"I want to watch the news"
"This is the news"
Couldn't have said it better myself
@f23ghost
🤘
@killerfrank8974
+Rich P Hell yeah!
@NJDVLS9500
Rich P Better yet Dave for President!
@LucasLeiteLLO
I'd punch him just by he's called megadeth "GARBAGE".
@lacquitrino5973
Oh yeah
@Bluey610
epilepsy sell but who's buying
@willowsparks4576
TheBlueprint I am
@Hobgob1inz
Not the epileptic
@dischargesummary8794
TheBlueprint HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA