Dave Mustaine was an early member of the band Metallica, and helped pen tracks that wound up on their first two albums. In 1983, Mustaine was let go from the group by Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield due to personal conflicts and substance abuse. He would be replaced by Kirk Hammett, guitarist for the Bay Area thrash band Exodus, who remains with the band to this day. Dave felt slighted and vowed to make his own band, which would be even faster and heavier than Metallica. Mustaine picked the name "Megadeth" from a pamphlet by California senator Alan Cranston that read: "The arsenal of megadeath can't be rid no matter what the peace treaties come to."
In 1985, Megadeth released their debut album, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, on the independent record label Combat Records, to moderate success. It caught the attention of bigger labels, which led to Megadeth signing with Capitol Records. Their first major-label album, Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, was released in 1986 and was a major hit with the underground metal scene. Band members' substance abuse issues and personal disputes had brought Megadeth negative publicity during the late 1980s. Nonetheless, the band went on to release a number of platinum-selling albums, including So Far, So Good... So What! (1988), Rust in Peace (1990), and Countdown to Extinction (1992). These albums, along with worldwide tours, brought them public recognition.
Megadeth has had numerous guitarists, drummers and bassists throughout its 39-year career, with Mustaine being the only remaining original member of the group. The band temporarily disbanded in 2002 when Mustaine suffered an arm injury and re-established in 2004 without longtime bassist David Ellefson, who had taken legal action against him. Ellefson settled out of court and rejoined the band in 2010, but was fired in 2021 amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Megadeth's current lineup includes Mustaine, bassist James LoMenzo, guitarist Kiko Loureiro and drummer Dirk Verbeuren.
Megadeth earned platinum certifications in the United States for six of its sixteen studio albums, and has received twelve Grammy nominations. Megadeth won its first Grammy Award in 2017 for the song "Dystopia" in the Best Metal Performance category. The band's mascot, Vic Rattlehead, regularly appears on album artwork and live shows. Megadeth has hosted its own music festival, Gigantour, several times since July 2005, and held its first MegaCruise in October 2019.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megadeth
Studio albums
Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985)
Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? (1986)
So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
Rust in Peace (1990)
Countdown to Extinction (1992)
Youthanasia (1994)
Cryptic Writings (1997)
Risk (1999)
The World Needs a Hero (2001)
The System Has Failed (2004)
United Abominations (2007)
Endgame (2009)
Thirteen (2011)
Super Collider (2013)
Dystopia (2016)
The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead! (2022)
Use the Man
Megadeth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was no last goodbyes to say
His will to live ran out
I heard somebody turned to dust
Looking back at what he left
A list of plans and photographs
Songs that never will be sung
These are the things he won't get done
I've seen them crawl from the cradle to the gutter on their hands
They fight a war but it's fatal, it's so hard to understand
I've seen the man use the needle, seen the needle Use the Man
Just one shot to say goodbye
One last taste to mourn and cry
Scores and shoots, the lights go dim
Just one shot to do him in
He hangs his head and wonders why
Why the monkey only lies
But pay the pauper, he did choose
He hung his head inside the noose
I've seen the man use the needle, seen the needle Use the Man
I've seen them crawl from the cradle to the gutter on their hands
They fight a war but it's fatal, it's so hard to understand
I've seen the man use the needle, seen the needle Use the Man
Cryptic writings on the wall, the beginning of the end
I've seen the man use the needle, seen the needle in my hand
The opening lyrics of Megadeth's song "Use The Man" allude to an individual who has committed suicide by either overdosing on drugs or taking one last shot of something before dying. The lyrics suggest that the subject had lost his will to live and therefore, had no goodbyes to say. The artist depicts a list of things left undone, including unfinished songs and photographs, which are now reminders of what could have been.
The second verse of the song presents the idea that the individual in question had been using drugs for a long time. The image of crawling from cradle to gutter on their hands emphasizes that the individual's life was consumed by the addiction. Their attempts to fight the addiction were all in vain, as it eventually led to their tragic end. The lyrics suggest that the individual could have been aware of the consequences of drug use, yet chose it regardless.
Overall, "Use The Man" is a commentary on the dangers of drug addiction and how it can ultimately lead one to their demise. The song highlights the tragedy of a life cut short due to the use of drugs.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard somebody fixed today
I heard that someone died by suicide today.
There was no last goodbyes to say
There were no final farewells exchanged before the person passed away.
His will to live ran out
The person had lost their desire to live and chose to end their life.
I heard somebody turned to dust
I heard that the person died and their body has decayed.
Looking back at what he left
Reflecting on what the person left behind after their death.
A list of plans and photographs
A collection of the person's plans for the future and pictures of their past.
Songs that never will be sung
The person had dreams of creating music that will now remain unrealized.
These are the things he won't get done
The person will never have a chance to accomplish their goals.
I've seen the man use the needle, seen the needle Use the Man
The person has used drugs and allowed the drugs to control their life.
I've seen them crawl from the cradle to the gutter on their hands
I've seen people struggle with addiction throughout their entire lives, from childhood to adulthood.
They fight a war but it's fatal, it's so hard to understand
Addiction is a constant battle, and despite their best efforts, many people still lose the fight.
Just one shot to say goodbye
The person took one last dose of drugs before their death.
One last taste to mourn and cry
The person took drugs as a way to cope with their sadness and grief.
Scores and shoots, the lights go dim
After taking drugs, the person's consciousness starts to fade away.
Just one shot to do him in
The final dose of drugs caused the person's death.
He hangs his head and wonders why
The person is filled with regret and sadness, and questions why they made the choices they did.
Why the monkey only lies
The person is questioning their addiction and why it always leads to deceit and betrayal.
But pay the pauper, he did choose
The person chose to continue using drugs despite the negative consequences.
He hung his head inside the noose
The person is accepting responsibility for their choices and their fatal outcome.
Cryptic writings on the wall, the beginning of the end
The person left behind cryptic messages that hinted at their impending death.
I've seen the man use the needle, seen the needle in my hand
The artist has also struggled with drug addiction and has experienced the same pain and struggles as the subject of the song.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE MUSTAINE, MARTIN FRIEDMAN, MARTY FRIEDMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bryandiaz7054
I heard somebody fixed today
There was no last goodbyes to say
His will to live ran out
I heard somebody turned to dust
Looking back at what he left
A list of plans and photographs
Songs that never will be sung
These are the things he won't get done
I've seen the man use the needle, seen the needle Use the Man
I've seen them crawl from the cradle to the gutter on their hands
They fight a war but it's fatal, it's so hard to understand
I've seen the man use the needle, seen the needle Use the Man
Just one shot to say goodbye
One last taste to mourn and cry
Scores and shoots, the lights go dim
Just one shot to do him in
He hangs his head and wonders why
Why the monkey only lies
But pay the pauper, he did choose
He hung his head inside the noose
I've seen the man use the needle, seen the needle Use the Man
I've seen them crawl from the cradle to the gutter on their hands
They fight a war but it's fatal, it's so hard to understand
I've seen the man use the needle, seen the needle Use the Man
Cryptic writings on the wall, the beginning of the end
I've seen the man use the needle, seen the needle in my hand
@andresantosarreseguevara5935
Escuche que alguien recibió una dosis hoy
No hubo un ultimo adios que decir
Su ganas de vivir se agotaron,escuche que alguien se volvió polvo
Echando un vistazo a lo que dejo,una lista de planes y fotografías
Canciones que nunca serán cantadas,estas son las cosas que él no hará ni terminará
He visto al hombre usar la aguja,visto la aguja usar al hombre
Los he visto arrastrarse desde la cuna a la alcantarilla en sus manos
Combaten una guerra pero es fatal,es tan dificil de entender
He visto al hombre usar la aguja,visto la aguja usar al hombre
Solo una inyeccion para decir adios
Una última probada para lamentarse y llorar...llorar....llorar
Puntuaciones y disparos,las luces se atenuan
Solo una inyeccion para acabar con él
Él agacha la cabeza y se pregunta por que el mono solo miente....miente.....miente
Pero paga al indigente,el eligió colgar su cabeza dentro de la soga
He visto al hombre usar la aguja,visto a la aguja utilizar al hombre
Los he visto arrastrarse desde la cuna al ataúd en sus manos
Combaten una guerra pero es fatal,es tan dificil de entender
He visto al hombre usar la aguja,visto la aguja usar al hombre
Escrito criptico en la pared,el principio del fin
Me he visto a mi mismo utilizar la aguja,visto la aguja en mis manos
@raath555
What an underrated, amazing song.
@andysimpson4327
Yeah! Yeah!
@thegodfather4663
Agreed it's damn near genius
@vicrattlehead8665
Underrated ALBUM :/
@starblazer5178
Underrated to metallica fans 😂 sorry, I just had to
@heroinboblivesagain5478
@Vic Rattlehead fucking s'truth man.
This whole album was great.
@elizal5928
one of my favorite songs ever. I'm a recovering addict, not from heroin, but this still gives me feels. what a dark, meaningful songs from one of my favorite bands.
@michaelhorn9114
I hope you are still doing good! MEGADETH helps so many problems for so many people!! MEGADETH! UP THE HORNS!
@thyhabit
helped me in my bottle times. Just change the "woed" needle with "bottle".
I see the man use the bottle, see the bottle use the man
@thyhabit
@John Benson take care man. Life is priceless