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)
Wanderlust
Megadeth Lyrics
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Another gunman will come seeking my defeat
Will he be as fast as me, are his nerves quiet and still
Will he fall like all the rest ending his days upon boothill
I'm an outcast riding into town alone
I got wanderlust branded deeper than the bone
I'm an outcast riding into town alone
I got a lust for wandering branded deeper than the bone
As I ride into the sunset to take another town
Thank you for the invite, but I just can't settle down
The dust that coats my hat is from a dozen towns
Dust from shooting down another dozen clowns
I'm an outcast riding into town alone
I got wanderlust branded deeper than the bone
I'm an outcast riding into town alone
I got a lust for wandering branded deeper than the bone
A drum beats for me, it's louder every day
The cadence tells me that soon I'll meet
My judgment day, my judgment day
My judgment day, my judgment day
My judgment day, my judgment day
My judgment day, my judgment day
My judgment day, my judgment day
My judgment day, my judgment day
My judgment day, my judgment day
A drum beats for me, it's louder every day
The cadence tells me that soon I'll meet my judgment day
Life's an endless showdown never knowing when they'll come
I sleep with one eye open lying with my smoking gun
My smoking gun
The game I play has caused a lot of grief
They were dying for fame, so I obliged them some relief
I'm an outcast riding into town alone
I got wanderlust branded deeper than the bone
I'm an outcast with lightning in my hand
I got wanderlust lost in no man's land
I'm an outcast with lightning in my hand
I got wanderlust lost in no man's land
I'm an outcast with lightning in my hand
I got wanderlust lost in no man's land
I got a lust for wandering lost in no man's land
I got wanderlust
"Wanderlust" is a song from Megadeth's thirteenth studio album, "Thirteen". The lyrics are about a gunman who's constantly on the move, never staying long in one place. He's constantly looking over his shoulder, waiting for some unknown enemy to come and try to take him down. He's become an outcast, branded by his wanderlust, with a lust for traveling that's as deep as the bone. He's killed many people and has caused a lot of grief, but he sees it as a game that he's obligated to play. The song ends on a somber note, with the singer reflecting on the fact that his life is an endless showdown, and that he's always waiting for his judgment day to arrive.
Line by Line Meaning
As sure as the sun rises in the east
I know that there will always be someone coming to get me.
Another gunman will come seeking my defeat
I expect a challenger who wants to defeat me as I am known to be the best.
Will he be as fast as me, are his nerves quiet and still
I wonder if he'll be as skilled and composed as I am.
Will he fall like all the rest ending his days upon boothill
I expect him to meet the same fate as all the other challengers.
I'm an outcast riding into town alone
I am an outsider and prefer to be alone.
I got wanderlust branded deeper than the bone
I have an intense desire to roam and explore new places.
As I ride into the sunset to take another town
I continue to move on to new places to face new challenges.
Thank you for the invite, but I just can't settle down
I appreciate the offer but I can't abandon my love for adventure.
The dust that coats my hat is from a dozen towns
I've been moving around and the dust on my hat is a mark of how far I've gone.
Dust from shooting down another dozen clowns
The dust on my hat is not just from travel, but also from defeating numerous challengers.
A drum beats for me, it's louder every day
I sense my inevitable fate and it gets louder everyday.
The cadence tells me that soon I'll meet my judgment day
I feel that my time is coming and I'll face the consequences of my actions.
Life's an endless showdown never knowing when they'll come
My life has been full of challenges and I never know when the next one will come.
I sleep with one eye open lying with my smoking gun
I am always alert and ready for any potential danger.
The game I play has caused a lot of grief
My actions and challenges have caused pain for others.
They were dying for fame, so I obliged them some relief
People would try to challenge me to be known, and I let them have their moment.
I'm an outcast with lightning in my hand
I remain alone and carry a weapon with me.
I got wanderlust lost in no man's land
My love for adventure has led me to places where no one else dares to go.
I got a lust for wandering lost in no man's land
My desire to explore and roam is deeper than anyone can understand.
My judgment day, my judgment day
I know that I will eventually face consequences for my actions.
My judgment day, my judgment day
My fate gets closer every day.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Evarard S. Prager, Dave Mustaine, Jimmy Degrasso, Martin Adam Friedman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind