The Small Print
Muse(謬思合唱團) Lyrics


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Take, take all you need
And I'll compensate your greed
With broken hearts
Sell I'll sell your memories
For fifteen pounds per year
But just the good days

Say, It'll make you insane
And it's bending the truth
You're to blame
For all the life that you'll lose and
You watch this space
And I'm going all the way
And be my slave to the grave
I'm a priest god never paid

Hope, I hope you've seen the light
'Cause no one really cares
They're just pretending
Sell, I'll sell your memories, for fifteen pounds per year
But you can keep the bad days

Say, it'll make you insane
And I'm bending the truth
You're to blame
For all the life that you'll lose
And you watch this space
And I'm going all the way
And be my slave to the grave
I'm the priest god never paid

Say, it'll make you insane
And I'm bending the truth
You're to blame
For all the life that you'll lose
And you watch this space
And I'm going all the way




And be my slave to the grave
I'm the priest god never paid

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Small Print" by Muse seem to criticize the music industry and its manipulative tactics. The song begins with the idea of giving away everything you need, only to be compensated with broken hearts. It then moves on to the concept of selling memories for a small price per year, but only the good days which highlights how manipulative and marketing-driven music can be. The next verse amplifies these ideas, as the singer talks about how people watch and accept these manipulations and sensationalization, leading them to lose their own identity and lives. The chorus repeats themes of being driven crazy and losing one's life due to these influences. The song concludes with the singer depicting himself as a god-like figure, in control of the listeners, leading them down the path of blind control and domination to their grave.


There seems to be a dark criticism of the music industry in this song that talks about how it commodifies music and manipulates people through sensationalizing and capitalism. The verses about selling one's memories seem to depict the industry as solely interested in marketing and not truly invested in art and music itself. The lines, "You're to blame for all the life that you'll lose" takes a direct aim at the listeners who buy into these superficial and manipulative messages, relinquishing their own autonomy and lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Take, take all you need And I'll compensate your greed With broken hearts
I will give you everything you desire, but in exchange, I will break your heart.


Sell I'll sell your memories For fifteen pounds per year But just the good days
I will sell your memories, but I will only sell the good ones for a small price.


Say, It'll make you insane And it's bending the truth You're to blame For all the life that you'll lose and You watch this space And I'm going all the way And be my slave to the grave I'm a priest god never paid
You have to tell the truth and be responsible for the consequences of your actions as I will take advantage of you and manipulate you to my advantage. I am going to take you down an unhealthy, destructive path, and you will be my slave for life. I am a false prophet.


Hope, I hope you've seen the light 'Cause no one really cares They're just pretending
I hope you realize the truth, which is that nobody really cares about you. They are only pretending to care.


Sell, I'll sell your memories, for fifteen pounds per year But you can keep the bad days
I will sell your memories, but I will let you keep the bad ones for no cost.


Say, it'll make you insane And I'm bending the truth You're to blame For all the life that you'll lose And you watch this space And I'm going all the way And be my slave to the grave I'm the priest god never paid
You will be driven crazy and deceived by me, and you will lose everything in life. You are responsible for your own demise. You are watching as I drag you down a dark path and make you my slave for life. I am a false prophet who is not paid by God.


Say, it'll make you insane And I'm bending the truth You're to blame For all the life that you'll lose And you watch this space And I'm going all the way And be my slave to the grave I'm the priest god never paid
You will be driven crazy and deceived by me, and you will lose everything in life. You are responsible for your own demise. You are watching as I drag you down a dark path and make you my slave for life. I am a false prophet who is not paid by God.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTHEW JAMES BELLAMY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Savannah Attila

Take, take all you need
And I'll compensate your greed
With broken hearts
Sell, I'll sell your memories
For 15 pounds per year
But just the good days

Say, it'll make you insane
And it's bending the truth
You're to blame
For all the life that you'll lose and
You watch this space
But I'm going all the way
And be my slave to the grave
I'm the priest God never paid

Hope, I hope you've seen the light
'Cause no one really cares
They're just pretending
Sell, I'll sell your memories
For 15 pounds per year
But you can keep the bad days

Say, it'll make you insane
And I'm bending the truth
You're to blame
For all the life that you'll lose
And you watch this space
And I'm going all the way
And be my slave to the grave
I'm the priest God never paid

Say, it'll make you insane
And I'm bending the truth
You're to blame
For all the life that you'll lose
And you watch this space
And I'm going all the way
And be my slave to the grave
I'm the priest God never paid



All comments from YouTube:

Jenny Hernandez

One of my top top muse songs. I'm back just because I'm in that mood. Muse rocks!

Stay_Frostee

Listened to this non stop this time last year. Underated gem on the best album.

Arcanis

Omg this song is so awesome !
10 years i listen this song, and always loving so much ! that guitar
!

Felix Abk

Been listening to it for 14 years now lol Muse classic like the whole Absolution album...

Arcanis

Yeah totaly agree ;) <3

Eric Cardona

I remember when this song used to be in that one old drag racing crash video from like 15 years ago...nostalgia!!

Bronze Hawk

I know exactly the one you're talking about. Muse - The Small Print, and Hoobastank - Out of Control. You've got taste, Eric Cardona.

Corporate Revelation

This song makes me feel I like I'm flying

Brandelyn Dynes

Love this song so freaking much❤

Miguel Reis

Braba demais 🔥

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