"Assassin" was formerly known as "Debase Mason's Grog" ("Message Board Song… Read Full Bio ↴"Assassin" was formerly known as "Debase Mason's Grog" ("Message Board Song") or ("Dom's Arse Goes Bang"), and before the finalisation of the album's track list, Demonocracy. Demonocracy means the power or government of demons.

Bellamy has said this is a "kind of take a gun out and kill somebody" style song. Early reviews prior to the album's release described the introduction with reference to the Knight Rider theme music.[9]

Several major changes were made to the song compared to earlier live versions from 2005. Previously, it had a longer, more distorted intro, more varied percussion, most prominently contained a slow bridge between the first and second chorus, and was generally more progressive. The original drumming was used in "Map of the Problematique".

The song is featured in the 2008 game Guitar Hero: World Tour as a playable track, where there is also a secret achievement for the 360 version of the game called "Muse to My Ears", requiring you to score 222,222 points or higher on Assassin, playing the drums.

Assasin
Muse Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

War is overdue
The time has come for you
To shoot your leaders down
Join forces underground

Lose control
In increasing pace
Wantonly waste

Intention erased
Whatever they say
These people are torn
Wild and bereft
Assassin is born, yeah
Whoa, yeah

(Aim, shoot, kill your leaders)
(Aim, kill them all)

Oppose and disagree
Destroy demonocracy

Lose control
In increasing pace
Wantonly waste
Intention erased
Whatever they say
These people are torn
Wild and bereft
Assassin is born, yeah

(Go)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Muse's song Assassin appears to be a call to action, a revolutionary anthem. The singer delves into the sentiment that war is overdue and that the time has come for uprising against those in power. The song encourages listeners to shoot down their leaders and join forces underground to oppose and destroy demonocracy. The lyrics describe a feeling of loss of control, an increasing pace, and a sense of wanton waste. Intention is erased as these people are torn, wild, and bereft, ultimately giving birth to an assassin. The song concludes with a simple call-to-action: "Go".

The song seems to be a critique of the current political system and a plea for change, even if it means taking more extreme measures like assassination. The fervor and intense energy of the song are meant to be motivating to listeners, urging them to take responsibility and action for the betterment of society. The lyrics make a direct appeal to attack those in power (aim, shoot, kill your leaders), an incitement that is surely controversial.

Line by Line Meaning

War is overdue
The long-waited conflict has finally arrived

The time has come for you
It's your turn to act

To shoot your leaders down
To overthrow the authority figures

Join forces underground
Unite with the rebellious forces to operate covertly

Lose control
Relinquish power

In increasing pace
Accelerating faster and faster

Wantonly waste
To recklessly destroy without concern for consequences

Intention erased
The initial purpose has been forgotten

Whatever they say
Ignore what they preach

These people are torn
The masses are divided

Wild and bereft
Chaotic and desolate