In geology, a hoodoo is a tall, thin spire of rock, usually accompanied by a large rock on the top of the spire. One of the fascinations with hoodoos is that they appear unstable. This notion parallels the relationship mentioned in the song, which appears to be destined to fall however they try to work through it. The word ‘hoodoo’ also means bad luck, misfortune, and a really unlucky person, which can be associated to the troubles described in the song.
The lyrics were voted “Lyric of the Decade” in 2009 by readers of Q Magazine.
Hoodoo
Muse Lyrics
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Regress into a dream
We will hide
Build a new reality
Draw another picture
Of the life you could have had
Follow your instincts
And choose the other path
You should never be afraid
You're protected from trouble and pain
Why, why is this a crisis in your eyes again
Come to be
How did it come to be
Tied to a railroad
No love to set us free
Watch our souls fade away
Let our bodies crumble away
Don't be afraid
I will take the blow for you
And I've had recurring nightmares
That I was loved for who I am
And missed the opportunity
To be a better man
The lyrics of "Hoodoo" by Muse explore the idea of regret and missed opportunities. The singer of the song invites his lover to escape reality and create a new world together. He encourages her to follow her instincts and choose a different path from the one she is currently on. He assures her that she is protected from trouble and pain and tells her not to be afraid. The chorus questions why the situation is perceived as a crisis.
The second verse takes a darker turn as the singer is tied to a railroad with no love to set him free. He watches his soul and body slowly fade away, but he still offers to take the blow for his lover. The final lines reveal the recurring nightmares he has had - that he was loved for who he is but missed the chance to be a better man.
Line by Line Meaning
Come into my life
Join me in my world
Regress into a dream
Escape reality and enter a fantasy
We will hide
Stay away from everything and everyone
Build a new reality
Create a new life and a new path
Draw another picture
Imagine a different life
Of the life you could have had
Consider the opportunities that were missed
Follow your instincts
Trust your gut feelings
And choose the other path
Take a different direction
You should never be afraid
Fear has no place in your life
You're protected from trouble and pain
Life's problems cannot harm you
Why, why is this a crisis in your eyes again
Why do you continue to let crises bother you?
Come to be
Exist in the present
How did it come to be
How did we get here?
Tied to a railroad
Stuck and unable to move
No love to set us free
Lack of love keeps us captive
Watch our souls fade away
See our vital parts slowly disappear
Let our bodies crumble away
Allow our physical beings to decay
Don't be afraid
Stay courageous even in difficult times
I will take the blow for you
I'll be your protector
And I've had recurring nightmares
I've been haunted by bad dreams time and again
That I was loved for who I am
That I was accepted for my true self
And missed the opportunity
But failed to grab the chance at that time
To be a better man
To improve myself
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MATT BELLAMY, MATTHEW JAMES BELLAMY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Happy Typist
This line always hits me right in the feels, for some reason - "And I've had recurring nightmares that I was loved for who I am, and missed the opportunity to be a better man."
Σωκράτης Λάζος
+Happy Typist This line might be my favorite of all muse! :D
Crosnertony
+Σωκράτης Λάζος "For one moment I wish you'd hold your stage with no feelings at all, open minded I'm sure i used to be so free" is my favorite
-Fellow Greek ;)
Gabriele Finocchiaro
Me too!
Jillian Hull
This song is a masterpiece, the first time I listened to it, I was blown away!
Johanna A. Florez
*every time I listen to it
Lua Bahia
Hoodoo was one of the first songs that I experienced, that and Unintended. And when I heard those my freaking soul knew I made one of the best decisions of my life. MUSE is a part of my life and it enhances it in every way. Their music is DIVINE one of the best and last truly gifted, technical, in depth, purposeful bands out there. There’s not a single song of theirs that doesn’t have a soul and purpose. I love muse
Ratita
Same
EffectHunter
Their latest album begs to differ
Bale Mohamad
@EffectHunterI beg to differ the latest album is great