Paranoia is in bloom
The PR transmissions will resume
They'll try to push drugs that keep us all dumbed down
And hope that we will never see the truth around
(So come on)
Another promise, another seed
Another packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed
And all the green belts wrapped around our minds
And endless red tape to keep the truth confined
(So come on)

They will not force us
And they will stop degrading us
And they will not control us
And we will be victorious
(So come on)

Interchanging mind control
Come let the revolution take its toll
If you could flick a switch and open your third eye
You'd see that we should never be afraid to die
(So come on)
Rise up and take the power back
It's time the fat cats had a heart attack
You know that their time is coming to an end
We have to unify and watch our flag ascend
(So come on)

They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
And we will be victorious
(So come on)

(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)

They will not force us
They will stop degrading us
They will not control us
And we will be victorious
(So come on)

(Hey, hey, hey, hey)


Lyrics submitted by kelusterk, edited by kuteepie

Uprising Lyrics as written by Matthew James Bellamy

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Uprising song meanings
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117 Comments

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  • +11
    General Comment

    It means that Muse is not a fan of tyranny or forced control into the collective (social justice) but rather believes that we must rise up to face it AND fight it, in the name of our personal liberty. I know that the UK has a long history of social control and tyranny and we are just now learning to love it here in the US. I think this song is directed here (as is very trendy with UK and Aussie bands...at least when Bush was pres). Regarding the fat cats line; You could interpret as directed towards big business or capitalism but they are out for profits, not outright control over every detail of the peoples lives. That kind of power and control over the citizens is the mainstay of large central government and the bubble-dwelling elitists that manipulate it. I would think he is directing that towards the establishment fat cats (read as: barney frank/nancy pelosi/chris dodd/harry reid and yes even the chosen one himself). I would add some republicans in there as well but since they aren't in power at this time and haven't really been in the last 3 years...I would say this anti-tyranny song is most likely directed at the current over-reaching, power grabbing, liberty destroying control whores currently running the show both here and abroad. The ones telling us every day to shut up, sit down and get down with the progressive landslide that is swallowing us up whole. I may be personalizing too much to assume it is geared towards the US, as it is equally applicable to the current socialist agenda in the UK and the rest of Europe (no you can't have that breast cancer treatment, because we can't provide it to everybody...take two aspirin and call me when you reach stage 4, we have some great suicide drugs that provide ample savings). However, I have to ask myself where they plan to make more money on touring and cd/ipod sales...here or in the UK. Marketing 101.

    factfreakon August 10, 2009   Link
  • +7
    My Interpretation

    I think Uprising is telling people to get together and fight the government when it treats us unfair and trying to control the opinions and rights of people. It's about brain washing, mind control, lies - in form of PR. I'm not sure but I think that the Green belts are the rules and the laws we have and I'm positive that "red tape" is bureaucracy (Regulations, paperwork etc).

    "If you could flick a switch and open your third eye, You'd see that we should never be afraid to die." - People need a third eye (they are still blind with the 2 they already have) to realize that we should not be afraid to die (fight, take a stand).

    "It's time that the fat cats had a heart attack" - I think the fat cats are the banks around the world and that Muse refer to the financial crisis that occured 2008 and that's still affecting us. The greedy banks got stuffed (with people's money) and at last they had a heart attack. It was just a matter of time. We shouldn't have been surprised about it.

    That is how I interpret Uprising but maybe I'm wrong! That's the great thing about Muse songs - You don't always know how to interpret them and what they actually are singing about, because they often have a meaning more deep than we think they have :) <3 to Muse!

    Tozzeon January 27, 2011   Link
  • +6
    Song Meaning

    This song is a protest in general ABOUT THE WHOLE FKING SYSTEM. The SYSTEM RIGHT NOW. Don't people see it? We live our lives, but we're FORCED into work (or slavery) because we NEED money to maintain our lives. MONEY is a human invention, and the big banks, businesses and supposed government CONTROL THIS FLOW (the fat cats.)

    But through media, TV, internet, games whatever (DRUGS) we're too occupied to think CRITICALLY now. You tell one person something like this, their response is "CONSPIRACY THEORY". Can you not realise you're forced to work? It's not conspiracy, it's logic.

    THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS is to UNIFY as people and as a collective REALISE THAT WE'VE BEEN FKED OVER by a system so outdated, a system that only benefits the "ELITE" at the top of the money chain.

    Is it really about the book 1984? It might be related to it, but I think it's more about today's reality, you just don't realise it.

    YOUTUBE ZEITGEIST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    mrdoron October 08, 2011   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    RISE! We will no longer be slaves!!!!!!!!!

    agentrevon August 23, 2009   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    illuminati

    hurtmanon July 01, 2010   Link
  • +5
    My Opinion

    "The paranoia is in bloom, the P-R Transmissions will resume" The evening news thrives when they grip the public in paranoia. Their motive is not to deliver news. It is to keep you glued to the screen.

    "Another promise, another scene, another packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed" Presidential candidates debating about nonsense and promises to make our lives better. Their resounding theme for economical growth is 'consumer spending' so they keep the public trapped in the neverending cycle of consumerism and greed.

    "With all the green belts wrapped around our minds. And endless red tape to keep the truth confined" To me, this could mean the fear of environmental collapse on our planet. And then the real climate issues are shrouded in red tape, politicised and regulated in such a way to bring the government more power.

    "Interchanging mind control" Right wing, Left wing, it is all interchangeable in terms of the long term impact to this country. Less freedom. More government power.

    Come let the revolution take its toll if you could flick a switch and open your third eye, you'd see that we should never be afraid to die" The unprecedented focus on self today means that no one is willing to make the sacrifices to make the change we all desperately need.

    "Rise up and take the power back, it's time that the fat cats had a heart attack, you know that their time is coming to an end we have to unify and watch our flag ascend" We have been lulled into complacency by a lifestyle of comfort and false prosperity. When in truth, we have evolved into beings that are dependent on government and are unable to take care of our own selves. We need to put our petty differences aside and take back the power we've given to big governments and big corporations!

    They will not force us They will stop degrading us They will not control us We will be victorious

    SammyXpon October 04, 2012   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I LOVE this! Fantastic beat, really reminds me of Depeche Mode/Marilyn Manson in the same way USoE reminds me of Queen.

    I think the meaning is very self-explanatory; it's another of Matt's anti-establishment dance-pop singles.

    Which isn't to say I don't utterly adore it. ;D

    tabikatton August 03, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    totally saw "1984" when i heard this song. epic. i love it.

    sheilaevanson September 18, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Matt was on the conservative radio talk show of Alex Jones, promoting this album. He looks up to Alex Jones and wrote some of his songs specifically with him in mind for a few of his documentaries. There's now no question what these lyrics mean. He's definitely NOT a fan of the global elites that run the present administration...and our nation, along with every other nation... nor does he care for their plans for cutting off 80-90% of the population through eugenics!

    It doesn't matter what field of work you're in...like Matt...we ALL need to be waking people up out of their hypnotized states and getting ready for MORE than just a vote in November. We've got to run these guys into the woods!

    Hope to see all of you on the flip-side!

    infowars.com/ BE INFORMED!

    jeniferalmondon July 15, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This is a really good song, and I love the parallels you can draw to modern society with this.

    But to be slightly cynical, I can't help but think of a line by another band here:

    "Music of rebellion makes you wanna rage, but it's made by millionaires who are nearly twice your age."

    Anyway, it's a good song. I don't mean to put it down, just wondered if anyone else thought the same.

    UC52on July 26, 2012   Link

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