Exogenesis: Symphony (song)

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Score on mixing desk during recording
Muse song
Name Exogenesis: Symphony
  • Part 1: Overture
  • Part 2: Cross Pollination
  • Part 3: Redemption
Album/single The Resistance (9, 10, 11)
Length 12:51
  • 4:18 (Part 1: Overture)
  • 3:56 (Part 2: Cross Pollination)
  • 4:37 (Part 3: Redemption)
Alternative titles
  • Symphony »
  • Orchestral Monster
  • Symphonic Monster
First live performance 22nd October 2009 (Part 1: Overture)
Latest live performance -
Recorded Lake Como and Milan, Italy, 2008-2009
Writer/composer Matthew Bellamy, Dominic Howard, Christopher Wolstenholme
Producer Muse

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Description

"Exogenesis: Symphony" is the last song on The Resistance,[1] and is split into three four-minute tracks, each separately named. It features an orchestra of "about 40 musicians" throughout, being described by Matt as "almost purely classical in style"[2] The song tells the story of humanity leaving a destructive Earth behind to populate elsewhere in the Universe.[3]

Part 1 (Overture)

The first part of the song starts off mellow.[4]

Matt said, "Part 1 is a jaded acceptance that civilisation will end."[5]

Part 2 (Cross-Pollination)

In the Muse Q&A in November 2008, Dominic Howard stated that the song would change genres throughout, indicating a significantly different middle section.[4]

Part 3 (Redemption)

The track by track review by Gigwise describes that it concludes in a "suitably Muse-like way" and that "the song builds into an emotive and epic chorus where Bellamy and Wolstenholme share vocal duties". [4]

Additional information

The term exogenesis is the technical name for panspermia, the hypothesis that life is seeded across the universe from other sources, for example, arriving to Earth on comets, hence "cross pollination".

The song was first mentioned in March 2008 as a "15-minute space-rock solo"[6] and mentioned by the band numerous times after that. Prior to that, it had been alluded to by Matt in 2007 as "a few bits and pieces that we kind of set to one side that were ... a little bit too progressive and symphonic for [Black Holes and Revelations]", suggesting that the band may have first attempted to record it in 2005.[7]

The orchestral parts within the song are arranged by Matthew Bellamy. He stated he wanted to do this himself as he "never wanted to collaborate with a string arranger as they may make it 'theirs'".[1] The orchestra which performed said parts was comprised of twenty-five musicians, who were layered into fifty parts, so as to keep production costs low.[8]

Dom plays the Timpani in the beginning of Overture.

Lyrics

Part 1 (Overture)

Aping my soul,

You stole my overture, Trapped in God's programme, Oh I can't escape

Who are we? Where are we? When are we? Why are we? Who are we? Where are we? Why, why, why?

I can't forgive you, And I can't forget

Who are we? Where are we? When are we? Why are we? Who are we? Where are we? When are we? Why are we in here?

Part 2 (Cross-Pollination)

Rise above the crowds

And wade through toxic clouds Breach the outer sphere The edge of all our fears Rest with you We are counting on you It's up to you

Spread our codes to the stars You must rescue us all Spread our codes to the stars You must rescue us all

Tell us, tell us your final wish Now we know you can never return Tell us, tell us your final wish We will tell it to the world

Part 3 (Redemption)

Let's start over again

Why can't we start it over again?

Just let us start it over again

And we'll be good This time we'll get it... We'll get it right

It's our last chance to forgive ourselves

References

  1. a b Matthew Bellamy via Muse Answers. (2008-11-22). Question 23. Official Message Board. Retrieved 2008-11-22 from board.muse.mu.
  2. Ray Wilkinson. (2009-07). Progressive stadium rock three dream up album five. Mojo magazine, 1802. Retrieved 2009-07-05 from www.muselive.com. [verify]
  3. New album preview (2009-07-22). New Musical Express, 23–25. Retrieved 2009-07-29 from www.muselive.com. [verify]
  4. a b c Dominic Howard via Muse Answers. (2008-11-28). Question 6. Official Message Board. Retrieved 2008-11-22 from board.muse.mu.
  5. iTunes LP - The Resistance
  6. Muse: next album to have '15-minute space-rock solo' (2008-03-12). NME. Retrieved from nme.com.
  7. Lindsay McDougall. (2007-08-02). [Interview with Matthew Bellamy]. The Breakfast Show. Retrieved 2007-08-02 from abc.net.au. [verify]
  8. Breakfast with Muse (2009-09-14). Kevin and Bean. Retrieved from www.muselive.com. [verify]

See also


Go back to The Resistance