The Meaning Behind The Song: Supermassive Black Hole by Muse

Supermassive Black Hole by Muse | Album: Black Holes And Revalations (2006)

"Supermassive Black Hole" is a song by English rock band Muse. Written by Muse lead singer and principal songwriter Matt Bellamy, it was released as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album, Black Holes and Revelations (2006), on 19 June 2006, backed with "Crying Shame".

The song charted at number four on the UK Singles Chart, the highest singles chart position the band has achieved to date in the United Kingdom. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 74 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years". It was nominated for the Kerrang! Award for Best Single.

Introduction

When it comes to powerful and captivating rock music, Muse is a band that consistently delivers. Their song “Supermassive Black Hole,” released as the first single from their 2006 album “Black Holes and Revelations,” is no exception. With its infectious sound and intriguing lyrics, it has become a fan favorite and an iconic track in Muse’s discography.

The Lyrics

The lyrics of “Supermassive Black Hole” explore themes of attraction, deception, and the illusory nature of fame and superficiality. The song’s opening lines, “Ooh, baby, don’t you know I suffer? Ooh, baby, can’t you hear me moan?” convey a sense of desperation and longing for a deeper connection.

The protagonist feels trapped under false pretenses, unsure of how long it will take for them to be let go. The pre-chorus, with its repeated “Oooooooooooooh, you set my soul alight,” emphasizes the intense emotions and desires that consume the protagonist.

In the chorus, Muse paints a vivid picture of a crumbling world: “Glaciers melting in the dead of night, And the superstar’s sucked into the supermassive.” Here, the melting glaciers symbolize the destruction of innocence and the decay of society, while the superstar represents the individual being consumed and lost in the chaos.

The second verse shifts the focus to the protagonist’s vulnerability: “I thought I was a fool for no one, But ooh, baby, I’m a fool for you.” It speaks to the conflicting emotions that arise when faced with someone who holds power over your heart. They are referred to as the “queen of the superficial,” a figure who is assumed to prioritize appearances over authenticity.

The bridge and additional choruses reinforce the idea of being engulfed by the supermassive black hole, echoing the earlier chorus lines. This repetition emphasizes the inescapable nature of the situation and the emotional turmoil the protagonist is experiencing.

The Song’s Significance

“Supermassive Black Hole” holds a special place for many Muse fans due to its unique sound and distinctive lyrics. The song stands out as a departure from their traditional rock sound, incorporating elements of dance and funk. This experimentation was well-received, showcasing Muse’s ability to push boundaries and evolve their musical style while maintaining their signature intensity.

The track’s popularity skyrocketed when it was featured on the soundtrack for the 2008 film “Twilight.” It accompanied a dramatic scene during a vampire baseball game, amplifying the song’s impact and introducing it to a wider audience.

Personal Connection

As a fan of Muse, “Supermassive Black Hole” has held a special place in my heart since its release. The addictive combination of the catchy melody, hypnotic rhythm, and Matt Bellamy’s powerful vocals never fails to captivate me.

The lyrics, with their mysterious and metaphorical imagery, evoke a range of emotions and allow for personal interpretation. For me, the song serves as a reminder of the dangers of superficiality and the importance of seeking genuine connections in a world that often prioritizes image over substance.

In conclusion, “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse is a song that resonates with fans on multiple levels. Its combination of catchy music and thought-provoking lyrics make it an essential piece in Muse’s musical catalog. Whether you connect with its themes of longing, deception, or warn against the allure of superficiality, this song continues to captivate and inspire listeners around the world.

Songfacts

In this song, Matt Bellamy sings about being annoyed with the fame that has increased with the band becoming more popular.

This song was used on the soundtrack of the 2008 movie Twilight. Stephenie Meyer, who wrote the original novel, is a big fan of Muse and after this song was placed on the movie's soundtrack, the band's popularity jumped. In the track's two-and-a-half years of release before the Twilight film's debut, it had sold just over 150,000 downloads. In the year after the film hit screens, the track sold over 300,000. Muse's manager Cliff Burnstein recalled to Billboard magazine: "Some time ago, when the band was playing in Arizona, we invited [Meyer] to a show. Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke wanted to use 'Supermassive' in a very long scene, with not a lot of dialogue in the foreground. We thought, 'This is fun; this is a nice woman who writes these books, she's a fan of ours, let's get involved in this.' No one was really thinking at the time, 'This is a huge opportunity.'"

This was the first single to be released from Black Holes and Revelations. According to Bellamy, this was "a deliberate shock tactic" to "create a stir."

The supermassive black hole inside the core of the supergiant elliptical galaxy Messier 87 in the constellation Virgo was the first one ever to directly imaged. When the Event Horizon Telescope team released the photo on April 10, 2019, Bellamy responded to the news on Instagram, writing: "Supermassive black hole, finally spotted."

Picture by elephantstock , Pictorem , Fy!