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| {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} | {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} | ||
| {{in use}} | |||
| {{Infobox song | {{Infobox song | ||
| | name = Use the Man | | name = Use the Man | ||
| Line 11: | Line 10: | ||
| | recorded = September 1996 | | recorded = September 1996 | ||
| | studio = The Tracking Room (]), The Castle (]) | | studio = The Tracking Room (]), The Castle (]) | ||
| | genre = ] |
| genre = | ||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| | length = {{Duration|m=4|s=35}} ({{Duration|m=4|s=03}} on reissue) | | length = {{Duration|m=4|s=35}} ({{Duration|m=4|s=03}} on reissue) | ||
| | label = ] | | label = ] | ||
| | producer = {{hlist|]|]}} | | producer = {{hlist|]|]}} | ||
| | writer = ], ] | | writer = ], ] | ||
| | prev_title = ] | | prev_title = ] | ||
| | prev_year = 1997 | | prev_year = 1997 | ||
| | next_title = A Secret Place | | next_title = A Secret Place | ||
| Line 22: | Line 23: | ||
| | misc = | | misc = | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| "'''Use the Man'''" is a song by American ] band ]. It was released as the third single from their seventh studio album, '']'' (1997). The song was one of the band's biggest hits, |
"'''Use the Man'''" is a song by American ] band ]. It was released as the third single from their seventh studio album, '']'' (1997). The song was one of the band's biggest hits, at #15 on the ] ] chart.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mosqueda |first1=Ruben |title=Megadeth: 'Cryptic Writings' |url=https://sleazeroxx.com/reviews/megadeth-cryptic-writings/ |website=Sleaze Roxx |access-date=8 December 2022 |date=17 June 2017}}</ref> | ||
| == Background == | == Background == | ||
| === Music === | === Music === | ||
| The first half of "Use the Man" contains a ]-oriented sound,<ref name="Chicago">{{cite news|last=Golemis|first=Dean|date=July 4, 1997|url= |
The first half of "Use the Man" contains a ]-oriented sound,<ref name="Chicago">{{cite news|last=Golemis|first=Dean|date=July 4, 1997|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/07/04/megadethcryptic-writings-capitol-stareven-more-annoying-than/|title=Megadeth: Cryptic Writings (Capitol)|newspaper=]|access-date=October 23, 2013|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203020015/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-07-04/entertainment/9707040188_1_megadeth-nick-menza-fff|url-status=live}}</ref> while the second half transitions into a faster tempo, more in line with the ] sound the band usually play.<ref>{{cite web |title="Cryptic Writings" Megadeth Review |url=https://thetoplister.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/cryptic-writings-megadeth-review/ |website=The Top Lister |publisher=Word Press |access-date=8 December 2022 |date=23 July 2013 |quote=“Use the man” was an ugly song to listen to. It starts way to slow but towards the end the song picks up pace and reminds use that this is trash metal}}</ref> The first half features prominent use of acoustic guitars and strings.<ref>{{cite web |title='Cryptic Writings' Coming Soon From Megadeth |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/dynkdg/cryptic-writings-coming-soon-from-megadeth |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101031609/https://www.mtv.com/news/dynkdg/cryptic-writings-coming-soon-from-megadeth |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |website=MTV News |publisher=MTV |access-date=8 December 2022 |date=16 April 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Caren |title='Cryptic Writings': Deciphering Megadeth's Shift To Radio-Ready Metal |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/megadeth-cryptic-writings-seventh-album/ |website=U Discover Music |access-date=8 December 2022 |date=17 June 2022}}</ref> | ||
| The song begins with a sample of ] by ], which was removed for the radio edit and remaster.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Freidman |first1=Marty |title=Story Behind The Song - Megadeth's Cryptic Writings |url=https://martyfriedman.com/info_archive_detail.php?id=13&det=86 |website=MartyFriedman.com |access-date=8 December 2022 |date=23 September 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=The Scorpion |title=SCORPION Q+A |url=https://megadeth.com/scorpion-qa/2006/439839/ |website=Megadeth.com |access-date=8 December 2022 |date=3 May 2006}}</ref> | The song begins with a sample of ] by ], which was removed for the radio edit and remaster.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Freidman |first1=Marty |title=Story Behind The Song - Megadeth's Cryptic Writings |url=https://martyfriedman.com/info_archive_detail.php?id=13&det=86 |website=MartyFriedman.com |access-date=8 December 2022 |date=23 September 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=The Scorpion |title=SCORPION Q+A |url=https://megadeth.com/scorpion-qa/2006/439839/ |website=Megadeth.com |access-date=8 December 2022 |date=3 May 2006}}</ref> | ||
| Line 33: | Line 34: | ||
| === Lyrics === | === Lyrics === | ||
| The lyrics for "Use the Man" were inspired by a recovering addict who went to a ], |
The lyrics for "Use the Man" were inspired by a recovering addict who went to a ], used ], and died.<ref name="Dave Mustaine 15 Songs" /> | ||
| {{Blockquote|text=“When I was working on (''Cryptic Writings''), I went to a 12-step meeting in a place right next to the studio. The guy who runs it told me he had something to show me, and he had this box and goes, "Check this out... That's Bob"... Then he told me that earlier in the day, a guy had gone to a meeting and then shot up and died at the halfway house and that this box was all his stuff... I wrote the lyrics to "Use the Man" immediately. There's a proverb in China or Japan that goes, "First the man takes a drink, then the drink takes the drink, then the drink takes the man." I thought, "The same thing could be said about the needle." First the man uses the needle, then the needle uses the needle, then the needle uses the man. And that's where the title came from. | {{Blockquote|text=“When I was working on (''Cryptic Writings''), I went to a 12-step meeting in a place right next to the studio. The guy who runs it told me he had something to show me, and he had this box and goes, "Check this out... That's Bob"... Then he told me that earlier in the day, a guy had gone to a meeting and then shot up and died at the halfway house and that this box was all his stuff... I wrote the lyrics to "Use the Man" immediately. There's a proverb in China or Japan that goes, "First the man takes a drink, then the drink takes the drink, then the drink takes the man." I thought, "The same thing could be said about the needle." First the man uses the needle, then the needle uses the needle, then the needle uses the man. And that's where the title came from. | ||
| These guys come out of prison, go to a halfway house, their systems have cleaned out, but they think they can use half as much and get twice as high. They don't realize that their systems have cleaned out, and they O.D. So that's what "Use the Man" was about. It's a very, very sad song about people overdosing on drugs.”|author=Dave Mustaine<ref name="Dave Mustaine 15 Songs">{{cite |
These guys come out of prison, go to a halfway house, their systems have cleaned out, but they think they can use half as much and get twice as high. They don't realize that their systems have cleaned out, and they O.D. So that's what "Use the Man" was about. It's a very, very sad song about people overdosing on drugs.”|author=Dave Mustaine, 2017<ref name="Dave Mustaine 15 Songs">{{cite magazine |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |title=Megadeth's Dave Mustaine: My Life in 15 Songs |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/megadeths-dave-mustaine-my-life-in-15-songs-118539/dystopia-107066/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref>}} | ||
| === Live === | === Live === | ||
| "Use the Man" has been performed 194 times by Megadeth, as well as once by both Mustaine and ].<ref name="Setlist FM 1">{{cite web |title=Use the Man performed by Megadeth |url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/megadeth-73d6aa19.html?songid=53d78bad |website=Setlist.FM |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref> Since the band reformed in 2004, it has been played only a handful of times, and exclusively at acoustic concerts.<ref name="Setlist FM 1" /><ref>{{cite web |title=MEGADETH - AUDIO OF 'USE THE MAN' PERFORMED ACOUSTICALLY AVAILABLE |url=https://bravewords.com/news/megadeth-audio-of-use-the-man-performed-acoustically-available |website=Brave Words |access-date=8 December 2022 |date=9 February 2012}}</ref> The song was among the first Mustaine played live after his arm injury which caused him to be unable to play guitar.<ref>{{cite web |title=APR 9 2003 Dave Mustaine Setlist at Nita's Hideaway, Tempe, AZ, USA |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dave-mustaine/2003/nitas-hideaway-tempe-az-1bdd056c.html |website=Setlist.FM |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref> | "Use the Man" has been performed 194 times by Megadeth, as well as once by both Mustaine and ].<ref name="Setlist FM 1">{{cite web |title=Use the Man performed by Megadeth |url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/megadeth-73d6aa19.html?songid=53d78bad |website=Setlist.FM |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref> Since the band reformed in 2004, it has been played only a handful of times, and exclusively at acoustic concerts.<ref name="Setlist FM 1" /><ref>{{cite web |title=MEGADETH - AUDIO OF 'USE THE MAN' PERFORMED ACOUSTICALLY AVAILABLE |url=https://bravewords.com/news/megadeth-audio-of-use-the-man-performed-acoustically-available |website=Brave Words |access-date=8 December 2022 |date=9 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Drew |title=Album Review: Megadeth – Unplugged in Boston |url=https://drewsreviews.org/2021/08/24/album-review-megadeth-unplugged-in-boston/ |website=Drews Reviews |access-date=8 December 2022 |date=24 August 2021}}</ref> The song was among the first Mustaine played live after his arm injury which caused him to be unable to play guitar.<ref>{{cite web |title=APR 9 2003 Dave Mustaine Setlist at Nita's Hideaway, Tempe, AZ, USA |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dave-mustaine/2003/nitas-hideaway-tempe-az-1bdd056c.html |website=Setlist.FM |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref> | ||
| == Track listing == | == Track listing == | ||
| {{track listing | |||
| {{tracklist | |||
| | headline = Promotional CD<ref>{{cite web |title=Megadeth - Use The Man |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4191570-Megadeth-Use-The-Man |website=Discogs |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref> | | headline = Promotional CD<ref>{{cite web |title=Megadeth - Use The Man |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4191570-Megadeth-Use-The-Man |website=Discogs |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref> | ||
| | title1 = Use The Man (Edit) | | title1 = Use The Man (Edit) | ||
| Line 57: | Line 58: | ||
| !scope="col"|Peak<br />position | !scope="col"|Peak<br />position | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| {{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|15|artist=Megadeth|rowheader=true}} | |||
| |US '']'' ]<ref name=AMCharts>{{cite web|title=Cryptic Writings – Megadeth – Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/cryptic-writings-mw0000023863/awards|website=]|access-date=August 29, 2013}}</ref> | |||
| |- | |||
| ⚫ | |align="center"|15 | ||
| <!-- |US '']'' ]<ref>https://www.billboard.com/artist/megadeth/chart-history/rtt/ {{bare URL inline|date=March 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | |align="center"|15 --> | ||
| |} | |} | ||
Latest revision as of 04:25, 11 September 2024
1997 single by Megadeth
| "Use the Man" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Megadeth | ||||
| from the album Cryptic Writings | ||||
| Released | December 1997 (1997-12) | |||
| Recorded | September 1996 | |||
| Studio | The Tracking Room (Nashville, Tennessee), The Castle (Franklin, Tennessee) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:35 (4:03 on reissue) | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman | |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Megadeth singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Use the Man" is a song by American thrash metal band Megadeth. It was released as the third single from their seventh studio album, Cryptic Writings (1997). The song was one of the band's biggest hits, at #15 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Background
Music
The first half of "Use the Man" contains a rock-oriented sound, while the second half transitions into a faster tempo, more in line with the thrash metal sound the band usually play. The first half features prominent use of acoustic guitars and strings.
The song begins with a sample of Needles and Pins by The Searchers, which was removed for the radio edit and remaster.
Lyrics
The lyrics for "Use the Man" were inspired by a recovering addict who went to a halfway house, used heroin, and died.
“When I was working on (Cryptic Writings), I went to a 12-step meeting in a place right next to the studio. The guy who runs it told me he had something to show me, and he had this box and goes, "Check this out... That's Bob"... Then he told me that earlier in the day, a guy had gone to a meeting and then shot up and died at the halfway house and that this box was all his stuff... I wrote the lyrics to "Use the Man" immediately. There's a proverb in China or Japan that goes, "First the man takes a drink, then the drink takes the drink, then the drink takes the man." I thought, "The same thing could be said about the needle." First the man uses the needle, then the needle uses the needle, then the needle uses the man. And that's where the title came from. These guys come out of prison, go to a halfway house, their systems have cleaned out, but they think they can use half as much and get twice as high. They don't realize that their systems have cleaned out, and they O.D. So that's what "Use the Man" was about. It's a very, very sad song about people overdosing on drugs.”
— Dave Mustaine, 2017
Live
"Use the Man" has been performed 194 times by Megadeth, as well as once by both Mustaine and David Ellefson. Since the band reformed in 2004, it has been played only a handful of times, and exclusively at acoustic concerts. The song was among the first Mustaine played live after his arm injury which caused him to be unable to play guitar.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Use The Man (Edit)" | 4:02 |
| 2. | "Use The Man (Album Version)" | 4:36 |
Chart performance
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) | 15 |
Personnel
Megadeth
- Dave Mustaine – guitars, lead vocals
- David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
- Marty Friedman – guitars, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
- Nick Menza – drums, backing vocals
Production
- Dann Huff – production
- Dave Mustaine – co-production
- Jeff Balding – recording, mixing
- Mark Hagen – recording assistant, mixing assistant
- Bob Ludwig – mastering
- Bud Prager – A & R direction, E.S.P. management
- Mike Renault – E.S.P. management
- Giles Martin – producer (remaster)
2004 remaster/remix
- Produced by Dave Mustaine
- Mixed by Ralph Patlan and Dave Mustaine
- Engineered by Ralph Patlan with Lance Dean
- Edited by Lance Dean, Scott "Sarge" Harrison, and Keith Schreiber with Bo Caldwell
- Mastered by Tom Baker
References
- Mosqueda, Ruben (June 17, 2017). "Megadeth: 'Cryptic Writings'". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- Golemis, Dean (July 4, 1997). "Megadeth: Cryptic Writings (Capitol)". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
- ""Cryptic Writings" Megadeth Review". The Top Lister. Word Press. July 23, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
"Use the man" was an ugly song to listen to. It starts way to slow but towards the end the song picks up pace and reminds use that this is trash metal
- "'Cryptic Writings' Coming Soon From Megadeth". MTV News. MTV. April 16, 1997. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- Gibson, Caren (June 17, 2022). "'Cryptic Writings': Deciphering Megadeth's Shift To Radio-Ready Metal". U Discover Music. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- Freidman, Marty (September 23, 2002). "Story Behind The Song - Megadeth's Cryptic Writings". MartyFriedman.com. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- The Scorpion (May 3, 2006). "SCORPION Q+A". Megadeth.com. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ^ Grow, Kory. "Megadeth's Dave Mustaine: My Life in 15 Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ^ "Use the Man performed by Megadeth". Setlist.FM. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- "MEGADETH - AUDIO OF 'USE THE MAN' PERFORMED ACOUSTICALLY AVAILABLE". Brave Words. February 9, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- Drew (August 24, 2021). "Album Review: Megadeth – Unplugged in Boston". Drews Reviews. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- "APR 9 2003 Dave Mustaine Setlist at Nita's Hideaway, Tempe, AZ, USA". Setlist.FM. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- "Megadeth - Use The Man". Discogs. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- "Megadeth Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
