Brighter Than A Thousand Suns

Album: A Matter Of Life And Death (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about the experiment that brought the atomic bomb to life, also known as The Manhattan Project. The title of the song refers to a comment one of the scientists made after seeing the A-bomb tested in the desert of New Mexico.
  • The "Robert" in the song refers to the head of the whole project, Dr. Robert Oppenheimer. And the constant reference to E=MC squared refers to Einstein's involvement in the building of the weapon. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ringgo - Montclair, CA, for above 2
  • This song ties back into what Bruce Dickinson said inspired the album's dark and grim lyrical themes: The band members' childhood experiences growing up in the Cold War era amongst common fears of imminent nuclear war and destruction. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Caitlin - Colmesneil, TX

Comments: 3

  • Pete from Olympus Mons, AustraliaBrighter Than A Thousand Suns is also the name of the book written in 1958 about the Manhattan Project, and also the parallel German research. 'Trinity' was the name the Americans gave to the test bomb, which rattled windows at 200 miles away, and left the sand underneath crystallised into a glass that was dubbed Trinitite.
  • Caitlin from Colmesneil, TxMy favorite part is towards the end when it gets slow and he says "in the bunkers where we'll die...".
  • Damien from Edmonton, CanadaMy absolute most favorite song off of AMOLAD. AMOLAD is a very awesome album too! My favorite part of this song is the part where it gets all fast in the middle, that sticks with me.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.