Quintessence

Album: Crack the Skye (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Guitarist Bill Kelliher told The Skinny magazine that this song, "has got a crazy melody with an even crazier guitar riff in the beginning there 'badda-doodle-noodle-badda-badda-noodle-noodle…' a lot of notes going on. When we were tracking that song, I came up with the guitar riff that goes under the main vocals and the really busy guitar part. So when Brent was singing and playing it he said 'I can't play the fast parts, we're going to have to switch so I can sing and play. You can play the crazy riff.' I didn't think I could really do it, it's all in his styling and it's a very chicken-pickin' kind of playing style. But I got it down and it took a minute. That was basically all for the sake of playing it live."
  • Quintessence is a hypothetical form of dark energy; by which scientists attempt to explain the accelerating universe. It was originally a fifth element postulated by the Ancient Greeks in addition to their understanding of the four existing elements of earth, air, fire and water. They believed the cosmos and all celestial bodies were made of this element. In the song the principal character of the storyline, who has had an out of body experience, gets sucked into a wormhole.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."