Citizen Erased
by Muse

Album: Origin of Symmetry (2001)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This epic Muse song may have been based on George Orwell's book 1984. Lead singer Matt Bellamy has said of the song: "It's an expression of what it feels like to be questioned. I spend more time than most people being asked about purpose, and it's a strange feeling. I don't really have the answers and I have to respond on the knowledge I have obtained so far, but the problem is that it gets printed, and something else has come along that's made you completely disagree with what you said." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR
  • Bellamy used a seven-string Manson guitar on the track, tuned to drop A tuning in standard variation. He also played the keyboards plus the piano-led coda that closes out the track. "Citizen Erased" was the first Muse song to feature a seven-string guitar.

    The other musicians are Bellamy's bandmates:

    Dominic Howard: drums
    Chris Wolstenholme: bass guitar, backing vocals

    And a string section comprising:

    Sara Herbert: violin
    Jacqueline Norrie: violin
    Caroline Lavelle: cello
  • With a length of 7:21, this was the longest song in Muse's catalogue, until they recorded the 10:07 running "The Globalist" for Drones in 2015.
  • "Citizen Erased" is a fan favorite. When Muse released Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX n 2021, they dropped "Citizen Erased" as its lead single.

Comments: 4

  • Tim from IndianaOne of my all time favorite songs.
  • Ivar from Reykjavik, IcelandNo doubt Muse's best song. In my opinion, this is the best song of the 21st century.
  • Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaAMAZIIING song, truly beautiful
  • Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaLoving the intro
see more comments

Editor's Picks

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.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Michael Bolton

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."