Muscle Museum by Muse

Album: Showbiz (1999)

Charted: 43

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Songfacts®:

A track from the first Muse album, "Muscle Memory" was the band's third single, following "Uno" and "Cave." Lead singer Matt Bellamy wrote the song during a stay at the Greek islands, which is why he says it sounds like "a Greek wedding."

Bellamy explained the song's meaning to Uncut: "It's about how different elements of our being - the soul, the body, whatever - won't let another element do what it wants to do. It's about the conflict of not quite knowing what it is you want. Not just relationship-wise, it could relate to the band as well, about how there are still people who will knock you down even though you are down already."
The title doesn't appear in the lyric. After putting together the song, band members of Muse had a hard time finding a name for it, so they opened the dictionary and took one word before the word "Muse" and one word after it, thus the song's name: "Muscle Museum."
In this song, a guy feels he is not getting back what he is putting into a relationship. The lyrics seem rather personal as Matthew Bellamy sings about playing "In every toilet," which refers to the shaky places Muse had to play in Devon when they were an emerging band. >>
Suggestion credit:
Bertrand - Paris, France
The video was directed by Joseph Kahn, who also did the clips for Destiny's Child's "Say My Name" and U2's "Elevation." In the clip, people performing ordinary activities (brushing teeth, driving), break down in tears.

Comments: 11

Dj from SacramentoNo way is that actually Matt lmao
Torism from WatfordBest song in the world. Every muse song has a hidden clue
Matt Bellamy from Devon, United KingdomOh God, this song is embarrassing.
Pierce from Wimberley, Txthis describes exactly how i felt about this one girl ive liked her for liked a year and she just hid her emotions and went out with all these ass holes and left me behind until i just gave up on her even though i loved her and she was awesome
Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaI love the intro, it's kinda creepy, but a good kind of Muse creepy:)
Kayley from LondonLove the song, confused about the video. Just because there is that element of 'what have the people done?'. I just wanna know why they are all there crying. The lyrics to this really hit home when I heard it. I had a hard time with someone not doing what they should have been doing for me, so when I first heard this it was like a major cosmic 'Ha!' in that person's face. Can't really explain why, but the song felt that way to me.
L from Birmingham, EnglandMuscle Museum was also aimed at record companies in Devon that told Muse that they would never be a major or successful band hence the line "we have played in every toilet, but you still want to spoil it" and many others... quite a few songs from the 1st album were aimed at certian record companies ^^
Elicia from Sydney, United StatesGreat song. I love that album, exelent.
Matthew from Penrith In Syndey, Australiathe first time i seen the clip i cried so hard cus i had, what i thought, was a horrible secret at the time and i wasnt being a good lover. watching all the people cry and the "what have you done?" atmosphere it pulls you into set me right off nearly everytime i heard it.
Tommy from Balen, BelgiumScala is Belgian, not Polish. Although the Kolashni brothers might be Polish by origin
Kathy from Near Frankfurt, GermanyBrilliant song, I think.
Scala, a polish(?) choir of young girls lead by two brothers, did this song, it's good the way they sing it.
:)
Muse is the best chill-out music!

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