The Lie

Album: Cold World (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song comes from an idea that guitarist Alan Ashby came up with, which vocalist Austin Carlile then developed. Carlile explained its lyrical content to Metal Hammer: "The song is putting a spotlight on the one percent – the one percent of the one percent. The powers that be, the people that have control over money and imports and products and food. They have a responsibility to people, and they abuse that responsibility. Everything that we're doing to the Earth has repercussions."
  • The song finds Carlile venting his frustrations about today's medical system. He explained: "The line, 'Force-feeding chemicals into the mouths of all our youth' is talking about pharmaceutical companies. So many people are dependent on drugs, and it's not fair, because a lot of people don't know better. But the people that are doing it do know better."
  • This features handclaps by the late 14-year-old Cassy Colunga, a terminal brain cancer sufferer whom the band befriended. Upon hearing that her condition had worsened, Of Mice And Men arranged for a visit while recording the album. "Now Cassy's name and the sound of her clapping hands are on the record," said Carlile. "It's something that captures that moment and that relationship forever. When we think about everything we went through to make this record, that's something that we'll never forget."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

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.