Empire

Album: Empire (1990)
Charted: 61
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Songfacts®:

  • The title track of this blockbuster album is a lot more thoughtful than its explosive introduction leads one to believe. The song is in fact a double entendre contrasting the American Empire - which by the late 1980s was already beginning to show the cracks - with the empires that are built by street gangs and drug dealers.
  • "Empire" is the 6th track on the album, runs 5:24, and was co-written by frontman Geoff Tate and guitarist Michael Wilton. In a November 2010 interview with Get Ready To Rock, Tate explained: "[It] dealt with issues like gang warfare and drugs and how the police [deal] with that and in that situation nothing has really changed!"
  • The middle of the track includes a spoken section relating to law enforcement spending in the US comparing it unfavorably with spending on space exploration and national defence. And it actually begins with a spoof recording of the then recently departed President. Former film actor Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) was first Governor of California (1967-75) and later the 40th President of the United States, occupying the White House from 1981 till 1989. An apparently half-senile Reagan is apparently leaving a message on an answerphone. The keyword here is apparently, on both counts! >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 3

Comments: 3

  • Dan Gillespy from Courtenay BcA perfect metal song with a strong statement.
  • David S from BostonMost underrated band ever. Musicianship is super. Geoff Tate ONE OF THE BEST VOCALS EVER. Get over the ego's. QUEENSRYCHE!
  • Wess from Moorhead, Mnliving in seattle when this song came out. it was a big hit..........Queensryche got screwd their such a great band but did not get the fame that others did at that time ..............like alice in chains ,pearl jam ,soundgarden
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