Uprising

When you immerse yourself in *Uprising*, the first sensation is one of contained energy, almost like a march that is taking shape. The bass, which here doesn’t sound like a synthesizer but rather something that mimics it, carries the main weight, creating a solid and forceful rhythmic foundation. It’s interesting to note that, unlike other songs where bass and synthesizers merged, for this piece they sought for the rhythmic section to sound “real,” yet achieved a timbre that evokes the electronic. The lyrics, written by Matt Bellamy, seem to capture a feeling of discontent and the need for change, something that resonates in the way the song is built, with that sense of a call to action.

This piece was released as the first single from The Resistance, the fifth studio album by Muse, in August 2009. The recording took place between 2008 and 2009 in a studio in Como, Italy. The song is described with elements of alternative rock, space rock, and glam rock, and even industrial touches. Matt Bellamy himself mentioned that the inspiration for the lyrics came from how many people felt, eager for change. The music video, released in September 2009, drew attention for its aesthetics, including a giant teddy bear causing destruction, something some saw as a nod to the 1984 film Ghostbusters. It was a track that resonated strongly in the United States, reaching number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Billboard Alternative Songs chart for 17 weeks, becoming a significant success for the band.