Question
ScorpioN,
I discovered Megadeth shortly after So Far, So Good... So What! Since then I've been to dozens of live shows. Particularly during the 90s and early 2000s many of the shows opened with spoken audio directed at the audience as if we were living in an Orwellian state (similar to the opening for Endgame). Sometimes the tracks had music and sound effects as well.
As a fan of dystopian fiction I've always been fascinated by them. I've long wondered where they came from. Can you tell me anything about them?
Thanks,
Joel Steverson
Lakewood, Colorado, USA
Answer
Hello Joel,
The intro music you are referring to is called "Shut Up, Be Happy".
This is actually the opening track on Ice T's third album, The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say! The music in the background of the song is Black Sabbath's "Black Sabbath" and the voice you hear delivering the spoken word is Jello Biafra, the singer of the Dead Kennedys, who is a self-proclaimed anarchist and member of the Green Party. Here are the lyrics, reprinted courtesy of Sire Records:
We interrupt this program with a special bulletin:
America is now under martial law.
All constitutional rights have been suspended.
Stay in your homes.
Do not attempt to contact love ones, insurance agent or attorney.
Shut up.
Do not attempt to think or depression may occur.
Stay in your homes.
Curfew is at 7 PM sharp after work.
Anyone caught outside of gates of their surveillance sectors after curfew will be shot.
Remain calm, do not panic.
Your neighborhood watch officer will be by to collect urine examples in the morning.
Anyone caught interfering with the collection of urine examples will be shot.
Stay in your homes, remain calm.
The number one enemy of progress is questions.
National security is more important than individual will.
All sports broadcasts will proceed as normal.
No more than two people may gather anywhere without permission.
Use only the drugs described by your boss or supervisor.
Shut up, be happy.
Obey all orders without question.
The comfort you demanded is now mandatory.
Be happy.
At last everything is done for you
-ScorpioN
