Metal Masterpieces - Megadeth - Lucretia - Who Is Lucretia? DEEP DIVE
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2024
- Who is Lucretia and what makes this song great? Today we will be diving deep into one of Megadteh's absolute best tracks of their 1990 masterpiece Rust In Peace. Finding out why Dave Mustaines lyrics and riffs are stuff of legends.
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Something has always drawn me to this song. Though I love Rust In Peace as a whole, this song has always stood out in my mind. I have read Dave's explanation of the song being about a ghost that lived in his attic. But if I am understanding correctly, you are saying that Lucretia was a manifestation or an externalization of Dave's struggle to get sober?
That's a fascinating perspective.. The song is essentially Dave's internal dialogue (and argument) with parts of himself being externalized in an apparition. That is if he's not using that whole ghost story as a metaphor. But being that he was using drugs (I am assuming during the writing of the song) I would not be surprised if he were actually seeing things. But what would one see, but a manifestion of the contents of their own mind?
Something interesting about some people who have faced abuse in their life (as Dave has) is that they sometimes have fragmented personalities. For example, Dave when he would drink became a totally different and violent person (ask Metallica). You also see evidence of these other personalities in songs like Sweating Bullets.
The fact that he named the sprit Lucretia could absolutely have been because of something Dave read or watched that his unconscious mind picked up. Perhaps consciously he had forgotten it, but the sub consciousnes remembers..
You nailed it man. Summed my thoughts up on it perfectly. It is interesting how these themes are common in his music. 👍👍
@@VARVIS_ Absolutely. Especially in his earlier work. I don't follow them so much anymore, so I don't know everything he writes about today.
I always thought songs like Good Mourning, A Secret Place and Disconnect also interestingly engaged with these subjects. Especially A Secret Place, which, IIRC, also had a ghost story connected to its production.
I don't believe what Dave says about this song in his book because, well......you be the judge:
Lucretia is a road in Los Angeles and it's just a few minutes drive from where the Capital Records building/recording studio is located. This Lucretia Avenue is a place where the blacks would sell drugs to addicts.
Below Lucretia are the Elysian Fields (where drug addicts would go to enjoy their high or possibly overdose & die.....another Megadeth song with wildly different meaning IF you're familiar with the things that happen down in the Elysian Fields after dark).
I grew up on Lucretia and know what Dave is referring to when he mentions the stairwells, the "spades", the attic, the moonbeams, the crystal ball.......it's all an experience on Lucretia back in the 1980's.
In the song "Lucretia".....…Lucretia isn't a ghost, it isn't a drug. It's more of a situation, a drug addicts routine. A state of mind.
Lyrics:
Sitting up, late at night, I tip toe thru the darkness.
Meaning:
You're sitting there (on Lucretia Avenue), waiting for your drug dealer to show up. You finally see him so you sit up and quietly walk over to him. You walk quietly because you don't want to draw attention to yourself because you don't want any of the other nearby drug addicts to know you're about to get your drugs......(because you may get robbed of it). And the darkness is because there aren't any street lights on Lucretia Avenue.
Lyrics:
Cold as hell. Black ass spades.
Meaning:
Black people with shitty attitudes. Back in the 80's the word "spades" was what blacks were called. If Dave would have said, "Greedy ass niggers" after buying drugs, it would have the same meaning as the lyrics "Cold as hell, black ass spades".
Lyrics:
Aware of my immediate surroundings.
Meaning:
Being alert. Paying attention to what's happening around you.
Lyrics:
In my place, I escape, up into my hide-out.
Hiding from everyone. My friends all say, "Dave, your mental anyway".
Meaning:
What do you do first thing after buying street dope?....you get away from everybody and into a safe spot so you can look at the drugs to make sure you got what you paid for without anybody else seeing your shit. Lucretia doesn't have any side roads, only hills along it's sides. Uphill is where less people are at. It's safer to pull the drugs out up there to inspect what you got. Your friends that went to Lucretia with you don't want to wait for you to check out the drugs, they just want to get the fuck out of that area. You must be mental, crazy for wanting to be here longer than the time it takes to get the drugs.......but you're kinda paranoid because you don't want to get burned & find out you bought fake shit.
Lyrics:
Drift into a deeper state.
Meaning:
Drift into a deeper state OF MIND......Ok, you got your drugs, now you need to get your mind focused on getting away from everyone and get to a place where you can safely use the drugs.
Lyrics:
I stalk the cobwebbed stairwells.
Meaning:
The stairwells on Lucretia Street have spider webs on them from all the spiders living in the bushes. The webs float off the bushes and stick to the stairwell rail.
Lyrics:
Dirt grits beneath my feet.
Meaning:
There's always dirt on the stairs. It's more like beach sand on concrete. No matter how quiet you are walking up or down the stairwells, the sound of the sand crunching beneath your shoes makes such a loud ass noise compared to all the silence surrounding this druggie spot.
Lyric:
The stair creaks.
Meaning:
Ok so.....all three of the stairwells along Lucretia are made of concrete. There are probably more than 1,000 individual concrete stair steps in these stairwells. But only one particular stair step is made of metal (due to the concrete step being damaged & repaired with a metal plate bolted atop the broken concrete). This individual metal step makes a creaky sound whenever you step on it. Notice Dave says the "stair" creaks he doesn't say the "STAIRS" creak (stairs being plural which would imply more than one stair step makes a creaky sound). He's talking about the single metal plate which is loosely bolted atop the broken concrete step.
Lyrics:
I precariously sneak.
Meaning:
After stepping on that noisy stair step, you're more cautious because now you've made people aware of where you're going (down to the Elysian Fields to enjoy your high, if you pass out down there, you may get robbed).
Lyrics:
Hypnosis guides my hands. I slip, slide thru the walk ways.
Meaning:
Not only are there stairwells on Lucretia, there are also dirt walkways. Paths. To get down these walkways, use your hands to grab onto bushes to kinda guide yourself slipping & sliding down these steep dirt walkways. So, if you walk all the way down one particular stairwell, it will lead you to "A Secret Place" which used to be a business location where drug addicts could go to for help getting sober. However, halfway down this stairwell you can take one of the walkways which will lead you down to the Elysian Fields......Elysian Fields being a place where drug addicts could go and openly use drugs & cops wouldn't care to do anything about it. A kind of safe haven for drug addicts.
Lyrics:
Sit in Granny's rocking chair.
Meaning:
This place on Lucretia, there's a spot where people dump old furniture, beds, chest of drawers, etc.... You just got done walking down HUNDREDS of stair steps, you slip & slide 300 feet down the steep walkways towards the Elysian Fields. Sit in a chair at the furniture dump spot and take a break. Catch your breath.
Lyrics:
Memories are whirling bye.
Meaning:
IDK.....maybe Dave's remembering the countless times he's gone thru this "routine" of getting his drugs.
Lyrics:
Reminisce in the attic.
Lucretia waits impatiently.
Meaning:
Ok, so near the furniture dump spot, there was an old house with a huge attic. You could go up into the attic with your other druggie friends and talk about old times (or whatever) while your mind/body is impatiently waiting as the drugs are being prepared for usage.
Lyrics"
Cobwebs make me squint as the Cobra so eloquently glints.
Meaning:
Again, the cobwebs. They're everywhere from the spiderwebs floating off the bushes. And the Cobra.......the Cobra is a hypodermic needle filled with a drug. The "glint" (or flash) of light is reflecting thru the drug in the hypodermic needle.
Lyrics:
Moonbeams surge thru the sky.
Meaning:
Moonbeams are search-lights. You know like the ones pointing into the sky to let you know some type of special event is happening. Like, near Lucretia, we'd see the moon beams shining from Hollywood into the night sky during a new movie release. These lights would be moving around in random directions and every now & then, if enough moonbeams shined directly onto the Griffith Observatory at the same time........
Lyrics:
The crystal ball is energized.
Meaning:
If enough moon beams shined on the Griffith Observatory at the same time, the dome on it would look like it's glowing and rays of light would reflect thru it into different directions.
Lyrics:
Surely that, like the cat waiting.
Meaning:
As sure as the black drug dealer is waiting to sell to me again.
"Cat" another word used to refer to black people way back in the 80's.........
Lyrics:
Lucretia rocks away.
Meaning:
Dave's high, his addiction is satisfied. He can function again. Maybe Lucretia is a state of mind and it has something to do with making/playing music........."rocks away". IDK.
Oh, and the laughter at the beginning of the song........I don't know. Maybe it's supposed to be like something sarcastic. Something like "Hahaha, you just cant stop this insanity, you fool.
Griffith Observatory, Hollywood, Capital Records studio, Lucretia Avenue, Elysian Fields, A Secret Place.......all located within a three minute drive from one another.
Jeckyl and Hyde
My knowledge of the song's meaning was that dave thought there was a ghost living in the attic of hos house and he named her Lucretia and then wrote a song about it
That’s the story I heard as well.
Yeah that’s what it’s about, I wish expecting this video to be about it
It is.
i mean the lyrics basically tell the story 😂
Same
So....who's gonna tell him that Dave wrote this about drug induced hallucinations of a ghost in his attic he used to talk to when strung out of his mind?
Probably the most underrated song in the entirety of megadeths catalog. To me, its probably got some of the best songwriting of classic megadeth, and its a shame people look down upon it.
Agreed brother
The opening notes already told me that I would love it. Such a cool song and hard to play well smoothly man
One of Marty’s best solos too up there with Tornado of Souls and Killing Road, the whole album is a guitar clinic but this song is an underrated high point. I always thought it sounded kinda like Ninja Gaiden game music and that’s not a bad thing at all Ninja Gaiden had some bomb music for Nintendo games.
Agree 100%. Criminally underrated, and it’s a solid composition. Damned fun to play too.
People don't like this song? I guess I don't talk to enough Megadeth fans, 'cause I assumed it was well liked. It's probably in my top 5 Megadeth songs.
I actually met a girl in her twenties named Lucretia.. blew my mind. Lucretia and five magics are my favorite off RIP but I absolutely love the whole album.
One of my favorite songs
Sounds like something Kiko loureiro would write
Absolutely it does!
I always heard that Rust in Peace was written while on drugs, but recorded sober. That's why the songs are insane, but the playing is super tight and controlled. I could be wrong though.
I always thought Lucretia was about Dave’s messing around with black magic and possibly referring to a witch he conjured or imagined but it could also be interpreted as a battle with addiction either way it’s about being ashamed of what he’s done or become . I always imagined Dave sitting around high and alone and wigging himself out with every creak of the house becoming a bigger monster in his mind.
I really appreciate the Megadeth content.
Where has this channel been all my life. Megadeth rules
Well I just started seriously a few months ago, so more to come!
You're totally right about that whimsical feeling. When I was young I didn't know about the lyrics, or any English at all. Yet I was so fascinated with this song that I started making an RPG in one of those RPG Makers about it, named Lucretia, and since I didn't understand the lyrics, I could fill the game with whatever the instrumental made me imagine.
The intro arpeggios could be viewed as C#m triads but they form F#m7 and F'm9 extended chords. Excellent video. The song is a masterpiece for sure, wish I could have seen them live when it was released
My absolute favourite Megadeth song! So glad it’s enjoyed by others.
man, i absolutely love it when there are cool backstories behind songs like this, or a story that they tell.
Very good video , I’m a hide fan of Dave. When Metallica through him out it was the best thing that happen to metal
Rust in peace was quit the studio masterpiece. I was in HS when the album came out. I had never even heard of Megadeth at the time. I was learning bass and playing this album was a goal I set for myself.
my sons favorite song when he was a toddler.. responded more to this than any other
One of my favorite Megadeth’s songs. Loved the musical analysis (I’m nowhere near a musician but still), but I fail to see the Roman thing connection. Still I’ll keep coming back for more. Cheers!
Just wanted to give some history context to the name and its cultural legacy. Cheers man!
Marty’s solo is also Teemu’s favorite solo from the album.
The song is about a story Dave told about a ghost of a woman living in his attic. He used to go there at night to see the ghost just to prove he was not crazy. All that is said in the song. It doesn’t have to do absolutely nothing with the Lucretia you mention
I mention that at the end of the video bruh
@@VARVIS_Anyways, great deep dive of metal opus classic, great content, got a new suscriber🤘🏻🤘🏻
@@digitalzenitram4483 thanks brother 👍👍 I appreciate it, lots more to come!
The secret to this song is that grind rift bridge thing...
I alwasy thought this song was the least appreciated on RIP, good video on it!
"almost whimsical?" Fuckin A this is one o ftheir BEST intros, absolutely INCINDIARY guitar playing for that riff
All my friends say, "Dave, you're mental anyway." HEY!
Man, that was a good break down of that song. All I can say is how much I love this song. It's definitely retains a spot in the top 10 Megadeth songs of all time. Thanks brother.
ff7 reference before ff7 🙂
Im here for the party bro!....keep em coming.
LFG BRO
Nice work buddy
Great song. Dave is one of if not THE best musician in metal history.
i ABSOLUTELY ADORE videos like this
❤️❤️ thanks Kanye
Amazing expression of an amazing song, keep it up man!
Thanks man!
Love your breakdowns, they teach me so much about how to write songs, the story that every single element of the song helps to build, I'd never think about music this way without you thanks so much
Thanks man! I appreciate that a lot! That is my end goal
Excellent video, I never know what to expect from smaller channels, but it was well thought out and top notch quality.
The first riff is absolutely incredible. Only Dave can come up with such a frenetic and complex riff. I honestly perfer the solo in "Lucretia" over "Tornado Of Souls."
Ye shall not blaspheme “Tornado of Souls”
@@adammalzahn7238 "Tornando Of Souls" is still incredible.
@@dangerpowers4582 For sure! My all time favorite song. I aspire to play the whole song one guitar.
Dude i live for your videos
Thanks homie ❤️❤️❤️
Lucretia my reflection...
That intro is one of my favourite I didn’t knew the whole song I just specifically learned that intro only
Its my personal favourite in RIP catalogue, far above tornado of souls favoured by many.
I love ur videos, there always fun to watch!😸🖤
this is such a good video cant wait for the rest of the album🤘
great song, great video !
OBVIOUSLY it's a song they WANTED to be in a "Castlevania" game that never made it in, because COME. ON.
hyped for this series
amazing deep dive! five magics would be an interesting one as it is based of a book called master of the five magics
Its in the works my man 😎
One of my favourite songs and more epic riffing and Marty’s solo is perfect
Get this man more subs! 🗣️💪🏼
Lucretia has undertones of his feelings about his ex Diana
The riffs in this track are👌🏻 and the solo is bonus✌🏻
Lucretia, I a bad-ass song! It's also a very beautiful name for a woman. Going along with your theory she definitely is a temptress in the purest form.
She is your true north star guiding you into destruction or salvation...
This is my favorite Megadeth song as well... (thank you for explaining the music construction I understand now 😀👍🎸)
This is predestination at it's finest!
It's a bad-ass song, stupid ai making sound unintelligent! Up your Ai
I've always loved this song and recently realized why it is so unique. There is no chorus.
The first half consists of two verses with connecting bridges, and the second half focuses on an extended solo.
It makes it feel like the song has a quicker pace and doesn't get dragged down with repetition.
Never looked at this song with this perspective, and it’s been kinda a month that i learned how to appreciate this song more and more and it became one of my favorites of RIP
Fuckin’ love these deep dives bro, keep it up!
badass video never knew about this lucretia story u should have way more subs keep it up PLEASE DO BAD OMEN NEXT
Got 75!! Been on a Megadeth binge lately so you only almost got me at no more mr nice Guy and liar 😂
Interesting. I love that intro . It reminds me of a new bright day , sun rising with new opportunities ahead
Thats a good one. It absolutely does sound like that
It’s always crazy to me how much Dave must have read back then. He dropped out of school at such a young age, it’s always surprising with some of the real historic deep cuts he brought up on these classic albums
Love your vids but just wanna say the first chord is F#m7, don’t forget about what the bass is doin! That’s one of the reasons this song stands out from their catalogue is because they’re letting the bass handle the bass notes in the chord
Root notes?
Very good video, thanks for sharing!
Cheers bro!
I love this theory. I find your take on this song very interesting. Id like to know what the band actually was thinking when making this song. It was probably totally different.
Being Roman, in Classical Latin, Lucretia is pronounced as: Loo-crA-tee-ah. Hard C. Roll the R. The e is a long A. The T is hard, not a "sh" sound.
I ALWAYS wanted to created a series on Rust in Peace only, one of the best if not the best metal album of all times. Thanks for doing this, I will watch all episodes.
Beat song in the album. Everyone sleeps on those solos, criminal act
Great video.
Thanks man!
🔥 This is an underrated Megadeth Masterpiece✌️
Uhh I thought it was a ghost livin in daves house ngl
5 magics is about being a badass wizard right
“Lucretia” is the one who “used to say”
I met a girl named Lucretia 20yrs ago.
I told her that's a megadeth song, she said 'who's Megadeth?'
Sad.
Tornado and lucretia are the best songs in this album
Poison was the cure has one of the best riffs
This album blows.
Always thought it was Mary Jane’s mom
Marty is epic on this record.
The muse paid him a visit and he didn't even realize it.
Probably the third best song on the album
Varvis: .... establishment of roman republic.
Portrait: Dude those are the literal last days of the republic.
Google right now when the Roman republic was founded and then google when the story of Lucretia happened
Lol
@@VARVIS_ it's fine mate your account is quite accurate. i was jokingly referring to the moment you said ".. establishment of the roman republic" while presenting the painting of Caesar' murder i misused the wird Portrait.
@@adhamsalem9121 ahhh yeah I see i see 🙏🏻
great song
look up the word!
No I think Mary Jane from the previous album was the witch
Isnt Lucretia Sephiroth's mother, Vincent Valentine's love that got away?
Megadeth out here singing about future video game characters!!
Or it could just be a song about the thing in Dave's attic
I thought Lucretia was Dave’s black cat?
There is no such thing as coincidence ! Coincidence is a myth !!!
Agreed
It's not the name of a ghost. It's a street around silver lake and echo park in Los Angeles.
Its an interesting interpretation, but no,its not what the song is about, ive heard Dave talk about thinking that a house he lived in was haunted,but thats what makes music great,people can interpretate things the way they see them.
The real question is, who is Shequeefa?
Dave is a modern poet, this song and many more prove that he is a musical genius.
agreed
No. That was Dave at the beginning.
I find it a pity that words, not concepts, is what can cause demonetisation. The picture shown is much more explicit than the words avoided.
maybe its about insanity
Lucretia borgia
To each his own, but I always thought Lucretia was A so so entry on A great record
what was she laughing about?
His Grandmother. He admitted that a long ass time ago. Just Google for interviews. Nice effort though for clicks and likes.
i dunno who he or she is, i just know that solo is marty's best
It’s one of the greatest songs. But you’re reading way too far into it lol
Its what I do here 😂
I'll do you one better, WHY is Lucretia?
This video and the lyrics to the song have absolutely nothing in common. Nice history lesson, but just no. Not even close.
Nah my dude this is a song about a dog.
I was interested but I stopped watching about 3 min in. I can't take the PC slang terms. They're too distracting and I can't take it seriously. There are certainly much better ways to allude to what's going on without using controversial language than this.
The whole Lucretia story was all in Daves mind because the trauma from being kicked out from Metallica left him with schizophrenia
First
Btw I love your videos chriss
@@giffinpoopoo thanks fam!
@@VARVIS_ yoooo thank you so so much for subscribing!!
@@VARVIS_ wait, aren’t you from Alberta chriss?
@@giffinpoopoo yessir I sure am, you?