Megadeth, "Foreclosure of a Dream"

By Dave

Hi Folks,

It's been a while, I've been busy working on my own musical mayhem and trying to be a bit more social... trying.... Anyway, today I'm finally getting around to writing up my favorite metal song of all time. I'm talking about “Foreclosure of A Dream” by Megadeth. Yes, I know Dave Mustaine is right up there with Geddy Lee in the halls of the most obnoxious voices in rock. However, his lyrical material has always stood out to me as being emotionally honest, politically aware, and articulate.

Let’s start with the first verse of the above mentioned song as a good example-

Rise so high, yet so far to fall

A plan of dignity and balance for all

Political breakthrough, euphoria's high

More borrowed money, more borrowed time

Backed in a corner, caught up in the race

Means to an end ended in disgrace

Perspective is lost in the spirit of the chase

In a few short phrases Dave, in my humble opinion, nailed down the manipulation, greed, reckless speculation, and political polarization that has characterized American economics and politics for the last thirty years. It is a multi-dimensional statement, not silly, empty headed sloganeering a’ la Rage Against the Machine or pretentious, preachy, intellectualism a’ la Bad Religion. I hear in these words a straightforward observation of political action and public reaction. Let’s move on to the chorus-

Foreclosure of a Dream,

Those Visions never seen,

Until all is lost,

Personal Holocaust,

Foreclosure of a Dream,

I post these lyrics thinking about how they resonate directly with the economic meltdown that has unfolded in the last couple years (the song was released in 1992). To me it highlights America's inability to learn from, and it’s indifference towards, the lessons of history. On to the next verse-

Barren land that once filled a need,

Are worthless now, dead without a deed,

Slipping away in an iron grip,

Natures scales are forced to tip,

The heartland cries, loss of all pride,

To leave ain't believing, so try and be tried,

Insufficient funds, insanity and suicide,

Mustaine continues, giving us a vision of Middle America as barren and lifeless after the loss of the family farm. It brings to mind the age of the great dust bowl and the environmental damage it wreaked in its time. The last line brings to mind the power of money, materialism, and the destructive impact it has on people who are found to be “economically unviable.”

This next section is my favorite part of the song, not only does the song present a problem; it also offers hope, and the possibility of a solution.

Now with new hope some will be proud,

This is no hoax no one pushed out,

Receive a reprieve and be a pioneer,

Break new ground of a new frontier,

New ideas will surely get by

No deed, or dividend Some may ask why,

You'll find the solution the answers in the sky,

I think the statements made here are crystal clear, and that is a big part of what I love about this song. A long haired, bullet belt wearing, crew of goofballs wrote a refined, mature political statement in this song on par with anything written by icons like John Lennon or Bob Dylan. The power of technology has empowered the average citizen in uncountable ways through the course of history and will hopefully continue onward down this path into the future.

As far as the music is concerned it is solid, focused and to the point. There are a couple short tasteful solos that add a bit of flavor to the song, but no extended over the top noodling, extended intros, or brutal mosh breakdowns. The riffs are solid and memorable and there are some nice musical transitions, but this isn't the flashy technical guitar-fest Megadeth is usually known for. This is simply an excellently played, well-crafted song, that to me, makes a powerful, mature statement about modern American politics.