The fourth studio album by the American thrash metal band Megadeth, titled Rust In Peace, became a cult hit and was certified platinum. It is considered one of the brightest events in the story of this musical direction. In the article we will talk about the sixth track of the album – the song Lucretia, which was composed by Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson.
The story of creation and meaning of Lucretia
Fans of Megadeth have different understandings of the lyrics to Lucretia. According to the most common interpretation, we are talking about a ghost who lived in the attic of Dave Mustaine’s house, whom he nicknamed Lucretia. Allegedly, he often made his way there at night in the hope of seeing a ghost.
According to Megadeth.com, in 1990 Dave briefly explained the meaning of the Lucretia song as follows:
It’s about a guy who happens to be called Dave and he’s just in trouble and all his friends think he’s crazy and he goes to a fortune teller. She talks about how he feels, where he came from, how he got there, and that she knew about his intentions and had been waiting for him for a long time.
The song is also widely known for Marty Friedman’s superb guitar solo, of which he once said:
This solo is a wonderful example of my playing. She is all in it. It looks like it’s worked out, but it’s not. I change chords in different ways, almost like a jazzman, which of course I am not. To technically explain this solo, I would need a sheet and a half and a professor of music. I am very pleased with him.
Release and achievements
Lucretia became one of Megadeth’s most popular songs, and for a long time the band played it regularly in concert.
Lucretia Lyrics by Megadeth
Sitting up late at night
I tiptoe through the darkness
Cold as hell black as spades
Aware of my immediate surroundings
In my place I escape
Up into my hideout
Hiding from everyone
My friends all say
Dave your mental any way hey!
Drift into a deeper state
I stalk the cobwebbed stairs
Dirt grits beneath my feet
The stair creaks, I precariously sneak
Hypnosis guides my hand
I slip through the walkways
Sit in granny’s rockin’ chair
Memories are whirling by yeah
Reminisce in the attic
Lucretia waits impatiently
Cobwebs make me squint
The cobra so eloquently glints
Moonbeams surge through the sky
The crystal ball’s energized
Surely that like the cat waiting
Lucretia rocks away
Lyrics Lucretia by Megadeth Alternate
Staying up late
I’m tiptoeing in the dark
Terrible cold and impenetrable darkness
I know what’s around
In my house I hide
Upstairs in hiding
Hiding from everyone
Friends say:
“Dave, you’re definitely crazy!”
Getting further and further
I make my way through the web on the stairs
Mud underfoot
The step creaks, and I quietly creep up
I wander under hypnosis
And silently glide along the paths,
Sitting in my grandmother’s rocking chair
Memories take over me
I indulge in them in the attic
Lucrezia is waiting impatiently
The web makes me squint
Cobra shines so bright
Streaks of moonlight cut through the sky
The crystal ball is energized
Patient like a cat
Lucretia lulls
