Muse- Showbiz : A album analysis Part 2

Showbiz album review PT.2! 

5.Showbiz 

The Title Track! Thats always how you know it’s going to be good. This song explores the suffocating pressure of expectation and conformity in said showbiz though it can also be seen as normal life pressure. This song specifically critiques the false personas forced upon artists and others. The song goes from calm and mellow and slowly builds up to explosive shouts then finally uncontrolled high-pitched shouts which reflect both personal struggles and a broader commentary on fame’s agonizing reality. Its rawness makes it one of the most defining tracks Muse has ever made and is in my top 3 of their songs. 

6.Unintended’ 

The most out of place song on the album, this song never gets rough or in too heavy electric unlike the others, it’s mostly acoustic which builds its soft feeling like the calm before the storm. It’s almost like the song wasn’t intended for this album, haha wink wink. The song centers on love’s UNINTENDED arrival, its lyrics capture the bittersweet discovery of intimacy. “I be there as soon as I can” exposes how something can be unplanned yet deeply meaningful.  

7.Uno 

The title being “Uno” aka One already sets up the theme for this song…LONLINESS. Everyone’s favorite thing! Anyway, this song talks about some sort of lost relationship that has the speaker convincing themself that “You’re still nothing to me and this is nothing to me” even as they fantasize about what could have been, “We could have had so much fun”. The song continues to explore cynicism in relationships and a loss of innocence, portraying connection not as salvation but as suffocation. Muse’s intensity makes this bleak subject memorable. 

8. Sober

Again, another song title that gives away theme. In “Sober,” Muse confronts themes of addiction, temptation, and destructive escapism. The lyrics suggest a toxic cycle of indulgence, regret, and dependence. The struggle drags on in every chorus as the speaker counts on a “solid” thing. The object of addiction isn’t directly stated but I like that as you can leave it to your own interpretation. The repeated yearning for control contrasts with the inability to break free. The track stays overall gloomy and panicked like a whirlpool that you cant swim out of.  

Alright! Thats the end of Part 2 of my showbiz review! We’re almost done with this forgotten masterpiece, part 3 will be the FINAL part. 

Author: Thea Cates-Foster

Hello, my name is Thea I Enjoy binge watching series and all sorts of music. My favorite Book/Movie is The Goldfinch, and my favorite book genre is psychological fiction. I have an interest in history, specifically the 1900s and Art History. I really don't change my mind once its set so I certainly have opinions. View all posts by Thea Cates-Foster