The Albanian proverb, “After shaking hands with a Greek, start counting your fingers” reminds me of the song “Dread and the Fugitive Mind” written by guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine who formed the American thrash metal band Megadeth.
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The song released in 2001, is about former band member Chris Poland who played the guitar from 1984-1988. To fund his heroin and crack addiction Chris Poland would sell the bands personal equipment and gear. In this song, the crook questions his lifestyle. He struggles with the urge to steal things and dread of apprehension.
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Lyrics: Dread and the Fugitive Mind
Let me introduce myself I’m a social disease
I’ve come for your wealth leave you on your knees
No time for feeling sorry, I got here on my own
I won’t ask for mercy, I choose to walk alone
What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is mine too
If you shake my hand better count your fingers
What if I do get caught?
What if there is no judgment?
If I’m right I lose nothing, if you’re right I lose it all
I ought to get caught because I’m doing something wicked
I’m guilty haunted by my fear and the only consequences
Are dread and the fugitive mind
You built walls to protect you so no one will infect you
Pursued by those out there that vanish in thin air
Come a long way to find what you really left behind
You don’t know when the end is but it’s coming fast
What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is mine too
If you shake my hand better count your fingers
What if I do get caught?
What if there is no judgment?
If I’m right I lose nothing, if you’re right I lose it all
I ought to get caught because I’m doing something wicked
I’m guilty haunted by my fear and the only consequences
Are dread and the fugitive mind
VH1 (originally an initialism of Video Hits One) is an American basic cable television network based in New York City owned by ViacomCBS. Behind the Music is a documentary television series on VH1. Each episode profiles and interviews a popular musical artist or group. The program examines the beginning of their career, their road to success and the hardships they may have encountered.
In VH1’s Behind the Music, Dave Mustaine talks about coming into the studios and sometimes finding a couple of cymbals or a guitar or pedal missing. As the band was broke, he would search for the pawnshops where Chris Poland had taken the gear and got it back.
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RELATED ARTICLES
- Dave Mustaine (en.wikipedia.org)
- Behind the Music ( en.wikipedia.org)
- VH1 ( en.wikipedia.org)
- Megadeth discography ( en.wikipedia.org)
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