Tornado of Souls

(Music, lyrics: Mustaine, Ellefson)

This morning I made the call
The one that ends it all
Hanging up, I wanted to cry
But damnit, this wells gone dry
Not for the money, not for the fame
Not for the power, just no more games
But now I'm safe in the eye of tornado
I can't replace the lies that let a thousand days go
No more living trapped inside
In her way I'll surely die
In the eye of the tornado, blow me away

You'll grow to loathe my name
You'll hate me just the same
You won't need your breath
And soon you'll meet your death
Not from the years, not from the use
Not from the tears, just self abuse

Who's to say what's for me to say?
Who's to say what's for me to be?
Who's to say what's for me to do?
'Cause a big nothing it'll be for me
The land of opportunity
The golden chance for me
My future looks so bright
Now I think I've seen the light

Can't say what's on my mind
Can't do what I really feel
In this bed I made for me
Is where I sleep, I really feel
I warn you of the fate
Proven true too late
Your tongue twists perverse
Come drink now of this curse
And now I fill your brain
I spin you round again
My poison fills your head
As I tuck you in your bed
You feel my fingertips
You won't forget my lips
You'll feel my cold breath
It's the kiss of death


"I wrote that one about my fianc? of six years, who I broke up with last October. I'd just had it! The way I look at it, most redheads are either gorgeous or ugly. I don't consider myself gorgeous - and don't think I'm the latter - but I get my share of nice women, and I intend to go out and show my oats, if you know what I mean. I want to go out and see what I can do, as I am extremely healthy and look a lot different because I've been exercising a lot. I don't just sit around inside the house and party. I still have a great time, but I am looking forward to seeing the women who are out there after I have done my job and worked my ass off with the best music I can play. Now I want to see what the rewards are, instead of looking for the guy who's standing on the corner with certain things that I want or need. This time I am looking to the opposite sex to give me what I want! Without beating around the bush, I'm trying to tell you that I don't want to get high, I'd rather get horny!" (Mustaine, 1990)

"'Tornado of Souls' is about me getting out of a dysfunctional relationship. It has nothing to do with killing anybody." (Mustaine, 1993)

"Dave wants girl, Dave can't have girl, Dave kills people!" (Mustaine, 1998)

"When I finished the solo to this one, Mustaine came into the studio, listened to it down once, turned around and without saying a word, shook my hand. It was at that moment that I felt like I was truly the guitarist for this band." (Friedman, 2002)