The Small Print (3:29)

Description
A simple metal come heavy rock song.

Additional information
Chosen ahead of Fury in the final track listing for Absolution. It was a live favourite from the 2002 tour up to and including the 2005 tour.

Interpretation 1: The song is about the idea of selling “propaganda” to mankind, to help them forget on what’s happening around them or “the small print” on the contract. It’s the beginning of the end, and it’s taking advantage of humankind, is what this is about. The worshipping of false idols (like evil dictators, or whomever runs the government). If you do know the truth, you will be labeled as being “insane”, because only the government knows the truth and they “bend it”.

Interpretation 2: This seems like it is sung from the point of view of a pop star, or generally representing the pop industry. Why? Because what sells for £15 pounds a year - a CD or maybe DVD release. Think of any cynical music personality who you suspect is just in it for the money, and whose songs have no real truths in them. (There are a number of examples where Matt seems to adopt another persona, rather than just always singing from his own perspective).

Interpretation 3: While initially played before Absolution’s release, it went by the name ‘Action Faust.’ The song can be understood as, clearly alluding to Goethe’s ‘’Faust,’’ being sung from the point of view of the Devil to someone selling their soul to him in exchange for, presumably, musical prowess and fame. It shows the transaction as ultimately manipulative on the part of the Devil, dooming the recipient to be a “slave to the grave” and robbing him of all memories of “the good days”.