"Use the Man" is a song by American thrash metal band Megadeth. It was released as the third single from their seventh studio album, Cryptic Writings (1997). The song was one of the band's biggest hits, at #15 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Background

Music

The first half of "Use the Man" contains a rock-oriented sound, while the second half transitions into a faster tempo, more in line with the thrash metal sound the band usually play. The first half features prominent use of acoustic guitars and strings.

The song begins with a sample of "Needles and Pins" by The Searchers, which was removed for the radio edit and remaster.

Lyrics

The lyrics for "Use the Man" were inspired by a recovering addict who went to a halfway house, used heroin, and died.

Live

"Use the Man" has been performed 194 times by Megadeth, as well as once by both Mustaine and David Ellefson. Since the band reformed in 2004, it has been played only a handful of times, and exclusively at acoustic concerts. The song was among the first Mustaine played live after his arm injury which caused him to be unable to play guitar.

Track listing

Chart performance

Personnel

Megadeth

• Dave Mustaine – guitars, lead vocals

• David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals

• Marty Friedman – guitars, backing vocals, acoustic guitar

• Nick Menza – drums, backing vocals

Production

• Dann Huff – production

• Dave Mustaine – co-production

• Jeff Balding – recording, mixing

• Mark Hagen – recording assistant, mixing assistant

• Bob Ludwig – mastering

• Bud Prager – A & R direction, E.S.P. management

• Mike Renault – E.S.P. management

• Giles Martin – producer (remaster)

2004 remaster/remix

• Produced by Dave Mustaine

• Mixed by Ralph Patlan and Dave Mustaine

• Engineered by Ralph Patlan with Lance Dean

• Edited by Lance Dean, Scott "Sarge" Harrison, and Keith Schreiber with Bo Caldwell

• Mastered by Tom Baker

References