“I’m Owned no Longer”: Unveiling Muse’s Ideology in the Song Won’t Stand Down

Abstract

Within a framework of political theory, and employing critical discourse analysis and systemic functional linguistics, this paper demonstrates that the lyrics of the song “Won’t Stand Down” by the band Muse portray a left-libertarian political ideology. By focusing on the ideational function, which encompasses transitivity, textual, and interpersonal processes, the paper identified compelling evidence within the choice of words in the song. These words not only express a critical stance towards figures of authority but also shed light on their underlying negative intentions and the transformative process of attaining freedom. The analysis is based on the examination of the written lyrics of the song, ensuring a thorough understanding of its political implications.