Cult of Personality (song)

Background and composition

The title comes from Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev's 1956 anti-Stalin report, "On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences". During rehearsals at the band's loft in Brooklyn in 1987, lead singer Corey Glover was humming some notes. Guitarist Vernon Reid opened his small notebook of quotes and phrases for lyrical inspiration, and turned to a page where he had scribbled, "Look in my eyes, what do you see? The cult of personality."

In 2018, Reid said, "The whole idea was to move past the duality of: That's a good person and that's a bad person. What do the good and the bad have in common? Is there something that unites Gandhi and Mussolini? Why are they who they are? And part of it is charisma." In 2016, he also said, Cult of Personality' was about celebrity, but on a political level. It asked what made us follow these individuals who were larger than life yet still human beings. Aside from their social importance, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King both looked like matinee idols. That was a strong part of why their messages connected. Even now it's why Barack Obama has that certain something."

The signature riff was improvised at the same rehearsal. Reid said, "That cool riff had a Zeppelin-ish vibe, but also a Mahavishnu Orchestra thing going on. It was based on a series of notes that Corey had sungmy attempt to repeat that [on guitar]. I already had the lyrics, but with the music in place it very quickly took on a life of its own."

Political figures referenced

"Cult of Personality" includes several audio samples of speeches from 20th-century political leaders.

The song begins with an edited quote from the beginning of "Message to the Grass Roots", a speech by Malcolm X: "... And during the few moments that we have left, ... We want to talk right down to earth in a language that everybody here can easily understand."

During a rest in the music at 4:35, John F. Kennedy's inaugural address is heard ("Ask not what your country can do for you ...").

The song ends with Franklin D. Roosevelt saying "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself", from his first inaugural address.

The lyrics mention Kennedy, Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, and Mahatma Gandhi. According to Vernon Reid, Adolf Hitler was originally also in the lyrics but was pulled due to fear that referring to him would be misconstrued and too controversial.

Track listings

US and Canadian 7-inch single, US cassette single

1. "Cult of Personality" – 4:53
2. "Funny Vibe" – 4:19

UK 7-inch single :A. "Cult of Personality" – 4:54 :B. "What's Your Favorite Color? (Theme Song)" – 3:56

UK CD single (1988)

1. "Cult of Personality" – 4:53
2. "Open Letter (To a Landlord)" (live) – 5:39
3. "Middle Man" (live) – 3:43 UK CD single (1989)
4. "Cult of Personality" – 4:54
5. "Should I Stay or Should I Go" – 2:27
6. "What's Your Favorite Color? (Theme Song)" – 3:56

European 7-inch single :A. "Cult of Personality" – 4:53 :B. "Open Letter (To a Landlord)" – 5:30

Australian 7-inch single :A. "Cult of Personality" – 4:53 :B. "Desperate People" – 5:35

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

In popular culture

• Professional wrestler and former mixed martial "artist" CM Punk has used the song as his entrance music in WWE, Ring of Honor, Ultimate Fighting Championship, and All Elite Wrestling. The band performed the song live during Punk's entrance at WrestleMania 29, and again 12 years later at WrestleMania 41. The 2023 remastered version of the 2007 re-recorded version that originally appeared in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock was used for CM Punk's WWE return at Survivor Series: WarGames in November 2023 and has been using it since then. As a result of Punk's return, the English football club Arsenal who frequently play wrestling entrance themes at their home games at the Emirates Stadium played the remake before their UEFA Champions League match against RC Lens.
• Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber uses the song as one of his walk-up songs.

References

References

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33. (October 27, 2022). "'I Really Don't Care How Far They Go': Kyle Schwarber Powers Phillies in Postseason with Mythical 'Schwarbombs'".