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Space Lord
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| "Space Lord" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Monster Magnet | ||||
| from the album Powertrip | ||||
| Released | June 16, 1998 | |||
| Studio | North Vine Studios, NRG Studios | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 5:55 | |||
| Label | A&M | |||
| Songwriter | Dave Wyndorf | |||
| Producers | Dave Wyndorf, Matt Hyde | |||
| Monster Magnet singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Space Lord" is a 1998 single by American rock band Monster Magnet from the album Powertrip. The song is in the key of C minor. It brought them mainstream success, with its accompanying music video directed by Joseph Kahn.[4] The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart, and number twenty-nine on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.[5] A remixed version of the song was also made, and was featured (along with the original) on their compilation album Greatest Hits. The music video is notable for being the first video ever aired on MTV's Total Request Live on September 14, 1998. It appeared on the countdown five times climbing no higher than the No. 7 position.[6]
The line "Space lord, motherfucker" was truncated and an echo added to make the song more radio- and TV-friendly (the lyric is heard as "Space lord, mother, mother"), but the vocal rhythm is unchanged, and a band version with the original lyric has never been released. The original lyric can be heard uncensored on the "Intergalactic 7 Remix" on international releases of the aforementioned Greatest Hits album and also on the unofficial Boys Noize "Monster Bootnet" remix.[7]
Background
[edit]Singer Dave Wyndorf told Kerrang, "I'd hurt my knee, and had time off, so spent it in a dominatrix's apartment in New Orleans. Our record company forwarded me press from Europe and in Germany they called me 'Space Lord'. She saw it and took the piss, saying 'So you think you're the space lord?' I said, 'Someday when I can walk. I'll make you pay for taunting me by writing a song.'"[8]
Music video
[edit]The music video was an unintended spoof of the music video for the single "Feel So Good" by rapper Mase, while the opening of the video is an homage to Metallica's "Enter Sandman" video.[9] Twiggy Ramirez appeared as a guest star in the video.
The basic concept for the video came from Wyndorf. He felt the only rock stars of the current era were in the rap genre. He instructed Kahn to make them a flashy rap video in Las Vegas. Kahn was eager to please and accommodated the request by tracking down locations Hype Williams had used in a recent video he had done for Mase. He even wound up recreating certain scenes shot-for-shot. When Wyndorf realized how much of the video was a direct reference he became worried Mase would be upset, however, Mase didn't mind and was even amused when he saw the video.[10]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[11] | 29 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[12] | 3 |
References
[edit]- ^ McIntrye, Ken (June 30, 2022). "The Monster Magnet albums you should definitely own". Classic Rock. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Harrison, Andrew (November 7, 2014). "Blog: In Praise of Monster Magnet". Classic Rock. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ DeRiso, Nick (November 7, 2015). "Guns N' Roses, 'Rocket Queen' vs. Monster Magnet, 'Space Lord': Rock Star Wars". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ "Joseph Kahn - Music Videos". Retrieved May 7, 2009.
- ^ "billboard.com - Artist Chart History - Monster Magnet". Retrieved May 7, 2009.
- ^ "Recap: September 1998". ATRL. The TRL Archive. Retrieved 2011-04-29.
- ^ "discogs.com - Boys Noize - Monster Bootnet". Discogs. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
- ^ "Kilassic Album: Monster Magnet—Powertrip (A&M, 1998)". Kerrang. January 6, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ Dealer Who Allegedly Gave Mac Miller Laced Drugs Will Plead Guilty
- ^ "Monster Magnet's "Space Lord": Is It Rock and Rap's Missing Link?". 13 December 2012. Archived from the original on September 12, 2018.
- ^ "Monster Magnet Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ "Monster Magnet Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
External links
[edit]
Space Lord
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Background and development
Inspiration
The creation of "Space Lord" was sparked by a personal ordeal endured by Monster Magnet frontman Dave Wyndorf during his recovery from injuries sustained on tour in the mid-1990s. After suffering broken ribs and a broken collarbone, Wyndorf found himself bedridden in a dominatrix's apartment in New Orleans, where she cared for him, including assisting with daily baths.[6] This unusual environment, marked by vulnerability and dependency, profoundly influenced the song's conception as Wyndorf grappled with themes of power and reversal while immobilized.[3] The song's title and ironic, boastful tone originated from an earlier encounter with European media coverage. Following Monster Magnet's 1996 tour, a German rock magazine dubbed Wyndorf the "Space Lord," a moniker forwarded to him by his record label during his recovery.[3] The dominatrix repeatedly mocked this grandiose nickname, teasing Wyndorf despite his weakened state and prompting him to vow a song as "payback" that would embrace and subvert the epithet in a humorous, over-the-top manner.[6] Wyndorf's longstanding fascination with space exploration, science fiction, and comic books further seeded the track's motif of cosmic dominance. A lifelong comics enthusiast, he drew inspiration from Marvel titles like Silver Surfer, admiring the 1960s era's imaginative narratives of interstellar adventure and otherworldly power crafted by creators such as Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.[7] These elements, woven into Monster Magnet's psychedelic aesthetic, provided a thematic foundation for "Space Lord" amid the band's preparations for their 1998 album Powertrip.[7]Writing and recording
The song "Space Lord" was written solely by Monster Magnet frontman Dave Wyndorf during the pre-production phase for the band's 1998 album Powertrip in 1997.[8] Wyndorf conceived the track as a retort to teasing he received from a dominatrix regarding his nickname, which originated during a recovery period in her apartment in New Orleans after sustaining broken ribs and a broken collarbone on tour.[3] Recording for "Space Lord" took place in 1997 at North Vine Studios and NRG Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, with production duties shared by Wyndorf and Matt Hyde.[9] Hyde also served as engineer on the sessions, while mixing was handled by Randy Staub at facilities including The Armoury Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia; Chapel Studios in Encino, California; Larrabee West in Hollywood; and A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood.[10] The lineup for the track included Wyndorf on vocals and guitar, Ed Mundell on guitar, Phil Caivano on guitar and keyboards, Joe Calandra on bass, and Jon Kleiman on drums.[11] During production, the band recorded an explicit version of the chorus featuring the lyric "Space Lord motherfucker," which was later censored to "Space Lord mother" with an echoing effect for radio compatibility.[3]Musical composition
Style and structure
"Space Lord" is classified as a stoner rock track incorporating psychedelic and heavy metal elements, characterized by distorted guitars, a driving bass line, and spacey sonic effects that evoke cosmic exploration.[12][9] The song is written in the key of C minor, has a tempo of 96 beats per minute, and is in 4/4 time. It follows a verse-chorus form, opening with a memorable intro riff that builds tension leading into an anthemic chorus, followed by an extended bridge that intensifies the psychedelic atmosphere.[13][14] Clocking in at 5:55, it features Dave Wyndorf's soaring vocals over fuzzy guitar tones and a rhythmic groove reminiscent of 1970s hard rock, particularly drawing from Black Sabbath's heavy, riff-driven style.[15] While Powertrip as a whole embraces stoner rock's hazy, expansive soundscapes, "Space Lord" stands out as its most radio-friendly entry thanks to its hook-driven composition and accessible structure.[12][9]Lyrics
The lyrics of "Space Lord" revolve around themes of cosmic dominance, forced submission, and ironic vulnerability, with the narrator embodying a god-like "Space Lord" figure who asserts control over humanity while hinting at personal dependence and isolation.[16] The song's structure follows a verse-chorus format, opening with verses depicting the Space Lord's confinement and frustration—"I've been stuffed in your pocket for the last hundred days / When I don't get my bath I take it out on the slaves"—before exploding into a repetitive, anthemic chorus that demands obeisance, interspersed with bridges referencing interstellar exile like leaving a throne "a million miles away" and pleas for power to "split the world in two."[17] This progression builds a narrative of interstellar exile and reclamation, blending bravado with subtle pathos, as the figure drinks from a maternal source—"I drink from your tit"—and sings "your blues every day."[17] Central to the lyrics are provocative lines in the explicit version, such as the chorus "Space Lord, motherfucker, I come to make you bow / Space Lord, motherfucker, get on your knees for me," which symbolize raw authority and conquest, echoing science fiction tropes of alien overlords enforcing enslavement and universal rule.[17] References to polishing "rockets," swallowing "pills," and splitting "the world in two" further invoke imagery of interstellar travel, psychedelic enhancement, and cataclysmic power, aligning with the band's broader sci-fi influences.[17] These elements portray a conqueror who has "left my throne a million miles away" yet craves reconnection through dominance, highlighting the irony of a supreme being reduced to petty vengeance on "slaves."[17] Interpretations of the lyrics often point to an autobiographical layer, stemming from frontman Dave Wyndorf's experiences that infuse the text with a mix of triumphant bluster and underlying humiliation.[3] The result is a commentary on the dual-edged nature of fame, where the performer's god-like status invites both adoration and ridicule.[3] For mainstream radio and edited releases, the explicit chorus profanity was censored to "Space Lord, mother, mother," with an echoing effect replacing the omitted word, which softened the aggressive delivery while preserving the song's rhythmic punch and thematic intensity.[3] This alteration allowed broader accessibility without diluting the core demand for submission, though it notably toned down the raw, confrontational edge of Wyndorf's original intent.[3]Release
Commercial release
"Space Lord" was commercially released on June 16, 1998, by A&M Records as the lead single from Monster Magnet's album Powertrip, marking the band's major-label debut following prior independent releases on labels such as Caroline Records.[18][19] The single was issued in various formats, including CD and 7-inch vinyl, with digital versions becoming available in subsequent years through platforms like Spotify.[20][21] The track listing for the European CD single featured the "Space Lord" LP version (5:59), B-sides "Big God" (5:53) and "Kick Out The Jams" (2:35)—a cover of the MC5 song exclusive to this release—and the radio edit (4:25).[22] A censored radio edit was prioritized for airplay on rock radio formats, while the album version, containing censored lyrics, was included on the full Powertrip LP.[23] Powertrip itself launched on the same date, June 16, 1998, solidifying the band's transition to mainstream rock audiences.[24] In 2003, a remixed version titled "Space Lord (Intergalactic 7 Mix)" appeared on Monster Magnet's compilation album Greatest Hits, released by A&M Records. This remix features the explicit lyrics.[25][23] The single's release coincided briefly with promotional efforts, including the music video directed by Joseph Kahn.[26][3]Promotion
Following its release, "Space Lord" received heavy rotation on rock radio stations throughout 1998, facilitated by a censored album version that replaced the explicit lyric "Space Lord, motherfucker" with "Space Lord, mother" to broaden airplay suitability. The track peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, underscoring its strong presence in the format.[27] The song became a centerpiece of Monster Magnet's 1998-1999 Powertrip tour, appearing in nearly every setlist and often serving as the main set closer to capitalize on its anthemic energy.[28] Live renditions emphasized the track's call-and-response structure, with audiences joining in the repeated "Space Lord" chants during performances across North America and Europe.[29] Promotion extended to television, where the music video debuted on MTV's Total Request Live on September 14, 1998—the premiere episode of the countdown show—and later peaked at number 7.[3] The band also performed the song live on programs such as Late Night with Conan O'Brien in August 1998.[30] These appearances tied into broader album marketing efforts, including press interviews in which frontman Dave Wyndorf elaborated on the song's psychedelic influences and lyrical origins inspired by sci-fi comics and personal introspection.[6]Music video
Production
The music video for "Space Lord" was directed by Joseph Kahn, a filmmaker renowned for his work on high-profile rap videos, including projects for Bad Boy Records.[4] Filming occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the summer of 1998, capturing the band's activities amid the city's casinos and streets to evoke a vibrant, neon-drenched atmosphere.[31][32] The cast centered on the Monster Magnet band members, with a notable cameo by Twiggy Ramirez, guitarist for Marilyn Manson at the time, integrated into scenes shot along the Las Vegas Strip.[4] Pre-production planning emphasized spoof elements inspired by contemporary rap videos, such as Mase's "Feel So Good," aligning with A&M Records' vision for a flashy, crossover aesthetic.[3] In post-production, the footage was edited to match the song's 5:55 runtime, enhancing the parody through synchronized cuts and visual effects that amplified the space and rap motifs. The video premiered at number 10 on MTV's Total Request Live on September 14, 1998.[33]Content and style
The music video for "Space Lord" portrays Monster Magnet as larger-than-life rock deities navigating a surreal, neon-lit Las Vegas landscape, blending high-energy performance shots with scenes of opulent excess such as cruising in luxury cars and reveling in casinos surrounded by dancers.[31] This narrative casts the band members in god-like roles, emphasizing themes of power and indulgence that echo the song's cosmic bravado, while intercutting gritty rock footage with over-the-top glamour to create a disorienting, dreamlike atmosphere.[34] Stylistically, the video serves as a deliberate parody of late-1990s hip-hop clips, most notably spoofing Mase's "Feel So Good" by replicating its wardrobe, camera angles, and choreography in a rock context, which injects humor through the clash of genres.[3] It opens with an homage to Metallica's "Enter Sandman" video via intense, shadowed performance sequences before shifting to rapid, flashy editing that mimics rap video tropes like fisheye lenses and slow-motion effects, fostering a psychedelic, high-octane vibe.[35] Directed by Joseph Kahn, these choices amplify the video's sci-fi absurdity, merging Vegas's garish lights and excess with the track's space-rock ethos for a visually chaotic yet thematic cohesion.[3] Within the video's context, the clip was lauded for its satirical humor and genre-blending appeal, which broadened its reach beyond rock audiences and secured heavy rotation on MTV, including its debut at number 10 on the inaugural episode of Total Request Live.[33] This crossover success highlighted the video's role in propelling "Space Lord" into mainstream visibility, with critics noting its clever subversion of rap stereotypes as a key factor in its enduring cult status.[34]Commercial performance
Chart performance
"Space Lord" achieved significant success on rock-oriented charts in the United States following its release in 1998. The single peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in August 1998.[27] It also reached number 29 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.[27] The track's strong performance was bolstered by extensive radio airplay of a censored version, which altered the explicit chorus lyric "motherfucker" to "mother mother" to comply with broadcast standards, enabling broader mainstream exposure. Internationally, the single saw more modest results. In the United Kingdom, "Space Lord" entered the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 45, spending two weeks in the top 100.[36] It experienced limited chart traction in other markets, including Canada, where it peaked at number 28 on the MuchMusic countdown, and Australia, where it made brief appearances on rock formats without reaching high positions.[37] The song demonstrated notable longevity on American rock charts, contributing to the overall commercial momentum of Monster Magnet's album Powertrip.[38] A remixed version of "Space Lord," included on the band's 2003 compilation Greatest Hits, helped sustain its popularity among fans during a period of renewed interest in the group's catalog.[39]| Chart (1998) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 3 |
| US Billboard Alternative Airplay | 29 |
| UK Singles Chart | 45 |