Cult of Personality

About this song

The song was released as the second single from the band's debut album Vivid, after the first single "Middle Man" did okay. The band had pushed for it as the next single, believing it would make a great release. The title refers to a 1956 speech by Khrushchev condemning Stalin's oppression and brutality. It peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in spring 1989 and reached #3 in New Zealand, and it won a Grammy in 1990 for Best Hard Rock Performance.

What it's about

The song describes how leaders present themselves to win devotion from the masses, and how that can be either good or bad. Each verse gives two examples and includes speech samples from politicians and activists such as Malcolm X, John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Fun facts

• Samples “Message to the Grassroots by Malcolm X” and “Inaugural Address (Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You) by John F. Kennedy”.
• Sampled in 5 other songs, like “Hemorrhoid of Personality by Ukogmonkey”.
• Covered 4 times, including “Cult of Personality by It Lives, It Breathes”.
• Written by Doug Wimbish, Muzz Skillings, Vernon Reid and Corey Glover.
• Produced by Ed Stasium.