Mike Patton Once Named The Madonna-Inspired Faith No More Song

Breaking out of the traditional metal sound, Faith No More made a name for themselves by merging hip hop sounds into metal and gained success by adding sing-speak lyrics fused into metal music and brutal vocals. In a genre like metal, most bands try to get out of the conventional way and do something unique and different to stand out from what might sound the same when listened to, especially by experienced metalheads.

Throughout the years, the band created albums that distinguished themselves from the rest of the metal records. They made their seven-album discography first between 1979 and 1998. Faith No More disbanded in 1998 to reunite in 2009 and release another album to add to their repertoire in 2015. However, their most successful times were before their disbandment, possibly when they released their 1992 album ‘Angel Dust.’ Apart from its success, it includes a track with unique inspiration for a metal band.

Which Song In ‘Angel Dust’ Did Madonna Inspire?

In 1992 the band started to work on the follow-up of their 1989 album ‘The Real Thing.’ They had draft songs, and one of them was called ‘Madonna.’ The band had observed the pop star, her songs, and performances because Mike Patton was bombarded with her image on TV and in magazines. He had stated in 2017 that Madonna seemed like she was trying so hard and was desperate.

Hence they created the song ‘Madonna,’ which later transformed into the name, ‘Midlife Crisis.’ The name confused fans as they thought the song was about going through a midlife crisis, but Patton’s explanation in 2017 reassured them that Madonna inspired it. The song was released as the first single from ‘Angel Dust.’ It was their only number one hit on the Alternative Songs chart and was in the top ten on UK Singles Chart.

Here is what Patton said about Madonna’s inspiration:

“The song is based on a lot of observation and a lot of speculation. But in sort of a pointed way, it’s kind of about Madonna. I think it was a particular time where I was being bombarded with her image on TV and in magazines, and her whole schtick kind of speaks to me in that way, like she’s going through some sort of problem. It seems she’s getting a bit desperate.”

You can listen to the song below.