This Is War

"This Is War" is a multifaceted anthem about conflict, survival, and transformation. On its most direct level, the song addresses the band's own intense legal battle with their record label, EMI, who filed a $30 million lawsuit against them for breach of contract. Frontman Jared Leto has described the two-year period of writing and recording the album as a time when it felt like their 'whole world was falling apart.' Therefore, the 'war' is a metaphor for their fight for artistic freedom and survival against corporate control, a struggle that is documented in their film, Artifact.

Beyond their personal struggles, the song's meaning expands to encompass broader themes. Leto stated the song is about 'the inevitability of conflict, the blessing of conflict and what we can all learn from it.' The lyrics are intentionally universal, addressing archetypal figures like 'the prophet, the liar, the honest' and 'the leader, the pariah, the victor, the messiah,' suggesting that conflict is a fundamental part of the human experience that touches everyone. It speaks to both internal, personal wars and larger, global crises, reflecting the political and economic turmoil of the late 2000s. The song serves as a defiant call to arms, encouraging listeners to fight for what they believe in, to persevere through struggle, and to find strength and unity in the face of overwhelming odds. It is a message of resilience, confidence, and ultimately, a triumphant celebration of survival.

The song opens as a universal proclamation, a declaration directed at all of humanity—the virtuous and the malevolent, the soldier and the civilian, the revered and the forsaken. It announces that a state of war has arrived. This isn't just a physical conflict, but a crucial, defining moment that forces a confrontation with truth and falsehood, a moment that dictates life and death. It's a call to arms, a relentless and all-encompassing struggle that will be fought to the bitter end, pushing everyone to the very edge of existence.

This battle is portrayed as the dawn of a new era, a 'brave new world' that emerges from the conflict, transforming the established order from the 'last to the first.' The fight is an absolute commitment, a promise to fight to the death to reach the edge of the world. This new world is depicted as a powerful, transformative force. The narrative then shifts to a more personal and spiritual conviction. The speaker declares a firm belief in a guiding 'light,' urging everyone to raise their hands to the sky in a gesture of unity and hope. The fight is framed not just as a struggle, but as a journey toward the sun, a symbol of enlightenment, victory, and a new beginning. This appeal to look toward the sun is repeated, emphasizing its importance as a source of strength and salvation.

The song circles back to its initial powerful declaration, reiterating that this war is for everyone: the prophet and the liar, the leader and the outcast, the victor and the messiah. It is the ultimate moment of truth, a time to live or die, but most importantly, a time to fight. The repeated, percussive command to 'fight, fight, fight' builds an intense, rhythmic momentum. The call to action is clear and directional: 'To the right, to the left, we will fight to the death.' This chant-like command reinforces the idea of a unified, disciplined force moving together in this struggle. The promise to fight until the end, to the edge of the earth, is reaffirmed, solidifying the song's message of unwavering resilience and the birth of a changed world from the ashes of conflict.

The creation of "This Is War" is deeply rooted in a period of intense turmoil for Thirty Seconds to Mars. The song and the album of the same name were written and recorded over two years, from 2008 to 2009, while the band was embroiled in a massive legal dispute with their record label, Virgin/EMI. In 2008, the label sued the band for $30 million, claiming they had failed to deliver the required number of albums under their 1999 contract. This lawsuit became a central theme for the album, fueling its combative and defiant tone. Jared Leto has stated that the creative process was a case of survival and that the brutality of their fight against the label can be heard in the music.

The album was produced by the band along with renowned producers Flood (known for work with U2 and Depeche Mode) and Steve Lillywhite. Musically, the band aimed for a more experimental, electronic, and grandiose sound than their previous work, drawing influences from progressive and industrial rock. A key and innovative part of the recording process was the involvement of their fans. The band hosted events called "The Summit" in Los Angeles and eight other countries, inviting thousands of fans to record vocals, percussion, and whispers that were incorporated into the album's tracks, including the powerful choral chants on "This Is War". This collaborative effort was designed to deepen the connection with their fanbase, making them a literal part of the record. The song itself was released as the second single from the album on March 26, 2010.

The rhythmic structure of "This Is War" is one of its most defining features, built on a driving, militaristic beat that evokes the feeling of a marching army. The tempo is steady and powerful, creating a sense of relentless forward momentum that aligns with the lyrical theme of an ongoing fight. This percussive force, combined with chanting vocals, gives the song an anthemic quality that is both aggressive and unifying.

The song's lyrical rhythm is characterized by short, declarative phrases and significant repetition, which makes the lyrics function almost like a mantra or a battle chant. The rhyme scheme is not complex or consistent, favoring a free verse approach that prioritizes impact and rhythm over intricate rhyming patterns. For instance, in the verses, words like 'evil' and 'victim' or 'honest' and 'messiah' are used to categorize participants rather than to create a strict rhyme. The power comes from the rhythmic repetition of the line 'This is war'. The chorus-like sections, such as 'To the right, to the left / We will fight to the death,' use simple, effective perfect rhymes (left/death) to create a memorable and chantable hook that reinforces the song's combative and collective spirit.

Musically, "This Is War" employs a grandiose, cinematic, and anthemic style designed for arenas. Produced by Flood and Steve Lillywhite, the track features layered instrumentation, heavy use of synthesizers, and powerful, driving rhythms that create a militant, marching feel. A defining characteristic is the use of a large choir, recorded with over 1,000 fans at events called 'The Summit,' which adds a powerful sense of community and epic scale to the choruses. Jared Leto's vocal delivery shifts from tense, whispered verses to soaring, powerful screams in the chorus, mirroring the song's theme of escalating conflict and cathartic release.

Lyrically, the song uses several literary techniques to enhance its message. The structure relies heavily on anaphora, with the repetition of phrases like 'This is war' and 'The moment to...' to create a sense of urgency and relentless momentum. It employs juxtaposition by listing contrasting pairs of archetypes ('the good and the evil,' 'the prophet, the liar') to emphasize the conflict's universal nature. The lyrics also make use of a direct address, speaking to 'the people,' which involves the listener directly in the call to arms. The phrase 'To the right, to the left' acts as a powerful, rhythmic chant, enhancing the song's militaristic and unifying feel, making it feel like a collective battle cry.

"This Is War" achieved significant cultural impact, cementing Thirty Seconds to Mars' status as global rock icons. The song was a commercial success, reaching number one on the US Alternative Songs chart and performing well internationally. Its epic, cinematic sound made it a popular choice for use in other media. Notably, it was featured as the title track in the promotional campaign for the video game Dragon Age: Origins, making its world debut in the game's trailer before the album's release.

The album of the same name debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200 and has sold nearly four million copies worldwide. The song's themes of conflict and survival resonated widely with audiences, and it became a staple of the band's live performances. The accompanying Into the Wild Tour was a monumental success, setting a Guinness World Record for the 'Longest Concert Tour by a Rock Band,' with over 300 shows. The music video, which depicts the band as US soldiers in a conflict zone, further amplified the song's themes and generated discussion. The album and the song are considered a landmark in the band's discography, marking a dramatic evolution in their musical style and solidifying their reputation for creating ambitious, anthemic rock.

The central metaphor in "This Is War" is the concept of 'war' itself, which represents not just literal armed conflict but any significant struggle—personal, legal, political, or spiritual. The song uses this metaphor to frame the band's battle with their record label as an epic fight for survival and artistic integrity.

The lyrics employ symbolism through the use of contrasting archetypes: 'the good and the evil,' 'the soldier, the civilian, the martyr, the victim,' 'the prophet, the liar,' and 'the leader, the pariah.' This inclusive listing suggests that this 'war' is a universal condition, a struggle that involves all facets of humanity and blurs the lines between opposing forces. Everyone, regardless of their role or moral standing, is a participant.

The phrase 'A brave new world' is a direct literary allusion to Aldous Huxley's dystopian novel. In the song's context, it is used ironically to signify a radical and transformative change born from the chaos of conflict. It represents the creation of a new reality after the old one has been destroyed. The repeated urging to 'raise your hands into the sky' and face 'the sun' serves as a powerful symbol of hope, unity, and surrender to a higher purpose or a new beginning, suggesting that even in the darkest conflict, there is a possibility of transcendence and triumph.

The most prominent recurring phrase in the song is its title, "This is war," which acts as a powerful, declarative motif at the end of each line in the verses. Its repetition serves to hammer home the central theme of conflict, not as a distant concept, but as an immediate and all-encompassing reality. Each repetition reinforces the song's urgency and defiant tone.

Another key recurring lyrical motif is the chant-like couplet, "To the right, to the left / We will fight to the death." This phrase functions as a call to arms, a rhythmic command that evokes images of a unified army marching into battle. Its repetition builds a sense of solidarity and unwavering commitment among the fighters. It creates a powerful hook that is central to the song's identity as a stadium anthem.

The phrase "A brave new world" also recurs, signifying the ultimate outcome of the struggle. It suggests that the conflict is not just about destruction but also about creation—the tearing down of an old order to make way for something entirely new. Its repetition emphasizes the transformative potential of the 'war.' Musically, the song is built around the recurring motif of the powerful, fan-sourced choir, which swells in the chorus and reinforces the lyrical themes of unity and collective struggle.