# Plug In Baby

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Plug_In_Baby
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Plug_In_Baby.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug_In_Baby
> Source revision: 1332470537
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

2001 single by Muse

"Plug In Baby" Standard artwork Single by Muse from the album Origin of Symmetry B-side "Nature_1" "Execution Commentary" "Spiral Static" "Bedroom Acoustics" Released 28 February 2001 (2001-02-28) Studio Ridge Farm (Rusper) Genre Alternative rock[1] heavy metal[2] Length 3:39 (album/single version) 3:18 (radio edit) Label Taste Songwriter Matt Bellamy Producers David Bottrill Muse Muse singles chronology "Muscle Museum" (2000) "Plug In Baby" (2001) "New Born" (2001) Music video "Plug In Baby" by Muse on YouTube

"**Plug In Baby**" is a song by English [rock](/source/Rock_music) band [Muse](/source/Muse_(band)). It was released as the [lead single](/source/Lead_single) from the band's second studio album, *[Origin of Symmetry](/source/Origin_of_Symmetry)* (2001), on 28 February 2001 in Japan and on 12 March 2001 in the United Kingdom.

The song became the band's highest-charting single in the UK when it peaked at number 11 on the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart), until it was surpassed by "[Time Is Running Out](/source/Time_Is_Running_Out_(Muse_song))", which peaked at number 8 in 2003.[3] Today, "Plug In Baby" is considered one of Muse's most notable songs, and has been featured on the live albums *[HAARP](/source/HAARP_(album))* (2008) and *[Live at Rome Olympic Stadium](/source/Live_at_Rome_Olympic_Stadium)* (2013).

## Background and composition

"Plug In Baby" is written in the key of [B minor](/source/B_minor) (although the song does not begin or end on the tonic chord of the key). It is mainly guitar and bass-driven, and moves at a tempo of 136 bpm. The guitar riff is based on the [harmonic minor scale](/source/Harmonic_minor_scale).

The beginning of the riff shows similarities to the [toccata](/source/Toccata) from [Bach](/source/Bach)'s "[Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565](/source/Toccata_and_Fugue_in_D_minor%2C_BWV_565)" and the beginning of [Samuel Barber](/source/Samuel_Barber)'s "[Adagio for Strings](/source/Adagio_for_Strings)".

One of the [B-sides](/source/A-side_and_B-side) to the single, "Execution Commentary", was described by Bellamy as the "worst song I've ever written".[4]

## Recording

The 1997 studio demo of the song lacked the main [riff](/source/Ostinato) of the song, although there were numerous similarities in the lyrics and structure. "Plug In Baby" was to be re-recorded under the wishes of [Maverick](/source/Maverick_(company)) to coincide with the US tour promoting the *Origin of Symmetry* album, as Maverick wished Bellamy to tone down the falsetto on the song as well as on the album. The band spent a few days at [Long View Farm](/source/Long_View_Farm) in [North Brookfield, Massachusetts](/source/North_Brookfield%2C_Massachusetts), in September 2001 recording this new version, but were left unsatisfied by the result.[5] Consequently, Maverick dropped Muse in the US market and *Origin of Symmetry* remained unreleased in the country until 2005.[6]

## Legacy

The song is often praised for its opening [guitar riff](/source/Guitar_riff), which *[Total Guitar](/source/Total_Guitar)* magazine readers voted as the number 1 ultimate guitar riff of the 2000s[7] and the 13th best of all time in 2004.[8] In 2011, [Spinner.com](/source/Spinner.com) named "Plug In Baby" the 46th greatest guitar riff of all time, citing its "play on Bach's 'Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565'."[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] The song has been featured on the video games *[Guitar Hero 5](/source/Guitar_Hero_5)* and *[Rocksmith](/source/Rocksmith)*.

## Track listing

All tracks are written by [Matt Bellamy](/source/Matt_Bellamy).

'CD1' No. Title Length 1. "Plug In Baby" 3:40 2. "Nature_1" 3:40 3. "Execution Commentary" 2:30 4. "Plug In Baby" (music video) 3:41

'CD2' No. Title Length 1. "Plug In Baby" 3:41 2. "Spiral Static" 4:46 3. "Bedroom Acoustics" 2:37

7-inch vinyl and compact cassette No. Title Length 1. "Plug In Baby" 3:39 2. "Nature_1" 3:40

## Personnel

Personnel adapted from *[Origin of Symmetry](/source/Origin_of_Symmetry)* liner notes.[9]

Muse Matthew Bellamy – lead vocals, guitar, production, mixing Christopher Wolstenholme – bass, backing vocals, production, mixing Dominic Howard – drums, production, mixing Additional personnel David Bottrill – production, engineering John Cornfield – mixing Tanya Andrew – artwork

## Charts

Chart (2001) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[10] 57 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[11] 33 France (SNEP)[12] 40 Italy (FIMI)[13] 42 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 63 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] 88 Scotland Singles (OCC)[16] 13 UK Singles (OCC)[17] 11 UK Indie (OCC)[18] 1

## Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales New Zealand (RMNZ)[19] Gold 15,000‡ United Kingdom (BPI)[20] Platinum 600,000‡ ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref. Japan 28 February 2001 CD maximum10 [21] United Kingdom 12 March 2001 7-inch vinyl CD cassette Mushroom [22] Australia 26 March 2001 CD Festival Mushroom [23]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Weekend riff: Muse - Plug In Baby"](http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/guitars/weekend-riff-muse-plug-in-baby-604095). *[Total Guitar](/source/Total_Guitar)*. Future plc. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bradley_2014_2-0)** Bradley, Larry (4 November 2014). "The 2000s: Muse - "Plug in Baby". [*The Alternative Jukebox*](https://books.google.com/books/about/BBC_Radio_6_Music_s_Alternative_Jukebox.html?id=w_phoAEACAAJ). [Cassell](/source/Cassell_(publisher)). p. 231. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84403-789-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84403-789-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Muse"](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/4712/muse/). [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 2 June 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** muse [@muse] (26 September 2012). ["@isamartina Execution commentary. M #AskMuse"](https://twitter.com/muse/status/251025749841149952) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))) – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** *Absolution XX Anniversary* (hardcover book). [Muse](/source/Muse_(band)). [Helium-3](/source/Helium_3_(record_label)). 2023. 5054197674396.{{[cite AV media notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_AV_media_notes)}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others_in_cite_AV_media_(notes)))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [*SPIN*](https://books.google.com/books?id=1wIe3FI6TI0C&q=Origin+of+Symmetry+maverick&pg=PA53). SPIN Media LLC. September 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Muse song named greatest riff of the 21st century"](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/muse-song-named-greatest-riff-of-the-21st-century-2095007.html). *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)*. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Guns N' Roses top rock riff poll"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3677965.stm). [BBC](/source/BBC). 2 May 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-album_notes_9-0)** *Origin of Symmetry* (liner notes). [Muse](/source/Muse_(band)). [Taste Media](/source/Taste_Media). 2001.{{[cite AV media notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_AV_media_notes)}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others_in_cite_AV_media_(notes)))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Australiapandora_10-0)** "[The ARIA Report, Issue 579](https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue579.PDF)". [ARIA Top 100 Singles](/source/ARIA_Charts). National Library of Australia. Retrieved 10 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2001/MM-2001-03-31.pdf) (PDF). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 18, no. 14. 31 March 2001. p. 19. Retrieved 25 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_France_Muse_12-0)** "[Muse – Plug In Baby](https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Muse&titel=Plug+In+Baby&cat=s)" (in French). [Le classement de singles](/source/SNEP). Retrieved 25 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Italy_Muse_13-0)** "[Muse – Plug In Baby](https://italiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Muse&titel=Plug+In+Baby&cat=s)". [Top Digital Download](/source/Federazione_Industria_Musicale_Italiana). Retrieved 25 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Dutch100_Muse_14-0)** "[Muse – Plug In Baby](https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Muse&titel=Plug+In+Baby&cat=s)" (in Dutch). [Single Top 100](/source/Dutch_Single_Top_100). Retrieved 25 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Switzerland_Muse_15-0)** "[Muse – Plug In Baby](http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Muse&titel=Plug+In+Baby&cat=s)". [Swiss Singles Chart](/source/Swiss_Hitparade). Retrieved 25 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Scotland_16-0)** "[Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 24/3/2001 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20010324/41/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 25 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_UK_17-0)** "[Official Singles Chart on 24/3/2001 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20010324/7501/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 25 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_UKindie_18-0)** "[Official Independent Singles Chart on 24/3/2001 – Top 50](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20010324/130/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 25 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-New_ZealandMusePlug_In_BabysingleCertRef_19-0)** ["New Zealand single certifications – Muse – Plug In Baby"](https://www.radioscope.co.nz/2024/00/00/single-cert-search/). Radioscope. Retrieved 28 December 2024. *Type*Plug In Baby*in the "Search:" field and press Enter.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-United_KingdomMusePlug_In_BabysingleCertRef_20-0)** ["British single certifications – Muse – Plug In Baby"](https://www.bpi.co.uk/page/certified-awards). [British Phonographic Industry](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry). Retrieved 28 March 2025. *Select*singles*in the Formats field.* *Type*Plug In Baby Muse*in the "Search:" field.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["ミューズ | プラグ・イン・ベイビー"](https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/16754/products/431180/1/) [Muse | Plug In Baby] (in Japanese). [Oricon](/source/Oricon). Retrieved 22 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["New Releases – For Week Starting March 12, 2001: Singles"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2001/Music-Week-2001-03-10.pdf) (PDF). *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. 10 March 2001. p. 27. Retrieved 10 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 26th March 2001"](https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/issue578.PDF) (PDF). [ARIA](/source/Australian_Recording_Industry_Association). 26 March 2001. p. 24. Archived from [the original](http://www.aria.com.au/issue578.PDF) (PDF) on 20 February 2002. Retrieved 10 August 2021.

## External links

- "[Plug In Baby](https://www.discogs.com/master/111364)" at [Discogs](/source/Discogs) (list of releases)

v t e Muse Matt Bellamy Chris Wolstenholme Dominic Howard Touring members: Morgan Nicholls (2004, 2006–2022), Daniel Newell (2006–2008), Alessandro Cortini (2009), Dan Lancaster (2022–present) Studio albums Showbiz Origin of Symmetry Absolution Black Holes and Revelations The Resistance The 2nd Law Drones Simulation Theory Will of the People The Wow! Signal Live albums Hullabaloo Soundtrack HAARP Live at Rome Olympic Stadium Extended plays Muse Muscle Museum Random 1–8 Box sets Origin of Muse Videos Hullabaloo: Live at Le Zenith, Paris Absolution Tour HAARP Live at Rome Olympic Stadium Muse: Drones World Tour Muse – Simulation Theory Singles "Uno" "Cave" "Muscle Museum" "Sunburn" "Unintended" "Plug In Baby" "New Born" "Bliss" "Hyper Music" / "Feeling Good" "Dead Star" / "In Your World" "Stockholm Syndrome" "Time Is Running Out" "Hysteria" "Sing for Absolution" "Apocalypse Please" "Butterflies and Hurricanes" "Supermassive Black Hole" "Starlight" "Knights of Cydonia" "Invincible" "Map of the Problematique" "Uprising" "Undisclosed Desires" "Resistance" "Exogenesis: Symphony" "Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)" "Survival" "Madness" "Follow Me" "Supremacy" "Panic Station" "Dead Inside" "Mercy" "Revolt" "Aftermath" "Reapers" "Dig Down" "Thought Contagion" "Something Human" "The Dark Side" "Pressure" "Won't Stand Down" "Compliance" "Will of the People" "Kill or Be Killed" "You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween" "Ghosts (How Can I Move On)" "Unravelling" "Be with You" "Cryogen" "Hexagons" "Nightshift Superstar" "Hush" Other songs "Citizen Erased" "Who Knows Who" "United States of Eurasia" "The 2nd Law: Unsustainable" "Animals" "Psycho" "The Globalist" "Algorithm" Concert tours Black Holes and Revelations Tour A Seaside Rendezvous The Resistance Tour The 2nd Law World Tour Drones World Tour Simulation Theory World Tour Will of the People World Tour Related articles Discography Awards and nominations Songs Cryosleep Category

Authority control databases MusicBrainz work MusicBrainz release group

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Plug In Baby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug_In_Baby) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug_In_Baby?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.