99 Ways to Die (song) explained

99 Ways to Die
Cover:	99 Ways To Die.jpeg
Type:	single
Artist:	Megadeth
Album:	The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience and Hidden Treasures
Released:	November 23, 1993
Recorded:	1992
Genre:	Thrash metal heavy metal
Length:	3:58
Label:	Capitol
Producer:	Max Norman Dave Mustaine
99 Ways to Die
Year:	1993
Prev Title:	Angry Again
Prev Year:	1993
Next Title:	Train of Consequences
Next Year:	1994

"99 Ways to Die" is a song by the American thrash metal band Megadeth. The song was recorded for the soundtrack to The Beavis and Butt-head Experience, and was released as a single and a music video. The song was nominated in the "Best Metal Performance" category at the 1995 Grammy Awards.^[1]

Background

"99 Ways to Die", is about band frontman Dave Mustaine's ex-fiancée, Diana.^[2]

The song has rarely been performed live by Megadeth, with it only appearing live a handful of times in 1995. Mustaine played the song for the first time in over 20 years at the "Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp" in Deerfield Beach, Florida, in January, 2022.^[3] The song was performed with some campers as well as Brittany Denaro (AKA Britt Lightning), guitarist for the band Vixen.^{[4] [5]}

Critical reception

The "Hidden Treasures" EP received generally mediocre reviews from critics, with "99 Ways to Die" being one of the only songs received well. AllMusics Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that the EP does not have many "first-rate songs" and that only "99 Ways to Die" made an impression.^[6] The Rolling Stone Album Guide was dismissive of the EP; the staff reviewer commented that the album is worth hearing only for "99 Ways to Die".^[7]

Track listing

All credits adapted from CD single.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from "Hidden Treasures" liner notes and "99 Ways to Die" CD.^[8]

Megadeth

• Dave Mustaine – guitars, lead vocals
• David Ellefson – bass, backing vocals
• Marty Friedman – guitars, backing vocals
• Nick Menza – drums

Production

• Production - Max Norman and Dave Mustaine
• Executive production - Mike Judge and Tony Berg
• Engineering - Max Norman
• Mixing: Max Norman and Dave Mustaine
• Musical supervision - John Cannelli
• Guitar/bass/amplifier technician - Michael Kaye
• Drum technician - Bruce Jacoby

Notes and References

1. Web site: Staff writer. The 37th Grammy Nominations. Los Angeles Times. January 12, 2015. January 6, 1995.
2. Web site: Grow . Kory . Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine: My Life in 15 Songs . Rolling Stone . 14 December 2022 . The lyrics are about Diana, my muse [laughs], the same woman I was dating around "Loved to Deth." I wrote "Tornado of Souls," "Trust," "This Was My Life," "99 Ways to Die" – those were all about her, too.. 11 January 2017.
3. Web site: Watch Dave Mustaine perform Megadeth’s "99 Ways To Die" at last month’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp . Chaoszine . 14 December 2022 . 21 February 2022.
4. Web site: DAVE MUSTAINE PERFORMS MEGADETH'S "99 WAYS TO DIE" AT ROCK ‘N’ ROLL FANTASY CAMP; VIDEO . Brave Words . 14 December 2022 . 20 February 2022.
5. Web site: Watch DAVE MUSTAINE Perform MEGADETH's '99 Ways To Die' At Last Month's 'Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp' . Blabbermouth . 14 December 2022 . 19 February 2022.
6. Web site: Stephen Thomas. Erlewine. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Megadeth – Hidden Treasures. AllMusic. October 30, 2013.
7. Book: Brackett. Nathan. Hoard. Christian David. The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. 2004. Simon & Schuster. 0-7432-0169-8. 534.
8. Hidden Treasures liner notes. 1995. Capitol Records. 2.