Veteran Thrash Metal band Megadeth has been active for 40 years and is responsible for heavy music classics such as “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due”, “Hangar 18”, “Peace Sells”, “Wake Up Dead”, “In My Darkest Hour”, “Tornado Of Souls”, “Symphony Of Destruction” and “Trust”.
The last song mentioned in the previous paragraph is one of the tracks from “Cryptic Writings”, the band’s seventh studio record led by Dave Mustaine, released in the second half of 1997. The album in question features another interesting song, which is not so famous, however, it is an interesting composition: “Have Cool, Will Travel”.
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The ninth track on “Cryptic Writings” has a “happy” and “high-spirited” melody, however, its lyrics talk about a heavy topic, which haunts the United States (the country where Megadeth was formed) to this day: shootings in schools, often led by students.
According to a note published by the Songfacts website, “Have Cool, Will Travel” addresses the lack of attitude on the part of politicians and authorities, who do little or nothing to prevent violence in schools in the United States. See below the translation of the first verses of the song, which summarize what Dave Mustaine wanted to say.
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Mamas pack their lunches, kiddies pack their guns
(Mothers pack their lunches, children pack their weapons)
Wishing it will go away, but nothing’s getting done
(Wishing it would go away, but nothing is being done)
A shot heard ’round the world, when a mother’s baby dies
(A shot heard ’round the world, when a mother’s baby dies)
We the people point our fingers, blame and wonder why
(We the people point our fingers, blame and wonder why)
It is worth mentioning that the expression “We The People” opens the Preamble of the United States Constitution, whose second amendment guarantees the population the guarantee of self-defense through weapons or any other equipment.
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Another curious point in “Have Cool, Will Travel” can be heard at the beginning, when Dave Mustaine hums the children’s song “The Wheels On The Bus”. The lyrics of “The Wheels On The Bus” talk about a bus trip (an allusion to the way many American students travel to their schools).
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The title “Have Cool, Will Travel” has two explanations. The name is a satire on the western series “Have Gun – Will Travel” (in Brazil, “Paladino do Oeste”), which was broadcast on CBS in the USA between the end of the 1950s and the beginning of the 1960s. According to Mustaine , the expression “Have Cool, Will Travel” appeared in a dream, where drummer Nick Menza announced that he was leaving Megadeth and said “Keep cool, I’m going to travel” (in English, “Have Cool, Will Travel”).
Now that you know a little more about “Have Cool, Will Travel” (which unfortunately has never been played live), it’s time to enjoy this great Megadeth sound. Press play and enjoy this work.
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“Cryptic Writings” is the successor to “Youthanasia”, released in November 1994. The album marks the end of Megadeth’s classic lineup, which included Dave Mustaine (guitar/vocals), Marty Friedman (guitar), David Ellefson (bass ) and Nick Menza (drums). The last of the aforementioned musicians left the band the year after the release of “Cryptic Writings” and was replaced by Jimmy DeGrasso.
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