Did Kojima base MGSV around Paramore's "Misery Business"?

[NateDog]

The title speaks for itself. Hideo Kojima has spoken openly many times about his admiration of other forms of media like music and movies and how it has inspired him in the making of his works. In this thread I will display how he utilised Paramore's hit track "Misery Business" to form the basis for the story of Metal Gear Solid V.

Let's start at the beginning.

I'm in the business of misery
Let's take it from the top
She's got a body like an hourglass, it's ticking like a clock
It's a matter of time before we all run out

This one is pretty obvious, Paz's unfortunate ending (and the helicopter crash during Ground Zeroes) came about because of a bomb that was planted inside her. Her initial portrayal of herself as a peace-loving student was also an attempt to try to seduce Big Boss despite her supposed age, which was seen in Extra Op 67, Date With Paz. This was later suggested to be uncanon, however that would also make Date With Kaz uncanon which is simply impossible given the sexual chemistry between him and Big Boss.

she caught him by the mouth

This is where Code Talker and the work he was put to by XOF comes in, perhaps also where Kojima decided that Quiet was going to be, well, "quiet".

I waited eight long months, she finally set him free
I told him I couldn't lie, he was the only one for me

More related to Peace Walker, but Kaz finally was able to see Big Boss free of his pain over The Boss and had him all to himself. For a time at least.

Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But God, does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him now
And if you could, then you know you would
'Cause God it just feels so
It just feels so good

But Ocelot is the one that steals him away in the end.

Second chances they don't ever matter, people never change
Once a whore, you're nothing more
I'm sorry, that'll never change

"Kaz, I'm already a demon."

And about forgiveness, we're both supposed to have exchanged
I'm sorry, honey, but I passed it up

Kaz never forgives Ocelot or Big Boss for how things ended, and tells Ocelot "one day the age of Big Boss' sons will arrive, they'll likely want to settle the score with him" and that he'll he playing a big part in ending his legacy.

I've been NateDog, thank you for reading.

[tr0nic]

You are deranged and must be stopped

[Gene]

Fantastic thread.

Love the connections you've made so far, I'd say it's safe to say Kojima took a good deal of inspiration from misery business.

I have another point to add:

I watched his wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving you
Just watch my wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving

A reference to the Venom & Big Boss. As Venom's purpose was essentially to take the heat off of Big Boss whilst he was building Outer Heaven - his wildest dreams - he did so without any true involvement from Venom. I feel like Big Boss would be humming this part of the song as he tightens the last bolt up (or watching a soldier he kidnapped do it) on Outer Heaven's front gate. 

Had Misery Business come out 23 years earlier I feel like it would have definitely been a cassette we saw in game.

There are other connections too, of course, Venom's whole character design has taken influence from Hayley Williams if you look closely:

Spoiler:

Are you still reading?

MGSV Venom design:

 
Both Hayley and Venom are wearing camouflage shirts, but not only that. Venoms arm is red - just the same as Hayley's iconic hair, albeit not in this photo - but Hayley's band is also on the same arm that Venom lost. The colour of her band is also the same as the colour of Venoms arm, it just looks brighter because she is in a brighter setting. To take this a little further, lets compare Venom with this photo.



A more recent photo, red microphone, red hair. She uses her left arm to hold the microphone - the tool she needs to project her voice. Big Boss' left arm is also a tool, used to project his fist in a guards face. The connections are wild. 

 

Both respected by troops:

 

[NateDog]

Fantastic thread.

Love the connections you've made so far, I'd say it's safe to say Kojima took a good deal of inspiration from misery business.

I have another point to add:

I watched his wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving you
Just watch my wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving

A reference to the Venom & Big Boss. As Venom's purpose was essentially to take the heat off of Big Boss whilst he was building Outer Heaven - his wildest dreams - he did so without any true involvement from Venom. I feel like Big Boss would be humming this part of the song as he tightens the last bolt up (or watching a soldier he kidnapped do it) on Outer Heaven's front gate. 

Had Misery Business come out 23 years earlier I feel like it would have definitely been a cassette we saw in game.

There are other connections too, of course, Venom's whole character design has taken influence from Hayley Williams if you look closely:

Spoiler:

Are you still reading?

MGSV Venom design:

 
Both Hayley and Venom are wearing camouflage shirts, but not only that. Venoms arm is red - just the same as Hayley's iconic hair, albeit not in this photo - but Hayley's band is also on the same arm that Venom lost. The colour of her band is also the same as the colour of Venoms arm, it just looks brighter because she is in a brighter setting. To take this a little further, lets compare Venom with this photo.



A more recent photo, red microphone, red hair. She uses her left arm to hold the microphone - the tool she needs to project her voice. Big Boss' left arm is also a tool, used to project his fist in a guards face. The connections are wild. 

 

Both respected by troops:

 

Absolutely fantastic stuff Gene, you are a credit to your namesake.

[Dirty Duck]

Nice to see this finally discussed. Riot! in general was a big influence on Kojima and the MGSV Duology. It’s pretty widely accepted that “crushcrushcrush” served as something of a template for Venom Snake’s characterisation especially. For anyone who isn’t familiar with this it’s as follows:

I got a lot to say to you, yeah, I got a lot to say
I notice your eyes are always glued to me
You're keeping them here and it makes no sense at all

This represents Venom’s feelings towards Skullface. Skullface has kept his focus on Venom unaware that the person he’s after is actually elsewhere. Hence “it makes no sense at all.”

They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
Your little spies
They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
Your little spies

This refers to Venom’s non-verbal nature caused by the doublethink that replaces his “truth” with another’s “lies.” The “little spies” obviously being Ocelot, the one who subjected him to this.

Crush, crush, crush
Crush, crush

A callback to Venom watching Motherbase falling apart into the sea.

(Two, three, four!)

The number of people then caught in the explosion after Paz exploded. The sudden and erratic way it’s sang reflects how it felt for Venom. The root cause of his trauma.

Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one, two, I was just counting on
That never happens, I guess I'm dreaming again

This is about Venom’s PTSD and hallucinations of Paz.

Let's be more than this

Venom embracing moving past the pain of the past along with the Diamond Dogs and becoming more than the shattered shell of MSF.

If you want to play it like a game
Well, come on, come on, let's play
'Cause I'd rather waste my life pretending
Than have to forget you for one whole minute

Venom’s response to finding out the truth. He’ll play the game of pretend as Big Boss rather than move on from his life as a part of MSF.

Rock and roll, baby, don't you know
That we're all alone now? I need something to sing about
Rock and roll, honey, don't you know, baby
We're all alone now? I need something to sing about
Rock and roll, hey, don't you know, baby
We're all alone now? Give me something to sing about

His and Kaz’s mission after losing everything they worked to build: they’re alone and are building something to sing about on the global stage.

Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one, two, I was just counting on
That never happens, I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than, no!

Venom after finding out the “Truth” on the cassettes. His initial anger and defiance.

Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one, two, I was just counting on
That never happens, I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than, more than this

And his eventual acceptance to, together, be a legend that’s more than one man.

It’s great stuff. The way Kojima weaves the meaning throughout is truly masterful. Don’t even get me started on the parallels between Eli’s role in the game and “Born For This.”

[NateDog]

Nice to see this finally discussed. Riot! in general was a big influence on Kojima and the MGSV Duology. It’s pretty widely accepted that “crushcrushcrush” served as something of a template for Venom Snake’s characterisation especially. For anyone who isn’t familiar with this it’s as follows:

I got a lot to say to you, yeah, I got a lot to say
I notice your eyes are always glued to me
You're keeping them here and it makes no sense at all

This represents Venom’s feelings towards Skullface. Skullface has kept his focus on Venom unaware that the person he’s after is actually elsewhere. Hence “it makes no sense at all.”

They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
Your little spies
They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
Your little spies

This refers to Venom’s non-verbal nature caused by the doublethink that replaces his “truth” with another’s “lies.” The “little spies” obviously being Ocelot, the one who subjected him to this.

Crush, crush, crush
Crush, crush

A callback to Venom watching Motherbase falling apart into the sea.

(Two, three, four!)

The number of people then caught in the explosion after Paz exploded. The sudden and erratic way it’s sang reflects how it felt for Venom. The root cause of his trauma.

Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one, two, I was just counting on
That never happens, I guess I'm dreaming again

This is about Venom’s PTSD and hallucinations of Paz.

Let's be more than this

Venom embracing moving past the pain of the past along with the Diamond Dogs and becoming more than the shattered shell of MSF.

If you want to play it like a game
Well, come on, come on, let's play
'Cause I'd rather waste my life pretending
Than have to forget you for one whole minute

Venom’s response to finding out the truth. He’ll play the game of pretend as Big Boss rather than move on from his life as a part of MSF.

Rock and roll, baby, don't you know
That we're all alone now? I need something to sing about
Rock and roll, honey, don't you know, baby
We're all alone now? I need something to sing about
Rock and roll, hey, don't you know, baby
We're all alone now? Give me something to sing about

His and Kaz’s mission after losing everything they worked to build: they’re alone and are building something to sing about on the global stage.

Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one, two, I was just counting on
That never happens, I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than, no!

Venom after finding out the “Truth” on the cassettes. His initial anger and defiance.

Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one, two, I was just counting on
That never happens, I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than, more than this

And his eventual acceptance to, together, be a legend that’s more than one man.

It’s great stuff. The way Kojima weaves the meaning throughout is truly masterful. Don’t even get me started on the parallels between Eli’s role in the game and “Born For This.”

I'm glad to see the MGS community has a great understanding of the impact of the 2000s emo scene on the Japanese videogame industry. This is great stuff.

[Gene]

It’s great stuff. The way Kojima weaves the meaning throughout is truly masterful. Don’t even get me started on the parallels between Eli’s role in the game and “Born For This.”

This is actually something I'd be keen to hear about.

[Aragorn]

Gonna hijack this thread and say if you want to see a genuine piece of inspiration for MGS V, watch Angel Heart. Great fucking movie. I will shill for it everywhere I can.