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

[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.”