"The Only Thing I Know for Real" is the boss theme for Samuel Rodrigues in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
The lyrics describe how he has forgotten the reasons why he fights, but that he can't stop himself because he feels as though it is the only way he knows how to live. The lyrics references Raiden and Sam’s final duel, and his involvement in Desperado Enforcement LLC.
Another way this song may be interpreted is that it is the theme of Raiden and the struggle he faces at that point in the story. The lyrics "Losing my identity/Wondering have I gone insane" align with the identity crisis Raiden finds himself in, wondering if he is who he wishes to be, Raiden, or the man he used to be, Jack. Also, the lyrics "To find the truth in front of me/I must climb this mountain range" suggest that in order for Raiden to find out which identity is truly him, he must overcome Samuel, a man who was once an insurmountable opponent.
The demo version of this song is "heavier" than the main game's Maniac Agenda Mix; voice, drums and battery are most pronounced, like Locked & Loaded. Unlike most of the boss themes, the lyrics are lost in the second phase of the fight, when Sam is forced to rely on his cybernetic arm and martial arts skills. Some of the lyrics mention a “mountain,” which is his goal to realize why he fights. The lyrics, “Because the mountains don’t give back what they take” references him losing his arm before the events of the main game. The lyrics, “It’s only the cold wind I feel” could be referencing the Winds of Destruction.
Lyrics[]
Memories broken
The truth goes unspoken
I’ve even forgotten my name
I don’t know the season
Or what is the reason
I’m standing here holding my blade
A desolate place ( place )
Without any trace ( trace )
It’s only the cold wind I feel
It’s me that I spite
As I stand up and fight
The only thing I know for real
There will be blood -shed
The man in the mirror nods his head
The only one-left
Will run up upon the dragon’s back
Because the mountains don’t give back what they take
Oh no
There will be blood ( blood )-shed ( shed )
It’s the only thing I’ve ever known
Losing my identity
Wondering have I gone insane
To find the truth in front of me
I must climb this mountain range
Looking downward from this deadly height
And never realizing why I fight
Official lyrics from Platinum Games
Credits and original composition[]
Written by: Logan Mader & Jamie Christopherson
Lyrics by: Logan Mader & Jamie Christopherson
Recorded by: Logan Mader
Produced by: Logan Mader & Jamie Christopherson
Mixed by: Logan Mader
Remixed by: Maniac Agenda
Vocals: Tyson Yen
Guitars: Bill Hudson, Johnny Death, & Logan Mader
Drums: Ralph Alexander
Bass: Logan Mader
Programming: Logan Mader & Jamie Christopherson