"Dread and the Fugitive Mind" is a song by the American thrash metal band Megadeth. It was released in 2001 as the second single from their ninth studio album, The World Needs a Hero. It was originally released on the 2000 compilation album Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years as one of the two new tracks.

Background

"Dread and the Fugitive Mind" is about a thief wondering if there is a god. "'It’s about judgment. The great paradox is if there isn’t a God and you live your life like a good person, you haven’t lost anything. If there is a God and you lived your life like a dirt bag, you’re screwed. Basically what I’m saying is, ‘What if there’s no judgment?’ I think a lot of times people have gotten up on the moral hilltop and yelled down to the masses down at the bottom of the valley about their spiritual superiority and it just alienates you.'" "Dread and the Fugitive Mind" has been played 165 times live by Megadeth, the most out of any song on The World Needs a Hero. The song was a setlist mainstay on "Metal Tour of the Year 2022" and the tour for The Sick, the Dying... and the Dead!.

Track listing

Personnel

Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes, except where otherwise noted.

Charts