"Wake Up Dead" features lyrics which describe a man who has been cheating on his wife or girlfriend and is sneaking into his house, knowing that if his wife finds out about his other lover, she will kill him. Mustaine said that "Wake Up Dead" was written about him cheating on a girl with whom he was living.
"Wake Up Dead" features lyrics that describe a man who is engaging in extramarital affairs and is attempting to sneak into his home without being caught, knowing that his partner will seek revenge if she finds out. Mustaine claimed that the song was written about him having an affair with a girl he was living with.