Line Up: James Hetfield - Rhythm Guitars, Vocals Kirk Hammett - Lead Guitar Jason Newsted - Bass Lars Ulrich - Drums Tracks (Song Titles link to Lyrics): 1. Enter Sandman (5:31) 2. Sad But True (5:24) 3. Holier Than Thou (3:47) 4. The Unforgiven (6:27) 5. Wherever I May Roam (6:44) 6. Don't Tread On Me (4:00) 7. Through The Never (4:04) 8. Nothing Else Matters (6:28) 9. Of Wolf And Man (4:16) 10. The God That Failed (5:08) 11. My Friend Of Misery (6:49) 12. The Struggle Within (3:53) 13. So What!* (3:09) * Bonus track (Asian editions) Singles: Enter Sandman Wherever I May Roam Sad But True Nothing Else Matters The Unforgiven Music Videos: Enter Sandman Sad But True Wherever I May Roam The Unforgiven Nothing Else Matters Awards: Grammy Award for the Black Alum (Best Metal Performance) MTV Music Video Award for Enter Sandman (Best Metal Video) Album Notes:
Also known as “The Black Album” because of its black cover sleeve. The biggest selling album from Metallica to date. It was re-released on DVD in 2000. In 2001, The Classic Albums DVD Series released a DVD about “The Black Album.”
Lars: “We went into the studio with the intent of making a real lively record that bounces off the walls. It should have gone quicker, in theory, than trying to get everything note perfect like we have before. But as usual with Metallica, all those theories and normalities go straight out the window.” ENTER SANDMAN
The song is the band's most well-known track, with its single riff chorus that expands throughout the song, and the grim tale of a young child who fears falling asleep to avoid the nightmares to come. The song is considered an anthem to fans of the heavy metal genre.
Say your prayers little one Don't forget, my son to include everyone I tuck you in, warm within, keep you free from sin Till the sandman, he comes Sleep with one eye open Gripping your pillow tight Exit light, enter night Take my hand Off to never never land Something's wrong, shut the light Heavy thoughts tonight And they aren't of snow white Dreams of war, dreams of liars, dreams of dragon's fire And of things that will bite Sleep with one eye open Gripping your pillow tight Exit light, enter night Take my hand Off to never never land Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the lord my soul to keep If I die before I wake I pray the lord my soul to take Hush little baby, don't say a word And never mind that noise you heard It's just the beasts under your bed, In your closet, in your head Exit light, enter night Grain of sand Exit light, enter night Take my hand We're off to never never land We're off to never never land (Take my hand) We're off to never never land (Take my hand ) We're off to never never land TOP SAD BUT TRUE
Hetfield had been inspired from an old Anthony Hopkins film called “Magic” to write this song. The idea of that movie is a person’s duality from Hopkins and his hand puppet relationship. It is assumed that the song is about your evil part which tries to take the control over you
American rap/rock/alternative country artist Kid Rock sampled “Sad But True” and used it for his song “American Bad Ass”. Hey, I'm your life I'm the one who takes you there Hey, I'm your life I'm the one who cares They, they betray I'm your only true friend now They, they'll betray I'm forever there I'm your dream, make you real I'm your eyes when you must steal I'm your pain when you can't feel Sad but true I'm your dream, mind astray I'm your eyes while you're away I'm your pain while you repay You know it's sad but true You, you're my mask You're my cover, my shelter You, you're my mask You're the one who's blamed Do, do my work Do my dirty work, scapegoat Do, do my deeds For you're the one who's shamed I'm your dream, make you real I'm your eyes when you must steal I'm your pain when you can't feel Sad but true I'm your dream, mind astray I'm your eyes while you're away I'm your pain while you repay You know it's sad but true Sad but true I'm your dream, I'm your eyes, I'm your pain I'm your dream (I'm your dream), I'm your eyes (I'm your eyes), I'm your pain (I'm your pain) You know it's sad but true Hate, I'm your hate I'm your hate when you want love Pay, pay the price Pay, for nothing's fair Hey, I'm your life I'm the one who took you there Hey, I'm your life And I no longer care I'm your dream, make you real I'm your eyes when you must steal I'm your pain when you can't feel Sad but true I'm your truth, telling lies I'm your reason, alibis I'm inside, open your eyes I'm YOU Sad But True TOP HOLIER THAN THOU
It is not known for sure what this song was written about, however there are two commonly used interpretations. The first says that the song could be about gossip, rumors or even critics. The second interpretation says the song could be about people who say one thing and do another (hypocrites)
No more! The craps rolls out your mouth again Haven't changed, your brain is still gelatin Little whispers circle around your head Why don't you worry about yourself instead? Who are you? where ya been? where ya from? Gossip burning on the tip of your tongue You lie so much you believe yourself Judge not lest ye be judged yourself Holier than thou You are Holier than thou You are You know not Before you judge me take a look at you Can't you find something better to do Point the finger, slow to understand Arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand It's not who you, are it's who you know Others lives are the basis of your own Burn your bridges, and build them back with wealth Judge not lest ye be judged yourself Holier than thou You are Holier than thou You are You know not Yeah, who the hell are you? Hey you! Holier than thou You are Holier than thou You are You know not Not TOP THE UNFORGIVEN
The lyrical content of the song deals with a young child who is assimilated into a collective society from the moment of his birth. Never allowed to express himself or display any signs of individuality, he lives his life as a faceless, nameless number of many. In his final moments of life, he looks back on his life with nothing but bitterness and regret.
Despite the song’s despairing theme and powerful music, the song was considered by some to be evidence of Metallica’s selling out to mainstream musical tastes, and contributed to Metallica’s step away from standard heavy metal since 1991. New blood joins this earth And quickly he's subdued Through constant pain disgrace The young boy learns their rules With time the child draws in This whipping boy done wrong Deprived of all his thoughts The young man struggles on and on he's known A vow unto his own That never from this day His will they'll take away What I've felt, what I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never be, never see Won't see what might have been What I've felt, what I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never free, never me So I dub thee unforgiven They dedicate their lives to running all of his He tries to please them all, this bitter man he is Throughout his life the same, he's battled constantly This fight he cannot win, a tired man they see no longer cares The old man then prepares to die regretfully That old man here is me What I've felt, what I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never be, never see Won't see what might have been What I've felt, what I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never free, never me So I dub thee unforgiven What I've felt, what I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never be, never see Won't see what might have been What I've felt, what I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never free, never me So I dub thee unforgiven Never free, never me So I dub thee unforgiven You labeled me, I'll label you So I dub thee unforgiven Never free, never me So I dub thee unforgiven You labeled me, I'll label you So I dub thee unforgiven Never free, never me So I dub thee unforgiven TOP WHEREVER I MAY ROAM
This song is about the band being on tour and leaving their girlfriends, friends, and loved ones behind. Within the lyrics the band is compared with a roaming vagabond (person who travels from place to place with no real home) whose soul keeps on roaming even after his death.
The song became a hymn for the “Wherever I May Roam” and “Nowhere Else to Roam” tours. (And the road becomes my bride) ...And the road becomes my bride I have stripped of all but pride So in her I do confide And she keeps me satisfied Gives me all I need ...And with dust in throat I crave Only knowledge will I save To the game you stay a slave Rover, wanderer, nomad, vagabond Call me what you will, yeah But I'll take my time anywhere Free to speak my mind anywhere And I'll redefine anywhere Anywhere I roam Where I lay my head is home yeah (And the earth becomes my throne) ...And the earth becomes my throne I adapt to the unknown Under wandering stars I've grown By myself but not alone I ask no one ...And my ties are severed clean The less I have the more I gain Off the beaten path I reign Rover, wanderer, nomad, vagabond Call me what you will But I'll take my time anywhere I'm free to speak my mind anywhere And I'll never mind anywhere Anywhere I roam Where I lay my head is home But I'll take my time anywhere Free to speak my mind And I'll take my find anywhere Anywhere I roam Where I lay my head is home, that's right But I'll take my time anywhere Free to speak my mind anywhere And I'll redefine anywhere Anywhere I roam Where I lay my head is home Carved upon my stone My body lies, but still I roam, yeah yeah Wherever I may roam Wherever I may roam (roam) Wherever I may roam Wherever I may roam Wherever I may wander, wander, wander Wherever I may roam Yeah, yeah, wherever I may roam Yeah, yeah, wherever I may roam Wherever I may roam Wherever I may roam TOP DON'T TREAD ON ME
During the intro Metallica plays tunes of a song from the musical "The Westside Story" called "I Like To Be In America".
The song is a very patriotic song, connected with America's "War of Independence". Don't tread on me I said don't tread on me Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail Once you provoke her, rattling of her tail Never begins it, never, but once engaged... Never surrenders, showing the fangs of rage I said don't tread on me So be it, threaten no more To secure peace is to prepare for war So be it, settle the score Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore Don't tread on me Love it or leave it, she with the deadly bite Quick is the blue tongue, forked as lighting strike Shining with brightness, always on surveillance The eyes, they never close, emblem of vigilance Ooh no no nooo I said don't tread on me So be it, threaten no more To secure peace is to prepare for war So be it, settle the score Touch me again for the words that you will hear evermore Don't tread on me So be it, threaten no more To secure peace is to prepare for war Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail Once you provoke her, rattling of her tail So be it, threaten no more To secure peace is to prepare for war So be it, settle the score Touch me again for the words that you'll hear evermore Don't tread on me TOP THROUGH THE NEVER The song is said to be about the never ending pursuit of knowledge. All that is, was and will be Universe much too big to see Time and space never ending Disturbing thoughts, questions pending Limitations of human understanding Too quick to criticize, obligation to survive We hunger to be alive Twisting, turning, through the never All that is, ever Ever was Will be, ever Twisting, turning, through the never In the dark, see past our eyes Pursuit of truth no matter where it lies Gazing up to the breeze of the heavens On a quest, meaning, reason Came to be, how it begun All alone in the family of the sun Curiosity teasing everyone On our home, third stone from the sun, yeah Twisting, turning, through the never All that is, ever Ever was Will be, ever Twisting, turning, through the never On through the never We must go on through the never Out to the edge of forever We must go on through the never Then never comes Twisting, turning, through the never All that is, ever Ever was Will be ever Twisting, turning Who we are, ask forever Twisting - turning - through the never Never TOP NOTHING ELSE MATTERS
The best known ballad written thus far by Metallica is a song that is dedicated to loved ones.
The song was inspired by one of James' ex-girlfriends, but in the meantime when he is looking back he does not know how. Currently, it is said that the song means more to James when it is in reference to Metallica’s fans. The orchestration which can be heard in the song was directed by Michael Kamen who also directed and conducted the orchestration for Metallica's live symphony shows in 1999. So close no matter how far Couldn't be much more from the heart Forever trusting who we are And nothing else matters Never opened myself this way Life is ours, we live it our way All these words I don't just say And nothing else matters Trust I seek and I find in you Every day for us something new Open mind for a different view And nothing else matters Never cared for what they do Never cared for what they know But I know So close no matter how far Couldn't be much more from the heart Forever trusting who we are And nothing else matters Never cared for what they do Never cared for what they know But I know I never opened myself this way Life is ours, we live it our way All these words I don't just say And nothing else matters Trust I seek and I find in you Every day for us something new Open mind for a different view And nothing else matters Never cared for what they say Never cared for games they play Never cared for what they do Never cared for what they know And I know So close no matter how far Couldn't be much more from the heart Forever trusting who we are No, nothing else matters TOP OF WOLF AND MAN The song is about a werewolf and was written after James had been inspired by the movie “Wolfen”. Off through the new day's mist I run Off from the new day's mist I have come I hunt, therefore I am Harvest the land, taking of the fallen lamb Off through the new day's mist I run Off from the new day's mist I have come We shift, pulsing with the earth Company we keep, roaming the land while you sleep Shape shift, nose to the wind Shape shift, feeling I've been Move swift, all senses clean Earth's gift, back to the meaning of life Bright is the moon high in starlight Chill is the air cold as steel tonight We shift, call of the wild Fear in your eyes, it's later than you realized Shape shift, nose to the wind Shape shift, feeling I've been Move swift, all senses clean Earth's gift, back to the meaning of life I feel a change Back to a better day (Shape Shift) Hair stands on the back of my neck (Shape Shift) In wildness is the preservation of the world So seek the wolf in thyself! Shape shift, nose to the wind Shape shift, feeling I've been Move swift, all senses clean Earth's gift, back to the meaning of wolf and man TOP THE GOD THAT FAILED
Ultimately, the song is about broken promises. James wrote the song about his mother’s death by cancer. Before she passed away, she had refused medical treatment out of her Christian Science beliefs.
Pride you took, pride you feel Pride that you felt when you'd kneel Not the word, not the love Not what you thought from above It feeds, it grows It clouds all that you will know Deceit, deceive Decide just what you believe I see faith in your eyes Never your hear the discouraging lies I hear faith in your cries Broken is the promise, betrayal The healing hand held back by the deepened nail Follow the God that failed Find your peace, find your say Find the smooth road on your way Trust you gave, a child to save Left you cold and him in grave It feeds, it grows It clouds all that you will know Deceit, deceive Decide just what you believe I see faith in your eyes Never your hear the discouraging lies I hear faith in your cries Broken is the promise, betrayal The healing hand held back by the deepened nail Follow the God that failed I see faith in your eyes Broken is the promise, betrayal The healing hand held back by the deepened nail Follow the God that failed Pride you took, pride you feel Pride that you felt when you'd kneel Trust you gave a child to save Left you cold and him in grave I see faith in your eyes Never you hear the discouraging lies I hear faith in your cries Broken is the promise, betrayal The healing hand held back by deepened nail Follow the God that failed Follow the God that failed Broken is the promise Betrayal, betrayal, yeah TOP MY FRIEND OF MISERY
The song describes an outsider view of someone reveling in self-pity and maintaining a pessimistic view of the entire world. This song is the only song on the Black Album that Jason Newsted is credited with co-writing.
You just stood there screaming Fearing no one was listening to you They say the empty can rattles the most The sound of your voice must soothe you Hearing only what you want to hear And knowing only what you've heard You you're smothered in tragedy And you're off to save the world Misery You insist that the weight of the world Should be on your shoulders Misery There's much more to life than what you see My friend of misery You still stood there screaming No one caring about these words you tell My friend before your voice is gone One man's fun is another's hell These times are sent to try men's souls But something's wrong with all you see You you'll take it on all yourself Remember, misery loves company Misery You insist that the weight of the world Should be on your shoulders Misery There's much more to life than what you see My friend of misery My friend of misery Misery You insist that the weight of the world Should be on your shoulders Misery There's much more to life than what you see My friend of misery You just stood there screaming Oh, My friend of misery Yeah yeah, you TOP THE STRUGGLE WITHIN
The drums begin with a march intro for expressing the struggle inner self in the musical way. The song itself is about a person who is suffering from a self-defeating personality.
Reaching out for something you've got to feel While clutching to what you had thought was real Kicking at a dead horse pleases you No way of showing your gratitude So many things you don't want to do What is it? what have you got to lose What the hell, what the hell? What is you think you're gonna find? Hypocrite, hypocrite Boredom sets into the boring mind Struggle within, it suits you fine Struggle within, your ruin Struggle within, you seal your own coffin Struggle within, the struggling within Home is not a home it becomes a hell Turning it into your prison cell Advantages are taken, not handed out While you struggle inside your hell Reaching out, reaching out Grabbing for something you've got to feel Closing in, closing in The pressure upon you is so unreal Struggle within, it suits you fine Struggle within, your ruin Struggle within, you seal your own coffin Struggle within, the struggling within Struggle Reaching out for something you've got to feel While clutching to what you had thought was real What the hell?? What is you think you're gonna find Hypocrite Boredom sets into the boring mind Struggle within, it suits you fine Struggle within, your ruin Struggle within, you seal your own coffin Struggle within, the struggling within TOP Bonus Track: SO WHAT! (Originally recorded by Anti-Nowhere League)
The song "So What" was originally released by the Anti-Nowhere League in 1981 as a B-side to the "Streets of London" single.
Metallica originally released it in November 1991 as B-sides to "The Unforgiven" UK single.
So fucking what? I've been to Eastbourne too So what, so what? And I've been here, I've been there I've been every fucking where So what, so what? So what, so what, you boring little cunt? Well who cares, who cares what you do Yeah who cares, who cares about you You, you, you, you... Well I fucked a queen, I fucked fuck I've even sucked an old man's cock So what, so what? And I fucked a sheep, I fucked a goat I rammed my cock right down its throat So what, so what? So what, so what, you boring little fuck? Well who cares, who cares what you do And who cares, who cares about you You, you, you, you And I've drunk that, I've drunk this I've spewed up on a pint of piss So what, so what? I've had skank, I've had speed I've jacked up until I bleed So what, so what? So what, so what, you boring little cunt? Well who cares, who cares what you do Yeah who cares, who cares about you You, you, you, you, you... I've had crabs, I've had lice I've had the clap and that ain' t nice So what, so what? I fucked this, I fucked that I've even fucked a school girl's twat So what, so what? So what, so what, you boring little fuck? Well who cares, who cares what you do And who cares, who cares about you You, you, you, you, you... So fucking what? Yeah! TOP |