End of passion play, crumbling away
I'm your source of self-destruction
Veins that pump with fear, sucking darkest clear
Feeding on your death's destruction
Taste me you will see
More is all you need
You're dedicated to
How I'm killing you
Come crawling faster
Obey your master
Your life burns faster
Obey your master!
Master!
Master of Puppets, I'm pulling your strings
Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams
Blinded by me you can't see a thing
Just call my name 'cause I'll hear you scream
Master! Master!
Just call my name 'cause I'll hear you scream
Master! Master!
Needlework the way, never you betray
Life of death becoming clearer
Pain monopoly, ritual misery
Chop your breakfast on mirror
Taste me you will see
More is all you need
You're dedicated to
How I'm killing you
Come crawling faster
Obey your master
Your life burns faster
Obey your master!
Master!
Master of Puppets, I'm pulling your strings
Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams
Blinded by me you can't see a thing
Just call my name 'cause I'll hear you scream
Master! Master!
Just call my name 'cause I'll hear you scream
Master!
Master... master...
(Master, master) Where's the dreams
That I've been after?
(Master, Master) Promised only lies
(Laughter, laughter) All I hear and see
Is laughter
(Laughter, Laughter) Laughing at my cries
Hell is worth all that, natural habitat
Just a rhyme without a reason
Neverending maze, drift on numbered days
Now your life is out of season
I will occupy
I will help you die
I will run through you
Now I rule you too!
Come crawling faster
Obey your master
Your life burns faster
Obey your master!
Master!
Master of Puppets, I'm pulling your strings
Twisting your mind and smashing your dreams
Blinded by me you can't see a thing
Just call my name 'cause I'll hear you scream
Master! Master!
Just call my name 'cause I'll hear you scream
Master! Master!
- Metallica (1986)
"Master of Puppets" is the title track for Metallica's thrash classic. The year 1986 also saw the release of Reign in Blood by Slayer (considered by most metalheads to be the greatest thrash album of all time) and Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? by Megadeth, followed quickly in 1987 with Among the Living by Anthrax. In the mid-80's Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax were the big 4 of American metal. Their respective albums, considered by many as their greatest releases, cemented each bands' place in music history. In fact, Metallica is even now enjoying life as members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
This song was the first one I can remember where I had to dig to find the deeper meaning behind the words. Up until I owned this album, all the songs I listened to were pretty straight forward since most of the bands in the 1980's sang about breaking rules, doing drugs, and getting laid. "Master of Puppets" is a drug song, but up to that point no one had given the point of view of the drug itself. On Master of Puppets James Hetfield was starting to come out of his shell when it came to lyrical expression, and this song was an early indicator of just how good he was going to be with the lyrical pen.
"Master of Puppets" gives us the point of view of the drug. Given the line "Chop your breakfast on a mirror" we can see Hetfield is not referring to anything so droll as pot or speed. He is referring to the highly addictive substances such as cocaine and heroin. This goes beyond the insidious creep of hardcore drug addiction. This drug, whatever he is, immediately declares his alignment and intentions - he is evil and he is going to kill you. You will suffer the whole time he is killing you but you will not want it to stop. The drug seems to be almost singing this to the addict, and at one point even allows the addict a chance to speak. The drug's response? It's too late and as you fall deeper into the abyss, you believe it is all worth it.
While this is a classic Metallica song for those who have been fans a long time, this song may not be as familiar to those newer fans (especially those who discovered Metallica only after their self-titled 5th release, aka "The Black Album"). Clocking in at nearly 9 minutes and bone-crushingly heavy, this is not a radio-friendly tune, even for classic rock stations. I'm sure my counterpart, however, is very familiar with this song. I'm interested in hearing her 2 cents and the 2 cents of our readers out there.
Put the iPod on shuffle.
Metallica the ultimate high school head-bangers hero in the 90's. 1992 saw Metallica touring with Guns N Roses. Now let me say right off the bat my main intention of that show was to see G'N R. Metallica was a side bonus, I was familiar with some of their stuff but not into it. That is until I heard them..... I was simply blown away by the raw metal sound. Master of Puppets began and it was like an instant rush. The instrumental alone in this song is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHaving received the history lesson on the song from my highly knowledgeable better half let us digress from there.
The lyrical power of the song is one that Metallica was not highly known for before this point in my opinion.
On a much smaller level the lyrics can be turned to any demons we may have. Many times we find ourseles being driven by something beyond us, this may be drugs, power, money, alcohol or our mates. Can you feel the pain in the few lines devoted to the person screaming for help? Master of Puppets gives a voice to the control.
All in all Master of Puppets is just a cool tune to jam out to when your in the mood. Would I say I can put the song to meaning in life? Not for me no, but I am sure many people out there can.
End of Philosophy 101..... stay tuned the next song will be at the other end of the spectrum. Let's see how my better 1/2 handles this one!