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Published by ECW Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
A serious look at the lyrics of metal’s biggest band, disentangling double meanings, explaining stories, uncovering sources, and illuminating themes such as hope, despair, rage, resilience, power, liberty, justice, love, death, and insanity.
More than 40 years since their formation, and 125 million album sales later, Metallica is as relevant as ever. Much has been written about the band, but The Meaning of Metallica is the first book to focus exclusively on their lyrics.
Their mighty guitar riffs and pounding drums are legendary, but Metallica’s words match the intensity of their tunes. Lead singer James Hetfield writes rock poetry dealing with death, war, addiction, alienation, corruption, freedom, religion, and other weighty topics. Painting a rainbow of emotions with a deft palette, subtle but not obscure, Hetfield’s lyrics deserve careful attention. A master of narrative, Metallica makes listeners care about a vast array of characters, from a vengeful God, to a suicidal teenager, to a man in mid-life crisis.
The Meaning of Metallica is like a riveting conversation with a close friend. A thematic tour de force that traces Hetfield’s lyrical development across the decades, this companion examines everything from deep cuts like “Confusion” to megahits like “Enter Sandman.” Sure to spark debate and discussion, The Meaning of Metallica provides a close reading of lyrics dense with details and rich with allusions.
More than 40 years since their formation, and 125 million album sales later, Metallica is as relevant as ever. Much has been written about the band, but The Meaning of Metallica is the first book to focus exclusively on their lyrics.
Their mighty guitar riffs and pounding drums are legendary, but Metallica’s words match the intensity of their tunes. Lead singer James Hetfield writes rock poetry dealing with death, war, addiction, alienation, corruption, freedom, religion, and other weighty topics. Painting a rainbow of emotions with a deft palette, subtle but not obscure, Hetfield’s lyrics deserve careful attention. A master of narrative, Metallica makes listeners care about a vast array of characters, from a vengeful God, to a suicidal teenager, to a man in mid-life crisis.
The Meaning of Metallica is like a riveting conversation with a close friend. A thematic tour de force that traces Hetfield’s lyrical development across the decades, this companion examines everything from deep cuts like “Confusion” to megahits like “Enter Sandman.” Sure to spark debate and discussion, The Meaning of Metallica provides a close reading of lyrics dense with details and rich with allusions.
Excerpt
Introduction The Ecstasy of Gold
In 1984 my friend Joe taped his Ride the Lightning LP for me. In 1986 I saw Cliff Burton play live. In 1987 I paid $5.98 for The $5.98 EP. In 1994 I reluctantly cut my Metalli-mullet. Those are my fan credentials. You may go back further with Metallica, or you may have found the band more recently. Metallica fans like to claim OG status, but it doesn’t really matter. What matters is what Metallica has meant to you. I wasn’t there from the beginning with Metallica, but they were there from the beginning for me—the beginning of my struggle within. I am now 51 years old, and Metallica has provided the soundtrack of my life since I was 14. But this book is not about me. It’s not even about what Metallica has meant to me.
This book is about the lyrics of James Hetfield. Some fans focus on the music and don’t pay much attention to the words. I’m not one of them. Fans like me believe Hetfield’s lyrics are worthy of the same attention that Bob Dylan’s receive. As a folk singer, Dylan was recognized as a serious writer from the beginning of his career. By contrast, as a metal musician, Hetfield has not yet received his due for the profundity of his lyrics. This book aims to remedy that situation. Metal fans know that our favorite music provides plenty of food for thought. Yes, the worst of the genre is mindless noise, made merely for commercial gain, but that is true of nearly any genre. More than 80% of popular recordings concern romance, and most are trite. Hetfield’s lyrics stand in stark contrast, dealing with death, war, addiction, alienation, corruption, freedom, religion, and other weighty topics. In the few songs that focus on love, Hetfield gives us much more than sweet “Cherry Pie.” Most popular music is just entertainment, something to dance to, something to party with. Metallica’s music is real art, something to experience, something to contemplate.
It’s bold to claim that this book is about the meaning of Metallica. For one thing, the book focuses on Hetfield’s lyrics. Meanwhile, the music may have its own meaning beyond, or in addition to, the words. For another thing, Metallica is a cultural phenomenon that transcends their music. It means something to be a Metallica fan, to be devoted to the band, to have an opinion on the controversies, to feel a sense of community with other fans. This book does not attempt to do justice to that kind of meaning. Perhaps most importantly, Hetfield’s lyrics mean something different to different people. For each of us who have listened closely and thought deeply, the lyrics have distinct personal significance. That kind of individual relevance is priceless, but it doesn’t always translate well when talking to other people. So, this is not a book about what Hetfield’s lyrics mean “to me.” Occasionally, I include a personal reference, but only when it helps to paint the bigger picture of what a particular song is about. Likewise, occasionally I discuss how the music reinforces the lyrics.
In 1984 my friend Joe taped his Ride the Lightning LP for me. In 1986 I saw Cliff Burton play live. In 1987 I paid $5.98 for The $5.98 EP. In 1994 I reluctantly cut my Metalli-mullet. Those are my fan credentials. You may go back further with Metallica, or you may have found the band more recently. Metallica fans like to claim OG status, but it doesn’t really matter. What matters is what Metallica has meant to you. I wasn’t there from the beginning with Metallica, but they were there from the beginning for me—the beginning of my struggle within. I am now 51 years old, and Metallica has provided the soundtrack of my life since I was 14. But this book is not about me. It’s not even about what Metallica has meant to me.
This book is about the lyrics of James Hetfield. Some fans focus on the music and don’t pay much attention to the words. I’m not one of them. Fans like me believe Hetfield’s lyrics are worthy of the same attention that Bob Dylan’s receive. As a folk singer, Dylan was recognized as a serious writer from the beginning of his career. By contrast, as a metal musician, Hetfield has not yet received his due for the profundity of his lyrics. This book aims to remedy that situation. Metal fans know that our favorite music provides plenty of food for thought. Yes, the worst of the genre is mindless noise, made merely for commercial gain, but that is true of nearly any genre. More than 80% of popular recordings concern romance, and most are trite. Hetfield’s lyrics stand in stark contrast, dealing with death, war, addiction, alienation, corruption, freedom, religion, and other weighty topics. In the few songs that focus on love, Hetfield gives us much more than sweet “Cherry Pie.” Most popular music is just entertainment, something to dance to, something to party with. Metallica’s music is real art, something to experience, something to contemplate.
It’s bold to claim that this book is about the meaning of Metallica. For one thing, the book focuses on Hetfield’s lyrics. Meanwhile, the music may have its own meaning beyond, or in addition to, the words. For another thing, Metallica is a cultural phenomenon that transcends their music. It means something to be a Metallica fan, to be devoted to the band, to have an opinion on the controversies, to feel a sense of community with other fans. This book does not attempt to do justice to that kind of meaning. Perhaps most importantly, Hetfield’s lyrics mean something different to different people. For each of us who have listened closely and thought deeply, the lyrics have distinct personal significance. That kind of individual relevance is priceless, but it doesn’t always translate well when talking to other people. So, this is not a book about what Hetfield’s lyrics mean “to me.” Occasionally, I include a personal reference, but only when it helps to paint the bigger picture of what a particular song is about. Likewise, occasionally I discuss how the music reinforces the lyrics.
Product Details
- Publisher: ECW Press (April 19, 2022)
- Length: 200 pages
- ISBN13: 9781770416185
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Raves and Reviews
“Though this is directed at those familiar with Metallica, there is much to ponder here, even for those who aren’t metalheads. The spiritual, philosophical, and psychological musings will provoke debate and reward serious readers.” — Library Journal
“It has been a profound experience to witness James Hetfield’s trajectory as a lyric writer over the last 40 years. From the fantastically primitive sentiments on Kill ’Em All, via the poetic examinations of social ills on Master of Puppets, to the more questioning approach of his recent work, he has exposed his deepest issues and concerns in a way that always engrosses the listener.” — Joel McIver, author of To Live Is to Die: The Life And Death Of Metallica’s Cliff Burton
“James Hetfield — a.k.a. Papa Het — is the ultimate poet of rage. I’ve always admired Hetfield’s lyricism and message: taking on the dark side of life and turning it into a positive outlook. I cut my hair to get a copy of Ride the Lightning and never looked back: I’ve been a fan ever since. Mixing H.P. Lovecraft with social commentary made Hetfield the voice of our generation. Much respect.” — Max Cavalera, Soulfly
“An essential read … The Meaning Of Metallica: Ride The Lyrics will provide you with well thought out and articulated meanings behind some of their biggest songs as well as some of their deepest cuts.” — MetalTalk
“William Irwin has established himself as a brilliant philosopher and unrivaled expert on all things Metallica. With The Meaning of Metallica, he combines his discipline with his passion to take readers on, as advertised, a rollicking and fascinating ride. The brilliant and substantive, but never pretentious or discursive, observations and interpretations of Metallica’s songs inspire sustained reflection, provoking the reader to reconsider “the struggle within” in relation to Metallica’s magnificent body of work. The Meaning of Metallica deepens one’s understanding of Metallica’s music, but most impressively, enhances the enjoyment of it.” — David Masciotra, author of the 33 1/3 book Metallica by Metallica
“Irwin demonstrates an intimate knowledge of the songs he analyzes. He also shines when demonstrating how Hetfield’s lyrics have touchstones in other creative areas. The book is rich in cultural, literary, and philosophical references.” — Philosophy in Review
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