The Meaning of Metallica
Ride the Lyrics
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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.
About this Author
William Irwin is a philosophy professor, literary critic, and heavy metal scholar who teaches at King's College in Pennsylvania. The books in his pop culture series, including Metallica and Philosophy, Seinfeld and Philosophy, The Simpsons and Philosophy, and The Matrix and Philosophy (a New York Times bestseller) have sold over one million copies.
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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