Line Up: James Hetfield - Rhythm Guitars, Vocals Kirk Hammett - Lead Guitar Jason Newsted - Bass Lars Ulrich - Drums Tracks (Song Titles link to the Lyrics): 1. Ain't My Bitch (5:04) 2. 2x4 (5:28) 3. The House Jack Built (6:39) 4. Until It Sleeps (4:29) 5. King Nothing (5:28) 6. Hero Of The Day (4:21) 7. Bleeding Me (8:19) 8. Cure (4:54) 9. Poor Twisted Me (4:00) 10. Wasting My Hate (3:57) 11. Mama Said (5:19) 12. The Thorn Within (5:51) 13. Ronnie (5:17) 14. The Outlaw Torn (10:48) Singles: Until It Sleeps Hero of the Day King Nothing Mama Said Bleeding Me (Promotional) Ain’t My Bitch (Promotional) Music Videos: Until It Sleeps King Nothing Hero of the Day Mama Said Awards: American Music Award for Until It Sleeps (Favorite Metal/Hard Rock Song) MTV Music Video Award for Until It Sleeps (Best Metal Video) Album Notes:
The cover of the album is original artwork entitled “Semen and Blood III.” It is one of three photographic studies by Andres Serrano created in 1990 by mingling the artist's own semen and bovine blood between two sheets of Plexiglas.
The Outlaw Torn is one minute shorter on original album version as Metallica went over the 80:00 limit on CD's and had to shorten the song to fit everything on a single CD. The 10:48 full version can be found on one of the Memory Remains singles. Kirk: “Some of the tracks that are a departure from anything we've ever done show what we've been listening to for the past five years--like me being a total jazz and blues guy now. The blues influence is pretty evident. The jazz influence is more subtle, more in my phrasing than anything else. Of course, James listens to a lot of country, and we all listen to tons of late-70s hard rock. We've not been afraid to let that side of us show--after all, all our roots are in late-70s stuff like UFO, Deep Purple, Sabbath, Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Thin Lizzy.” AIN'T MY BITCH
It is said that within this song James just wanted to say that “it” (something indefinite) ain’t his problem and to leave him alone.
Outta my way Outta my day Out of your mind and into mine Into no one Into not one Into your step but out of time Headstrong What's wrong? I've already heard this song before You arrived, but now it's time to kiss your ass goodbye Dragging me down Why you around? So useless It ain't my fall It ain't my call It ain't my bitch It ain't my bitch Down on the sun Down and no fun Down and out, where the hell you been? Damn it all down Damn it unbound Damn it all down to hell again Stand tall Can't fall Never even bend at all before You arrived, but now it's time to kiss your ass goodbye Dragging me down Why you around? So useless It ain't my fall It ain't my call It ain't my bitch Outta my way Outta my way Outta my day Out of your mind and into mine Into no one Into not one Into your step but out of time Headstrong What's wrong? I've already heard this song before You arrived, but now it's time to kiss your ass goodbye And now it's time to kiss your ass goodbye Dragging me down While you around? So useless It ain't my fall It ain't my call It ain't my bitch No way but down Why you're around No fooling It ain't my smile It ain't my style It ain't my bitch Oh, it ain't mine Ain't mine Your kind You're stepping out of time Ain't mine Your kind You're stepping out of time Taking me down Why you around No fooling It ain't my fall It ain't my call It ain't my bitch You ain't mine TOP 2 x 4
The song is about an unnecessary resort to violence. 2 x 4 was the first Load song to be played live (on the 23rd August 1995 at Astoria II in London, England).
I'm gonna make you, shake you, take you I'm gonna be the one who breaks you Put the screws to you, yeah, my way Yeah, come on and come on, come and make my day Make my day Got some hell to pay, I steal your thunder The joy of violent movement, pulls you under Bite the bullet, well hard Yeah, but I die harder, so go too far Too far Friction, fusion, retribution I can't hear you, talk to me I can't hear you, so talk to me I can't hear you, are you talking to me? I can't hear you, are you talking to me? I can't hear you, time to meet my lord I can't hear you, talk to two by four I'm gonna make you, shake you, take you I'm gonna be that one who breaks you Put the screws to you, my way Hey, come on and come on, come and make my day Make my day Friction, fusion, retribution I can't hear you, talk to me I can't hear you, come talk to me I can't hear you, are you talking to me? I can't hear you, are you talking to me? I can't hear you, time to meet my lord I can't hear you, talk to two by four Talk to two by four It don't take no more Friction, fusion, retribution I'm gonna make you talk to me I'm gonna trick you, so talk to me I can't hear you, are you talking to me? I can't hear you, you talking to me? I can't hear you, time to meet my lord I can't hear you, talk to two by four She don't take no more TOP THE HOUSE JACK BUILT The song is about a "house" which represents the only place where a person feels safety and comfort. Open door, so I walk inside Close my eyes, find my place to hide And I shake as I take it in Let the show begin Open my eyes just to have them close again Well on my way, but on my way to where I've been It swallows me as it takes me in its fog I twist away as I give this world the nod Open door, so I walk inside Close my eyes, find my place to hide And I shake as I take it in Let the show begin Open my eyes just to have them closed once again Don't want control As it takes me down and down and down again Is that the moon or just a light that lights this dead-end street? Is that you there or just another demon that I meet? The higher you are The farther you fall The longer the walk The farther you crawl My body, my temple This temple, it tilts Step into the house that Jack built The higher you are The farther you fall The longer the walk The farther you crawl My body, my temple This temple, it tilts Yes, this is the house that Jack built Open door, yes, I walk inside Swallow me so the pain subsides And I shake as I take the sin Let the show begin The higher you are The farther you fall The longer the walk The farther you crawl My body, my temple This temple, it tilts Yes, this is the house that Jack built The higher you are The farther you fall The longer the walk The farther you crawl My body, my temple This temple, it tilts Yes, I am, I am, I am Open my eyes It swallows me Is that you there I twist away Away Away Away TOP UNTIL IT SLEEPS
The song was an instant radio hit and marked Metallica's further departure from their previous thrash metal style into the realm of more alternative rock sounding music. The song itself is about cancer and how it killed both of Hetfield's parents. Being of the Christian Science faith, neither of James’ parents sought out medical treatment; believing that faith and God would heal them. Eventually, both of Hetfield's parents succumbed to cancer.
Where do I take this pain of mine? I run, but it stays right by my side So tear me open, pour me out There's things inside that scream and shout And the pain still hates me So hold me until it sleeps Just like the curse, just like the stray You feed it once and now it stays Now it stays So tear me open but beware There's things inside without a care And the dirt still stains me So wash me until I'm clean It grips you, so hold me It stains you, so hold me It hates you, so hold me It holds you, so hold me Until it sleeps So tell me why you've chosen me Don't want your grip, don't want your greed Don't want it I'll tear me open, make you gone No more can you hurt anyone And the fear still shakes me So hold me until it sleeps It grips you, so hold me It stains you, so hold me It hates you, so hold me It holds you, holds you, holds you until it sleeps I don't want it So tear me open but beware There's things inside without a care And the dirt still stains me So wash me till I'm clean I'll tear me open, make you gone No longer will you hurt anyone And the hate still shapes me So hold me until it sleeps Until it sleeps TOP KING NOTHING
The song is about people who devote their whole lives to earning money until one day, they realize ("then it all crashes down") that all their money has gotten them nothing worthwhile. Instead, they have wasted their entire life in pursuit of money instead of being truly happy (where's your crown, king nothing?). Although the song is disliked by many fans, it shows Metallica’s diversity and creativity in song writing.
Wish I may, wish I might Have this I wish tonight Are you satisfied? Dig for gold, dig for fame You dig to make your name Are you pacified? All the wants you waste All the things you've chased Then it all crashes down And you break your crown And you point your finger But there's no one around Just want one thing Just to play the king But the castle's crumbled And you're left with just a name Where's your crown, King Nothing? Where's your crown? Hot and cold, bought and sold A heart as hard as gold Are you satisfied? Wish I might, wish I may You wish your life away Are you pacified? All the wants you waste All the things you've chased Then it all crashes down And you break your crown And you point your finger But there's no one around Just want one thing Just to play the king But the castle's crumbled And you're left with just a name Where's your crown, King Nothing? Where's your crown? I wish I may, I wish I might Have this wish I wish tonight I want that star, I want it now I want it all and I don't care how Careful what you wish Careful what you say Careful what you wish, you may regret it Careful what you wish, you just might get it Then it all crashes down And you break your crown And you point your finger But there's no one around Just want one thing Just to play the king But the castle's crumbled And you're left with just a name Where's your crown, King Nothing? Nothing You're just nothing Where's your crown, King Nothing? You're just nothing Absolutely nothing Off to never-never land TOP HERO OF THE DAY
James wrote this song about people who are looking for heroes within the media and entertainment. The song says that those people searching for heroes do not realize that the people they should be "worshiping" are the people they come across in everyday life.
Mama, they try and break me The window burns to light the way back home A light that warms no matter where they've gone They're off to find the hero of the day But what if they should fall by someone's wicked way? Still the window burns Time so slowly turns And someone there is sighing Keepers of the flames Do you feel your name? Did you hear your babies crying? Mama, they try and break me Still they try and break me Excuse me while I tend to how I feel These things return to me that still seem real Now, deservingly, this easy chair But the rocking stopped by wheels of despair Don't want your aid But the fist I make For years can't hold or feel No, I'm not all me So please excuse me while I tend to how I feel But now the dreams and waking screams That ever last the night So build the wall, behind it crawl And hide until it's light So can you hear your babies crying now? Still the window burns Time so slowly turns And someone there is sighing Keepers of the flames Did you feel your names? Did you hear your babies crying? But now the dreams and waking screams That ever last the night So build a wall, behind it crawl And hide until it's light So can't you hear your babies crying now? Mama, they try and break me Mama, they try and break me Mama they try Mama they try TOP BLEEDING ME
Jason explained that to him the song means that it is about a person who is being put through mental torture. The lyrics explain that the song’s meaning is “Don't abuse unless you can take the abuse, or don't dish out what you can't take.”
I'm digging my way I'm digging my way to something I'm digging my way to something better I'm pushing to stay I'm pushing to stay with something I'm pushing to stay with something better I'm sowing the seeds I'm sowing the seeds I've taken I'm sowing the seeds I take for granted This thorn in my side This thorn in my side is from the tree This thorn in my side is from the tree I've planted It tears me and I bleed And I bleed Caught under wheels' roll I take the leech, I'm bleeding me Can't stop to save my soul I take the leash that's leading me I'm bleeding me I can't take it Caught under wheels' roll The bleeding of me Of me The bleeding of me I am the beast that feeds the feast I am the blood, I am release Come make me pure Bleed me a cure I'm caught, I'm caught, I'm caught under Caught under wheels' roll I take that leech, I'm bleeding me Can't stop to save my soul I take the leash that's leading me I'm bleeding me I can't take it I can't take it I can't take it The bleeding of me I'm digging my way I'm digging my way to something I'm digging my way to something better I'm pushing to stay I'm pushing to stay with something I'm pushing to stay with something better With something better TOP CURE Simply put, the song is about the wish of getting a cure from a difficult situation. The man takes another bullet He keeps them all within He must seek no matter how it hurts So don't fool again He thinks the answer's cold and in his hand He takes his medicine The man takes another bullet He's been fooled again Uncross your arms Take and throw them to the cure, say, "I do believe" Uncross your arms now Take them to it, say "I do believe" "I do believe" The lies tempt her and she follows Again she lets him in She must believe to fill the hollow She's been fooled again Uncross your arms Take and throw them to the cure, say, "I do believe" Uncross your arms now Take them to it, say, "I do believe" "Yeah, I do believe" Betting on the cure It must get better than this Betting on the cure Everyone's got to have the sickness 'Cause everyone seems to need the cure Precious cure Betting on the cure 'Cause it must get better than this Betting on the cure Everyone's got to have the sickness 'Cause everyone seems to need the cure Precious cure "I do believe" Betting on the cure It must get better than this Need to feel secure It's got to get better than this It must get better than this Betting on the cure Everyone's got to have the sickness 'Cause everyone seems to need the cure "I do believe" TOP POOR TWISTED ME
Many different theories exist as to what the meaning behind this song is, and everyone seems to have their own opinion.
Perhaps this song describes people who deliberately do things to put themselves in a shit position and then use the situation to pity themselves and gain sympathy from others. Oh, poor twisted me Oh, poor twisted me I feast on sympathy I chew on suffer I chew on agony Swallow whole the pain Oh, it's too good to be That all this misery Is just for, oh, poor twisted me Poor twisted me Poor mistreated me Poor mistreated me I drown without a sea Lungs fill with sorrow Lungs fill with misery Inhaling the deep, dark blue Oh, woe is me Such a burden to be The poor mistreated me To finally reach the shore, survive the storm Now you're bare and cold, the sea was warm So warm, you bathe your soul again Baby, again and again and again You finally reached the shore, survived the storm Now you're bare and cold, the sea was warm So warm, you bathe your soul again Good to feel my friend Oh, woe is me Such a burden to be Oh, poor twisted me Yo, poor twisted me TOP WASTING MY HATE
The song is about being tired of wasting hate on anybody.
“Wasting My Hate” was a line that James got from his buddy Waylon Jennings who was sitting somewhere in a diner, and there was another guy outside in a car staring at him. So Waylon stared back with hate, and when he finally had had enough he went out to talk to the guy in the car, only to find out that he was sleeping. He thought “Oh man I've wasted my hate on this guy.” He told James the full story and James liked the line so much that he used it for writing a song about it. Good day. How do? And I send a smile to you Don't waste, waste your breath And I won't waste my hate on you Ain't gonna waste my hate Ain't gonna waste my hate on you I think I'll keep it for myself Ain't gonna give no more Ain't got the time to help you score I think it's time you pleased yourself Yourself Good day. How do? And I send a smile to you Don't waste, waste your breath And I won't waste my hate on you Waste my hate on you Hate You think you're worthy now? You think enough to even raise the brow And to laugh and tip that two-pronged crown? Well I see my hands, I see my feet I feel that blood that pumps in beat But where the hell's my mind going now? Dead gone now Good day. How do? And I send a smile to you Don't waste, waste your breath And I won't waste my hate on you Waste my hate on you Think I'll keep it for myself Hate Ain't gonna waste my hate But I'm so greedy when they say Better to give than to receive Ain't gonna waste my hate Ain't got time to waste my hate on you I think I'll keep it all for myself For myself Good day. How do? And I send a smile to you Don't waste, waste your breath And I won't waste my hate on you Waste my hate on you Think I'll keep it for myself Hate TOP MAMA SAID
Several fans accused it of sounding “country” after hearing the steel guitar, which is a mostly country instrument.
The song is a very personal song for James because it is about how he always wanted to distance from his mother until one day she died and he realized that he always took her love for granted. Mama, she has taught me well Told me when I was young Son, your life's an open book Don't close it 'fore it's done The brightest flame burns quickest That's what I heard her say A son's heart's owed to mother But I must find my way Let my heart go Let your son grow Mama, let my heart go Or, let this heart be still "Rebel," my new last name Wild blood in my veins Apron strings around my neck The mark that still remains I left home at an early age Of what I heard was wrong I never asked forgiveness But what is said is done Let my heart go Let your son grow Mama, let my heart go Or let this heart be still Never I ask of you But never I gave But you gave me your emptiness I now take to my grave Never I ask of you But never I gave But you gave me your emptiness I now take to my grave So let this heart be still Mama, now I'm coming home I'm not all you wished of me A mother's love for her son Unspoken, help me be I took your love for granted And all the things you said to me I need your arms to welcome me But a cold stone's all I see Let my heart go Let your son grow Mama, let my heart go Or let this heart be still Let my heart go Mama, let my heart go You never let my heart go So let this heart be still Never I ask of you But never I gave But you gave me your emptiness I now take to my grave Never I ask of you But never I gave But you gave me your emptiness I now take to my grave So let this heart be still TOP THORN WITHIN
Jason Newsted mentioned that is song is his favorite one from Load. He said that the song is about someone who is guilty and no one is willing to forgive for what he is blamed for and his father just feels as though he is a thorn.
Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned Find me guilty of the life I feel within When I'm branded, this mark of shame Should I look down, disgraced, or straight ahead and know that you must blame? I am the secret I am the sin I am the guilty And I am, I am the thorn within Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned Find me guilty when true guilt is from within So point your fingers, point right at me For I am shadows and will follow you, one and the same are we I am the secret I am the sin I am the guilty And I am, I am the thorn within I do your time, I take your fall I'm branded guilty for us all So point your fingers, point right at me For I am shadows and will follow you, one and the same are we I am your secrets I am your sin I am your guilty And I am, I am the thorn within I am the thorn within I am the thorn within TOP RONNIE
The song is about a quite kid who one day went to school for a shooting. The lyrics to the song are actually based on a school shooting that occurred in 1995 in the state Washington. The shooter was named Ron Brown (or “Ronnie frown” as written in the lyrics).
Story starts, quiet town Small-town boy, big-time frown Never talks, never plays Different path, lost his way Then streets of red—red, I'm afraid— There's no confetti, no parade Nothing happens in this boring place But, oh my God, how it all did change Now they all pray, "Blood stain, wash away" He said, "Lost my way This bloody day Lost my way" I heard it He said, "Lost my way This bloody day Lost my way" Oh, please wash away But blood stained the sun red today I always said something's wrong With little, strange Ronnie Long Never laughed, never smiled Talked alone for miles and miles and miles "Gallow calls, son," I say Keep your smile and laugh all day Think once again in this boring place For little boys, how they soon change And they all pray, "Blood stain, wash away" He said, "I lost my way This bloody day Lost my way" I heard it He said, "I lost my way This bloody day I lost my way" Oh, please wash away But blood stained the sun red today Well, all the green things died when Ronnie moved to this place He said, “Don't you dare ask why I'm cursed to wear this face” Now we all know why the children called him Ronnie Frown When he pulled that gun from his pocket they all fall down, down, down He said, "Lost my way This bloody day Lost my way" Yeah, yeah I heard it He screamed, "Lost my way This bloody day Lost my way" Oh, please wash away But blood stained the sun red today All things wash away And they all fall down But blood stained the sun today All things wash away And they all fall down But blood stained the sun today TOP THE OUTLAW TORN
James said that this song is about “loosing someone to death and longing to find a replacement that never comes.”
Because of the song’s length and position as the final track on the album, the song had to be edited by one minute to fit on Load. If the songs' total passed 78 minutes, 59 seconds, the Load CD would not play perfectly. With the fourteen songs completed, Metallica had recorded thirty seconds too much material. The jam at the end of the song had to be edited out. “The Outlaw Torn (Unencumbered by Manufacturing Restrictions Version)” can be found on The Memory Remains Part 2 single in its entirety - 10 minutes and 52 seconds. To this day, The Outlaw Torn remains the longest song Metallica has recorded for a studio album. And now I wait my whole lifetime for you And now I wait my whole lifetime for you I ride the dirt, I ride the tide for you I search the outside, search inside for you To take back what you left me I know I'll always burn to be The one who seeks so I may find And now I wait my whole lifetime Outlaw of torn Outlaw of torn And I'm torn So on I wait my whole lifetime for you So on I wait my whole lifetime for you The more I search, the more my need for you The more I bless, the more I bleed for you You make me smash the clock and feel I'd rather die behind the wheel Time was never on my side So on I wait my whole lifetime Outlaw of torn Outlaw of torn Outlaw of torn And I'm torn Hear me And if I close my mind in fear Please pry it open See me And if my face becomes sincere Beware Hold me And when I start to come undone Stitch me together Save me And when you see me strut Remind me of what left this outlaw torn TOP |