Master of Puppets (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Master of Puppets" | ||
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| Cover of Master of Puppets | ||
| Song by Metallica | ||
| from the album Master of Puppets | ||
| Released | February 21, 1986 | |
| Recorded | Sweet Silence Studios Copenhagen, Denmark September-December, 1985 | |
| Genre | Thrash metal | |
| Length | 8:37 | |
| Label | Elektra Records | |
| Producer(s) | Metallica, Flemming Rasmussen | |
| Master of Puppets track listing | ||
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"Master of Puppets" is a song written and performed by L.A./Bay Area thrash metal band Metallica. It is the title track of their 1986 album.
At 8:36, "Master of Puppets" is the longest track on the album. It is also following the tradition of Ride the Lightning in having the title track as the second track, preceded by a shorter, high-speed typical thrash metal track (this also occurs on St. Anger). There are several such track similarities on Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets and ...And Justice for All. "Master of Puppets" is also notable for its long and complex instrumental section beginning about three and a half minutes into the song.
The song's lyrical meaning is most often recognised as being about heroin and cocaine abuse. There have been disputes, however, that it could also hold a political meaning due to its title. A lyric in the song, " chop your breakfast on a mirror" refers to cocaine abuse. During this song, on the Live Shit: Binge and Purge DVD/video, Hetfield is seen making a middle finger gesture against his left arm on the line 'fix me, baby!" which clearly resembles syringe use. This is further indication that the song contains meaning of drug use, particularly heroin. On this note, the same gesture is made during "Harvester of Sorrow" on the line "Drink up, shoot in" which is rumoured to have similar lyrical meaning.
The song is a firm favourite among fans, received some airplay in its time, and is a popular concert staple. Often in concert, James Hetfield will change the lyrics of the second verse from, "Dedicated to, how I'm killing you" to "Dedicated to, how I'm fucking you." The riff near the end of the song (after the last guitar solo) is taken from David Bowie's "Andy Warhol". Strictly speaking, it makes up less than half of the riff in question in "Master Of Puppets".
Before the solo on the song, James Hetfield screams out a verse ("Master, master, where's the dreams that I've been after? Master, master, promised only lies. Laughter, laughter, all I hear or see is laughter. Laughter, laughter, laughing at my cries...fix me!") Cliff Burton, the bass player, in the background can be heard vaguely reciting the verse, in a deep gruff voice.
[edit] Trivia
- The song has been ranked as the 3rd greatest heavy metal song ever by VH1 [1] . In March 2005, Q magazine placed it at number 22 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.
- The conservative talk show host Michael Savage uses this track as the opening of his radio show, The Savage Nation.
- At Woodstock 94, the funk metal band Primus played the opening of the song.
- It was covered live at least once by progressive metal band Dream Theater.
- Finnish band Apocalyptica released a cover of the song played only by cellos.
- The song was also featured in the movie "Old School".
- This song is the theme song for the Giant's third baseman, Pedro Feliz
- It was Cliff Burton's favorite Metallica song[citation needed]
- It was the song featured in the Simpsons episode "The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer" when Hans Moleman drives away as Metallica is playing.
- The song was one of the fastest of the time, clocking in at over 220 BPM.
[edit] Notes
- ^ "VH1 40 Greatest Metal Songs", 1-4 May 2006, VH1 Channel, reported by VH1.com; last accessed September 10, 2006.
| Metallica |
| Members |
|---|
| James Hetfield - Kirk Hammett - Robert Trujillo - Lars Ulrich |
| Former members: Cliff Burton - Dave Mustaine - Ron McGovney - Jason Newsted |
| Discography |
| Albums and extended plays: No Life 'Til Leather - Kill 'Em All - Ride the Lightning - Master of Puppets - Garage Days Re-Revisited - ...And Justice for All - Metallica - Load - ReLoad - Garage Inc. - S&M - St. Anger - Some Kind of Monster - Ninth studio album |
| Videography |
| DVDs and videos: Cliff 'em All - 2 of One - A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica - Live Shit: Binge & Purge - Cunning Stunts - S&M - Classic Albums: Metallica - The Black Album - Some Kind of Monster - The Videos 1989-2004 |
[edit] External link
- Master of Puppets lyrics at DarkLyrics
