top of page

Top 10 Well Written Rock Songs (Number 8: One - Metallica)


Song Name: One

Band: Metallica

Album: ...And Justice for All

Release Date: August 25th, 1988

Written by: Hetfield and Ulrich

Background

Metallica are considered by many to be Legends on the Metal and Speed Metal scene. They have unforgettable albums such as Master of Puppets, Metallica (aka The Black Album) and ...And Justice for All. There is one song that many would consider as their best and this is the song One from the ...And Justice for All album.


Many people that do not listen to Metal always think that the lyrics are just about angry people that just complain. Although in some cases it is true, there are gems like this one that really hit home for many.


One, is a very powerful song. It is an Anti-war song about a soldier in World War I. The soldier has stepped on a mine and has lost his arms and legs blown off. He is unable to speak or move. So the soldier does not want to live anymore and the song illustrates how many emotions rage inside this soldier.


Lyrics

[Verse 1] I can't remember anything Can't tell if this is true or dream Deep down inside I feel to scream This terrible silence stops me Now that the war is through with me I'm waking up, I cannot see That there's not much left of me Nothing is real but pain now [Chorus 1] Hold my breath as I wish for death Oh please God, wake me [Verse 2] Back in the womb it's much too real In pumps life that I must feel But can't look forward to revealing Look to the time when I'll live Fed through the tube that sticks in me Just like a wartime novelty Tied to machines that make me be Cut this life off from me

[Chorus 1] Hold my breath as I wish for death Oh please God, wake me [Chorus 2] Now the world is gone, I'm just one Oh, God help me [Chorus 1] Hold my breath as I wish for death Oh please God, help me [Bridge] Darkness imprisoning me All that I see Absolute horror I cannot live I cannot die Trapped in myself Body my holding cell Landmine has taken my sight Taken my speech Taken my hearing Taken my arms Taken my legs Taken my soul Left me with life in hell


Bottomline


I love this song because the lyrics are very powerful. James Hetfield is able to bring that to light with his unique voice. The song was very well orchestrated. Although base is almost non existant, the instruments gel very well together. Proof that the music is good, is the rendition of One by the band called Apocalyptica. They take songs and play them in the classical form. You can see them below.


One Cover by Apocolyptica


I find that we often talk about how horrendous it is to fight in wars. However, very few of us actually know how it is. It is not easy for veterans coming back home. Some of these soldiers do not stop fighting the war just because it is over on paper. Some soldiers never recover from the trauma of fighting in the field. This is why this song is so important to me. It is the closest that I think that I can feel the pain of a soldier fighting his own war inside and the suffering that he feels.

The soldier referenced has lost all of his limbs and sight. However there is nothing that is more damaging than an amputated spirit (Al Pacino reference). It is a silent war that does not always show any physical scars.

One - Metallica

What do you guys think? How do you feel about this song?

20 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page