Album: Death Magnetic (2008)
Charted: 48 50
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Songfacts®:
Metallica premiered this song on August 9, 2008 at the Ozzfest in Dallas, Texas. It was the first track from Death Magnetic to be performed live in its entirety.
This topped the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It was Metallica's seventh song to reach #1 on that listing.
- More songs from Metallica
- More songs from 2008
- Lyrics to Cyanide
- Metallica Artistfacts
Comments: 14
- Azrael from CanadaI cannot thank Metallica enough, and James especially, for making this song for me. I was just coming back into the light when I reached out on the Metallica fan club website.
In all honesty, I had forgotten all about it, and the upcoming album. Years later when I learned about it, must have been 2011 or so, I didn't realize what had happened, until I bought the album and watched the subsequent making of DVD. I was deeply touched, even though you couldn't get my name to rhyme.
It's been a pleasure to heat your art through the years. I love you guys and wish you and yours the best, always.
- Let Loose from NjI going to side with the abort claim.
Originally I thought this was a song about suicide because of the given line. “Suicide, I’ve already died” but now think about it though the lens of a baby about to be aborted, I think it wouldn’t be too far off the take the “comma” about of the sentence and replace it with a “question mark.” It changes the meaning for someone long for death to someone who cynically excepting a fair they have no control over.
Furthermore the intro to the song is morse code for S.O.S. I noticed it when I first heard the song and always questioned “why would a song about someone who wants to die have that at the beginning?” It was always off putting for me. I know that people who usually attempt suicide give signs before they do it, but it makes more logical to assume that this is coming form a person that doesn’t want to die. When an “sos” is usually sent it from someone that is trying with all the ability to live.
(Video) Cyanide - Fire From Below from Fort Collins, Colorado I love Metallica, I don't think this song is about suicide, I like the idea that it is about abortion from an unborn baby's view.
- Eric from IndianaThe guitar riffs at the start of the song and at the end of the song, 3 fast 3 slow and 3 fast, is Morse Code for SOS. So the song begins and ends with an SOS call, plus a couple thrown in the song, as well. Metallica is so creative and deep like that.
- Matt from NjI believe most of you who said the songs about suicide are 100% right it's definitely not about abortion but I have a little more to add. This song was written at a time in their careers where they made it already they were going strong for at least 20 years by that point. So that seemed fishy to me because why would any of the band write a song about suicide when they were on top of the world at that points. So what I think is that the song is about suicide but most importantly it's about the reason certain members could have felt suicidal and that reason is their struggle with drug addiction. From personal experience I never considered myself suicidal but once I started my struggle with drug addiction I thought of suicide more than I'd like to admit. It's the way your brain is when your on that stuff the thoughts that go through your head everyday u would seem crazy to Charles Manson. Like I was shocked just how gone my mind got. Now to get to the point sorry it took so long. They had suicide on their minds because every junkie does. And the little proof I have is the song lyrics " Death, won't you let me stay?" which seems like he's just saying he tried to kill him self and failed but I think it means he's overdosed and lived so now the only way out is suicide. And the other line "Death, won't you call your name?" Relates to what I said about the other line. Idk if I'm just talking out my ass but I thought this was interesting possibly.
- Yavuz from Ankara, TurkeyDuring WWII, high ranking German soldiers used to carry cyanide pills with themselves so that in case they had nowhere to escape from the enemy, they would just take the pill and kill themselves rather than getting caught and tortured to death or something. Hence, this song is clearly about suicide.
- Joe from Clemmons, NcThis song is about abortion, written from the point of view of the unborn baby. Note the picture of the ultrasound that adorns the Cyanide lyrics in the booklet that comes with the Death Magnetic CD. (You can find this same ultrasound picture if you research Cyanide on Wikipedia). Anyway, here are just some of the most obvious lyrics that point to abortion. "Sleep, and dream of this, death angel's kiss, brings final bliss--completely! (The "Death Angel: is the abortionist. His "kiss" is anytime he comes in contact with you. His kiss brings death) "Break this empty shell forevermore" (The amniotic sac that surrounds an unborn baby is the baby's "shell". The abortionist breaks that shell while he/she is exterminating the unborn baby). Now here comes the part where the unborn baby is talking to his would-be mother..."Say, is that rain or are they tears? (The baby sarcastically asks if the mother could possibly be crying--given the fact that she is a hardened woman) "That stained your concrete face for years" (Her "concrete face" is a way of saying that she has no emotion or feeling) "The crying, weeping, shedding strife" (She attempts to "shed strife" by having abortions, as she sheds the developing baby inside her) "Year after year, life after life" (Means that she has had many abortions, over the course of many years). So--is the unborn baby welcoming death? At first, it would appear so. But if you consider the song as a whole you will see that the baby is speaking in dramatic terms. The baby is resigned to the fact that he is going to be killed--but clearly is angry at the would-be mother--taking the opportunity to tell her just how heartless she is before she has a chance to snuff him out. Finally, he decides that he would rather live and cries out. "Death, won't you let me stay?"
- Tessa from Washingtonville, PaThis is really heavy metal.... I like it, strangely. Catchy...
- Kirk Hammet from San Fransico, CaThis one was mainly about committing suicide. It's like how most suicide victims feel there's nothing to live for, they might as well have "already died". Suicide just makes it an official "funeral" they've "been waiting for". And as for, "Death, hear me call your name...won't you let me stay", it's referring to when people say "Why won't I die?" or "Just kill me now!". Although lyrically, it's a pretty morbid song, I must say it's pretty fun to play. Bill, Nick, Kody, and N, thanks for supporting one of my favorite songs and for supporting Death Magnetic. The longer the fans support us, the longer we'll play kick ass shows and write kick ass albums!
- Adel from Jonesborough, Tnabortion sounds plausable... idk...
- N from Heusduh, Netherlandsi thought it was about abortion or something, suicide ive already died, like it cant be born so it has already died, death, wont you let me stay, that it doesnt have the choice to live on this world, so it wont let the child stay,
just a thought
- Kody from North Bonneville, Waisnt this song about commiting suicide?
- Nick from Cairns, AustraliaEmpty they say, death, won't you let me STAY!!!!
- Bill from Waco, TxSweet song, go Metallica
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FAQs
What is the prayer in Enter Sandman? ›
I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; His Love to guard me through the night, And wake me in the morning's light amen.
Does Metallica have Morse code? ›In the music video, attempting to communicate with the hospital staff he jolts in his bed, spelling "Kill me" in Morse code. Production of the song was done by the band alongside Flemming Rasmussen. The song was the band's first to chart in the U.S., reaching number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100.
What is the meaning behind the song one? ›This song is about a soldier fighting in a war and a mortar blows off in his face. He can't hear, see, smell, taste and he doesn't have arms or legs. He comes out of a coma in a hospital. During the time he is in the hospital he reflects on his life and things his father told him.
Is Enter Sandman about SIDS? ›The song's original inspiration was quite disturbing, as it was meant to be about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and Hetfield states that this sudden passing was because of the Sandman.
What is the prayer Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep? ›Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; Guard me Jesus through the night, And wake me with the morning light.
What are the words to the prayer Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep? ›Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the lord my soul to keep, thy angels watch me through the night, And keep me safe till morning's light.
What is the longest Metallica song? ›Mercyful Fate is the Disc 1 seventh track from 1998's album Garage, Inc. It was written by King Diamond and Hank Shermann, and has a length of 11:10. It's the longest Metallica song featuring in a studio album.
Is Metallica anti-war? ›I mean we're not anti-war, we're not pro-war …" Don't be daft, you must be one or the other. You can't say – War? take it or leave it, mate …
Is One based on a true story? ›One: Based on a True Story of Grit and Courage.
Is Enter Sandman about nightmares? ›Written by band members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett, "Enter Sandman" is about nightmares and things that go "bump" in the night. It has by far the most radio play of all of Metallica's songs. >>
Is Enter Sandman hard to play? ›
Enter Sandman is not so hard to play. It requires an intermediate level of guitar playing. Guitar solo is not that hard, either, especially in comparison to other Metallica's solos. Enter Sandman is perhaps among the 'easier' songs in Metallica's repertoire.
Why is it called Enter Sandman? ›The Sandman of the title was a reference to a mythical figure who would sneak into children's bedrooms to sprinkle sand in their eyes (ironically, the band had been sitting on the title Enter Sandman for “six years”, according to Lars Ulrich). Not everything Bob Rock suggested made it past Hetfield and Ulrich.
How do you say SOS in Morse code? ›An S O S sent by morse code is a well-known distress signal. It is three short taps followed by three long taps, and then three short taps again.
What is I love you in Morse code? ›What is I Love You In Morse Code? If you want to say I love you in Morse code, say like this – Di-di | di-dah-di-di dah-dah-dah di-di-di-dah di | dah-di-dah-dah dah-dah-dah di-di-dah. The word 'di' is equivalent to the short beep, while 'dah' is equivalent to the long beep.
What does the Morse code at the end of London Calling mean? ›The song fades out with a Morse code signal spelling S-O-S, reiterating the earlier urgent sense of emergency, and further alluding to drowning in the river. "London Calling" was recorded at Wessex Studios located in a former church hall in Highbury in North London.
What is the sleeping prayer? ›Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, Watch and guard me through the night, and wake me with the morning light.
What is the Guardian Angel prayer? ›PRAYER TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL
Angel sent by God to guide me, Be my light and walk beside me; Be my guardian and protect me; On the paths of life direct me.
Dear God, as I lay me down to sleep, relax the tension of my body; calm the restlessness of my mind; still the thoughts which worry and perplex me. Help me to rest myself and all my problems in your strong and loving arms.
Who wrote Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep? ›"Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" by Sidney D. Mitchell and George W. Meyer.
What is the prayer that starts gentle Jesus meek and mild? ›GENTLE Jesus, meek and mild, Look upon a little child; Pity my simplicity, Suffer me to come to Thee.
What is the fastest metal song ever? ›
1. Napalm Death - 'You Suffer'
What is the shortest Metallica song? ›Clocking in at a brief three minutes and 11 seconds, "Hardwired" is the shortest Metallica song (from a studio album) since fans got pummeled with Kill 'Em All's "Motorbreath" in 1983.
What is Metallica's best selling song? ›Expectedly, the big one is Metallica. Enter Sandman is the leader thanks to its near 4.5 million US sales out of a 6 million total. It's only one of the 3 songs from the album which feature more often than not inside iTunes' extended Top 1500.
What was the most popular song during the Vietnam war? ›- House of the Rising Sun – The Animals. ...
- All Along the Watchtower – Bob Dylan / Jimi Hendrix. ...
- Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones. ...
- Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival. ...
- For What It's Worth – Buffalo Springfield.
Metallica wasn't the first band to have played on Antarctica, though. In 2007, Nunatak, the Rothera Research Station's house band, participated in the Live Earth concert. They were the only band to play in the worldwide event's Antarctica concert and played to a “sell-out” crowd of 17, the Station's entire population.
Is Megadeth anti-war? ›The band's name and some of its song titles give the impression of an uncouth unit, but tracks like “Bad Omen” warn against devil worship, and “Peace Sells” is both a convincing statement of personal and social responsibility and a sharp anti-war message.
What is the best movie based on a true story? ›- All the President's Men (1976) Film. Drama. ...
- In Cold Blood (1967) Film. ...
- Hustlers (2019) Film. ...
- Argo (2012) Film. ...
- The Social Network (2010) Film. ...
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975) Film. ...
- Dallas Buyers Club (2014) Film. ...
- Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) Film.
So, how much of these match real events? Despite the title itself suggesting that the series is based on real events, True Story is a work of fiction, but there are some elements of the story that are accurate to Kevin Hart's real life.
Why is it called Johnny Got His Gun? ›Johnny Got His Gun was fiction inspired by a gruesome true story about a Canadian soldier from World War I. During battle, a mortar shell hits very close to "Johnny" Joe Bonham, causing severe physical damage.
Who is the little boy in Sandman? ›Laurie Kynaston: Alex Burgess.
What is the legend of The Sandman? ›
The Sandman is a mythical character in European folklore who puts people to sleep and encourages and inspires beautiful dreams by sprinkling magical sand onto their eyes.
What is the meaning of the song Mr Sandman? ›The titular “Sandman” is a mythical character who is responsible for giving people good dreams. But within the context of this song, he serves more as a representation of luck or providence. That is to say that what the ladies are asking for is more literal than just a good dream.
Is Enter Sandman for beginners? ›Enter The Sandman is an above beginner level song - it's not so simple! A few tricky elements are going on, and I want to show you how you might want to approach it as a beginner. :) So - are you ready to rock? Grab your guitar, and let's start with the first riff!
How long does it take to learn Enter Sandman solo? ›Anyway, Enter Sandman isn't that hard, I learned the whole thing including the solo after about a month and a half of playing. Then again, I practiced for two hours every day.
Is Master of Puppets hard to play? ›Is it hard to play? Master Of Puppets is hard to play. That's because of its fast tempo (212 BPM) and downstrokes. It's all downstrokes, for which you have to have very strong wrist and advanced sense of rhythm.
Who used Enter Sandman first Rivera or Wagner? ›He worked around a hit and closed out a 3-2 Mets victory over the Nationals on April 3, 2006. There was only one problem, though. Wagner entered the game with Metallica's “Enter Sandman” playing from the Shea Stadium speakers. Mariano Rivera had used “Enter Sandman” for nearly a decade at that point.
What made Metallica so popular? ›Metallica first found commercial success with the release of its third album, Master of Puppets (1986), cited as one of the heaviest metal albums and the band's best work.
Who was Metallica inspired by? ›Influenced by the late 1970's new wave of British heavy metal bands including Iron Maiden and Diamond Head, Metallica was formed in 1981 by the Danish immigrant Lars Ulrich (1963), a drummer.
Does the brother wake up in song one? ›Franny and James go to a club and dance. The next day, James joins Franny and Henry at the hospital. James starts playing a new song, and Henry opens his eyes before closing them again. Henry then wakes up completely the next day.
Who wrote u2 All I Want Is You? ›All I Want Is You
How much money does Anne Hathaway have? ›
...
| Anne Hathaway | |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Adam Shulman ( m. 2012) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Full list |
Personal life. Johnny married theatre designer Beatrice Minns in 2011, whom he had dated on-and-off since secondary school. They have three children together and live in east London.
What is Anne Hathaway's first movie? ›Anne Hathaway
What is u2's most famous song? ›- “One”
- “Beautiful Day”
- “New Year's Day”
- “Pride (In The Name Of Love)”
- “Where The Streets Have No Name”
- “Discotheque”
- “Seconds”
- 1. “ Sunday Bloody Sunday”
One is written in the key of Am.
Who is the dwarf in all I want is you? ›Music video
The video tells the story of a person with dwarfism played by Paolo Risi who falls in love with a trapeze artist played by Paola Rinaldi, one of whom apparently dies towards the end.
Ask Google Assistant to name a song
On your phone, touch and hold the Home button or say "Hey Google." Ask "What's this song?" Play a song or hum, whistle, or sing the melody of a song. Hum, whistle, or sing: Google Assistant will identify potential matches for the song.