Metallica

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Dyers Eve album cover

Dyers Eve

Metallica

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Dear mother, dear father
What is this hell you have put me through?
Believer, deceiver
Day in, day out, lived my life through you
Pushed onto me what's wrong or right
Hidden from this thing that they call life
Dear mother, dear father
Every thought I'd think you'd disapprove
Curator, dictator
Always censoring my every move
Children are seen but are not heard
Tear out everything inspired

[Refrain]
Innocence, torn from me without your shelter
Barred reality, I'm living blindly

[Verse 2]
Dear mother, dear father
Time has frozen still, what's left to be?
Hear nothing, say nothing
Cannot face the fact I think for me
No guarantee it's life as is
But damn you for not giving me my chance
Dear mother, dear father
You clipped my wings before I learned to fly
Unspoiled, unspoken
I've outgrown that fucking lullaby
Same thing I've always heard from you
Do as I say, not as I do
[Refrain]
Innocence, torn from me without your shelter
Barred reality, I'm living blindly
[Guitar Solo]

[Bridge]
I'm in hell without you
Cannot cope without you two
Shocked at the world that I see
Innocent victim, please rescue me

[Verse 3]
Dear mother, dear father
Hidden in your world you've made for me
I'm seething, I'm bleeding
Ripping wounds in me that never heal
Undying spite I feel for you
Living out this hell you always knew

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Metallica is one of the most iconic metal bands of all time. The band does not shy away from controversial subjects, and their album “…And Justice For All” does just that. The album features a powerful track titled “Dyer's Eve,” which is a form of attack by James Hetfield on his parents. The song was released in 1988 and is the album's closer, lasting four minutes and forty-two seconds.

About Dyers Eve

The song takes the format of a letter written by a child who was supposed to be protected and guided by their parents but was instead emotionally damaged during their developmental stages. The lyrics are James Hetfield's rant against his parents, who he felt had never allowed him to discover the world for himself.

As he grew older, Hetfield realized that his parents' religion, Christian Science, made them insulate and alienate themselves from the world. When Hetfield's father left the family when he was just 13 years old, the artist was left to deal with the shock on his own. Then things got even worse when his mother died of cancer a few years later. In keeping with her beliefs, his mother refused medical treatment that could have saved her life.

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the interviewer stated that Hetfield never fell into the "I-hate-my-parents and I-hate-school cliches." However, Hetfield disagreed with that assessment and brought up "Dyer's Eve" as a song that disproves that theory. The lyrics are filled with blame, and Hetfield said that the song is about being in a cocoon and having to deal with life's many challenges once he left the comfort of his parents' home.

The song is a profound and angry expression of Hetfield's feelings of betrayal and hurt. The artist is angry over what he perceives as his parents' failure to protect him, and he paints a picture of being forced to deal with the world's reality on his own without having learned skills about how to do so.

"Dyer's Eve" is a song that is filled with raw emotion and speaks to listeners on a deep and personal level. While some people may not agree with Hetfield's sentiments, the song's power is undeniable. This is metal music at its finest; it is raw, emotional, and challenging, and it will leave an indelible impression on those who hear it.

The great thing about "Dyer's Eve" is that it is a song that is all about the music. Yes, the lyrics are deep and moving, but it is the power of the music that will keep listeners returning time and again. Metallica is known for its ability to bring powerful riffs and hard-hitting drums to the table, and "Dyer's Eve" is no exception.

The song is a true work of art, and the talents of Hetfield, Ulrich, Burton, and Hammett are on full display. The band is firing on all cylinders, and the result is a song that is both beautiful and brutal at the same time. Those who are fans of metal music need to take the time to listen to "Dyer's Eve" and let themselves be transported to a world of raw emotion and power.

Despite "Dyer's Eve" being one of Metallica's most powerful songs, the band never performed the song live in its entirety until 2004. This made it all the more special for fans when they finally did perform it at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles during their "Madly in Anger with the World" tour.

Conclusion

"Dyers Eve" is a song that has a deep and personal meaning for James Hetfield and resonates with those who have experienced similar hardships in life. Its message is one of anger and betrayal, but it is also a powerful ode to self-discovery and overcoming adversity. Anyone who wants to experience Metallica at its finest owes it to themselves to listen to this incredible track.

  • Release Date: August 25, 1988
  • Artist: Metallica