Metallica

Lyrics

[Instrumental Intro]

[Verse 1]
I can't remember anything
Can't tell if this is true or a 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

[Refrain]
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 reveal
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
[Refrain]
Hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh, please, God, wake me
[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus]
Now the world is gone, I'm just one
Oh, God, help me
Hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh, please, God, help me
[Instrumental Break]

[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
[Instrumental Outro]
[Guitar Solo]

One by Metallica is a powerful and emotional song that was released as the fourth track on the legendary album, …And Justice for All. The song was based on the classic novel, Johnny Got His Gun, by Dalton Trumbo, which tells the story of Joe Bonham, a soldier who is severely injured during World War I and left unable to communicate or interact with the world around him. The song tells the story of Joe's plea to be released from his suffering and allowed to die, making it an incredibly powerful and emotionally charged track.

About One

One is a unique song in the Metallica catalog, not only because of its powerful message and emotional resonance but also because of its music video, which marked the first time the band had made a video for one of their songs. The video used footage from the film adaptation of Johnny Got His Gun, which was directed by Dalton Trumbo himself. The band bought the rights to the footage to make integrating it into the video easier.

The lyrics of One are incredibly powerful, as they capture the feelings of a man who has been stripped of everything that makes him human and left unable to communicate or interact with the world around him. The passage in the book that inspired the song speaks to this feeling of isolation and the one-in-a-million chance that Joe survived his injuries and remains alive. The lyrics of the song reflect this sentiment, as they ask why Joe is being kept alive if he cannot live a full life, with lines such as:

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

The song is a tour-de-force of metal musicianship, with thunderous drumming, scorching guitars, and powerful vocals by lead singer James Hetfield. The band is in full force throughout the track, with chugging riffs and soaring leads that perfectly capture the intensity and emotional weight of the lyrics.

The structure of the song is also unique, as it blends slower, more emotional sections with fast, aggressive parts that capture the turmoil and chaos of war. The song builds to a powerful climax, with Hetfield's vocals and the band's performance reaching a crescendo that perfectly captures the intensity and emotion of the song.

One has become one of Metallica's most beloved and iconic songs, earning critical acclaim and cementing the band's place in the pantheon of heavy metal. Its emotional resonance and powerful message continue to resonate with fans, making it an enduring classic in the Metallica catalog.

In short, One is a powerful and emotionally charged song that tells the story of a man who has been stripped of everything that makes him human and left in a state of perpetual suffering. The song is a tour-de-force of metal musicianship, with thunderous drums and scorching guitars that perfectly capture the intensity and emotion of the lyrics. Whether you're a longtime Metallica fan or just discovering the band for the first time, One is a song that will leave a lasting impression and resonate with you long after the music fades.

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