Master of Puppets by Landon Ogle

Photo of the band from the 80s

stormsteal — 2024-11-06 20:18:38 UTC

Band members from left to right in the photo

Kirk Hammett (Lead guitarist)

Cliff Burton (Bassist and backing vocals)

Lars Ulric (Drummer)

James Hetfield (Lead vocals and rhythm guitar)

Photo from the Master of Puppets Tour

stormsteal — 2024-11-06 20:29:09 UTC

Lyrics of the bridge section and analysis

stormsteal — 2024-11-06 20:35:06 UTC

The bridge starts with that same calling from earlier “Master, Master.” The calling is followed up with “Where’s the dreams that I’ve been after,” which shows the listener the severity of drug use and how it can take away all ambition. The next point made by the drug user is “All I hear or see is laughter” and clarifies this with the line “Laughing at my cries” telling the listener that all their pleas to be saved are met with indifference and mocking in the form of laughter. This perspective change finishes with the exclamation “FIX ME!” followed immediately by the song’s iconic electric guitar solo which just amplifies the despair and hopelessness of the situation the drug addict finds themselves in.

Publishing record label (Elektra Records)

stormsteal — 2024-11-06 20:43:30 UTC

Recorded and produced by Elektra Records in September 1985, "Master of Puppets" was released on March 3, 1986.

Master of Puppets album cover

stormsteal — 2024-11-06 20:46:25 UTC

The title track of the album Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” portrays the lack of control felt with drug addiction and how it relates to society by using haunting lyrics, vivid song narrative, complex song structure, and an iconic guitar solo that makes it one of the greatest songs of all time.

MUSIC VIDEO WITH LYRICS!

stormsteal — 2024-11-06 20:49:46 UTC

As you are listening to the song try to feel the three different sections and how they represent the drug addicts journey.

Spoiler Alert!

stormsteal — 2024-11-06 21:07:42 UTC

There was a Metallica resurgence when “Master of Puppets” was featured in the hit Netflix TV show Stranger Things Season 4 “Chapter Nine: The Piggyback.”

Lyrics of the Chorus and analysis

stormsteal — 2024-11-06 21:13:09 UTC

The chorus then starts with a change in lyrical pace, inviting everyone to sing along “Come crawling faster, Obey your master.” This conveys the main theme of losing control of one’s actions and the drugs beckoning the addict to keep using. The next lines of the chorus “Your life burns faster, Obey your master, master” shows that despite the drug user knowing it is dwindling their life, they have no choice but to obey their master

Lyrics of a Verse in the outro and analysis

stormsteal — 2024-11-06 21:19:48 UTC

The last verse before the final chorus “I will occupy, I will help you die, I will run through you, Now I rule you too” lay out the objective of the drugs to go from one person to the next like a virus and become the puppet master again and again.

stormsteal — 2024-11-06 21:31:22 UTC

Begrand, Adrien. “BANG YOUR HEAD! THE 100 GREATEST HEAVY METAL SONGS OF ALL TIME.” Rolling Stone, March 13, 2023. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-heavy-metal-songs-1234688425/master-of-puppets-metallica-1234689717/

“Chapter Nine: The Piggyback.” Stranger Things, created by the Duffer Brothers, season 4, episode 9, Netflix, 1 July 2022.

Still Watching Netflix -Eddie Munson's Upside Down Guitar GOD Scene - Master of Puppets | Stranger Things | Netflix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4ScPro8YcI

Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Metallica - Master Of Puppets (Lyrics) Official Remaster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRGeeEiRWiw

Logo design subreddit record label (Elektra Records) https://www.reddit.com/r/logodesign/comments/1dwftlt/elektra_records_80s_logo/

Metallica, “Master of Puppets.” Master of Puppets, Elektra Records, March 3, 1986

Metallica: Master of Puppets (Official Lyric Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xjJ2XIbGRk

Photo by Halfin Ross, accessed from Metallica subreddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Metallica/comments/t5xdfe/damage_inc_tour_happy_anniversary_to_master_of/

"Top 10 METALLICA SONGS OF THE 80'S" Eduardo Rivadavia July 25 2013. Published by Megaforce Records

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/metallica-songs-of-the-80s/

Master of puppets ranked top 2 Heavy metal song of all time!

stormsteal — 2024-11-06 21:39:03 UTC

“Master of Puppets” has stayed in the public zeitgeist since its release and is regarded as one of the top 100 Heavy metal songs of all time. On March 13, 2023, Rolling Stone ranked the top 100 greatest heavy metal songs, and “Master of Puppets” came in at second (Begrand). The incredible guitar solo by lead guitarist Kirk Hammett is one of the reasons for the song’s longevity “What surprises me the most is when I listen to the radio and something from ‘Master of Puppets’ will come on, and I’m amazed at how current and modern it still sounds,” Hammett told Rolling Stone (Begrand).