Metallica - Kylie Young
Metallica
The song "Fade to Black" by Metallica is controversial in itself. I only say this because my mom believes that the lyrics would push a depressed person into more distress and cause further harm. The lyrics are very blatant, but even so, they leave room for interpretation. Suicide and depression are generally deemed as taboo topics, but Metallica breaks that boundary and creates a representation for those people who suffer through these exact lyrics every day. At the end of the song, it says, "Death greets me warm, now I will just say goodbye." (Metallica). The personification of "Death" makes it seem as though it should be felt as a comforting encounter rather than a scary one. But the imagery throughout the rest of the song makes the listener step into the shoes of the person experiencing it. Compared to the song "One", "Fade to Black" feels more like an invisible threat, while the threat in "One" feels more physical, because it is tied to war.
Even though “One” has physical ties, it also has elements of mental threats. “Can’t tell if this is true or dream” (Metallica). This lyric to me is a direct tie-in to the physical and mental elements. Seeing whether or not the threat is physical or mental is important because people who have experienced similar situations can connect to both of the songs without having to romanticize them. I do not think that talking about the emotions a person might be going through will push another to follow that path. Like in the song “One”, soldiers have most likely already gone through their trauma, so hearing a song about it could give a sense of being understood. “Fade to Black” can give people suffering from depression an outlet to feel their emotions if they believe they cannot anywhere else. In the end, I think that together, these songs both represent and raise awareness of depression and PTSD by letting listeners experience the inner struggles of those affected, without glamorizing or inflating the emotions.
Prompt Responses
What words, phrases, use of language, and images particularly struck you? Why?
The song “One” by Metallica uses intense imagery that forces the listener to rethink the lyrics to hear the actual story being told. “Fed through the tube that sticks in me. Just like a wartime novelty. Tied to machines that make me be” (Metallica). These lyrics make it clear that the soldier is on the brink of death, but they also vividly show him trapped by medical machines and wishing that he were not. The lyric “Hold my breath as I wish for death” really ties in the extreme pain he is feeling (Metallica). Those lyrics are cultivating, but my personal favorite lyrics are “Darkness imprisoning me All that I see, absolute horror I cannot live, I cannot die Trapped in myself Body, my holding cell” (Metallica). These are the lyrics of the most instrumentally heavy parts of the song, and they are the most fun to yell out as if you are feeling the same emotions.
Focus on who is speaking in the song. Is it the artist, a persona, or an imagined voice/speaker? What might change if the song were written from a different perspective?
In the song “Fade to Black” by Metallica, the perspective is within an imagined voice/speaker. The imagined voice sings about his dreadful experience with depression. “I have lost the will to live / Simply nothing more to give” (Metallica). This lyric shows the exact feeling the person is going through and how he is going to move forward. If this song were written from a different perspective, it would change the narrative entirely. Perhaps it was made from the perspective of his mother or a good friend. They might talk about how they can see the struggles this person is going through and how they want to help. Another perspective could be from the same people, but they failed to see his despair, leading him to further agony.
Hi Kylie! I really liked how you pointed out the imagery in both songs, especially in “One.” The lines “Darkness imprisoning me / All that I see, absolute horror” really stood out to me too because they make the listener feel completely trapped along with the speaker (Metallica, “One”). It is not just physical pain from war, but mental imprisonment. When he says, “I cannot live, I cannot die / Trapped in myself / Body, my holding cell,” it shows that his body has become a prison, which is such a powerful image (Metallica, “One”). In a way, that connects back to your point about “Fade to Black” because both songs show someone feeling stuck, just in different situations. In “Fade to Black,” the line “I have lost the will to live / Simply nothing more to give” feels quieter but just as heavy (Metallica, “Fade to Black”). The words are simple, but that almost makes them more real. I agree with you that the personification in “Death greets me warm” makes it feel almost comforting instead of scary, which is what makes it so controversial (Metallica, “Fade to Black”). To answer your question about perspective, I also think both songs use imagined voices rather than the band members directly, and that makes them feel like storytelling. If either song were written from a family member’s or friend’s perspective, I think the tone would shift from internal suffering to outside confusion or regret, which would completely change the emotional impact.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited
Metallica. “Fade to Black.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-fade-to-black-lyrics
Metallica. “One.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Kylie! I had never listened to Metallica before, so I enjoyed going through your blog post a lot. After reading your analysis of the songs, I decided to listen to them and I liked both of the songs. However, I was particularly interested in the song “Fade to Black”. I would say that I have to agree with your mom on how the song can push a depressed person into further distress. With the song having lyrics like, “No one but me can save myself, but it's too late/ Now I can't think, think why I should even try”, I think that depressed people listening to it may begin to feel more helpless (Metallica). The song “Fade to Black” reminds me of the artist Mitski, whose music can also have a potentially negative impact on depressed listeners. As you said, this song poses an invisible threat to those who are already suffering with its powerful imagery.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I also like the point that you made when talking about the other Metallica song, “One”. Hearing either of these songs could make an individual who is experiencing those overwhelming emotions feel understood. Feeling understood could lead to a journey of recovery, consequently bettering individuals' lives.
To answer the question about which lyric stuck out the most to me, there was one. It was at the start of the song, “One”, where they said, “Goddamn coward, get your ass out of that trench/ Move, move, move, move, move/Get out of here, oh, fuck/We're all fucking trapped here, we're all fucking trapped here” (Metallica). I feel like I could just hear the desperation of a soldier saying that in my head while I was reading the lyrics on Genius. That lyric and the entire song had reminded me of the war movie “All Quiet on the Western Front”. Overall, I really appreciated your blog post. I enjoyed listening to the songs and thinking about them too.
Works Cited
Metallica. “Fade to Black.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-fade-to-black-lyrics
Metallica. “One.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
Hi Kylie, I have listened to metallica and I feel like these songs are very good for your question. I enjoyed going through your post and seeing your look on these songs and why they answer your question well. I loved how you pointed out the imagery in these songs. Your example in their song "One" “Fed through the tube that sticks in me. Just like a wartime novelty. Tied to machines that make me be” (Metallica) is very well. These lyrics allow me to truly see what he is saying in this song and it just allows a deeper connection to the lyrics. For your question of how the songs portray psychological suffering differently I think you did a very good job answering this in your prompt. Both songs represent someone who is feeling stuck. I think adding the lyrics form the song "One" "Deep Down inside, I feel to scream" would help answer your questions well. I think it gives the feeling of being stuck and super frustrated. The lyric seems like more of psychological sufferign and I think this would add to your answer to the question. It is a very deep lyric and would be beneficial for you. I think you did a good job on your blog and I enjoyed listenign to metalica for an assignment.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited
Metallica. “One.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
Hi Kylie, I do not normally listen to Metallica so it was interesting to hear this genre of music. After listening to both of these songs I think your points are clear and valid for your analytical question. I understand what your moms point of view on from the "Fade To Black" song, especially based on lyrics like "I have lost the will to live / Simply nothing more to give". Listening to this song could put someone in a sad or depressed mood. However, I also like that you point out the fact Metallica uses this to connect to those in these types of mood, they are not trying to make someone else depressed but to help them feel understood. Like you kind of explained, the interpretation of this song depends on the person themselves. For the song "One" it does feel like a more physical struggle based on the talk of war like you said. Although I have never listened to these songs, I understand your points clearly and how both of these songs can give people an outlet for their emotions.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited:
Metallica. “Fade to Black.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-fade-to-black-lyrics
Metallica. “One.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
Hi Kylie, I am familiar with Metallica, so reading your post was enjoyable and shows imagery of the songs really well. Additionally I think you answered the analytical question well. I think that Metallica’s “One” and “Fade to Black” show different versions of psychological suffering. In “One” it says “Hold my breath as I wish for death Oh, please God, wake me” (Metallica, “One”), which appears more as an active and direct wish for an end to suffering while in “Fade to Black” its more of a passive lamentation of emptiness and suffering which is seen in this lyric “Things not what they used to be Missing one inside of me” (Metalica,”Fade to Black”). These portrayals of PTSD and depression seem kind of realistic from an internal monologue perspective but it doesn't do much to get back or fight against the despair so I could see it just contributing to further despair.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited
Metallica. “Fade to Black.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-fade-to-black-lyrics
Metallica. “One.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
The blogger posts analytical question is "How do “One” and “Fade to Black” portray psychological suffering differently? Do these portrayals raise awareness about PTSD and depression, or do they influence people into further despair?" (Kylie Young). "One" and "Fade to Black" portray psychological suffering differently for example "One" views death not necessarily positive, more like inevitable. "One" feels more like someone who is stuck surviving, but would rather live or die but not just survive. A quote from the song that makes me feel this way is "Darkness imprisoning me All that I see, absolute horror I cannot live, I cannot die Trapped in myself Body, my holding cell" ("One"). Meanwhile, "Fade to Black" talks about death in a manor that is almost positive. In the blogger post it said " The personification of "Death" makes it seem as though it should be felt as a comforting encounter rather than a scary one." (Kylie Young). The song goes about death differently than commonly thought about. As a kid I listened to there music and found it deeply comforting. That something that is inevitable could be seen as a positive rather than the negative that everyone says it is. Despite that death is depicted as a positive in the song it also is being told from someone who is struggling and has lost the will to live. Lyrics depicting this is "No one but me can save myself, but it's too late Now I can't think, think why I should even try" ("Fade to Black"). So "One" feels like someone stuck just surviving and "Fade to Black" is kinda romanticizing death by someone who has already chosen to give up.
ReplyDeleteThe second part of the analytical question is definitely a thought provoking one for me it says "Do these portrayals raise awareness about PTSD and depression, or do they influence people into further despair?" (Kylie Young). As someone who listened to Metallica as a kid and still now, while also having experienced mental health issues this question made me pull from my experiences and frankly I couldn't give a definite answer. I personally found aspects comforting. For example in "Fade to Black" "Death greets me warm, now I will just say goodbye" ("Fade to Black"). The idea that death wouldn't be miserable was appealing to me. I used to think that fearing the inevitable was silly since it ensured that would would be in fear eventually and I still feel that way somewhat. I feel that Metallica's music has actually helped me more than it ever hurt me. From my personal struggles with metal heal listening to a song wouldn't push me over the edge I would have already made the decision and it would have just been viewed as reassurance that I was making the right decision, but frankly if I was doing something that drastic I would take even the most minor inconveniences as reassurance that I made the right decision. I think the songs bring awareness to mental health issues and raises questions about death in a world that has made discussing it feel taboo. I don't think the songs put people in further despair or at least not anymore than any breakup song that might be on the radio.
Works Cited
Metallica. “Fade to Black.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-fade-to-black-lyrics
Metallica. “One.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
Hi, Kylie! I am a firm believer that acknowledgement of psychological trauma or accurate references to clinical depression cannot be faulted for highlighting a difficult truth that millions of Americans experience. Both of these songs are excellent examples that prove my point!
ReplyDeleteIn "One", the band focuses on the mental anguish and suicidal thoughts of a soldier who experienced a life-altering injury and is being kept alive via machinery. The lyrics reflect the psychological effect of losing autonomy, identity, and hope after traumatic events, which is often misrepresented within popular media. When the soldier pleads, “Hold my breath as I wish for death / Oh please, God, wake me,” the audience is confronted with the depth of his despair and the horror of being conscious yet powerless ("One"). Popular portrayals of PTSD tend to underrepresent the sheer despair experienced by those who survive catastrophic trauma but feel trapped or burdened by it long after the physical wounds have healed.
Metallica's "Fade to Black" is a far more sullen lament detailing the thoughts of someone caught in the throes of chronic depression. Instead of focusing on external trauma, it focuses on the feeling of emptiness as well as the isolation experienced by those with chronic depression. The line “I have lost the will to live / Simply nothing more to give” captures the numb exhaustion that often defines depressive disorders ("Fade to Black"). A common misconception regarding mental disorders is that they affect everyone similarly. The explosiveness of "One" is replaced by deep sorrow, which emphasizes the important distinction between those who suffer from mood or personality disorders.
Works Cited:
Metallica, "One", Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
Metallica, "Fade to Black", Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-fade-to-black-lyrics
Hi Kylie! You did a good job answering the question and I agree. I think "One" and "Fade to Black" show psychological suffering in different ways because "One" connects mental pain to physical trauma, while "Fade to Black" focuses on internal struggles. In the first song, the imagery in the line “Darkness imprisoning me / All that I see, absolute horror” emphasizes how the trauma of war leaves the person mentally trapped and overwhelmed ("One"). It feels like the suffering is something he did not choose, especially when he says, “Trapped in myself / Body, my holding cell,” because it shows how his own body has basically become a prison after the things he experienced (“One”). On the other hand, the second song shows depression as something that slowly takes over from the inside, especially in the line “I have lost the will to live / Simply nothing more to give” (“Fade to Black”). This kind of suffering feels quieter and lonelier, and there is not one clear physical event that caused it. I think both songs help raise awareness because they show two different types of psychological pain, one that comes from trauma and one that comes from deep emotional struggle. As somebody who has struggled with mental health, I believe these songs put the real feelings into words and make experiences feel understood.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited:
Metallica. “Fade to Black.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-fade-to-black-lyrics
Metallica. “One.” Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
The first song "Fade to Black" is much more direct talking about the feeling of suffering. While the song "One" talks about the mental suffering. The line that speaks the most volume in "Fade to Black" is "I have lost the will to live". This line is an immediate sign of phsycological suffering and describes his pain. While the line from the song "One" has almost the same feeling with it saying "hold my breath as I wish for death". This lyric is repeated through the song giving more emotion behind it. Both these songs bring more awareness to the problem at hand. This is because when someone listens to the song they will notice the lyrics and be more noticeable of those things in their every day life. However if someone who is already struggling with depression listens to the song instead of being brought farthur down they will most likely listen to the song more for a commonality and feel more comfortable because the song is talking about something they live with every day.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited
Metallica, "Fade to Black", Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-fade-to-black-lyrics
Metallica, "One", Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
In the song "One," Metallica shows psychological suffering as a result of physical trauma and a loss of control. The narrator feels trapped in his own body and describes his life as an "absolute horror" (One). This view helps raise awareness about the mental toll of war and the reality of PTSD. In contrast, the song "Fade to Black" focuses more on the internal feeling of losing hope and the weight of deep sadness. The lyrics state that the narrator has "lost the will to live" which shows a battle with depression (Fade to Black). While some people worry these songs might lead to more despair, they often help fans feel less alone in their pain. By giving words to these dark feelings, the band creates a way for listeners to process their own heavy emotions. These songs act as a bridge that allows people to talk about mental health more openly. The music serves to relate to the human experience rather than just pushing people into further sadness.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited:
Metallica, "Fade to Black", Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-fade-to-black-lyrics
Metallica, "One", Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
"Fade to Black" approaches psychological suffering and depression in a way where it is as if they are coming to terms with it. At the end of the song they say, "No one but me can save myself, but it's too late...Death greets me warm, now I will just say goodbye"(Metallica). It sounds like exhaustion, lost for hope, and acceptance. It represents an experience some may feel with depression where it feels like they cannot escape it. Similarly, "One" addresses depression as something they cannot escape and are trapped with it, but it is more of a breakdown. The lyrics portray more frustration. For example, (basically the entire bridge)
ReplyDelete"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" (Metallica)
The psychological suffering becomes a metaphorical prison and they exclaim their frustration by stating all the things depression has taken from them.
Works Cited:
DeleteMetallica, "Fade to Black", Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-fade-to-black-lyrics
Metallica, "One", Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
Hey Kylie! I have never listened to, or heard of the group Metallica, but the lyrics in the songs you've provided are fascinating. To compare the portrayal of psychological suffering between the songs "One" and "Fade to Black," I compared some lyrics from each of them. In "One," it says "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." These lyrics show how James Hetfield was trying to tell a story in the perspective of a soldier who suffered severe trauma and damage through war ("One"). His injuries caused him both physical and mental suffering, likely indicating a development of PTSD.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, "Fade to Black" points more towards depression and mental suffering. For example, lyrics from "Fade to Black" say, " Getting lost within myself/ Nothing matters, no one else/ I have lost the will to live/ Simply nothing more to give.../ Need the end to set me free (“Fade to Black”)." This shows how "Fade to Black" portrays psychological suffering in a way that leans more towards emotional suffering and depression. The lyrics say, "I have lost the will to live," which is a common thought, expression, or saying found within people who experience depression (“Fade to Black”).
Overall, "One" focuses on physical suffering that also impacted one's mental health, where as "Fade to Black" focuses mainly on mental suffering and depression. I believe that each song can be perceived differently, but in my opinion the portrayal in "One" seems to raise awareness about PTSD and the effects war has had on many former soldiers and veterans, where as "Fade to Black" might be more influencing into further despair.
Works Cited:
Metallica, "One", Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-one-lyrics
Metallica, "Fade to Black", Genius, https://genius.com/Metallica-fade-to-black-lyrics
Hi Kylie! I think that your analysis was sound and had many good connections to support your argument. However, in a few places you use awkward wording, like I don't think romanticize was the word you were looking for. Also I wouldn't consider suicide and depression taboo maybe back then but modern era I think they are pretty common topics for music. I would just change that phrasing if you plan to use it in an essay. Starting with the second half of your question while there is no definitive answer I believe it does both. For someone without depression or suicidal thoughts I think it could bring some awareness, but to someone who is already experiencing those feelings, It only makes them stronger. That is what Music Theory and personal experience suggests. For example, say you just broke up with someone and your really upset about it, does listening to sad breakup songs make you feel better or worse in the moment? I would argue it makes you feel worse. Circling back around the most glaring different is that In one the wish for death comes from PTSD while in Fade to black there is no clear reason. I think that each of these songs represents a different mental disorder one is PTSD and the other is Depression but in the end they both kind of led to the same mindset.
ReplyDelete