Joe's Jams 8.22.08: Metallica - My Top Ten
Posted by Joe Rivett on 08.22.2008
Are there ten better songs than Master of Puppets?
I never know what to say when people ask me what my favorite song is. But when they ask me what my favorite band is... That is easy to answer: Metallica! Coming up with a top ten list of my favorite songs was a lot more difficult. Here they are...
10. Frantic
Not many people including myself liked St. Anger. But the album contained one really good song and that is "Frantic". This is the one song where I love the overpowering drums in this album. It also has a very catchy melody. Lyrically, it is awful which keeps me from placing it higher. Here is the chorus:
My lifestyle determines my deathstyle!
My lifestyle determines my deathstyle!
Keep searching
Keep on searching
This search goes on
This search goes on
Keep searching.
Keep on searching.
This search goes on.
This search goes on.
Again, it is not very meaningful but definitely fun.
9. Blackened
And Justice for All was the first Metallica album I ever bought. I bought it for the song "One," however, the first song on the album "Blackened" is almost as good. I loved the way Hetfield would sing certain words like 'never' and 'fire' in this song. The guitar solo at 4:06 is my favorite on any song. What I remember most about this song is fear my mother would hear the lyrics: "See our mother put to death, see our mother die" and think I wanted her dead.
8. And Justice for All
This is one of Metallica's most complex songs. From what I have read they have only played it a few times live. The opening lyrics show Hetfield's disdain for the Justice system:
Halls of Justice Painted Green
Money Talking
Power Wolves Beset Your Door
Hear Them Stalking
Soon You'll Please Their Appetite
They Devour
Hammer of Justice Crushes You
Overpower
7. Hero of the Day
This is one of those songs that grew on me over time. The end of the song is great as he sings "Mama they try and break me" over and over with more passion each time. A lot of hardcore Metallica fans complain of Metallica's pop like sound nowadays. This song is a pop song with a positive message and there is nothing wrong with something different.
6. Call of Ktulu S+M version
This is a song that I'm not wild about on the original album but love the S+M version. This song is like going up a roller coaster taking forever to climax but when it does, it is awesome. I think having an entire orchestra adds to the story of the song. At 7:25 the song slows down as Kirk Hammett does a nice duet with a trumpet. The song is the perfect opening for Master of Puppets which is the next track. Unfortunately, the crowd is not recorded very well during that song.
5. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
There is no other word to describe the opening of this song other than 'cool'. Listening to it you feel as though you are stuck in a sanitarium. I'm a social worker whose job it is to prevent people from being hospitalized. Many of my clients have awful stories of being in psych wards when they were younger. For Rush fans, at 4:07 they use the Tom Sawyer riff and give them credit in the notes.
4. Dyers Eve
This is the best speed metal Metallica song. Before Eminem made a living bashing his mom, Hetfield used this song to display his anger toward his parents:
Dear Mother
Dear Father
What Is this Hell You Have Put Me Through
Believer
Deceiver
Day in Day out Live 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
3. Bleeding Me
By far Bleeding Me is the best song on the Load album. It was probably too long to get any radio play. Yet, it showcases James Hetfield's voice better than any Metallica song. I love the way he sings "I can't take it." The song is also great because it goes from loud to quiet effortlessly.
2. One
This is the only song that has ever made me cry. While I have never met anyone damaged in war, I've experienced people in the final stages of cancer where they just want to die to end their pain. When I hear this song I think of them. Musically, the bridge at 4:37 in the song made me a Metallica fan. It also happens to be a fun part to play in Guitar Hero.
1. Outlaw Torn S+M Version
It is amazing that my favorite Metallica song is this one. I despise the original version on the album Load. However, adding a symphony and James Hetfield's voice live made a song I hate turn into my favorite Metallica song. He enunciates the lyrics beautifully. The chorus is powerful:
Hear me
And if I close my mind in fear
Please pry it open
See me
And if my face becomes sincere
Beware
Hold me
And when I start to come undone
Stitch me together
See me
And when you see me strut
Remind me of what left this outlaw torn
The song begins to close with an amazing guitar solo at 6:20 that to this day gives me goose-bumps.
There are some songs I neglected because I listened to them too much and got sick of them. I realize some people will be upset that I didn't include Master of Puppets, Fade to Black, or Ride the Lightning.
worst fucking list ever.. did you start listening to Metallica after re-load or something? this is just aweful
Posted By: i should have your job (Registered) on August 22, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Everything after Load was a LOAD of Crap.
Though I agree with you on Bleeding me.
Personally though One is my favorite Metallica song
Posted By: The Rev (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Your credibility went out the window with Frantic. You are free to like what you want but youre opinion should be meaningless to anyone who is a fan of good music.
Posted By: Champ (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Anytime the S&M album is mentioned, I love it. I'm an absolute sucker for mixing rock with orchestra (ever since I heard the two genres mixed for Aerosmith's "Dream On") and I played the hell out of this album when I got it for Christmas. Love it, and I also love "Master of Puppets." Well said, Joe...
Posted By: George H. Sirois (Registered) on August 22, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Actually, it's "Ktulu" not "Katula".
Posted By: Guest (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 09:49 AM
They did play Bleeding me alot on radio, but it is a very short version. They shortened Ozzy's No Mre Tears Heavily also. I always like Of Wolf and Man off the Black album. Wished that had been a single.
Posted By: sleaze dan (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Interesting list. I'd have to say that "One" is my favorite Metallica song, and the 1-2 punch of "...And Justice For All" and "One" from the Seattle '89 show (in the Live Shit boxset) is untouchable. And it's good to know that there's someone else who loves the "S&M" version of "The Outlaw Torn". Like you, I wasn't too impressed with the original version, but Metallica and the orchestra absolutely slayed it live.
Posted By: Rob (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 11:06 AM
I know opinions are like assholes, but...
1. Disposable Heroes
2. Fight Fire With Fire
3. Jump In The Fire
4. Dyer's Eve
5. Damage, Inc.
6. The Call Of Ktulu
7. Orion
8. Frayed Ends Of Sanity
9. The Thing That Should Not Be
10. Hit The Lights
I suppose if I had to pick my favorite songs of the post-1988 albums (not my favorite period of the band) it'd be:
Black Album: "My Friend Of Misery"
Load: "The Outlaw Torn"
Re-Load: "Devil's Dance"
S&M: "The Call Of Ktulu"
St. Anger: I can't stand any of it.
Like I said, just my opinion. I'm sure people will despise this list, too.
Posted By: Mighty_Beefcake (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Where the hell is Enter Sandman? I know that it's overplayed but still, It's Enter Sandman.
Posted By: Davis (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 11:56 AM
nobody has any love for Creeping Death? The live version on binge in purge is one of my favorite tracks. the Die! chant owns it
Posted By: jared (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Fucking cool list, Joe, and fuck the haters. I'm glad you're list is all over the place and not focused on the first three albums. And props for Hero Of The Day, though I prefer the S&M version.
Posted By: Dan Halen (Registered) on August 22, 2008 at 12:30 PM
That list sucks....they do have other albums. How bout this for a list:
1)Sanitarium
2)Creeping Death
3)One
4)Battery
5)For whom the Bell Tolls
6)Seek and Destroy
7)Enter Sandman
8)Fade to Black
9)The Four Horseman
10)No Remorse
Posted By: dirtbaglsu (Registered) on August 22, 2008 at 12:32 PM
For some reason I never liked Enter Sandman.
I listen to Metallica a lot when I am working out or cleaning so maybe that is why I like Frantic
Posted By: Joe R (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Master of Puppets? Ride the Lightning? Unforgiven? Where are these songs? Don't get me wrong I like your list but these are some good ones.
Posted By: JM (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Love the list, but here's mine, for those with opinions and all that lol...
In no particular order...
1. One
2. To Live Is To Die
3. Battery
4. ...And Justice For All
5. Shortest Straw
6. Calling of Ktulu (S+M)
7. The Unnamed Feeling
8. Frantic
9. Master of Puppets
10. Bleeding Me
Posted By: Mr Miller (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Just because I didn't list Master of Puppets or Unforgiven doesn't mean I don't love them, but when I want to listen to Metallica, I usually pop in And Justice for All, Load and S+M. They would have appeared if it was a top 15 or 20
Posted By: Joe Rivett (Registered) on August 22, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Orion and Four Horsemen
Posted By: Guest#2482 (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 08:34 PM
I tried making a list, but I just couldn't do it - too many great songs. I might as well throw "Whiplash" into the mix, though- don't think anyone mentioned it and it's definitely in my top 10. Also, glad to see Ktulu (S&M) getting some love.
Between the last three minutes of the single (ie the 3 minutes they won't play on the radio) and the five clips they put up on their website today, it looks like the new album may be a return to old school Metallica. That's a good thing, in my opinion.
Posted By: Fire! (Guest) on August 22, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Dude, dude, this is the worst Metallica list i have ever seen.
How in God's Green Hell would you dare put a St Anger song in this list?
You have good songs, but they are overshadowed by the Load and Reload trash.
Let me show you a real top ten of Metallica bought to you by me
1. One
2. Fade To Black
3. Master of Puppets
4. Creeping Death
5. Seek and Destroy
6. Welcome Home
7. Blackened
8. Damage Inc.
9. For Whom the Bell Tolls
10. Enter Sandman
NOW THATS A LIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted By: Marc (Guest) on August 23, 2008 at 01:17 AM
Actually, I have nothing from Reload. I think For Whom the Bell Tolls is overrated except for the opening minute.
Posted By: Joe Rivett (Registered) on August 23, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Actually, I have nothing from Reload. I think For Whom the Bell Tolls is overrated except for the opening minute.
Posted By: Joe Rivett (Registered) on August 23, 2008 at 10:39 AM
how could you say for whom the bell tolls is over rated? everything about that song is awesome.. i mean the lyrics are so deep and the way burton and hammett tie in the bass and guitar is sick..
my top ten:
10.creeping death
9.whiplash
8.Battery
7.Harvester of sorrow
6.The struggle within
5.F0r whom the bell tolls
4.The unforgiving
3.4 horsemen
2.Fade to black
1.one
Posted By: i should have your job (Registered) on August 23, 2008 at 12:10 PM
And away goes just about any credibility when it comes to talking heavy music. Notice how the only thing from the first 3 albums listed here is the overplayed/overrated "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)." Nothing off Kill 'Em All is listed...which is a pity, because while it's the worst of the first 4, it's still better than EVERYTHING done post-Justice.
My top 10, for what it's worth:
10. "No Remorse"
9. "Dyers Eve"
8. "Creeping Death"
7. "Fight Fire With Fire"
6. "Orion"
5. "Master of Puppets"
4. "Disposeable Heroes"
3. "Damage, Inc."
2. "For Whom The Bell Tolls"
1. "The Four Horsemen"
And George Hirois, you should check out some symphonic metal if you think S&M is anything more than a decent gimmick album. That's not said rudely, I'm serious. Rhapsody, early Cradle of Filth (up until about Cruelty and The Beast, if you can get past Dani's pretty bad vocals because the music was once very, VERY well done), Dimmu Borgir, OLD/REAL Apocalyptica (back before they found a bunch of nu-metal poseur frontmen to sing over generic rock songs; yeah, they just covered Metallica, but it was a string quartet playing METAL, and it sounded GREAT), and a plethora of black and power metal bands.
Posted By: AndrewCrow (Guest) on August 23, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Dude... you emo?
Posted By: mike (Guest) on August 24, 2008 at 01:19 PM
10. Sad but True.
9. Fade to Black.
8. Whiplash.
7. Harvester of Sorrow.
6. Enter Sandman.
5. Seek and Destroy.
4. ... and Justice for All.
3. Disposable Heroes.
2. One.
1. Battery.
Posted By: WadeMcG (Guest) on August 25, 2008 at 04:11 AM
