Metallica – Until It Sleeps

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Where do I take this pain of mine.
I run but it stays right by my side.
So tear me open and pour me out
There's things inside that scream and shout,
And the pain still hates me
So hold me until it sleeps.
Just like a curse, just like a stray.
You feed it once and now it stays,
Now it stays.
So tear me open but beware
There's things inside without a care,
And the dirt still stains me
So wash me until I'm clean.
It grips you so hold me
It stains you so hold me
It hates you so hold me
It holds you so hold me
Until it sleeps.
So tell me why you've chosen me
Don't want your grip
Don't want your greed
Don't want it
Now tear me open make you gone
No more can you hurt anyone,
And the fear still shakes me
So hold me, until it sleeps
It grips you so hold me
It stains you so hold me
It hates you so hold me
It holds you, holds you, holds you until it sleeps
Don't want it want it want it want it want it no
So tear me open but beware
There's things inside without a care,
And the dirt still stains me,
So wash me till I'm clean.
Now tear me open make you gone
No longer will you hurt anyone,
And the hate still shapes me,
So hold me until it sleeps

Send "Until It Sleeps" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by fennsk

Track duration: 04:39


Until It Sleeps song meanings
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  • 0
    My Interpretation:The song is about is mother dying from cancer and taking anger out on his father. Thats what he wrote the song about. Meaning there are several. I take from it is that over time keeping everything inside takes that person over the edge and cry for help (tear me open and poor me out) telling someone everything and try look for closure (until it sleeps)
    Flag Daniel667on August 29, 2012   Link
  • -1
    Song Meaning:everybody knows the meaning of the most of the metallica´s songs. ´the comun factor is the calling to fans to fallow the devil. because thats something metallica owes to devil.
    Flagged christian2on April 28, 2011   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • +1
    My Interpretation:This sounds like somebody coming down off of whatever...amphetamines, alcohol ect. They desperately want comfort but it's a false sort of comfort...they'll go right back to doing what they do once they feel alright, until then they sincerely want/need somebody to help them deal 'until it sleeps' I don't believe the person sincerely wants to be helped, even though they promise to reform (I'll tear me open make you gone, no longer can you hurt anyone) they're just seeking any form of comfort they can (hold me until it sleeps).
    Flag TravelingCornedBeefon January 02, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:To me this song is about dealing with depression. How a person struggles to break free from it but is consuming him.
    Flag Soulviveron October 11, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:When i hear the song it kinda sybolizes darkness and depression that lives in us. It never leaves and always has grip on you. (where do i take this pain of mine, i run but it stays by my side) Thats exactly how i feel.
    Flag metalhead1980on September 26, 2010   Link
  • +2
    My Opinion:Personally I don't like to use the phrase 'This song is about.....' as whatever inspired the lyrics be it cancer, heroine or personal demons it means different things to different people. For me this is one of the most powerful songs ever written, not just by Metallica, but anyone, obviously James Hetfield has drawn on personal anguishes but kept the source of the pain hidden making it easy for each and every one of us to relate it to the lowest point of our lives.
    When I first heard the lyrics I was amazed at how it explained exactly the pain I was currently feeling as if he'd got inside my head and put into words the absolute agony I was suffering, esp 'Hold me until it sleeps' suggesting that I'd get through but never exorcise the underlying causes. I hope i've made sense!! You can see why I need lyrics to express myself, I just cant project the same depth of emotion!

    Either way this is my favourite Metallica song and possibly fave song ever.
    Flagged DizziDogon April 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song somehow reminds me of unrequited love.
    Flag BlackSabbathon March 09, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:A very beautiful song. I love the hard, thrash metal Metallica, but wow some of their Load/Reload even some Black songs (Nothing Else, Unforgiven) are just beautiful masterpieces of music.This is why I love Metallica so much. I can listen to some of their stuff to go get absolutely jacked up out of my mind, or I can listen to songs like Until It Sleeps to relax and reflect on life. God bless Metallica.
    Flag JTAnderson06on January 19, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:The song is definitely about his father dying from cancer. Having said that, I think the song can relate to anyone struggling with any kind of pain. I never thought to listen to the song a whole lot until fairly recently, but now I can't stop listening to it.
    Flag Patriloton October 02, 2009   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:this song is defently about cancer there is no doubt in my mind that it is about cancer and i think im gonna get a tatoo saying "until it sleeps" because my grandma died and my other grandmother is dying from it now
    Flag DrCharmon October 01, 2009   Link

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