Guilty as charged
But damn it, it ain't right
There is someone else controlling me

Death in the air
Strapped in the electric chair
This can't be happening to me

Who made you God to say
"I'll take your life from you!"

Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flame

Wait for the sign
To flick the switch of death
It's the beginning of the end

Sweat, chilling cold
As I watch death unfold
Consciousness my only friend

My fingers grip with fear
What I am doing here?

Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flame

Someone help me, oh please God help me
They are trying to take it all away
I don't want to die…

Someone help me, oh please God help me
They are trying to take it all away
I don't want to die…

Time moving slow
The minutes seem like hours
The final curtain call, I see
How true is this
Just get it over with
If this is true, just let it be

Wakened by horrid scream
Freed from this frightening dream

Flash before my eyes
now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flame



Lyrics submitted by elmoz, edited by RyanWolfeh

Track duration: 04:18


Ride The Lightning song meanings
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90 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:good song!!
    Flag mtrhdmomon October 07, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Best Metallica Song and Album ever.
    Flag NoLifeTillLeatheron September 06, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:This song is preety self explanatory, but its about a guy who was charged with a crime he did not comit, so if you really think about this song deeply its really about how the Death penalty is wrong
    Flag MetalKOon August 12, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:i'm guessing its about being wrongly convicted
    Flag fuckityfuckityfuckon July 04, 2011   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:i'm guessing its about being wrongly convicted
    Flag fuckityfuckityfuckon July 04, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Oh, yeah, but he was insane at time, and it was a dream. love the dream part, too, because that makes it more relevant to everyone. Hetfield is pretty friggin' cool.
    Flag JimCphillyon June 04, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:"Wakened by horrid scream, Freed from this frightening dream"

    Maybe it was just a nightmare?
    Flag randomstofilon November 04, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:I think the man who is put into the electric chair must have had Schizofrenia (however you spell it) and thats why he doesn't think he's guilty and says that someone else was controlling him. Maybe his second personality was more violent than his own, and he did whatever it is that put the man there. But, hey, it's just my opinion. And, it wouldn't be Metallica's first song about Schizofrenia, now would it? I think it makes sense.
    Flag dtectorx1on September 04, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:amazing solo. sorry but i just think its about a man in an electric chair because he became possessed by something or other and committed a crime he doesnt think he did. the solo has nothing to do with the lyrics though hahahahahahaha
    Flag metallicaobsessor88on June 25, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:We are lucky not to have the death penalty in england
    Flag masterofyouon June 16, 2010   Link

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