Metallica – The Frayed Ends of Sanity

Know something about this song or lyrics? Add it to our wiki.
Send "The Frayed Ends of Sanity" Ringtone to Cell

Never hunger
Never prosper
I have fallen prey to failure

Struggle within
Triggered again
Now the candle burns at both ends

Twisting under schizophrenia
Falling deep into dementia

Old habits reappear
Fighting the fear of fears
Growing conspiracy
Everyone's after me
Frayed ends of sanity
Hear them calling
Hear them calling me!

Birth of terror
Death of much more
I'm the slave of fear, my captor

Never warnings
Spreading its wings
As I wait for the horror she brings

Loss of interest, question, wonder
Waves of fear they pull me under

Old habits reappear
Fighting the fear of fears
Growing conspiracy
Everyone's after me
Frayed ends of sanity
Hear them calling
Hear them calling me!

Into ruin
I am sinking
Hostage of this nameless feeling

Hell is set free
Flooded I'll be
Feel the undertow inside me

Height, hell, time, haste, terror, tension
Life, death, want, waste, mass depression

Old habits reappear
Fighting the fear of fears
Growing conspiracy
Everyone's after me
Frayed ends of sanity
Hear them calling
Hear them calling me! Ha-ha-ha-ha!

Send "The Frayed Ends of Sanity" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by elmoz, edited by RyanWolfeh

Track duration: 07:44


The Frayed Ends of Sanity song meanings
Add your thoughts

47 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    My Opinion:I believe that it is about not just declining into ones own shell of paranoia, but victim mentality and escapism (to an extent) as the cause of this. one line in particular kinda points out this tone for me,
    "I have fallen prey to failure."
    The use of the word 'prey', rather than describing himself as a failure, implies that his deteriorating mental state is caused by being targeted by failure he thinks is not his fault, hes even full out blaming his condition on someone else, be that an alternate personality, or 'voices' (twisting under schizophrenia) but somewhat coming to realize this by the end of the song. (myself is after me)
    Flag VladimirLPon January 25, 2013   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I see this as a song about being straight as in off drugs and dealing with life and life's emotions drug and alcohol free. The stress and mental issues involved with that which can be debilitating for someone with a lifetime of substance abuse under there belt. Getting clean and perhaps relapsing. Old habits reappear..... Just my take on it, only an opinion. Could have a bunch of different meanings though or interpretations from different peeps.
    Flag scottwhitaon August 31, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Definitely describing insanity and mental illness. "Old habits reappear" suggests that perhaps it is a mental illness that had been dormant for a time but now some sort of stressor or trigger has brought it back. Either that or it could be a manic depressive who was in a normal state and now is heading towards one of the two poles again.
    Flag ScreenNameNeededon June 15, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:One of my favorite Metallica songs. Surprised no one has commented on this one yet.
    Flag dunamison March 31, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:the second part with as i wait for the horror she brings might indicate a relationship. the woman being the captor.
    Flag SerpentSeedon December 11, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Awesome Song!!! one of my favorites of Metallica
    Flag Incuboon July 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Awesome Song!!! one of my favorites of Metallica
    Flag Incuboon July 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:ya man dis shits about paranoia, thinking youre dying and thinking everyone around yous insane when youre insane yourself and that everyones trying to kill you
    Flag metallica37on June 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i like the intro
    Flag J-Rizzoon May 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Well I know the song is in reference to loss of mind and sanity. But!! I think it would make a kick ass were-wolf song! I mean think about it for just a moment. Never Hunger.Never Prosper.I Have Fallen Prey to Failure.Struggle WithinTriggered Again.Now the Candle Burns at Both Ends. Could be used as reference for The constant battle with the beast inside you for mental control and losing to the animal inside.
    Twisting under Schizophrenia.Falling Deep into Dementia. Would be how the world would see you if you ever talked about it...or maybe even how you felt about yourself for dealing with it.
    Old Habits Reappear- could be drinking or drug abuse to cease the beast
    Fighting the Fear of Fear - the fact you are a monster inside
    Growing Conspiracy - no really knowing much about yourself
    Everyone's after Me - everyone wants to know "whats the matter" all the time
    Frayed Ends of Sanity - How your life would feel everyday...
    Hear Them Calling- Them could be a referal to the spirits
    Hear Them Calling Me - as above but more direct
    Birth of Terror - actually changing and doing something regretible
    Death of Much More - Killing or otherwise harming people or things. And then learning of it would kill you on the inside.
    I'm the Slave of Fear,my Captore - Knowing that the beast spirit deep within you is making you do horrid things but you can't escape it.
    I could go on but I am sure whom ever reads this will think me crazy enough as is...But remember!! Black album they did write Of Wolf and Man ^_^ I have a VERY weird outlook on songs and meanings...Just thought I would share my wierd out look on their song...No MATTER what it really means I will always love it.
    Flag metalmusicloveron April 20, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain