Metallica – Holier Than Thou

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Send "Holier Than Thou" Ringtone to Cell

METALLICA (1991)

(Hetfield, Ulrich)

No more!
the craps rolls out your mouth again
haven't changed, your brain is still gelatin
little whispers circle around your head
why don't you worry about yourself instead

who are you? where ya been? where ya from?
gossip is burning on the tip of your tongue
you lie so much you believe yourself
judge not lest ye be judged yourself

holier than thou
you are
holier than thou
you are
you know not

before you judge me take a look at you
can't you find something better to do
point the finger, slow to understand
arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand

it's not who you are it's who you know
others lives are the basis of your own
burn your bridges build them back with wealth
judge not lest ye be judged yourself

holier than thou
you are
holier than thou
you are
you know not

Yeah!!! Holier Than Thou

Hey You!!!

holier than thou
you are
holier than thou
you are
you know not

ohhh! NOT!!

Send "Holier Than Thou" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by elmoz

Track duration: 03:49


Holier Than Thou song meanings
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39 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:simply about people who only judge other without bringing anything new to the conversation. it blows me away how you can make a kickass song with so little lyrics :O all hail metallica
    Flag zlickdudeon January 21, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's gotta be about Dave Mustaine. He has a history with the band of talking shit since he was kicked out of the band before they got big. Go watch "Some Kind of Monster" the documentary where Metallica has a band therapist and they bring Dave in to chat. After succeeding with his own band Megadeth, selling millions of records, he is still a whiny and bitter person. The song has nothing to do with religion.
    Flag mgizmo2005on April 24, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about atheists and sinners how their eyes and ears will judge them but they dont know they soul is holier than their body witch soul creates that is god so is holier than thou you know not . So dont judge your self .
    Flag gamer3386on January 31, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is Metallica's reply to Dave Mustaine. Any thrash fan who knows the story between these guys can figure that out.

    Why don't you worry 'bout yourself instead? You lie so much you believe yourself. Burn your bridges, build them back with wealth.

    All of it fits perfectly with Mustaine. Would have to be the most arrogant, judgemental arsehole in the world. Wicked guitarist though! ;)
    Flag bsparon September 17, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The lines "...slow to understand/arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand" I think are a clear tip of the hat to the Rush song "Witch Hunt" from Moving Pictures:

    "Quick to judge,
    Quick to anger,
    Slow to understand
    Ignorance and prejudice
    And fear walk hand in hand."

    But I like how they added arrogance in place of prejudice -- fits with the song overall.
    Flag stoneo68on June 03, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:For those who have houses of glass, don't throw stones...
    That's my opinion
    Flag juanv96on May 30, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Listening to the song and reading the lyrics, i came to the conclusion that this kind of reminds me of one my 'friends'. This dude is full of himself and is pretty much in love with himself. I found out in the second verse when Jaymz sings 'before you judge me take a look at you can't you find something better to do
    point the finger, slow to understand arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand' i think it means before you give me 2 cents about me why dont you look at yourself for once if not well youre slow to understand anything because you are arrogant and ignorant of those around you.
    So, Alan Levy, holier than thou you are but you know not, FUCK YOU!
    Flag sepultura1987on August 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Ya I don't think this song is aimed at christians. Who cares you think James H. is pissed cuz some guy is a christian? The way it's written seems to be more aimed at people who think they're better than everyone because of their social status or whatever. I don't get the impression that it's aimed at religion besided the chorus but that's obviously just James way of writing; using biblical patois and so forth. IDK
    Flag convinceon May 14, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Besides the fact that I think christianity is based on 2 principles , fear and social acceptance. Their principles conflict with modern day psychology , it is expected that people are what they are , and if they arent , then it's too bad. I can't believe and I don't want anyones sympathy , there is nothing wrong with my spirit , I do not have a disease
    Flag Sheepofthefarmon August 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song reminds me of when I went on holiday with my girlfriend and her parents. And how they sat me down at their table and began to tell me how my beliefs are wrong , and how I'm going to hell , ever since then I haven't quite been the same , I have this build up of hate towards christians , I've managed to let go of most of it , but it is difficult , most of the people who follow the religion are just too judgemental. For me god is portrayed as being too dogmatic and dictator like for me to believe in him at this stage. But this is the song I listen to when these memories return in my head.
    Flag Sheepofthefarmon August 26, 2008   Link

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