Metallica – Low Man's Lyric

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  My Interpretation:With all the references to veins and looking worn, seems like he's talking from a IV user's POV. Likely, a heroine user, but other drugs would have the same long-term effects. The dog references may be a depreciation of self and a metaphor for "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." Basically, rehab isn't on the radar and the person keeps searching for the next high.

  Flag Thraxxoron August 21, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:This song is about a man who is writing a suicide note. The trash fire is the little bit of hope that this person offered him, but the storm is the inevitability that he will kill himself, as he knows that the net has rotted away, but still chooses to give up and let go of his life. It’s a suicide note because it says, “What’s done and to do”, which means by the time he/she reads the note, he will be dead, but it hasn’t yet happened. And as he’s writing, he is feeling like he’s already dead (being so low the sky is all he can see, like in a grave), which is why he’s figuratively feeling for a pulse and is so far gone in his depression, that he sees nothing but that looming cloud of death in the distance. He also sees himself as this worthless person who doesn’t deserve to live. He tried to feel better about himself, but it was only on an outward notion, as it says that he’s lying to himself. He’s asking forgiveness because even though he may not feel like he deserves it, the person will be hurt that he killed himself. The note he is writing is to give some kind of clarity as to why he is killing himself, so the person he is writing it to will understand. He’s sorry because this person has already saved him from committing suicide before, but he just wants to put himself out of his misery and save the world from himself. When he says that he’s touching the clean to the waste, it’s actually him who is the waste and is comparing the person who saved him as clean and he’s tainted the person with the burden of trying to save this man.

  Flag RobinMatt1on August 20, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:i feel like the part ""trash fire is worm but nowhere safe from the storm"" may refer to joy of this world or even alcohol,that is good,but it can easily be ruined

  Flag Holyspiriton April 12, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:This song is about accepting one's true nature. It combats the popular religious belief that you can be forgiven by confessing your sins. You can apologize to others for who you are, but that's not the same as forgiving yourself. You'll always be tied to what you've done and at the end of the day if you feel like you're not a good person, then the only resolution is to attempt to change your nature. Yet, you're trapped forever in your own mind with the memories of what you've done in your life. If you have corrupted and harmed other human beings, then it's difficult to feel like you really deserve forgiveness. If you can't look at yourself and say that you've lived your life the right way or treated people well, then how will you ever feel like you're deserving of the good that life has to offer?

  Flag LL2369on June 10, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:Scholar my ass.

  Flag LL2369on June 10, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:Ok, what this song is really about is free spirited speed freak, someone that sees beyond what others see, someone who's mind is open and sees what is real. he is a powerful spiritual being, and a healer (touch clean with a dirty hand) he has a girlfriend and a place to live, he is not some bum on the streets! but he chooses to go out, run away and go on meth runs because he feels it empowers him, but there is always a price to pay, and he always feels guilty afterwards, so he is asking his lover for forgiveness, he writes her letters before he comes home. she brings him back home and gives him another chance (you bring this poor dog in from the rain, but he just wants back out again) , but eventually he goes back out to using, shooting meth (my fingers seek my veins), he buys his dope from some dude in an alley (i cry to the alleyway), he loves rain because he feels like it cleanses him, (confess all to the rain), he is an addict that is in denial, but he has so many gifts! (i lie straight to the mirror, the one i've broken to match my face), him going on a run means he doesn't come home, but he is ok, he just wanders, (the trash fire warm - a metaphor for that he is warm, alive, and ok) and (nowhere safe from the storm - the storm is himself, his addiction) no matter where he goes, he is not safe from his own addiction... why would someone think this about some fucking bum! that song would include a cardboard box and a bottle of gin! This song is beautiful and very real! I personally know JH and he explained this all to me... Hope this helps!

  Flag fearmotoron June 04, 2011   Link

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    So wrong. You don't know Hetfield. That was the worst interpretation yet.

    Flag LL2369on June 10, 2011  
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  General Comment:All i know is that i am not a metallica fan, far from it, but there is a handful of songs i like and i can safely say this is the best of them, it simply strikes a tone with me and i can relate to alot of what sort of feelings are being expressed, but also to parts of the text.

  Flag malciteon February 14, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:this is a heroin addict's suicide note.

  Flag J5izeon July 08, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:I hate to do this to everyone but this is about an IRA bomber - James has sympathies & even puts on a bit of a irish accent "And I cry, to the alley way, Confess all to the rain"
  By writing, he's arranging another attack because its in his veins but he now feels sorry for all the death he's caused.
  
  ...or it could be about a remorseful old tramp!

  Flag searchingfordoughnutson July 02, 2010   Link

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  My Opinion:I think the line "I touched the clean to the waste" is "I touched the clean through the waste", meaning despite all this wrong-doing he's reached through and had good moments.

  Flag cam1895on January 28, 2010   Link

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    I have Always Imagined this song as a video in my mind, i hope people can relate to it.
    
    Waking up and looking into the mirror as my finger search for life in my skin, staring at a dog sitting in the pouring rain.
    
    i fall back into the sofa feeling for holes, with my eyes not leavin the mirror sitting above the fireplace, as my hand searches for the class of whiskey.
    
    I take a drink but cant bear to see what i have become, so as i look at the picture of my wife and son, with a tear strolling down my eye, i stretch my fingers then clench them to a fist.
    
    As i write on the back of the photograph "please forgive me" i look up to the ceiling and all i can see is blue sky and them waving at me.
    
    I run to where i seen the dog but it was gone again and i cry looking out then turn back and throw the glass off the mirror, the mirror now broken shows my true face.
    
    And i whisper the "low man is due"

    Flag Inhumanetieon May 26, 2010  

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