Vocal ANALYSIS of "The Unforgiven: Part One" - A Metallica Ballad
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- Опубликовано: 8 дек 2022
- Overwhemingly, you all have requested I take a look at the trilogy that is "The Unforgiven" by Metallica. Now, I recorded this analysis before "Lux Æterna" was released this last week, so I'm behind on their new music (For Shame!) but as this was the top requested, and I LOVE Metallica's ballads, let's get to it!
Join professional opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff, as she listens to Metallica performing "The Unforgiven" for the first time, and the studio version as requested!
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Written and Performed by Metallica
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I definitely recommend watching the original video without interruptions. Here's the link: • The Unforgiven (Remast...
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Elizabeth Zharoff is an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She's performed in 18 languages throughout major venues in Europe, America, and Asia. Currently based somewhere between Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth spends her days researching voice, singing, teaching, writing music, and recording TONS. She also plays Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.
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All sorts of people love Metallica, but their lyrics are especially resonant for introverts. They say the things we don’t know how to say. This is one of the reasons they are so loved.
Well said.
You're right, there is one here
Amen to that!
You just said everything!
Aaaaaaamen....this is exatcly on point my man 🖤
The lyrics are pretty autobiographical for James. He talks a lot about his tough upbringing and social isolation, and needing to put on a mask to protect himself. I absolutely adore these lyrics. They're so human and so personal.
i think you're spot on, and I think this can be backed up with the fact that James played the solo on this track, that was him getting his anger out for sure
It's something a lot of people, especially men, relate deeply to.
@@WishMount ah kirk played the solo mate
@@pointman2021 Can confirm.
@@WishMount Its Kirk, but James play the solo on Nothing else matters.
This is the apex of the reaction video genre. A top tiered band and an extremely knowledgeable listener completely unfamiliar with them. Bravo
A top tier band at their apex.
Top tier band with someone who loves the sound of their own voice so much they won't let a song play more then 2 seconds
@@iHaveTheDocuments She has to keep pausing it so the video doesn't get copy righted.
@@iHaveTheDocuments If you want to hear the song, don't listen to reaction videos. Those are for reactions - which CV does way better than most.
Bravo
Mamma Said. I think it is a really underrated song, where James wrote about his personal life (The God that failed is another one) , and it especially hits you if you lost someone in life. Unfortunately it wasn't well received by the fans in general, but I still think to this day it is a beautiful song
what album is that one?
@@gdog2831 The Black Album
First song I learned on guitar! Much love.
@@gdog2831Mama Said is from their album Load, and The God That Failed is on the self-titled (black) album that The Unforgiven is on.
@@gdog2831"Mama said" -Load, "the God that failed" - Black Album
James is so good at writing lyrics that are very personal to him yet just vague enough for the listener to still interpret them in their own way and relate them to their own life’s experiences.
This is what the best lyricists do. Exactly what you said.
James' lyrics only took a turn toward the deeply personal on this album, not before. And it obviously helped Metallica break through to the next level of their career.
Yea, but I don't think he was trapped in that box for too long. He's been on every continent
@@Churro_Flaminguez Yeah a lot of Metallicas songs are somewhat related to his life personally. Fade to black, Trapped under Ice, Dyers eve etc etc.
@@KnozLo Trapped under ice was about when he was stripping down his mountain bike to clean the components, he left them outside in a tub of water. The next morning he went to clean them only to find them frozen under ice due to a frosty night. Difficult times.
@@onemoreriff7644 Funny
James writes a lot of his vocal melodies with a piano. He writes the cadence before he even writes words. That's why his singing style is more "one note to the next" and staccato-like. Riff comes first, then the melody, then the words.
This was also the first album he recorded without doubling up the vocals to make them sound thicker. It allowed him to be more expressive and sing without worrying about being so precise because of doubling up.
This album took a solid 10 months and a million dollars to record. I highly recommend the "Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica" video. It really gives you great insight into their creative process. I've seen it a million times.
If that is true then it is great lyrics and amazing they make them then
That's why if you listen to early demos, the vocals are "wanna" because lyrics haven't been finalized yet
They might not be good for listening to during a workout or a ride, but there are tracks on the delux re release of the black album (the like 20 disc box set with all the covers on it) that have them practicing, where he is just using, almost "skat" and just gibberish as place holders for the lyrics while getting the cadence and sound and over all thematic sense of the piece... it's not completely music first lyrics 2nd, it seems like they get the riff and feel they want, then the chorus and a few key words and phrases, then switch to develop the instrument side of it, then start putting it together using jibberish to fill spaces between phrases and slowly get filed in as the whole thing gets polished into something that people who weren't born when they wrote the song, will still be talking about it, breaking it down on technology and interfaces that did not exist when they wrote it soooo long ago.
Maynard writes the same way. Lyrics designed for the song; I find that the vocals hit harder when done this way round because the driving force is the music, not the words - so you feel the meaning more than you hear it.
Great documentary. He does do some doubling on the black album though. The chorus to this tune is doubled.
I find the thing I love about Metallica is how cinematic their music is when there isn't a camera to be found, the visual story in your head is built by their music.
I cant help but feel like Kirk is a large force on that front, but maybe that's because his audio-cinematic album came out somewhat recently that really does feel like a movie score 😅
Absolutely 💯 spot on
The changes in James' voice is what keeps me coming back, songs like Nothing Else Matters, Bleeding Me' he's so versatile and I'm eternally grateful that Metallica didn't let a few critics completely box them in early on and they had the courage to try different things.
Kirk Hammett's solo in The Unforgiven has to be one of his most heartfelt.
Best solo ever
Along with Fade to Black as well, adds more meaning to the songs IMO.
Its very Gilmore-ish to me. Not a wasted note and it just fucking sings. This song is so good.
Really really fun to play too.
Solos like this are why I find it laughable when Kirk gets flak for mediocre solos. These solos have more soul and passion than many other metal solos.
The second verse hits different when you get older after listening to it when it was released as a kid. Hits hard
Lots of songs do that for me now. Quite a few songs from my (much) younger years I can't listen to any longer.
Kinda like "Cat's In The Cradle"
My interpretation was he's softly singing his inner thoughts, out loud, yet subdued. It's gets louder as he repeats the 2nd course as he moves through the story.
@@pdegan2814 I'm only 35 no kids and I won't listen to that now. Nope nope nope
@@bryantsteury8910 42 and **ck no that and the Living Years from Mike and the Mechanics.
Quite easily one of the best songs ever. I got chills several times during this video, and I've heard this song probably hundreds of times.
Metallica - Bleeding Me. It's from the Load album that a lot of fans don't like so they're missing out. The composition, vocals, lyrics, all put together create something extra special. It takes you on a journey you won't forget. Please give it a listen, you honestly won't regret it and it shows yet another of Metallica's skills.
I'll second this. I've always felt their Load album was their "take on country" as many of the songs feel a little C&W, especially where the intonation of James' voice sounds very drawl-like.
Please do this song!! I would love nothing more than this reaction
"Metallica shakes my expectations." Honestly one of the reasons they've been so successful for so long.
There are two bands where the fans are constantly debating the drummer's right to be there. Metallica and The Beatles. I think you need a band of a certain quality of output and a consistency in it for people to get to that petty a level of argument. They absolutely do shake expectations throughout their career and it's what keeps them relevant.
@@BomimoDK I don't know about Ringo's input into songs, but Lars always arranged James' guitar parts. Metallica wouldn't be remotely the same without him.
Growing up and seeing so many other kids seemingly obsessed with Metallica. It made me not want to listen to any of their songs.
But once I got older and listened to a couple of their songs. It immediately clicked, why everyone was "fan boying" over them, they are just that good.
This is, sincerely, one of the most heartbreaking songs. It's all about a person who, from the time he was a child, was the 'whipping boy' of the whole family. It's not even just mental abuse, but sincere physical abuse, as well. The very first lines are "New blood joins this earth, and quickly he's subdued." He said something someone didn't like, and was hit for it, hard enough to bleed.
Through the course of the song, he tries to earn the love and caring from a family by doing exactly what's asked of him, and it's never enough. And so his life is wasted. "The old man then prepares to die regretfully." Followed by the line that we know we're hearing this from the one who lived it: "That old man here is me."
It's a truly devastating song once the lyrics are broken down.
Trying to live up to impossible expectations! 😔
Invisible Kid is also heartbreaking in a similar way
Very insightful comment. I’ve heard this song 1000 times & never put that together. Thank you!
In early modern europe, a whipping boy was a boy educated with a prince. The prince could not be punished so the whipping boy received corporal punishment when the prince transgressed.
I'm not sure where you get "He said something someone didn't like, and was hit for it, hard enough to bleed" from "New blood joins this earth, and quickly he's subdued." New blood joins this earth is also another way of saying that someone was born. The new life is "new blood" joining the rest of us on earth. I always heard that line as stating that he was born and then his life was quickly subdued from the very beginning. Almost like he was never given a chance.
Bought this album in ‘92 or ‘93. When I was a kid (11 or 12 when I bought it) I thought it was a great song. Now as a 41yr old who tries his best to be what others need me to be, like a provider, a protector, a husband, brother, son, uncle, and employee, it hits a lot different. The lyrics expressing the lifelong challenge of living up to everyone else’s expectations without realizing one’s own potential and one’s own unique qualities and talents. Living the ideas everyone else has for you can be tedious, draining, and in the long run dangerous (mentally and emotionally). Yeah, it definitely hits different.
I’m one year older than you and this gem hit me when I discovered it while being a teenager trying to know who I was and where I stood. As I went “against” things and expectations other people had towards me I felt totally frustrated for sometimes or most of the times not being heard or understood in what I meant to say (that’s why the chorus mean a lot to me) I totally agree with you about the frustration that can come from knowing that what the world expects from us and the way they see us doesn’t match with the wholeness of our being and soul. This is one of my favourite songs ever ❤❤❤
It's a great song, but the lyrics make me sad more so than any other Metallica song. Idk why, it just does. Mama Said does as well since I lost my mom at 18. I'm close to the same age as James and Lars and I started listening right before MOP dropped. It's part of my life and different songs hit differently, at different ages.
They will always hold a special place and well deserved, in my heart.
It's so hard to pick a favorite. But MOP, Creeping Death, Disposable Heroes, Fade To Black, Harvester Of Sorrow are in my top Metallica songs. I know there are more I'm missing, but those are in the top for me.
Well said my man
This song is literally James’s autobiography. You were correct, he grew up in a repressive, religious household, where he could not really ‘be himself’. He feels as if it stunted his emotional growth, and how right he was. Those of us who become alcoholics and addicts to deal with some painful artefact left over from our youth cease to grow at the moment that becomes our coping strategy. On some level he knew that, and he knows that he could be a better human being if it weren’t for all of that.
He is wrong.
The fact he grew up in it cultivated his soul.
People around me in "liberated households" are mostly totally hollow, their souls do not have anything poetic about them, sadly. They have vulgar souls for a lot of them.
This cope here is nothing more than the heartfelt confusion of touching our very soul, our very being. People who lived in a ever happily or ever "liberated" childhood/adolescence could never produce this beautiful voice/soul.
The reason? It is called béance.
Embarrassing!
@@wertyuiopasd6281 Sad reality is that, suffering creates legends. Wheather it be troubled childhood, drugs or what not. Its an endless pit of inspiration to tap in.
Another sad bit of reality is that, only the strong willed are able to climb out of that hole!
hey im 10 months late but do you mean audio-biography? lol
@@wertyuiopasd6281 damage creates stories yes, but the way you talk about it as though its something virtuous makes you sound like a sociopath
"I didn't think James Hetfield could sound fluffy." Absolutely made my day.
That statement from her cracked me up!
James be like: "Hold my teddy bear"
he do be fluffy tho
I don't think fluffy is the word. He's to me describing a deep pain that he's making peace with.
Another vote for doing the whole trilogy. Lyrically so interesting to see the growth/maturation of James over the 20+ years between the first and third song. Being just a few years younger than James, I could always relate to what he’s talking about as they were released.
I concur
Hell yes. The trilogy is a wonderful example of his vocal evolution
📢 Absolutely 👍🏻
+1
its fantastic! and then that slick solo in Unforgiven 3 just gives me goosebumps to end it off.
I've heard this 1,000 times. Never analyzed the fact that "the WiPPinG Boy Done wronG" and "THey DeDiCaTe THeir lives" [emphasis on the hard consonants] vs. "what I've Felt, WHAt I'Ve kNown" and focus on the softer ones and surpressing the hard ones. These sections really do change the feeling. This stuff is why they are so popular and just keep getting more popular 40+ years into it. James really is a phenomenal artist. They all are.
Yes indeed
You should totally do your next Metallica reaction on their 1989 Seattle concert. If you want to see a live performance at 1000% energy and in their young prime, this is the concert. The entire concert is amazing, but Creeping Death is an absolute monster on this set. Their crowd engagement and just sheer intensity always gets me amped up just watching it.
You can hear the amazing range James voice is on The Thing That Should Not Be
Now that you’ve done part 1, you have to do part 2 and 3!
I agree, she needs the whole unforgiven experience!
It doesn't get better than this one.
@Jeroen Kooij it's an interesting progression though. I'm sure she will appreciate how it changes.
Nah they have better songs
@@Nichwar19 of course they have better songs but do they have a better trilogy for her to unwrap?
If a tree falls in the woods, the eagle will see it, the deer will hear it, the bear will smell it, and the mice will feel it, but Elizabeth will understand and explain it.
I am 44 years old and been listening to this song over and over and over over and over for 30 years. One of the best songs ever!😂
It gets to a point that you ask yourself what the actual fck Metallica created. I don't know how they did these masterpieces because clearly they can't surpass themselves anymore.
It's absolutely pure art and masterpiece. Everything is just perfect. You can play this 1000 years later and I will enjoy listening to it.
I would love to see a 1:1 with you and James to discuss his lyrics and singing. Please make it happen
Best idea ever.
Agree l hope it happens too.👍
Absolutely agree!!!!
Brilliant!
Yes we all want to hear you call him fluffy as well lol ;)
I have watched hundreds of first impression videos from voice professionals to composers, and listened intently as they praise and critique my favorite bands. While most are smart, talented professionals, NONE of them have the The Charismatic Voices ability to transport me back in time, thru a powerful shared emotional connection, and give me the same feeling that I had when I first heard these songs. Her honest reactions are cathartic and therapeutic. This is a talent that is ALMOST as powerful as her singing voice....AMAZING. PLEASE KEEP 'EM COMING
This was amazing! Huge fan of what you do! It is not only very entertaining but also, educational. At the same time, it is always a pleasure to hear inspired and educated reactions (especially first reactions) to songs/bands that have touched so many lives for many years. The interpretations are great. Thank you for being you!
As for the song, although to me the song seems more personal and wide-ranged, possibly dealing with society and indoctrination of society and not being able to be one's own true self ("free"), according to Genius, here are the notes added about the song:
"A metal ballad co-written by Ulrich, Hammett and Hetfield. This song is about the struggles he had with religion-related to his mom’s death. His relatives did not want to give James’s mom the treatment she needed because they thought God would help her through it. He starts to question the legitimacy of religion.
The horn sound intro was taken from the movie score of the appropriately titled The Unforgiven, and reversed, for legal reasons.
Hetfield’s singing was inspired by Chris Isaak’s in “Wicked Game.” He was used to screaming, not singing."
Blessings ...
I think this is one his most vulnerable songs. He's expressing his anger and grief from the abuse he faced in his life from people who should have treated him better, to the point where he doesn't feel like he can't ever be his true self so he can never forgive them.
I love the switch up of having the chorus be the soft part of this song. The angry bitterness as he lives through his life, and the somber reflection as he looks back. 🤌🤌
It's the story telling that makes it beautiful. The distorsion voice and aggressiveness is about what happened to the boy he was raised to become and the soft and clear voice ballade is the man looking back on his childhood giving empathy to that kid he was.
that hit my heart and totally agree. I have lived it.
You should watch the video of Kirk creating that solo with Bob Rock (the producer). It’s really cool because you can see Bob push Kirk on writing it, and telling him he “hasn’t done his homework” with the first draft of it (which was awful!) and then finally after Bob busting his balls relentlessly, Kirk applies himself, and the result is this beautiful solo.
The first S&M rendition of this song is absolutely amazing
This song ain't on S&M
@jamiefookes1579 I believe you're confusing this with Unforgiven III on S&M 2.
@@interestingclips5315 Unforgiven 3 wasn't even out when the first S&M was recorded
Metal is not about loud ,, it was about emotion , beyond emotion that normal people dont understand about these kind of music,, they are legend!!!
To me, the song goes back and forth between anger/bitterness and sadness/regret.
100% agree
The S&M live version is better than the studio album tho
There's contempt in the aggressive verses. He's angry at the cards he's been dealt; how life has beaten him down. How society has pushed him into a box, perhaps. Then there's melancholy in the choruses; regret, unhappiness. Perhaps ashamed of not taking more chances. Who is he dubbing "Unforgiven" -- his denigrators or himself? It's a very powerful, emotional song that I think everyone can relate to on various levels.
Who is the "Unforgiven" is then further explored in parts 2 and 3 in a truly masterful way. It's a bitter answer, but one we knew.
Fade to Black - The story behind it brings so much emotion and is literally felt audibly through the song and you can FEEL it in the solo!
You always open my eyes to things I haven't appreciated in music I thought I knew. Comparting Bernstein and Sondheim with Hetfield and Hammett is totally unexpected. Fresh ears bring fresh perspectives!
I credit this song with literally saving my life. It came out during one of the hardest times in my life.The emotions and words of the lyrics just made me realize I'm not the only one. The way his voice would change back and forth from soft to harsh was the emotions of hurting and then getting the strength to fight through. Music is so powerful.
glad you're here x
Wow... It turned out I'm not the only one... This song has been my absolute favourite for many years, but last summer it really was my savior. This is going to be a bit dark, but I was right on the edge of ending my life, but the last moment I thought that if I left this world I wouldn't be able to listen to the Unforgiven again so this by its self kept me going...
Music is the best therapy. ❤️🩹
James Hetfield once said that this album is art, and dave mustaine once said this is the best song he have ever heard by James and the band
James did a gasping facepalm in astonishment when Elton John told him (live on Howard Stern) that _Nothing Else Matters_ is one of the greatest melodic songs that he has ever heard.
All albums are art.
I think this is my new favourite reaction from you!! I’ve watched a lot of your videos and have been a Metallica fan for 30-ish years, abs watching you be so caught off guard by the beauty of this song fills my happy tanks! They are such a thoughtful band, melodic band when they choose to be.
I love how enchanted you are by each new element you discover during your analysis. It’s such a delight to see a true music lover.
Bleeding Me next?
Thanks for this beautiful reaction! Metallica has always mastered the idea of shaping and defining the standards of its music and the genre of metal.
Load and Reload were two albums where this characteristic of them was shown the most. Bleeding Me is one of the songs from Load that shares the similar idea of contrast that is heard in The Unforgiven. The performance of Bleeding Me from the original S&M concert is possibly one of their best performances of this song. Even in one of their most recent performances of this song, on June 15, 2022, in Denmark, you can see and feel the importance of this song to the band, especially James. Pure emotion is seen throughout the whole performance. Thanks!
1999 S&M version of Bleeding Me is just perfect(in my opinion)
@@JBjopa8 Couldn't agree more! It genuinely brings tears every time!
@@Scuddee ❤️❤️
An overlooked gem.
For me I would love Bleeding Me, Low Man's Lyric, or Hero of the Day. Hell Until it Sleeps as well.
I feel that Load and Reload are really underrated as Metallica albums
The story behind James hetfield singing softly was that Bob Rock, their producer at the time, really wanted to test and push Metallica to its limits when it comes to their musical construct, Including james singing. In the "A year and a half life of metallica" Bob wanted more "James hetfield" out of his voice, which was james really singing, not just harsh singing.
It can be so hard to sing softly or “let go” though painful lyrics. When I can finally sing the lyrics to a song I usually want to scream cry to….that is acceptance. ❤
I remember seeing an interview with James Hetfield shortly after the Black album came out. He was talking about how this was their first album where he was forced to really sing and that it was way harder than he thought it would be. I don't remember if he mentioned Bob Rock, but I would assume that's what he was referring to.
James wanted to sing better. He ask Bob how could he sing like Chris Isaak on Wicked Game as a reference. First thing they did was to remove the overdubs James usually did on vocal tracks so James could express himself more. There’s a great podcast Metallica released this year for the 30th anniversary of the black album that talks about it
Harsh singing os really singing. What you said is clueless.
Bob Rock was 100% correct about this move on the Black Album. Brilliant call and a ballsy one on his part for the time.
One of the best constructed Metallica songs. You can say anything about Lars' drumming, but the way he supports this song (and not only this), how he divides the different sections is so expressive. Drums become more than just a rhythm section, they tell their own version of the story.
This has been my ALL time favorite song for 23 year now. Simply brilliant. Thank you for the video.
I feel more emotional during this song than any other Metallica song I've heard. The idea you have gone through your life never feeling that you ever successfully expressed your true self and no one ever saw your real life accomplishments and desires "shine through" is tragic and such a scary feeling of failure. I think we can all relate to that fear in some way. That concept within this song gets me every time.. so good. 🎶 Rock On 😎
Bravo!
Sandman gets to me but having had boys, I understand the anger and vulnerability of this song. He is so expressive, how could you not be touched? Funny how my mom forbade me from listening to rock and she wanted show tunes and dad wanted classical for me. Did anyway with my brothers. I got the whole package including choir and church.
Man it’s exactly the same for me. As soon as the guitar notes are played, I immediately get emotional knowing what this song is about and the meaning of it. The "what I’ve felt, what I’ve known" always gets me. And then you have Kirk’s solo..
Every day I’m fighting to not feel restrained anymore by any means due to my insecurities growing up, to live my life to its full extent. I don’t want to feel what is feeling that old man in this song.
@@TheMaxyms I totally getcha.. 👍🏻
I've always thought Megadeth's "A Tout Le Monde" was a amazing emotional eulogy song. I hope this channel does it one day, even the new one where its a duet with Cristina Scabbia (lead singer of Laguna Coil)
One of my favorite things about this channel is how much it makes me fall in love again with songs and bands I've already loved for decades.
There are two more Unforgiven songs~! Please continue with your analysis! It tells an _amazing_ story!!! I love that the songs are so different yet equally meaningful, lyrically, vocally, and musically. Thank you for this segment!
It is so awesome to see you discover these songs that are so close to our hearts. At the same time, toe curling to have you pause just before a particular gem of musical brilliance (cause we know what's coming, but you of course don't). I just can't stop watching!...
Now go and listen to this magical melody a million times, for it is written (or read) into the DNA of the cardiac cells that make up the Metal Hearts of every metalhead alive...
And I love that you used the original recording (probably for lack of live versions, but still)
Keep it going!
Your reaction to this song was just beautiful. As a Metallica fan of 30 years to see someone fairly new to the band hear these songs for the first time with such obvious appreciation and emotion is amazing. I envy you in that you have such a broad catalogue of "new" Metallica songs to listen to. Enjoy whatever is next. Love and respect.
Black was panned by many hardcore metal fans, but it opened a whole new door for more fans to find them. As a kid Black got my attention and I’ve been a fan ever since. Metallica is a band I never change the station on if a song comes on.
I always took the meaning of the song to be about someone who was held back from following their own dreams and made to feel he owed all of his energy to others. And after a lifetime of this, he has nothing but regret for not ever realizing who he wanted to be... and so he refuses to forgive those who clipped his wings and caged him. At least, that’s my take. I relate almost too well to that interpretation.
Also, I am excited for the Creeping Death review.
Pretty much what it's about, yeah. It's about James Hetfield's childhood, and how controlling and overbearing his parents were, as well as the regret from how he wasn't taking responsibility for his own actions, by blaming others for him living for them.
Something along those lines, he had an interview in '98 that talked about it, in some magazine.
If Elizabeth does review Creeping Death, which is an awesome tune BTW, I'd suggest the Moscow 1991 version which is on YT.
He can't forgive himself.
Always play "Creeping Death" on Passover.
@@themanwhosoldtheworld5350 That's an interesting take as well...
For the amount of excitement and joy she showed during her first few listens of Metallica, I kind of can't believe she'd be able to resist going through their catalogue by listening much more.
I've watched a handful of you're videos now and I love how you dissect every song with such precision and emotion. Metallica has always been a part of my soul since I was young. It's awesome to see someone not very familiar with their music experience the magic that is Metallica for the first time!
Your channel is a ray of light during a time of incredible darkness, Elizabeth. Thank you for what you are doing here.
True
Wow... I am a Metallica fan and i really really appreciate your insights on their songs. Amazing how you, on minute 13:20, revealed surprise by the fact that these lyrics, and the overall song, seemed much more introverted than you usually expect from metal music that is more extroverted. This is amazing because the Black Album, from which this song originates, marks a turning point in Metallica's artistic expression... In the first four albuns, they express what you typically expect from the artistic expression of metal acts: on the 1st album they express all these feelings of anger, rebellion and angst directed to the outter world in a very raw form. On the 2nd, 3rd and 4th album they masterfully materialize and substantiate those same feelings of anger and rebellion; they direct them to the political, religious, legal and overall societal status quo. But from their fifth album, which is the Black Album, they departure from that point of view and started looking inward... This is more obvious on their 6th and 7th album, which is the Load an ReLoad era, where they express the impact that that anger and rebellion, displayed on the first four albuns, had on them, the hangover effects... They did not change the world...The only thing it changed was themselves, who became more alienated, more lonely, more sorrowful and regretful. These albuns lead with that inner world and, because of that, the sound naturally acompanied what they were trying to express, becoming less metal and much more bluesy, even country like... They finish their relevant artistic expression with St. Anger album in which, sonically, in my opinion, is very "Kill'em all" energy like but 20 years later that anger no longer is directed outwards but inwards, towards themselves. And that is brilliant, that full circle!
That is why i consider the artistic expression of Metallica to be one of the most coherent that i know of and the fact that it was brought out through a 20 year span and in such an organic (and not premeditated) way makes them, to me, one of the most significant contemporary musical acts!
Fantastic comment.
Great insight!!
The only thing here better than The Unforgiven is this comment.
Great comment. THIS is what many people who traditionally like the metal genre don’t understand about Metallica. It is all (for the most part) James’ personal journey. Psychologists will tell you that maturity is going from basically reacting to the outside world, to exploring and reacting to the inside world, and if we are emotionally keen and somewhat healthy, we will ultimately learn to not overreact to outward stimuli, to finally mastering the inner self. This is part of every major religious and secular philosophy there has ever been. James - and the lyrical content of metallica - is the story of personal growth. Many metal fans remain in the perpetual state of immaturity and youth, which is fun, but not very helpful. Metallica is more than music, it is deep human philosophy.
My only possible qualm with your comment might be the idea that it was not premeditated. I think that’s probably only half true. I think he knows how much of what he’s thinking/feeling he intends to convey. I think what he’s forever unsure of, is if anyone else will relate to it. That’s the great fear of the artist. That they won’t be understood and that their fears of isolation will be realized. But there is no other way than to take the risk. THIS is how he has re-built the family he never had.
Great lecture, man!✌🏻
I've seen Metallica many times lives over the years and they never fail to surprise me, they are one of the tightest, seamless bands live and are often dismissed as just thrashing metal heads. I love that you love them! I have some classical training (piano and clarinet) and fell in love with their music back in the 80s even during their "Alcoholica" days. James' lyrics are often quite heart breaking and raw and gentle all at the same time.
That was quite the humble brag! nah, you're alright. I'm just jealous because I've only seen them once live. I agree 100% They really care about delivering to their fans.
@@hettfield It killed me one time to have to give away my tickets because I had to work, they definitely put their all into every single show. They really do care about delivering, you hit the nail on the head there.
I love the contrast in his voice here between the verses and the chorus...and the lyrics are amazing and very, very personal...
I’m a 35-year deep fan of Metallica and you taught me even more about one of their signature songs. That is the genius of this channel and your reviews.
I really love when we can see it in your eyes how deeply you love a song. This is such a powerful song that is timeless and will really stick with you. Somehow it's even more powerful live! Thank you for appreciating this so much!
If you want to dig deeper into this song and Metallica in general, I highly recommend the 1992 documentary A Year And A Half In The Life of Metallica. It goes deep into the producing of recording of this album and they pay particular attention to this song. For example, the amazing guitar solo by Kirk Hammett was mostly ad-libbed in the 11th hour during recording. He showed up to record and didn't rehearse a solo for this song and producer Bob Rock chastised him for being an unprepared professional and Hammett got mad at him and was pretty much like "screw you, watch this..." And then proceeded to play THAT solo. One of my favorite moments of that documentary.
Kirk is a virtuoso...and to improvise a solo on the spot is what makes any professional like him great
I’ve watched that documentary several times, still have it on tape! It’s still one of my favorites, and it’s an emotional journey every time I watch it. Very inspiring for me when I was a young musician
I love that documentary
Every time I hear any of the songs from this Black Album 💿 I always remember exactly where I was & what I was doing brings back great memories… close your eyes & dream about the good old days! Thank you Metallica & thanks for the great reactions ❤.
You got to watch him live when James switches so elegantly from acoustic to Electric guitar and visa versa so perfectly! it gives me goosebumps everytime
What I love about this song is how it inverts the usual pattern of soft verse-heavy chorus. I also like how it mirrors the shift in the lyrics. In the verses, the story is told in third person. But in the chorus it shifts to first person. The vocals and instrumentation change to reflect that more intimate, personal point of view.
I never even paid attention to the fact that it switches between first and third person
Plus one of the most underrated solos.
You ABSOLUTELY have to feature Metallica's "Bleeding Me". The lyrics are deep and it is one of the best build-ups and guitar solos in their entire catalogue.
I would listen to Metallica, Megadeth and Pantara while traveling with my crew repairing roofs in the Southeast and had an older man from Ethiopia working with me. He wasn't impressed that much but one day I played Bleeding Me and with his broken English he said "I like this song. He mean it when he sing this song" I said "Yes he does."
Bleeding Me is one of my favorites and one of their best
before i saw your comment, i posted that i would like to see the S & M version of "bleeding me". excellent suggestion! one of the more forgotten tunes i think. it's one of my favourites too.
Bleeding Me is brilliant
You do such a good breakdown of songs, that when you get caught off guard and left speechless, it’s like validation of how good the song is. Your videos make me appreciate songs even more ❤
I absolutely love watching you fall in love with these metallica songs. My understanding of these tracks is now so much greater listening to how you break it all down. I'm so impressed by you. I've just spent 2 hours and loved it x
This album in particular was a huge entry point for metal for many many people, due to its melodic and more relaxed style the metalheads didn't even consider this metal but it spread Metallica to a wider fanbase, we can say this album was the basis for their widespread success.
I think a big part of that is the clean production. The notes, the vocals, the instruments, everything sounds perfect. Volume, pitch, harmony, everything is very well coordinated. Compared to Kill'em All that has some killer tracks but has lower sound quality.
Bob Rock produced this, he also produced Sonic Temple by The Cult who Metallica toured with in the early 90'S I believe. I saw them at City Island in Harrisburg, PA. Excellent show, both bands sounded great. I love Sonic Temple too.
Big respect to Bob Rock. Bob unleashed the full potential of this song, turned it into a masterpiece
…and yet he was also responsible for Saint Anger.
@@j800r_aswell the black album had solo's and a normal drumsound..Not Bob's fault.
@@j800r_aswell when did Bob change his name to Lars Ulrich?
Rock didn't do jack. Metallica "producers" are just engineers.
Friendly reminder that Bob Rock wanted a completely different (and frankly, horrific) guitar solo for this song. Kirk had something better in mind, and Bob, rather condescendingly, told Kirk to play it for him. The rest is history. ruclips.net/video/_LftgfoRWqI/видео.html
I love you for doing this!🤗
Of all the songs I feel attached to, this is the only song that gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it...from the first time I heard it, until right now watching this video. How weird is that?! I don't get goosebumps very often, but for some reason, this one gets me every time.
Thanks Elizabeth and team.❤
I love so many songs by them but this one has really touched my heart over the years.
If you do the whole Unforgiven trilogy, James' performance of Unforgiven III during the S&M2 concert in 2019 was mindblowingly good. It was just him and the San Francisco Symphony. Not sure there's a properly licensed version on YT, though.
That was my favorite part of the whole concert, James was incredible.
Yes I literally got goosebumps when I see this
at cinema.🤘🏼
One of my favorite aspects of your videos is your ability to technically discuss so many things that I have heard in songs that I love. It is very hard to capture the emotion of hearing a song for the first time and the internal analysis that goes on in some ones head as they come to decide how it effects them. Not to mention these are songs I first heard in my youth. Its nostalgic, familiar but still a new experience hearing someone assign verbal description to things I could never properly explain. I am so happy you enjoy so much of the same music I do and are viewing it from mostly outside of what our culture has classified it as or any of the stereotypes that goes along with a song or band. Thank you for putting in the work to make these videos.
Absolutely agree, Well said!
Absolutely!!! 💯
💯💯🤘🤘@casey
Love your reactions, there's 1 more of their ballads for you to check out ...welcome home (sanitarium) , definitely one of their best songs imo
Good pick. I think she did Fade To Black so it would be nice to see her reaction to _Trapped Under Ice._ I always loved the dichotomy between the ending song of Side A and the beginning song of Side B where one wants to die and the other is desperate to live.
Sanitarium is mediocre.
@@redrick8900 I guess you had to be there.
ba-da-bum tschhh!
@@redrick8900 L opinion
@@Rodrim777 Super literate.
Elizabeth, What i love about your videos is that you educate me, teach me, exactly WHY I love these songs, in words i could never find to describe them for myself. Picking out the parts i could never pinpoint, but always knew were there.
When you were talking about his voice being fluffy for the chorus, I realized that the POV changes from 3rd person to 1st person. The angry part is the aggression being forced on the boy, then the fluffy part is the boy's thoughts: in time the child draws in vs what I've felt, what I've known.
Exactly 👍 sums it up mate 👌
Good catch!
It's the peace he's making with the deep pain inside.
I love this song. "A vow unto his own, that never from this day, his will they'll take away." This lyric always hits hard and I love how even in a song this bitter there is that moment of defiance; that desire to batter the darkness away. With James delivery of the lyric, and the swelling music behind him, it's the kind of moment that wants to pound your chest, take life's best shot right on the chin and shout "is that all you've got!" While I have loved Metallica's music for decades, I appreciate them so much more now (especially James' vocal abilities) thanks to your videos. And they are far from the only band that has benefited from your emotional reactions and detailed analysis. Thank you for making so much music feel new to me again. ❤🎶
You label me. I'll label you
So I dub thee Charismatic
I like what you did there at the end.
(Edit corrected spelling mistake)
@@jeffk1482 Thank you, sir!
I, nearly, ripped my bottom lip in half, smiling at that last word. I wasn't ready.
You, old chum, are an entertainer.
@@calebclunie4001 Thank you. I try my best. Lol. I do hope your lip is okay.
This is by far the greatest reaction to any Metallica song I've heard on RUclips thus far. You nailed this song 100%. Well earned sub. Thank you for this.
The whole album is a MASTERPIECE!!
People who had watch "A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica" know that in this album keyboard parts were recorded. In nothing else matters and The Unforgiven. Beautiful
Watching Elizabeth fall in love with The Unforgiven makes my heart warm! Epic song that I always go back to!
The Unforgiven 2 is one of the more meaningful love songs I’ve heard, real and true. Also another song that will surprise you with their compositional choices.
Worthy of a reaction video if you’ve got time.
It's compositionally speaking, an inverted form of this 1st unforgiven. Even lyrically it is too which makes them a perfect companion to each other
I can’t even imagine how many times I’ve heard and sung this song and watching Elizabeth listen to it for the first time makes me regret not having the maturity to appreciate in this way when I heard it the first time.
Not only was this a masterpiece and powerhouse of a song, the film clip accompanying the song is beyond words - as brilliant as One. The entire album is astronomical - Metallica at their very best. And that guitar riff - goosebumps 🤘🤘 Thankyou for the analysis 🙏
When you see this song live, you see James flipping back and forth between an acoustic guitar, on a stand in front of one mic....to another mic while playing his electric guitar. Literally playing two halves of the whole. Very 'split personality'. The side that we show and the side we keep hidden. The performance really plays into the whole meaning of the song and it's amazing to watch!
It's funny, I've loved this song for 32 years now but I've never bothered to look up the lyrics until today while watching your analysis. I don't think I've ever identified so strongly with the song before, now that I know the lyrics. Makes me love the song even more.
Just found your channel! I absolutely love watching your interpretations of my favorite metal songs and bands. I am a Pantera freak so when your appreciation of Cemetery Gates was apparent...I was sold. Watching you discover the music that I have loved and listened to for decades is a joy for me. I want to recommend a few songs that I think you will absolutely love. Some aren't metal but they are songs that you simply must hear. I would love to hear your interpretations of them. I am not musically trained though I sang for years. I know zero theory and zero reading of music but I noticed that you seem to get the same feelings that I do most of the time.
Winds of March--Journey--Infinity Album
You See Me Crying--Aerosmith--Toys In The Attic Album
Twist--Korn--Life Is Peachy Album (short crazy song--want to see your facial expression lol)
Take On Me--Ah-Ha--80s son with a wonderful video
i recently heard this song in my dad's car when he played his black album cd. i was so mesmerized by hetfield's vocals during the chorus and i asked him what it was called. last week it was "sad but true", i couldnt stop listening to it, now it's "the unforgiven" i just knew i had to see if there was a video on it. i recognized you from your video on "one", and i applaud you for both of those deconstructions
I grew up with this song, and have heard it no short of hundreds of times, but watching you hear it for the first time and seeing your reaction, PLUS the details you point out, the nuances you highlight, and all the expertise and technicalities you bring to the surface make it feel like I’m right there with you, listening to this song all over again for the first time. Wow. What a fun video. Thank you!!
God I love watching her analyze and fully appreciate Metallica. I could watch her do this for every single Metallica track. I seriously get so excited for these. LOVE HER. I get emotional watching these!
Yes indeed
Thank you, your reaction helps us, hard core Metallica fans, appreciate the nuances we would never hear on our own, no matter 30+ years of listening to their music.
I think when the chorus kicks in he is having a moment of clarity. Never thought about this until now. The beginning and the rest of the song is his chaotic life and the chorus is his calm thinking of realization in my opinion.
I love how you noticed the use of contrast in metal, I think it's honestly one of the pillars of the whole genre. The serene and the angry, the quiet and the loud, the beautiful and the ugly. A good metal band has to know to use all of those.
Another great example of this is the album "Bergtatt" by Ulver, a black metal classic.
That seems lost to more "modern" metal.
I think you may be right. I don't know if its just my preference or maybe its a thing that metal is just too grating when its constant. I'd rcently discovered Periphery and the first song I heard was Reptile, and that song goes many places they balance groovy riffs with harsh dissonant sections, crushing vocals and then calm and introspective, and from loud and aggressive to quiet and thoughtful. I listened to Architects and it was just dissonant harshness, it got old quick. I tried listening to Amon Amarth, I got 3 songs in before I got tired of the low growls and aggressive riffs. I mean if you like those bands enjoy them don't let me take that from you, but they're not for me.
@@alexisborden3191 I may check pit Periphery. I kind of gave up on new metal after grunge hit.
i agree all things in life are better with contrast
@@TEDodd I like them a lot, I think the latest album is the best, granted thats just me, I'd say if you wanna listen to a couple songs, Reptile, off P4, Marigold from P3, and Stranger Things off Juggernaut Omega are probably the most indicative of their style. Or honestly any spotify or apple playlist that collates some sings is probably gonna give you some good songs too.
Watching you react to my favorite band of all time and hearing and seeing things on a professional level that amateur musicians don't notice or can't pick out is amazing to me. Your reactions to their videos reminds me of not only what great instrumentalists all of them are but the vocal brilliance of James. Keep reacting to Metallica!
To me, the most powerful line in the song hands down is when he says, "That old man here is me...." (especially when you watch it from the official music video). So, you listen to the whole song, and then he just flat out says, "Look, all this stuff I'm talking about with regrets, and forgiving yourself, and upbringing...I'm talking about me."
SO pumped for this one! The whole Unforgiven trilogy is amazing, you're going to love them. James' performance of Unforgiven III at S&M2 with only the orchestra was just beautiful. I think you'll enjoy Lux Æterna too, James did not play it safe vocally.
Lux Aeterna is recklessly positive, a love letter to the Metallica Family. Even James described it as joyous the other day. It's so good. 🤘
Thank you for your support and your compassion. FFDP gets hated on a lot by some people. They are an amazing band, Zoltan Bathory and Ivan Moody have always been strong supporters of us veterans. Ivan is also very protective of his fans.
I saw them live, back when Jason hook was still part of the band. I need to see them again now that they have Andy James.
They have so many songs that you should here. “Jeckyll and Hyde”, “my nemesis”, “brighter side of grey” and “far from home”.
I discovered you yesterday with a Dan Vasc reaction, and all of your videos made me cry. Especially when you were watching the "one" Video from metallica I was surprised that you could hold on as well as you did! But with any of your videos, they mostly make me want to cuddle you, because your face shows your reaction and incredulity so beautifully..... I love your channel! Thank you for the raw emotions and blissful education.
This song brings me to tears every single time. I’m glad you listened to this one.
So glad that you finally did this one! I love all Metallica ballads, but this trilogy is special. I hope you like the parts II and III of this masterpiece!
I hate how part 3 has been basically forgotten...i think it's glorious
@@jasonx4008 it might be my favorite of the three
I really enjoy watching you react to these songs for the first time. Being a child of the 80's, I grew up on Metallica. When I watch your reactions I almost feel like I'm hearing it for the first time. It's a great feeling!! Thank you for your content!!
I would encourage you to continue with the "Unforgiven Trilogy" but not necessarily because of the great vocal performance. The lyrics are just so poetic. That in combination with the vocals and beautiful music make these songs almost hypnotizing. The 3rd song is very under rated in my opinion. "How can I be lost, if I've got nowhere to go?...How can I blame you when it's me I can't forgive?" So many of their songs have lyrics that gave a generation of introverts a voice. I'd also recommend the song "Bleeding Me".
Let's not forget Hammet's solo, one of his best
Every time a guitar solo is interrupted part of my soul dies...
Amazing analysis as always! Thank you so much!
To me this song is about someone who's been forced to be a certain way by society/peers/etc. and never really allowed to truly express himself. The duality of aggressive and soft elements accentuates this. The more aggressive parts express the anger of the person that he's been forced into this box and are sung from a 3rd person perspective (a narrator). This aggressive outward projection is a sort of mask/shield that protects the person from others but also imprisons and limits him, hence the anger. The soft parts are sung from the 1st person as if it's an internal monologue and express much more vulnerability - something that shouldn't be "shown". They're a lamentation, a sadness and regret that he's lived his whole life not being true to himself because of the expectations of others. The titular line "So I dub thee unforgiven" can be taken in two ways, either the "others" are unforgiven for forcing him to be this way, or he himself is unforgiven for giving in. Although the final lines about labeling suggest it's the former.
Basically everything I was going to say. Especially the duality of the line, “so I dub thee unforgiven.”
EXCELLENT analysis