Excellent reaction by you Amy, and a great Metallica choice by Vlad. You had some very profound observations and commentary. It helps us to think and feel much more deeply about the subject of this song, by really trying to imagine what such a living hell experience might be like. I love how you showed it is not just in the lyrics, but primarily through the music itself. A great observation on how our thoughts and emotions relate both to what goes on internally, along with how the world around us effects them. And then what we would experience when that external world is cut off, and the only thing we experience through our senses is pain. Loved your observations on Lars' Drums, and also on how you heard the guitar singing expressively as representing the humanity (the human soul) within the dark capsule that surrounds and isolates him from the world. I am glad you were able to really appreciate the art in what they were doing here, even if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Sometimes we need to be made uncomfortable to appreciate the difficulties and horrors that other have to go through. I try to remind myself of this whenever I am feeling sorry for myself over something that is trivial in comparison.

@jovana_r

6 ай бұрын

Very well said, dear Lee. I completely agree.

@LeeKennison

6 ай бұрын

@@jovana_r Thanks Jovana. Enjoyed seeing you in the chat today. I will only be able to catch the first few minutes of tomorrow's "Nothing Else Matters" live stream before I have to leave. My family always gathers together for Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas day. But we usually do it at night, so it is kind of weird getting together so early in the day this year.

@splitimage137.

6 ай бұрын

@@LeeKennison Hi Lee and Jovana. Sadly, I only have my sister left in my family, but we used to celebrate Christmas Eve, too, and then I would truck on down to my best friend's house and celebrate with them too. Fun times! And yes, Lee, I agree with you completely, natch.

@jovana_r

6 ай бұрын

@@LeeKennison I won't be there for the live stream either, because we have to go to visit our relatives. It's not for Christmas, we celebrate it on the 7th of January here in Serbia, but we go just to see them. Anyway, see you in the comments or next weekend, hopefully. Have a beautiful day and evening tomorrow with your family. 🖤

@LeeKennison

6 ай бұрын

@@splitimage137. I still have two sisters (actually half sisters since they had a different father), their other half sister with their father (who I also consider a sister), and then all of their children and grandchildren (my nieces & nephews). So all of that adds up to 18 people tomorrow, which is why it is as early as it is since we were going to have it outdoors at a park, because we thought that was too many for my sister's house, particularly since she is in her 70s now. But now it will likely rain, so we are back to having it at her house. Like you, it has always been Christmas Eve for my family too, although for most of those years it was my mom who hosted the party, until it got to be to much for her.

My heart goes out to Lars Ulrich, his father just passed ♡

@ludvig5597

6 ай бұрын

"Delete that." - God

Someone needs to share this with James, Lars, and Kirk.

Crazy to think that these guys were 25 or 26 years old when they released this album.

@TheArbiterOfTruth

22 сағат бұрын

It is. Also their last great album in my opinion.

Hearing your academic evaluation of Metallica is thoroughly enjoyable…

Anyone else notice Amy didn’t pause at all .. or comment .. you can really see you anticipating and feeling the music with your eyebrows and expressions.. this is the core to a good reaction… being present in the music … one of the many reasons to follow ;)

As a former soldier my friends would ask me what it's like in a war zone during the heat of battle. I told them that me trying to describe what I experienced to them is like me asking them to cover a painting they have never seen before, put a small hole in the cover, then to describe the entire painting to me. It's just not possible. I really love this song. It resonates very strongly with me. Something that I hear in the song, one thing that isn't really there, is when the A/F - G/E notes that are played just before the lyrics of the first two verses begins I hear "And then" on those notes. As in "And (A/F) then (G/E), I can't remember anything..."

I’ve been listening to this song for 30+ years… and you brought it to life in a brand new way… thank you!!

I was in young high school when this came out. We had never experienced a video like this when it came out. It was devastating to our souls.

After all these years I'm still totally knocked off my socks by Kirk's guitar solo every time I listen to this song. He kinda counters the dark atmosphere with playing mostly major, almost happy scales and at one point even delves into sourthern rock, a la Allman Bros and Lynyrd Skynyrd. A not to underestimate contribution to the song by Metalla's most silent member. Usually everything centers around James/Lars. But here Kirk really shines and makes the instrumental part his own.

So glad you're revisiting Metallica Amy. Also glad to see that you realise that there's far far more to Metallica than just 'Factory Noise'.

@gabrielpadilla7839

6 ай бұрын

her name is amy? ok, now I'm flustered

@breakalegfpv9532

6 ай бұрын

@@gabrielpadilla7839 you don't like Amy?

@gabrielpadilla7839

6 ай бұрын

yo, that name's givin me the vapors over@@breakalegfpv9532 here

@gabrielpadilla7839

6 ай бұрын

are you kiddin? i got the vapors over here@@breakalegfpv9532 oh!

@Vareiance

6 ай бұрын

@@breakalegfpv9532he’s flustered, so i assume he likes amy?

Vlad thank you for going with the album version and not the video for a first listen. Great analysis!

I always thought of the lead guitar as the remnants of the soldier's memories and dreams bubbling up to the surface of his awareness as he drifted in and out of consciousness, only to fade into the reality of his situation.

the song is actually a composite of different wars. the original novel was about ww1, when trench warfare was still a thing. landmines (taken my sight...) became used in ww2 and later, and helicopters (sound effect in intro) were used more in korea and vietnam. this makes the lyrics more universal, because for the men who have to fight, war is just as bad regardless of what era you happen to be born into.

The passion and curiosity with which you penetrate and dissect musical pieces, regardless if you like it or not, is so authentic. And the deep musical knowledge you possess along with your sharp intellect provides such an interesting framework for really substantial reactions! Thanx for letting me/us joining you on your journey ❤️🍀✨

If you're digging this and wish it were even more orchestral...check out their album with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. It's called "S&M" and it is EPIC.

@mikaeldk5700

6 ай бұрын

Yes, 100% agree. Unfortunately the next song is Happy Singalong Matters :/

@scorpionking4012

6 ай бұрын

I think “No leaf clover” from S&M2 and “ hero of the day” from S&M1 would be amazing!!!

@JohnSheehan72

6 ай бұрын

I don't know.... Michael Kamen, a classical composer, listened to Metallica and appreciated them as a classical musician - and that's how S&M happened. So I say, let them listen to the core Metallica and make their own interpretations of it. Otherwise, they are dissecting another composer with Metallica rather then just Metallica.

@joepegel

6 ай бұрын

​@@scorpionking4012The two best songs on the album IMHO. Definitely the ones that benefit most from having an orchestra.

@scorpionking4012

6 ай бұрын

joepegel Also “Bleeding me” and “outlaw torn” both amazing.

From Industrial Noise to nuanced appreciation. Just wanted to acknowledge how much I have enjoyed your journey.

@CelticSpiritsCoven

6 ай бұрын

Imagine what she'd think about Type O Negative!!! Or.... Pantera Korn Skid Row Godsmack Shinedown Dream Theater Five Finger Death Punch Stone Temple Pilots Rage Against the Machine Smashing Pumpkins Ozzy Osbourne Marilyn Manson Foo Fighters White Zombie [or] Rob Zombie Green Day Testament Kidd Rock Puddle of Mudd Saliva

@senditkevin

6 ай бұрын

​@@CelticSpiritsCoven I think Dream Theater would be a good one for her to explore next.

I have to say what an absolutely poignant, and thoughtful analysis of a musical piece, I have been a Metallica fan since '83, always enjoyed this song, you have given me a whole new perspective and appreciation, Thank-you

This is one of the best metal tracks ever recorded.

Wow. Your learned appreciation of this art form is inspiring. I had a similar experience first time I heard Metallica I thought it was noise. Now whenninwatch the official music video for ' One ' I always cry because it is so powerful. Thanks for the extensive view into this talented American metal band.

This analysis is, once again, compelling. What an eloquent and unique library of musical dissection and explication is being created here by Virgin Rock. I have revisited several of my favorites repeatedly, already.

I feel like you'd appreciate "To live is to die". It's about as close to a classical symphony effect as anyone ever heard in heavy metal.

I’ll never forget seeing you for the first time because I clicked on your Metallica reaction and was delighted by it. When the heavy guitar and drums came in you ducked and it gave me joy. I’m so glad to have been able to watch the bits and pieces along the way as you’ve found your rhythm and stride. You are a good team and this channel is one I always look forward to seeing new videos from.

I went to high school in northern California in 1976-1980 (as I think some members of Metallica did) and our syllabus included three books that I thought were reflections of a violent past rather than a warning for the future: Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell; All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque; and the book THIS SONG is based on, JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN by Dalton Trumbo. I wonder if today's high-schoolers are reading book like these, or was it just a "golden age" of education in the states following the turbulent and society-changing 1960s. - For those of you who don't play the reading game, there's a movie of all of these books ;)

@5ilver42

6 ай бұрын

By the time I was in high school (2006-2009) the only books we read that were remotely close in tone were _Lord of the Flies_ and _To Kill A Mockingbird._ Which is to say, not that close. Books of the caliber of _Nineteen Eighty-four,_ _The Count of Monte Cristo,_ or even _The Catcher in the Rye_ were only books I read in high school because I CHOSE to read them outside of any school assignment activities. I can only imagine how tame and watered down the books kids in school are reading now.

@bparker8195

6 ай бұрын

After Dave Mustaine (San Diego) was fired, Kirk, a norcal guy was hired in 1983. Cliff Burton, a norcal guy, was hired in 1983 as well. James was from Downey and Lars Newport Beach both socal.

@kelleychilton2524

6 ай бұрын

I was in high school and college during those years that you mentioned and those books were required reading for me also. None of my 3 children nor my two nieces were exposed to any of these works. They also had to learn some kind of convoluted and contrived mathematics that was completely asinine .... to this day (as adults) they still can't do simple math in their heads, can't even figure change at the cashier's counter without a machine telling them how much. Contemporary public education seems to be rather pathetic. The dumbing down of America?

@splitimage137.

6 ай бұрын

@@kelleychilton2524 funny you should mention the "new math." I even made a joke that Amy could use her daughter's LEGO toys to teach her SET THEORY, because the world is so competitive. The thing is, I was in a teaching credential program for math/science in college and learned concepts then and there (a little bit of set theory, for example) that were to be taught to GRADE school children! They called it the "new math." I'm pretty sure that's what you're talking about. AND... I guess I can see what they were trying to do there, but I got out of the program fairly quickly and turned my attention elsewhere, and I don't really know how they teach math in grade school anymore. From all I have read, the schools are basically teaching to standardized tests now, and I can tell you, for sure, that I am SO glad I decided against becoming a teacher... I HATE being told what to do, and what or how to teach. So, at best, I was able to tutor well.

@monkeysezbegood

6 ай бұрын

​@@5ilver42 buy your kids these books

if the song alone doesn't, the video will make you cry. holy cow. there's a good argument this song is the pinnacle of what Heavy Metal can achieve. incredibly powerful, and brilliant. crickey I cry just thinking about this bloody song. glad you liked it, enjoyed your insights.

@CelticSpiritsCoven

6 ай бұрын

When this song came out, the only people who listened to it were the hoods who would smoke weed across the street before school. This and AC/DC.

@Bob-ik8nt

3 ай бұрын

It's a true work of art. It transcends both music and metal

I'm so glad to hear your sister is home safe from her deployment, thank her for her service from all of us. I'm also glad you're dipping back into one of my favorite bands, with perhaps their most intense song. I'm racking my brain to see what else you will be listening to, there are so many good songs to experience, though I hope at some point you get to hear "Nothing Else Matters" just to hear the other end of the spectrum of James Hetfield's writing. He does go quite dark a lot of the time, he has often cited music as a therapeutic experience for him, so he uses writing as a way to get the demons out rather than keep them in. Can't wait for more, hope your holiday season is going well!

Thanks Amy. Firstly, i'm so glad you listened to the studio version. Everyone else reacts to the music video, which is one of the greatest of all time but it distracts from the music for those who don't know the song. Secondly, the song itself is brilliant (in my top 10 favourite songs)...you analysed it perfectly. Lastly, i think classical musicians are always the best suited to properly appreciate heavy metal because the music is complex to a point but many would see it as repetitious whereas classical musicians can better appreciate the subtle chord changes within the repetition (the "chunks" you describe) and have the ability to anticipate where the song is taking the listener. I love that such a dark song can be portrayed so beautifully, and i've heard it a million times...every listen is like the first time.

@felderup

6 ай бұрын

also personality test lists, most group metal fans closely with classical fans.

This is your best one yet. Long live Metallica.

@CelticSpiritsCoven

6 ай бұрын

If Metallic puts out another album, it will be as embarrassing as Megadeth's last album. Time has passed. Retirement comes. Kids in 20 years from now will have no clue who Metallica was.

@josueignaciomm

6 ай бұрын

@@CelticSpiritsCoven hahahaha. Good luck with that prediction

@juggis

6 ай бұрын

@@CelticSpiritsCoven Timeless Metallica classics will live forever.

@thetruthisoutthere5173

6 ай бұрын

​@@CelticSpiritsCovenlast 3 albums are really poor and forgettable, yeah. But classic albums cannot be topped.

this song will still give me goose bumps and nearly bring me to tears. it is one of their best

Thank you for your hard work on this one. The way you describe music is an incredible art form, just like the song itself. The passion is much appreciated 👏

"Disposable Heroes" by Metallica....eventually. Please!

Exceptional analysis, even compared to prior break-downs. The depth and intricacies of early Metallica does deserve acknowledging. Recommend... Well, anything off of the "Ride the Lightning" album, or the instrumental "Orion" off of "Master of Puppets". Actually, i would be quite interested on that one. Wow! Well done.

"What is he trying to say?" "Please Kill me. Over and Over."

I feel it should be mentioned that Metallica was dealing with its own grief during the recording of this album. Their bassist Cliff Burton had been killed in an accident, and this is the first album with the new bassist Jason Newsted. There have been different explanations over the years, but there is no bass on this album, Jason was left off, although he recorded.

@VirginRock I've just watched your hour and 15 minute review/analysis of One and it's not only your best imo, it's the best song analysis that I've ever seen. Brilliant. Thank you.

When this video was released, it was Metallica's first video, as they had previously refused to make music video's. There was nothing else like this song or video available at the time. Nobody on MTV knew how to react to such a profound, deep and well made piece of music. It was a time of big hair. And frivolous topics in popular.music.. Metallica was alien to everything else on mtv at the time. With this type of poignant sincerity, AND such a dead serious delivery..

@mikaeldk5700

6 ай бұрын

Yes, I remember the times. Sadly it was mostly the (edit) version of the song and video, that is without the movie clips and a shorter edit of the song. But it was magic when catching the full video (Headbangers Ball anyone?). Very haunting..

@spamfriedmice4800

4 ай бұрын

"they refused to make music videos" What you're leaving out was that Mtv refused to ever play Metallica, even on HeadbangersBall, as did most radio at the time.

As someone who has never been the same ,this song lyrically speaks volumes, I never was extremely big into this genre of music till I became a adult as ironic as that seems to me .

@jonnylumberjack6223

6 ай бұрын

I don't think that is too ironic. Metal is one of those genres that if you are not "in it" as a kid, you dismiss it as noise. It then takes a certain maturity to see past the noise into the true art behind it. Why some kids find metal and some don't, I'm not sure. It gets you into your feels, I guess some kids like that and some really don't!

@peterworth9403

6 ай бұрын

@@jonnylumberjack6223 It's how I was. I had the basis, sure. Was raised on the classic and hard rock, blues, and such. Then when a buddy of mine exposed me at JUST the right time to Master of Puppets, I was hooked. That was the one that got me in it to win it.

@jonnylumberjack6223

6 ай бұрын

@@peterworth9403 Me too pal. And I'm female, so quite a rare breed 😁.Well, I say me too, I mean I found it early. My parents listened to nothing but classical, I guess I went in the other direction! I do appreciate classical now too though, so I guess we all get to everything, one way or another.

@CelticSpiritsCoven

6 ай бұрын

@@jonnylumberjack6223 Jonnylumberjack isn't exactly a female name.....

@jonnylumberjack6223

6 ай бұрын

@@CelticSpiritsCoven no, well, not everyone on the internet is who they say they are! It's an old nickname, my name is Jenny and I've never cut down a tree in my life 🙂. Happy Christmas!

So glad you chose to break down the original studio version before all other versions - to hear it as was originally recorded and released on the album. Should you decide to revisit the other versions that are available.notably the live S&M version (with full orchestra) and the band's official video which incorporates clips and narration from the film Johnny Got His Gun (for which they actually bought the rights to save having to pay royalties, you will see & hear marked differences with your trained ear. Thanks for this. Haven't heard it for some time.

And Justice For All marks a high point for the band compositionally and instrumentally. They stretched their abilities almost to the breaking point and realized fairly quickly that they couldn't sustain it for multiple albums so they drastically simplified their material going forward (while simultaneously making it much more commercially accessible).

@CelticSpiritsCoven

6 ай бұрын

Enter Sandman was a much more world-wide sensation, though.

@gracieb.3054

6 ай бұрын

@@CelticSpiritsCoven They eliminated the thrash, made it much more standard rock so that the mainstream could say they liked 'Metallica'. I felt they went commercial and nothing was really deep like the previous albums. Just b/c they made more money doesn't mean what they made was very good. Their prior stuff was much more meaningful, IMO.

@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO

6 ай бұрын

@@gracieb.3054I totally agree with you; I too dislike their music after the Justice album.

@carlohansen2380

5 ай бұрын

Wrong. As a musician I understand their desire to make different music, not simply provide for fans who can't accept change. You can't just keep playing the same stuff over and over.

Bless you Ms. Amy! I just love it when someone who is from another genre in situ is impressed by something very different. I thought that your explanation and opinion to be well expressed, intelligent, entertaining and respectful of something that might not be you 'cup of tea' per se! I respect this , I love this, I am influenced in life by Metallica.. experience and intelligence is not over rated.. Happy Holidays! xo

On top of that, i have seen the guys play it live a couple of times, AMAZING!

A harp cover of this song? Well, it IS Christmas time, so that would be a lovely gift for all us Metallica fans!

@berserkrhadley

5 ай бұрын

The Harp Twins already did, in 2015. Lovely rendition.

This album, their "Black" album, Nirvana's "Nevermind", and Megadeth's "Countdown to Extinction". These, for me, marked the end of the era of truly impressive, innovative new albums. These were the last ones to truly strike a chord with me. It was a good run! Beginning all the way back to The Beatles. But the well finally ran dry. #TheDayTheMusicDied

@tellmelullabies5552

6 ай бұрын

From that era I would add Ten (Pearl Jam), Dirt (Alice in Chains), Angel Dust (Faith No More), and I can add many more. What a time for rockers! 🤘

@christianwilliamson9752

6 ай бұрын

Check out Tool

@peterliljeholmen5703

6 ай бұрын

@@tellmelullabies5552”Ten ” is fantastic, would love some Pearl Jam reaction!

@carlgibson285

6 ай бұрын

​@@tellmelullabies5552 Angel Dust is a masterpiece!

Thank you for this beautiful message at the end. And thank you for sharing your musical expertise and brilliant insights on this song that I, as a military veteran (for peace), have always found quite powerful.

Great review. One is a classic, but if you really want to check out Metallica, Master of Puppets is essential.

Amy has been a good sport for the channel by enduring music such as this.

@Ray-lw2rh

6 ай бұрын

😅

@dunki-dunki-dawg

5 ай бұрын

We have all been a good sport for the channel for enduring comments such as yours:) 😁🥱💋

@ForbiddTV

5 ай бұрын

@@dunki-dunki-dawg It's pretty apparent that she is not into this sort of music if you have watched other videos she has done.

@dunki-dunki-dawg

5 ай бұрын

@@ForbiddTV My point is there is lots of good music out there that I dislike however it is still good music. I already know what Amy's taste for music is.

I've been waiting a long time for you to come back to Metallica, lol. Their music capability is profound, imo. Substance, depth, melody, rhythm, dynamic, rich, heavy, and emotional. I truly hope you're able to explore some of the other great songs by this band! I'm looking forward to your reaction on "Nothing Else Matters". Here are some other songs you might want to consider from Metallica: Orion, To Live is to Die, Sanitarium, Fade to Black, Bleeding Me, Inamorata, My Friend of Misery, and The Call of Ktulu. Thanks for the great reaction and analysis of this epic song!!

Terrific analysis Amy. I liked your idea that the lead guitar was the humanity of the individual - if you listen carefully to the final solo, it gradually descends and disappears into, the maelstrom of "frantic stasis" that is the final part of the song (and presumably the life of the soldier in this story). I thought that very poignant and apt. Cheers!

I would just like to say how glad I am to have run across your channel. Watching and hearing your reactions delivers to me a real sense of how authentic you are as a musician and a person. So, thank you for sharing your insights with us.

Great analysis. This is Metal at its best, expressing something that other music is too clumsy to tackle. I think you have learned how to listen to this music with this song.

I didnt understand why people watched reaction videos, then I hit play on this video about 30 minutes ago. It's funny how satisfying it is, when someone who knows what they're talking about, validates something you like.

You listened to the song the whole way through without stopping because, in my opinion, it is a very a compelling song regardless of what genre one prefers. It would just be my my fear you could get in trouble with KZread for that. But as always I appreciate your feedback and your educated insight on things I've been listening to for 30 years. It's people like you on the internet that teach me something new about music I've been listening to most of my life of my life and it's appreciated.

Important fact: a couple of years before this album was released, Cliff Burton, the bass guitar player of the band, a very important member and friend of theirs died in a bus accident when they were touring. This album is supposed to have been recorded during this period of sadness and anger they were going through.

If you’ve not reacted to it yet, Fade To Black is a must. Off their earlier album Ride The Lightning, like most of their early music, it has heavy influence from their then bassist, Cliff Burton, who had a great appreciation for and was really into classical music. The song plays like a symphony and the lyrics are incredibly powerful (and dark). RIP Cliff

How lucky are we rockers to have Amy's reactions?! :) Metallica! Floyd! Led Zep...

This video is one of the BIG reasons I appreciate your videos, how deeply you analyze it from a musical perspective.

A very awesome song I played a lot while in the Army. Thanks for reviewing

The ringing G note is definitely a choice. A happy discovery perhaps, but chosen partly because of the hand position. All the other notes are fretted, but the G here is an “Open G”, meaning the G string is plucked and intentionally not muted. Since the string is not immediately required in what follows-it can be left to ring out, nicely accentuating the notes which come before and after. As a guitar player, the ring of an open string is always welcome, especially in a passage such as this.

In the story this is based on, the character finally manages to communicate with the outside word by rocking his head or blinking in morse code, giving an SOS until someone notices, then begging for an 'angel of mercy'. Those final triplet figures at the last part of the song could be his knocking until finally put to rest by a compassionate syringe.

@jabedoben

6 ай бұрын

Unfortunately, Joe was never let go. The nurse was stopped from killing him at the last second and he was placed in a room, left to live out his natural life until he dies of natural causes.

Such a shame that we'll never hear music like this in the mainstream again

You had me so captivated that as you described the first guitar as the storyteller, I was saying “narrator”.what a wonderful insight into what lifts Metallica beyond metal and into something special. I wish more people had this insight

Making me cry with a song I’ve heard 30 years ago … great analysis.

James is a poet Nobody tells a story like him with there lyrics

Something, something... Jethro Tull. When they looked into getting the rights to use scenes from Johnny Got His Gun, James realized it would be easier just to buy the rights to the whole film. So he owns it now and all the footage in the video is used without need of permission. Rolling like a rock star. Their performance of this song at the Grammy's that year, with the introduction of the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal category is the stuff of legends. Oddly enough, the first concert Hetfield ever went to as a young teen....was Jetrho Tull. 🤘🧙‍♂🤘

18:30-20:15 Amy, what an eloquent explanation of Metallica's (and heavy metal's) musical genius.

Love the song, and the analysis as usual. This song though, similar to your recent listen to November Rain, is done a mild disservice to not let her see the video for context; maybe after the first listen of the song without the video would be fair/helpful? Thanks for the video as always.

@fathertedcrilley3988

6 ай бұрын

This!!!! the song is soooooo much more powerful with the video

Eventually, it would be nice to see you check out Apocalyptica, either one of their Metallica covers or one of their original pieces, to see how classical musicians (cellists) have reinterpreted and been inspired by this music. Also, they are some of the Finnish Metallica fans you were talking about. While I would not claim it is better than the original, they have a beautiful cover of One.

I hope that that you will be able to listen to the "Unforgiven Trilogy" at some point - three songs from differrent periods of Metallica's catalogue, They are more in a "power ballad" style.

As heavy metal and the hippies came into being around the same time, many people always thought of them as completely different. But I always felt that they are two sides of the same coin: They were born from the same societal circumstances, and both deal heavily with war. Only hippies focused more on peace, love, and contentedness, and heavy metal dealt more with the realities of war, violence, and loneliness/isolation, so in a way what could be vs. what is. I find both incredibly important, because if you focus too much on a fantasy of an ideal world, you can lose sight of the actual reality around you, but if you only focus on the reality of being human, without hope and aspirations for a better world, you can fall into loneliness and despair. I always felt more drawn to heavy metal, because I felt that I grew up in n environment that liked to pretend everything was fine when it wasn't, but as I got older and life happened from all sides, I also started to include some of the softer hope and love messages, in order to not lose sight of that aspect of life. If that makes sense. English is my second language, so I hope this isn't complete gibberish..

This is one of the few songs I'd advise watching the official music video for. In most cases with longer songs the single version would be shortened by removing a long intro/outro or even a whole verse in some cases to make it more accessible to radio and TV . Not only did the band retain the full song but they interspersed the track with audio and visual clips from the Johnny Got His Gun movie. It makes for a full on and remarkably moving sensory experience.

@jermholio

6 ай бұрын

I think her listening to the studio version first was nice, as she could focus on the music and lyrics, and not be distracted by the movie. But yea, now she can watch the video to get the full experience.

Really prefer the studio version over the official video with all the blabbering, thanks for choosing this

Great analysis! On the theme of retreating within oneself, becoming unreachable to the outside world, check out Beyond the Realms of Death by Judas Priest. With soaring vocals and two blistering guitar solos.

@scottwilliamscreek2427

6 ай бұрын

Yes!

You should do Disposable Heroes by Metallica too. In their older age they are no longer broaching subjects that make you think. I guess they are just filthy rich and very comfortable now. The struggles they had as a band and in their individual lives created their best music.

The drums are like an echo of the sounds of the battlefield, which is the last thing he ever heard, and the echo goes on forever.

I love heavy metal, old school headbanger I am it always brings me joy when someone finds heavy metal for the first time and doesn't dismiss it as noise, heavy metal tells story's about everything, takes you on a journey

I think what a lot of people miss is that the drums are the machine guns and bombs in trench warfare. The guitars are incredibly emotional because they start off sweet and innocent like a new recruit and turn into a hardened fighter right up to when the bullet with his name on finds him. That's why it suddenly ends.

Thank you for this reaction. I have been waiting for this a long time. It's like a nice little present for Christmas and I hope to see Metallica more often in your reactions. I love your content especially your in depth analysis. Keep it up and thank you another time

@CelticSpiritsCoven

6 ай бұрын

Enter Sandman Master of Puppets Vlad should have her listen to these songs.

I’m really amazed on how you beautifully reviewed this incredible song, and it sadly brings to me to current times in which we have thousands of human beings suffering because of war. Thank you very much for taking this great song to my ears again.

Amy wins the internet again

Slayer - Angel of Death. Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms. Black Sabbath - Planet Caravan. CCR - Born on the Bayou. ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE VIDS/REACTIONS, U DA BEST THANK YOU!!! ☺♥

I think the buoyant, beautiful nature of the lead guitar before the bridge representing the human spirit and drums the prison is pretty good. And the double bass drums foreshadows the vocal & guitar bridge part “Darkness imprisoning me!…” is lovely and such a great build of anticipation. But I think the “one” interpretation is not as much about individuality or about the importance of each person, but about loss, isolation, and torment of a mind alone, stripped of any other humans, any other inputs whatsoever (except agony), just feeding on itself and on its own emotions. Thanks for another great analysis.

Just to send you some love and thank you for this channel. 🖤

This song is a primal scream depicting what some of us must do and endure in order to maintain our freedoms.

To get the full experience for this song, you really need to watch the video. That's rare, but in this case very true.

I would love to hear a harp cover of One.

It’s been a while since I heard the song straight through without the music video! If you’re reading this and haven’t seen the official video it’s worth watching and won awards. If you haven’t seen their live performance for the Grammys you should watch that to see the moment they turned from tough guys into real men of metal. 🤘

Lol you're not hiding your dislike of Lux Aeterna 😅 One is my favorite Metallica song and a piece of music that genuinely changed my life. I'm sure Vlad has by now told you about the "S.O.S. Morse code" sequence by the end of the song, which ties into the book/movie/video storyline. Incredibly deep, powerful and moving piece of music with so many layers to explore. Thanks for diving into this ❤

@CelticSpiritsCoven

6 ай бұрын

Sorry, but Lux Aeterna sounded like a mid-life crisis. Like a guy in his 50's buying a Ferrari. No offense. Lux Aeterna is a decent song, but not near as important several other Metallic songs.

@19jobbin86

6 ай бұрын

​@CelticSpiritsCoven no need to apologize, I mean it's OK not to like a song. It's just I found it funny she pointed it out a couple of times in the video. As for Lux Aeterna, I personally don't think it's a bad song, on the contrary. Of course, nowhere near the top of their opus, but it does what it says on the tin, quite literally. And you're not far from point with the "mid life crisis". It's about rediscovering that primordial, eternal light, that life giving force that also connects us and unifies us. In this case, it's obviously the music, that "sonic salvation" that "casts out the demons that strangle your life".

@CelticSpiritsCoven

6 ай бұрын

@@19jobbin86 I just got to my computer. I apparently didn't see your emogi in the first sentence while on my phone. I apologize because I thought you were saying that Lux Eaterna was better than One. Again, my fault. My phone doesn't show emoji's.

I noticed that you said you were curious to see what other countries various songs charted in, and you seemed somewhat surprised that this was a number one song in Finland. Those of us who are "Metalheads" know that northern Europe in general and Scandinavia in particular are hotbeds of heavy metal. In Finland they even have Heavy Metal Knitting, a knitting competition where the contestants sew to metal. My personal belief is that Sweden has the best heavy metal per capita in the world. So, don't be amazed when metal songs chart well in Nordic countries! 🙂

An interesting note for you about how James writes vocal melodies...He writes the cadence/melody of the vocals before writing words. It's why his singing style sounds almost staccato, moving from one note to the next without much sliding between notes. Especially in their older music. You can find demos of their music where he will sing out the melody of his vocals without using real words. He'll then come back later and match words to fit the cadence and subject of the song.

@carcarjinks1430

6 ай бұрын

it's like james uses both his voice and his guitar as percussion instruments

@Randall_Kildare

6 ай бұрын

I went & looked for some "Wahh-nah-nana-nahh' for One, but came up dry. A great peculiarity of Het's songwriting, & perhaps terrible advice for budding song-smith's themselves; but it's certainly worked wonders for Metallica.

@blechtic

6 ай бұрын

Didn't you write this same thing in the comments of Nothing Else Matters?

Interesting fact, the heavy guitar riffs near the end of this song are played as the morse code, "SOS."

Amazing content, great work! Thanks for share free 👏

"One" is a great piece of music that I've always enjoyed. Your interpretation of it is both educational and insightful. Great content. Bravo!

@31:00 - This is incredibly insightful from a person who is supposedly not a fan of metal. In rock/metal, the guitar is just another vocalist, singing a universal language. A lot of people don't connect, because it's expressing emotions they're not familiar with, or at least not comfortable with.

I like hearing your very trained ear take on this compared to when I was 14 years old barely learning classical guitar and falling in love with Metallica back in the early 90s. I had no way to express in words back then what you have said here, but it was pretty much the same conclusion.

I wonder how different Amy's reaction would have been if this song had been the very first of her journey. With hindsight, I wish that Nightwish - Ghost Love Score had come much much later in the sequence. Perhaps, with the much wider context of the many styles experienced since, elements of the performance would have been perceived differently.

I know you want to just listen to the music for the most part. But for this song I Hope Vlad Has you watch the video at some point. It put a lot of things into perspective with the song.

@johnthompson6374

6 ай бұрын

Agreed

@wesbaumguardner8829

6 ай бұрын

The one thing that bothers me about the video is that it uses footage from the movie, which Metallica bought the rights to use. In the movie footage, it is a bomb falling from the sky that causes the injury to the protagonist and not a landmine. The song states it was a landmine that caused the injury, just as was depicted in the book. It sort of breaks the story having the starting event of the story contradicting itself. Still a great video, I just wish they would have used different footage that matched the lyrics of the song at that one point in the video.

@drivers99

6 ай бұрын

@@wesbaumguardner8829another thing I don’t like about that video (and this goes for any music video) is when they add any sound effects that aren’t in the album version. In the case of One it is defaced with those video clips. And I think they cut off the instrumental parts from one or both versions of the video (can’t remember if it’s the movie version or the “jamming version” that applies to.

@peternimmo74

6 ай бұрын

⁠Yes I hate the alternate voice actor who reads the words "Stand still laddie, how can you have your pudding if you don't eat your meat?" in the film version of Pink Floyd's The Wall.

@wesbaumguardner8829

6 ай бұрын

@@drivers99 Yeah, they did dub over the music with the movie voiceovers several times. I can kind of see it both ways. Some people could claim it makes the story more clear by adding detail, but music purists would claim it detracts from the music. I think it kind of does both simultaneously.

so glad you listened to studio version instead of music video first

I knew this would be an amazing reaction/breakdown.

grammy's for metal, there's quite a history there. they seem to feel that, if it's loud, it's metal, lot of barely hard rock bands/songs win best metal, metallica gets a lot cause it's the only name they can think of.

Great analysis, as usual. It would be great to see you do a follow-up watch of the video which was very powerful & added more context with clips from the movie. He actually figures out how to communicate via morse code - “SOS, Kill Me”. Not sure is the music captures that coding (as done in Rush’s YYZ), but would be interested in your take. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

@homesteadjeff1419

6 ай бұрын

I was hoping I would find someone suggesting to watch the video. It really does paint a clearer picture.