One Lyrics

Metallica lyrics for “One” from the classic and breakthrough Metallica album …And Justice For All

Metallica: One Lyrics
I can’t remember anything
Can’t tell if this is true or dream
Deep down inside I feel to scream
This terrible silence stops me

Now that the war is through with me
I’m waking up I cannot see
That there is not much left of me
Nothing is real but pain now

Hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh please God, wake me

Back in the womb it’s much too real
In pumps life that I must feel
But can’t look forward to reveal
Look to the time when I’ll live

Fed through the tube that sticks in me
Just like a wartime novelty
Tied to machines that make me be
Cut this life off from me

Hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh please God, wake me
Now the world is gone I’m just one
Oh god, help me hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh please God, help me

Darkness imprisoning me
All that I see
Absolute horror
I cannot live
I cannot die
Trapped in myself
Body my holding cell

Landmine has taken my sight
Taken my speech
Taken my hearing
Taken my arms
Taken my legs
Taken my soul

Metallica: “One” Song Meaning
Metallica songwriters James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich were inspired to write the song lyrics for “One” after reading the novel Johnny Got His Gun and seeing the 1971 movie based on it. The novel followed the story of soldier John Bonham, who lost all his senses and limbs in an explosion. The character was trapped in his useless body and “One” tells this miserable story of life without sense or mobility. “One” is often thought to also be a reference to Vietnam veterans. Fans who have had Metallica tickets before know that “One” is perhaps the best song in the Metallica set list.

Metallica: “One” Video & Impact
“One” was the first Metallica music video ever released and helped sell a ton of Metallica tickets as it brought a slew of new fans to the band. Many old-school Metallica fans may have thought their favorite band was “selling out,” but the video for “One” has become known as a classic and didn’t stop fans from buying Metallica tickets. “One” also earned Metallica a Grammy Award nomination, but the band would go on to lose to Jethro Tull.

Metallica: “One” Live
Fans with Metallica tickets know that “One” is always one of the key songs in the Metallica set list and is a fan favorite whenever Metallica plays live. The war sounds included on the album version of “One” proceed the song before pyrotechnics start the song live. With guitars tuned down for the live version of “One,” the dark song gets an even heavier and gloomier tone to it. Fans with Metallica tickets always look forward to the legendary concert performance of “One.”