Some Kind Of Monster

Given the inherent meaning of "We the people" in a democracy in that it pretends at inclusiveness while in fact specifically excluding the minority, anyone who asks "are we, indeed, the people" must conclude, when they find from the person using that term's definition that no, they are not part of "the people,"-- "What am I, then, some kind of monster?" The main body of the lyrics list what messages the "monster" (anyone outside the intended constituency of the person speaking of "We the people," it can be considered any generic politician, regardless of party, since Metallica doesn't do songs with partisan messages) happen to receive about the nature of the speaker once they sift through the "traps that smell so good" (the supposed meaning of the person's words).

In recognizing the horrific implications, and stating "This monster lives," the generic politician of the story is rejected by the narrator.

I think that the monster is hateful people in society. The first two stanzas seem to show the monster as hating and hurting someone, "These are the boots that kick you around," "These are the ears that ring with hate," "This is the fist that grinds you down," etc, etc... Also, the "you" that is being hurt by the monster is probably an outcast (or an ethnic or religious minority) who society is constantly beating. He tries to run and hide from the hate, "These are the legs in circles run," but he feels trapped and fearful because of the constant torment, "These are the lips that taste no freedom," "This is the feel that's not so safe," "This is the pain that never leaves," etc... The persecuted person is trying to rebel against the hateful society around him, hence the "voice of silence no more". By saying that, "this monster lives," it is implied that this hate lives in modern day society. The question, "Are we the people?" has two meanings: First, it is meant to imply that our society is full of monsters as opposed to people; and Second, it is meant to reflect the Declaration of Independence's "We the People," and is therefore asking whether or not these hateful people in America are deserving of the rights they have that our forefathers fought for, and how this hate goes against everything the Declaration stands for. The ending part has a different tone, and it is lyrically much darker that the rest of the song. The, "black that uncolors us" is the darkness that lives inside every person ( "I'm in us") , and how we are all capable of hate and violence despite trying to hide it ( "This is the face that you hide from / This is the mask that comes undone"). Evil exists inside all of us, and this means that we cannot trust each other, ( "This is the cloud that swallows trust").

I always understood this song as if Metallica is talking about humanity as a whole. The humans are ruining the Earth in many ways.

It's not really about the environment, nor is it really about animals or humans that are being hurt for no reason whatsoever. It is about everything we do, as a whole. A monster is not a monster because of what things it has done, a monster is a monster because of its nature.

It's very unclear, I am not sure if anyone would ever understand what I mean with this, I think it is probably just a very personal look on things too. It is fine that everyone looks at this differently, I guess. What's important is that you enjoy the song. It speaks truth, in combination of perfect instrument use, combination, perfect stereo sounds, I really love it :)

thanks to drop2 for the lyrics

this song isnt about a particular thing..it is about any problem or burdon in your life and how it can be a monster

Surely the other name for the album.Awesome song.

cant be arsed to give an explanation of the lyrics cause that would mean reading them, but i do think this is a really good song, one of the better ones on the new album. good work 'tallicA, shame ur such sellout wankers...oh well.

This song did grow on me, but when I tried to play it I learned that the main riff is really only 3 notes, and that's the tune for basically the whole song. It's simple, but pleasing to the ears (after a while). The whole album seems to follow this formula.

Great name for a movie ..!

bad things are challenges that equal the monster, both within yourself and the outside world. bad things such as failure, temptation, violent conflict, etc. life is full of challenges and problems. i love this song. great riffs.