Song Meaning: Enter Sandman by Metallica

ARTIST: METALLICA | ALBUM: METALLICA (BLACK ALBUM) | RELEASED: 1991

Enter Sandman is the first single from Black Album

"Enter Sandman" is about a kid's nightmares. Unlike many previous singles by Metallica, this song refrain from demonic themes like death, drugs and demons, thus aiding it to become a mainstream hit. As a matter of fact, many critics attribute to this single, and the album, as the one that put Metallica on the "map." However, on the other hand, many hardcore thrash metal fans didn't like Metallica new curve ball. They criticized the band for being hypocritical for initially stand for anti-establishment, underground metal movement, but now changing course to embrace the MTV culture. Regardless of your point of view, as a rock n' roll fan, I believe that the Black Album contains good music, good riffs and cool themes. Songs like "Nothing Else Matters" and "Unforgiven" are far from being a thrash metal, but exposes Metallica's ability to explore new ground, and appeal to a new audience.

Although Metallica "lost" many fans with the Black Album, they made up for the loss with a new, much more mainstream, audience. Besides touring heavy in support of the album, "Enter Sandman" tremendously facilitated in making the album Metallica's first No. 1. In fact, it stayed there for four weeks - new ground for a metal album.

"Enter Sandman" was on regular rotation on MTV and rock,metal and classic rock radio stations in the early 1990s. It has since become Metallica's signature song, and definite fixture on their liveset.

Analysis of lyrics:

Say your prayers little one - I don't know what this means

'Til the sandman he comes - Sandman is presumed as an evil, haunting figure on kids' minds

Exit light / Enter night - going to sleep

We're off to never neverland - going to Neverland is a place to break the evil spirit of Sandman? Not sure....

Lines #20 to #23 - various nightmares

Lines #34 to #37 - classic children's bedtime prayer

p.s. I know this is a lazy analysis, but I'm tired.... any Metallica fan's please feel free to improve this in the comments below.

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1. Say your prayers little one
2. Don't forget my son
3. To include everyone
4. I tuck you in
5. Warm within
6. Keep you free from sin
7. 'Til the sandman he comes
8. 
   
9. Sleep with one eye open
10. Gripping your pillow tight
11. 
    
12. Exit light
13. Enter night
14. Take my hand
15. We're off to never never-land
16. 
    
17. Something's wrong, shut the light
18. Heavy thoughts tonight
19. And they aren't of snow white
20. Dreams of war
21. Dreams of lies
22. Dreams of dragons fire
23. And of things that will bite, yeah
24. 
    
25. Sleep with one eye open
26. Grippin' your pillow tight
27. 
    
28. Exit light
29. Enter night
30. Take my hand
31. We're off to never never-land
32. 
    
33. (Whisper)
34. Now I lay me down to sleep (x2)
35. Pray the lord my soul to keep (x2)
36. And if I die before I wake (x2)
37. Pray the lord my soul to take (x2)
38. 
    
39. Hush little baby don't say a word
40. And never mind that noise you heard
41. It's just the beast under your bed
42. In your closet in your head
43. 
    
44. Exit light
45. Enter night
46. Grain of sand
47. 
    
48. Exit light
49. Enter night
50. Take my hand
51. We're off to never never-land
52. 
    
53. We're off to never never-land
54. 
    
55. Take my hand
56. We're off to never never-land
57. Take my hand
58. We're off to never never-land
59. 
    
60. We're off to never never-land

Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/m/metallica/enter+sandman_20092087.html