Song Meaning: That Was Just Your Life by Metallica

ARTIST: #METALLICA | ALBUM: DEATH MAGNETIC | RELEASED: 2008

"That Was Just Your Life" from Metallica's 8th studio album, Death Magnetic, outlines James Hetfield's rebellious past. James was known for his anger management issues and alcohol addiction, among many other things, of course. He's also known for collecting vintage cars - if you're into that kind of stuff.  Hetfield was forced to enter rehab in early 2000s to address his alcoholism, and came out clean, and in fact has been sober for the most of his life since. Nevertheless, for this song, James lays out his dark side of himself, in making a reference to everybody else dark side as well.

The song emphasizes a person's struggle ( presumably James Hetfield himself ) in overcoming his/her demons, whether it be contentiousness or alcoholism.

The the whole album contains songs pertaining to some aspect of life, with few exceptions like Judas' Kiss. The title, Death Magnetic, underlines some people's premature deaths, and others prolonged lives. In other words, coffin, as seen on the album cover, symbolizes death; some are attracted to it and some are repelled by it. I'll do a complete analysis of the entire album later on in "Explore Albums" section.

Analysis of lyrics: 

Like a siren in my head that always - "siren" is a reference to inner voice

Like a blind man that is strapped into the speeding driver's seat - this is an interesting line. James likes cars, so there's a reference to that. "Blind man" symbolizes a person unwillingly forced into do something dangerous for his/her life, like speeding.

When all it knew was how to bite - "bite" means anger

Like a misery that keeps me focused - previous hard experiences keep you from reattempting those

Like an endless nightmare that / I must awaken from each day - "nightmare" references to adversity of having to face the consequences of bad actions of one's past

I blind my eyes and try to force it all into place - lying to yourself, or being in denial

I open just in time to say goodbye - this is a cool line but I don't know what it exactly means. "Goodbye" usually means death in Metallica songs. "Fade to Black" has a goodbye line, meaning committing suicide.

Lines #21 - #29 - feeling down on your self, or feeling of giving up on your life

I'll come back to continue to rest. Until then, take care :-)

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1. Like a siren in my head that always
2. Threatens to repeat
3. Like a blind man that is strapped into the speeding driver's seat
4. Like a face
5. That learns to speak
6. When all it knew was how to bite
7. 
   
8. Like a misery that keeps me focused
9. Though I've gone astray
10. Like an endless nightmare that
11. I must awaken from each day
12. Like conviction
13. A premonition
14. Not worthy of, so I deny...... I deny
15. 
    
16. I blind my eyes and try to force it all into place
17. I stitch them up, see not my fall from grace
18. I blind my eyes, I hide and feel it passing me by
19. I open just in time to say goodbye
20. 
    
21. Almost like your life
22. Almost like your endless fight
23. Curse the day is long
24. Realize you don't belong
25. Disconnect somehow
26. Never stop the bleeding now
27. Almost like your fight
28. And there it went,
29. Almost like your life
30. 
    
31. Like a wound that keeps on bleeding to remind me not to think
32. Like a raging river drowning when
33. I only need a drink
34. Like a poison
35. That I swallow
36. But I want the world to die
37. 
    
38. Like a release from prison
39. That I didn't know I was in
40. Like a fight to live the past I prayed
41. To leave
42. From way back then
43. Like a general
44. Without a mission
45. Until the war will start again...... start again
46. 
    
47. I blind my eyes and try to force it all into place
48. I stitch them up, see not my fall from grace
49. I blind my eyes,
50. I hide and feel it passing me by
51. I open just in time to say goodbye
52. 
    
53. Almost like your life
54. Almost like your endless fight
55. Curse the day is long
56. Realize you don't belong
57. Disconnect somehow
58. Never stop the bleeding now
59. Almost like your fight
60. And there it went,
61. Almost like your life
62. 
    
63. Like a touch from hell to feel how hot
64. That it can get if you get caught
65. Like a strike from heaven turns that key
66. And brings you straight down to your knees
67. 
    
68. Like a touch from hell to feel how hot
69. That it can get if I get caught
70. Like a strike from heaven to reprieve
71. That brings you straight down to your knees
72. 
    
73. Almost like your life
74. Almost like your endless fight
75. Curse the day is long
76. Realize you don't belong
77. Disconnect somehow
78. Never stop the bleeding now
79. Almost like your fight
80. And there it went,
81. Almost like your life
82. That was just your life

Lyrics from: http://www.metallica.com/songs/that-was-just-your-life.asp