Meaning of "Until It Sleeps" by Metallica

The lyrics of "Until It Sleeps" delve into the complex experience of pain and suffering. The opening lines, "Where do I take this pain of mine? / I run but it stays right by my side," establish the idea that pain is an ever-present force that the narrator is unable to escape. They feel trapped and unable to find relief. Tear me open, pour me out" suggests a desperate desire to rid themselves of the emotional turmoil within. The things inside that "scream and shout" represent the internal demons and unresolved issues that continue to torment the narrator.

The repeated refrain, "So hold me until it sleeps," reveals a yearning for solace and comfort. The narrator seeks out someone who can offer support and understanding during their battle with pain. The lyrics convey the notion that finding solace in another person's arms may temporarily ease the suffering and allow for some respite from the torment. However, the pain is described as something that grips, stains, hates, and holds, emphasizing its overpowering nature. It is something that cannot easily be escaped or shaken off.

The lyrics also touch upon the destructive nature of certain emotions. The lines "Just like the curse, just like the stray / You feed it once and now it stays, now it stays" suggest that once certain negative emotions take hold, they become difficult to dispel. The repetition of "It grips you, it stains you, it hates you, it holds you" further emphasizes the all-consuming and suffocating nature of pain and negative emotions.

Furthermore, the lyrics allude to the connection between fear and pain. The lines "So tell me why you've chosen me / Don't want your grip, don't want your greed" express a rejection of the fear that grips the narrator and the desire to be free from its influence. The narrator acknowledges that fear still shakes them and hate still shapes them, highlighting the lasting effects and ongoing struggle to overcome these emotions.

Overall, "Until It Sleeps" explores the experience of living with constant pain and the yearning for relief and comfort. It conveys a sense of the relentlessness and destructive nature of certain emotions while also suggesting the possibility of finding temporary respite through connection and support.