The band is not to be confused with Zakk Wylde's solo project (sometimes known as Book of Shadows after its only album) or with Pride & Glory, Wylde's southern rock band.
History
In 1992, Ozzy retired after the No More Tears tour, which led Zakk to form his own solo band Pride & Glory, blending potent bluesy southern rock with heavy metal. In 1994 Ozzy decided to come out of retirement, and the numerous recording sessions for Ozzmosis took place. Around this time, Zakk was also offered the open guitar slot in Guns N' Roses and had a hard time deciding whether to tour with Ozzy or join Guns N' Roses. Neither project panned out. This gave Wylde the opportunity to record his own acoustic solo album, "Book of Shadows." After limited commercial success with Book Of Shadows, in 1998, Zakk and drummer Phil Ondich formed Black Label Society and recorded their debut album "Sonic Brew." Nick Catanese had been Zakk's touring rhythm guitarist since the Book Of Shadows tour (Zakk records all guitars on his albums). Craig Nunenmacher has been drumming for the band since 1919 Eternal (2001) following Phil's departure. Previous bass players include current Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo, former Megadeth 4-stringer James Lomenzo, and current Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez, who also played with Zakk on the No More Tears, Ozzy tour.
The band had their song "Fire It Up" featured as a bonus song in the PlayStation 2 game Guitar Hero. Zakk Wylde has an avatar in the video game "Guitar Hero: World Tour", and the song "Stillborn" also appears.
What's In You
Black Label Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Step inside this nightmare where I live
The madman roams inside my head
Step inside this nightmare where I live
The madman roams inside my head
Oh. What's in you now?
Oh what's in you now?
Oh what's in you now?
Helter Skelter running through my veins
Satan's coming on his way
Helter Skelter running through my veins
Satan's coming on his way
Oh. What's in you now?
Oh what's in you now?
Oh what's in you now?
Oh what's in you now?
Oh. What's in you now?
Oh what's in you now?
Oh what's in you now?
Oh what's in you now?
The lyrics to Black Label Society's "What's In You" are a dark meditation on the inner demons that haunt the mind. The song opens with the singer inviting the listener to enter the nightmare world of his own psyche, where a madman lurks within. The repetition of the phrase "Step inside this nightmare where I live" creates a sense of claustrophobia and unease, as though the listener is being drawn into a twisted, dangerous mental landscape.
As the song progresses, the imagery becomes even more grim. The singer sings of "Helter Skelter running through my veins," a reference to the infamous Manson Family murders and the sense of chaos and violence that they embodied. The repeated refrain of "Oh, what's in you now?" feels like a challenge, as though the singer is daring the listener to confront their own inner demons and darkness.
Overall, "What's In You" is a chilling exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche, with powerful imagery and a driving, intense musical style. The song's themes of madness, evil, and inner turmoil make it a powerful addition to Black Label Society's catalog.
Line by Line Meaning
What's in you?
The singer is asking what is inside the person being addressed.
Step inside this nightmare where I live
The singer is inviting the person being addressed to enter their mental anguish.
The madman roams inside my head
The singer has a disturbed mental state with voices and thoughts inside their head.
Oh. What's in you now?
The artist is repeatedly asking what is inside the person being addressed in a tone of desperation or urgency.
Helter Skelter running through my veins
The artist feels a sense of chaos and madness engulfing them from within.
Satan's coming on his way
The singer feels consumed by the devil and his influence.
Oh. What's in you now?
The singer repeats the question, hoping for an answer that can help them make sense of their own troubled state.
Oh what's in you now?
The artist is still searching for an explanation or solution to their problem.
Oh what's in you now?
The artist is desperate for an answer, hoping that the person being addressed can provide some insight or assistance.
Oh what's in you now?
The artist is still repeating the question, hoping to find some resolution to their internal conflict.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ZAKK WYLDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind