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LIVING ROOM - Metallica Lyrics


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Welcome to where time stands still
No one leaves and no one will
Moon is full, never seems to change
Just labeled mentally deranged
Dream the same thing every night
I see our freedom in my sight
No locked doors, no windows barred
No things to make my brain seem scarred

Sleep my friend and you will see
That dream is my reality
They keep me locked up in this cage
Can't they see it's why my brain says rage

Sanitarium, leave me be
Sanitarium, just leave me alone

Build my fear of what's out there
And cannot breathe the open air
Whisper things into my brain
Assuring me that I'm insane
They think our heads are in their hands
But violent use brings violent plans
Keep him tied, it makes him well
He's getting better, can't you tell?

No more can they keep us in
Listen, damn it, we will win
They see it right, they see it well
But they think this saves us from our Hell

Sanitarium, leave me be
Sanitarium, just leave me alone
Sanitarium, just leave me alone

Fear of living on
Natives getting restless now
Mutiny in the air
Got some death to do
Mirror stares back hard
Kill, it's such a friendly word




Seems the only way
For reaching out again

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" by Metallica paint a vivid picture of a person trapped inside a mental institution or sanitarium. The singer describes the eerie atmosphere of the facility, where time seemingly stands still and no one can leave. The full moon, a symbol of madness and unpredictability, never changes. This suggests a sense of stagnation and hopelessness within the institution.


The singer reveals that they have recurring dreams of freedom, where there are no locked doors or barred windows to confine them. They long to escape the mental torment that has scarred their mind. The juxtaposition between the dream and the reality of being locked up fuels their frustration and rage. They pleas for the sanitarium to leave them alone, highlighting the desire for independence and individuality.


The song delves into themes of confinement, control, and the consequences of suppressing one's true nature. The mental institution serves as a metaphor for societal norms and expectations, where the individual's thoughts and desires are dismissed or considered insane. The lyrics convey the internal struggle of someone who feels trapped and stifled, yearning to break free and reclaim their sense of self.


Line by Line Meaning

Welcome to where time stands still
Welcome to a place where everything remains the same, and nothing ever changes


No one leaves and no one will
Once you enter, you are trapped and cannot escape


Moon is full, never seems to change
The moon is always full, symbolizing a perpetual state of insanity


Just labeled mentally deranged
Society has categorized us as mentally unstable


Dream the same thing every night
Every night, I have the same dream of finding freedom


I see our freedom in my sight
I envision a world where we can be free


No locked doors, no windows barred
There are no physical barriers preventing my escape


No things to make my brain seem scarred
There are no external triggers that worsen my mental state


Sleep my friend and you will see
If you rest, you will understand my perspective


That dream is my reality
In my dream, I live a life that aligns with my desires


They keep me locked up in this cage
They imprison me in this institution


Can't they see it's why my brain says rage
They fail to realize that the confinement fuels my anger


Sanitarium, leave me be
Mental institution, stay away from me


Sanitarium, just leave me alone
Mental institution, stop bothering me


Build my fear of what's out there
They instill in me a fear of the world outside the institution


And cannot breathe the open air
I am denied the freedom to experience the outside world


Whisper things into my brain
They manipulate and implant ideas in my mind


Assuring me that I'm insane
They constantly reinforce the belief that I am mentally unstable


They think our heads are in their hands
They believe they have control over our thoughts and actions


But violent use brings violent plans
Their oppressive methods will lead to our resistance and rebellion


Keep him tied, it makes him well
They believe restricting us will improve our mental state


He's getting better, can't you tell?
They falsely believe that our condition is improving


No more can they keep us in
We refuse to be confined any longer


Listen, damn it, we will win
Pay attention, we will emerge victorious


They see it right, they see it well
They understand our struggle and its validity


But they think this saves us from our Hell
However, they mistakenly believe that their actions are helping us


Fear of living on
We are afraid of the challenges and uncertainties of life outside


Natives getting restless now
The inmates are becoming increasingly agitated


Mutiny in the air
There is rebellion brewing among us


Got some death to do
We are prepared to make sacrifices to achieve our freedom


Mirror stares back hard
When I look at myself, the reflection reveals my determination


Kill, it's such a friendly word
The idea of violent resistance feels familiar and comforting


Seems the only way
It appears that violence is the only means to overcome our situation


For reaching out again
To regain our freedom and independence




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Alan Hetfield, Kirk L. Hammett, Lars Ulrich

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@KareemBahgat1

[Instrumental Intro]

[Verse 1]
Welcome to where time stands still
No one leaves and no one will
Moon is full, never seems to change
Just labelled mentally deranged
Dream the same thing every night
I see our freedom in my sight
No locked doors, no windows barred
No things to make my brain seem scarred
Sleep, my friend, and you will see
That dream is my reality
They keep me locked up in this cage
Can't they see it's why my brain says "rage"?

[Chorus]
Sanitarium
Leave me be
Sanitarium
Just leave me alone

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 2]
Build my fear of what's out there
I cannot breathe the open air
Whisper things into my brain
Assuring me that I'm insane
They think our heads are in their hands
But violent use brings violent plans
Keep him tied, it makes him well
He's getting better, can't you tell?
No more can they keep us in
Listen, damn it, we will win
They see it right, they see it well
But they think this saves us from our hell

[Chorus]
Sanitarium
Leave me be
Sanitarium
Just leave me alone

[Bridge]
Sanitarium
(Just leave me alone)

[Outro]
Fear of living on
Natives getting restless now
Mutiny in the air
Got some death to do
Mirror stares back hard
Kill, it's such a friendly word
Seems the only way
For reaching out again

[Instrumental Outro]



All comments from YouTube:

@pedroteles2093

I love listening to this while walking on the beach with my girlfriend, until the LSD wears off and I realize I’m dragging a mannequin around a Burger King parking lot.

@wizbusinessquinn1052

That's metallica. They will leave you feeling defiled but you want more

@Helpmereachsubscriberswi-zy4jx

nah thats some delirium shit

@joanlerman9983

LMAO !

@btowndad432

Now that's funny. !!!!😁😁😁😁

@lizzylowry1948

Lmfao

233 More Replies...

@j2thett206

My best friend took his life cause of psychological problems. We played guitar together for years. He even had the hammet signature guitar. I was so jealous.This song reminds me of my dear old friend. Miss you brother!

@damiank7374

Stay strong brother

@loljamal4445

^ sending u lots of love man ❤️

@jasmine7735

He didn't leave you the guitar huh?

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