Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn, New York. Formed in 19… Read Full Bio ↴Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn, New York. Formed in 1980, the group is known for lyrics based on fantasy (particularly sword and sorcery) and mythology (particularly Norse mythology and Greco-Roman mythology), as well as numerous songs celebrating the genre and its core audience. The band is also known for a loud and emphatic sound. In an interview for MTV in February 2007, bassist Joey DeMaio lamented that "these days, there's a real lack of big, epic metal that is drenched with crushing guitars and choirs and orchestras... so it's nice to be one of the few bands that's actually doing that". In 1984, the band was included in the Guinness Book of World Records for delivering the loudest performance, a record which they have since broken on two occasions. They also hold the world record for the longest heavy metal concert after playing for five hours and 1 minute in Bulgaria (at Kavarna Rock Fest) in 2008. They also have been known for their slogan "Death to false metal". The band maintains a strong cult following.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manowar

Studio albums
Battle Hymns (1982)
Into Glory Ride (1983)
Hail to England (1984)
Sign of the Hammer (1984)
Fighting the World (1987)
Kings of Metal (1988)
The Triumph of Steel (1992)
Louder Than Hell (1996)
Warriors of the World (2002)
Gods of War (2007)
Battle Hymns MMXI (2010)
The Lord of Steel (2012)
Kings of Metal MMXIV (2014)

Black List
Manowar Lyrics

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See the writings on the wall
If you can read
There's a black list
Got one name and it's me
Yea I got no invitation
But I won't leave
Gonna keep on fighting
For everything that's me

It's my life
I'm living free
Ain't nobody nowhere
Got no chains on me

See the writings on the wall
If you can read
There's a black list
Got one name and it's me
Yea I got no invitation
But I won't leave
Gonna keep on fighting
For everything that's me

If you don't like me - tough, you better leave
Keep on fighting for the things I believe

See the writings on the wall
If you can read
There's a black list
Got one name and it's me
Yea I got no invitation
But I won't leave
Gonna keep on fighting
For everything that's me
Gonna fight for all the things
That make me breathe

And if you don't like it - tough
You better leave

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Manowar's song "Black List" are about defiance in the face of opposition. The singer immediately warns anyone who might try to prevent him from living the way he wants to live that they will not be able to control him. He observes that he is on a black list, presumably meaning that he has been deemed undesirable by the powers that be. This, however, does not discourage him, and he vows to persevere in fighting for everything that is important to him. He refuses to leave or give up, no matter what obstacles confront him.

Later on in the song, the singer makes it clear that he will not change himself to please anyone else. He acknowledges that not everyone will like him, but he does not care; he intends to keep fighting for what he believes in. The phrase "See the writings on the wall" is a reference to the Biblical story of Belshazzar's feast, in which mysterious writing appears on the palace wall and can only be interpreted by Daniel. In this context, it could imply that the singer foresees a future in which he will be vindicated for his choices.

Overall, "Black List" is a rallying cry for individuality and perseverance. It encourages listeners to stand up for themselves and never give up on their dreams, even in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

See the writings on the wall
Take notice of the signs and indications that point towards trouble ahead

If you can read
Only if you have the ability to understand what's happening around you

There's a black list
There's a list of unwanted people that are not welcome

Got one name and it's me
I'm the only person on the list

Yea I got no invitation
I'm not invited to be a part of the group

But I won't leave
Despite not being wanted, I'm not giving up on what's important to me

Gonna keep on fighting
Continuing the battle to make a positive difference in my life

For everything that's me
Fighting for my own individuality and beliefs

It's my life
I am in control of my own life

I'm living free
I have the freedom to make my own choices and decisions

Ain't nobody nowhere
There is no force or person that can stop me