Hardwired
Metallica Lyrics


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In the name of desperation
In the name of wretched pain
In the name of all creation
Gone insane

We're so fucked
Shit outta luck
Hardwired to self-destruct
Go

On the way to paranoia
On the crooked borderline
On the way to great destroyer
Doom design

We're so fucked
Shit outta luck
Hardwired to self-destruct

Once upon a planet burning once upon a flame
Once upon a fear returning all in vain

Do you feel that hope is fading? Do you comprehend?
Do you feel it terminating in the end?

We're so fucked
Shit outta luck
Hardwired to self-destruct
Hardwired to self-destruct

Self-destruct




Self-destruct
Self-destruct

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Metallica's song Hardwired are an expression of the desolation and despair that plagues modern society. The lines, "In the name of desperation, In the name of wretched pain, In the name of all creation, Gone insane," speak to the overwhelming feelings of hopelessness that many people experience. The repetition of the phrases "we're so fucked" and "shit outta luck" further illustrate the somber mood of the piece. The chorus, "Hardwired to self-destruct," echoes the idea that the seeds of destruction have already been planted within us.


The second verse, "On the way to paranoia, On the crooked borderline, On the way to great destroyer, Doom design," paints a bleak picture of the future. It suggests that our self-destructive tendencies will lead to inevitable ruin. The middle section of the song, "Once upon a planet burning once upon a flame, Once upon a fear returning all in vain," is a poetic way of reminding us that even the most powerful entities can burn out and fade away. The final lines, "Do you feel that hope is fading? Do you comprehend? Do you feel it terminating in the end?," drive home the message that we need to take action before it's too late.


Overall, the lyrics to Hardwired explore the idea that we as a society are moving towards our own destruction. It urges us to be more conscious of our actions and take responsibility for the future before it's too late.


Line by Line Meaning

In the name of desperation
With no other options left, without hope and with great urgency


In the name of wretched pain
Referring to the great suffering and misery that is being experienced


In the name of all creation
In the context of everything that exists and has ever existed


Gone insane
Refers to the madness and utter chaos that is happening


We're so fucked
Things have gone terribly wrong and there's no way out


Shit outta luck
Refers to being completely unlucky or unfortunate


Hardwired to self-destruct
Everything has been preprogrammed or predetermined to end in destruction


Go
An exclamation urging something to happen


On the way to paranoia
Refers to the path leading to a state of extreme and irrational fear


On the crooked borderline
Referring to a point where good and bad are indistinguishable from one another


On the way to great destroyer
Referring to a path which leads to the end of all things and the annihilation of everything


Doom design
Suggests that the disaster or catastrophe that is occurring was expected or planned for


Once upon a planet burning once upon a flame
Describes a situation where a world that was once vibrant and lively has now been burnt and destroyed


Once upon a fear returning all in vain
Referring to an irrational fear that has come back even though it was previously resolved


Do you feel that hope is fading? Do you comprehend?
Implying that everything is falling apart and the person is asking if the listener understands the severity of the situation


Do you feel it terminating in the end?
Asking if the listener feels the world, or everything around them, will eventually come to a complete end


Self-destruct
A final statement that reinforces the idea of predetermined destruction




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Alan Hetfield, Lars Ulrich

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

Sconi71

This song has got to be the most over analyzed song in the history of metal.

"They used to be good when they played thrash"
"This song sounds too much like thrash"
"I like their first three albums better"
"This song sounds like they are copying riffs from their first three albums"
"Why do we need this song.. it's been done already"
"Lars can't play"
"I'm surprised Lars can play this song."

Jeez people, it's a fricken song... lol.



All comments from YouTube:

Matthias König

This is Lars' cleanest performance I have heard in a VERY long time. Sounds good!

FORTNITEPOGGERS69XXGAMING

@Fabiano SilvaIt's playback in recent live, the intro is the album one, but on the first time it got played live it's fully played

Aaron Szyszko Official

@Fabiano Silva no, it isn't

Fabiano Silva

Playback hahahah lol

BAK DK

How is nobody acknowleding that James' voice is on point these days??! The best it have been in years!

Roman Gehres

His voice has really changed into something special. Crazy how that’s happened

EqualsPeach

His voice in No Leaf Clover is soooooo soothing

Sepulmattica 76

Have you heard him go way up high like no life to leather, like at the end of no remorse at the Dehaan show?

Alex Rooney Composer

yea his voice has been amazing this year, been getting better by the day

Ateş Yurttaş

01:10 when you realise the riff is so good..

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