The … Read Full Bio ↴"King Nothing" is a song by Metallica in their 1996 album Load.
The song is an obvious change from Metallica's thrash metal style, switching into a more hard rock/metal style. The song starts on a bass riff which develops into the main riff of the song. A single of "King Nothing" was released in the United States. It included a live version of the song "Ain't My Bitch", which is also on the album Load. A music video also accompanied the song. The guitars and bass are both tuned to Eb.
At the end of the song, the words "Off to never-never land" can be heard. This is a nod to one of Metallica's most famous songs, "Enter Sandman", which also features these words. The song also features a similar structure.
King Nothing
Metallica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have this I wish tonight
Are you satisfied?
Dig for gold, dig for fame
You dig to make your name
Are you pacified?
All the wants you waste
Then it all crashes down
And you break your crown
And you point your finger but there's no one around
Just want one thing
Just to play the King
But the castle's crumbled and you're left with just a name
Where's your crown, King Nothing?
Where's your crown?
Hot and cold, bought and sold
A heart as hard as gold
Yeah, are you satisfied?
Wish I might, wish I may
You wish your life away
Are you pacified?
All the wants you waste
All the things you've chased
Then it all crashes down
And you break your crown
And you point your finger but there's no one around
Just want one thing, just to play the King
But the castle's crumbled and you're left with just a name
Where's your crown, King Nothing? (You're nothing)
Oh, where's your crown?
I wish I may, wish I might
Have this wish, I wish tonight
I want that star, I want it now
I want it all and I don't care how
Careful what you wish
Careful what you say
Careful what you wish, you may regret it
Careful what you wish, you just might get it
Then it all crashes down
And you break your crown
And you point your finger but there's no one around
Just want one thing
Just to play the King
But the castle's crumbled and you're left with just a name
Where's your crown, King Nothing? Nothing
Oh, you're just nothing
Where's your crown King Nothing?
No, you're just nothing
Absolutely nothing
Off to never, never land
The song "King Nothing" by Metallica reflects on the idea of chasing materialistic desires and fame while disregarding the important things in life. The lyrics show how people are always digging for gold and fame, in order to make a name for themselves. They waste their lives, chasing things that they think will satisfy them but ultimately end up with nothing but a shattered ego and an empty name. The chorus repeatedly asks, "Where's your crown, King Nothing?", highlighting the emptiness and meaningless of such pursuits.
The lyrics in the song verses use the phrases "Wish I may, Wish I might" reflect on the idea that people wish for things but are never satisfied with what they get. The lines "Hot and Cold, Bought and Sold, a heart as hard as gold" describe how people are willing to sell their souls for temporary pleasure and material gains. The phrase "Off to never, never land" that is repeated at the end, is borrowed from the band's song "Enter Sandman" and refers to going to sleep or possibly death.
Line by Line Meaning
Wish I may
I hope that I'll be able to ...
Wish I might
... achieve what I desire.
Have this I wish tonight
I want to obtain my wish as soon as possible.
Are you satisfied?
Are you content with what you've accomplished?
Dig for gold
Spend your time searching for wealth.
Dig for fame
Spend your time trying to become famous.
You dig to make your name
You try to become known through your work.
All the wants you waste
All the desires that you've pursued were a waste of time.
All the things you've chased
All the things that you've worked for were not worth your effort.
Then it all crashes down
Everything you've worked for eventually crumbles.
And you break your crown
You lose the power that you thought you had.
And you point your finger but there's no one around
You blame others for your problems, but they are not there to be held accountable.
Just want one thing
You have a single-minded focus on one goal.
Just to play the King
You want to be in charge and feel powerful.
But the castle's crumbled and you're left with just a name
You've lost everything you've worked for and are left with just your reputation.
Where's your crown, King Nothing?
You've lost your power and are now nothing.
Hot and cold
You are constantly fluctuating between different desires and moods.
Bought and sold
You've compromised your values for personal gain.
A heart as hard as gold
You have a cold, unfeeling heart in pursuit of wealth.
Yeah! Are you satisfied?
Do you feel content with the choices you've made?
Wish I might, Wish I may
I hope to achieve what I desire through hard work and perseverance.
You wish your life away
You are constantly dreaming of the life you want, but not taking action to make it happen.
Careful what you wish
Be mindful of the things you desire.
Careful what you say
Be careful of the words you speak, as they may have negative repercussions.
Careful what you wish you may regret it
Be cautious of the things you desire as you may end up regretting it.
Careful what you wish you just might get it
You may get what you want, but it may not bring you happiness or fulfillment.
Oh, You're just nothing
You have no power or influence.
Absolutely nothing
You are completely powerless.
Off to never, never land
You are doomed to never achieve your desires, and are heading towards failure.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Alan Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk L. Hammett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@your_stepbro1756
Underrated Metallica song.
Plus the bass is literally godly.
Edit: I know Metallica is so popular they literally *can't* have underrated stuff. So here's some actual underrated songs by severely underrated thrash metal bands!
F.C.I/The Awakening by Evildead
Possessed by Fire by Exumer
Blind Faith by Hirax
Victims of Science by Gammacide
Ignominious Slaughter by Torture
@AlexPerezCJ
Wish I may, wish I might
Have this I wish tonight
Are you satisfied?
Dig for gold, dig for fame
You dig to make your name
Are you pacified?
All the wants you waste
All the things you’ve chased
Then it all crashes down
And you break your crown
And you point your finger
But there’s no one around
Just want one thing
Just to play the king
But the castle’s crumbled
And you’re left with just a name
Where’s your crown,
King Nothing?
Where’s your crown?
Hot and cold, bought and sold
A heart as hard as gold
Are you satisfied?
Wish I might, wish I may
You wish your life away
Are you pacified?
All the wants you waste
All the things you’ve chased
Then it all crashes down
And you break your crown
And you point your finger
But there’s no one around
Just want one thing
Just to play the king
But the castle’s crumbled
And you’re left with just a name
Where’s your crown, King Nothing?
Where’s your crown?
I wish I may, I wish I might
Have this wish I wish tonight
I want that star, I want it now
I want it all and I don’t care how
Careful what you wish
Careful what you say
Careful what you wish, you may regret it
Careful what you wish, you just might get it
Then it all crashes down
And you break your crown
And you point your finger
But there’s no one around
Just want one thing
Just to play the king
But the castle’s crumbled
And you’re left with just a name
Where’s your crown, King Nothing?
Nothing
You’re just nothing
Where’s your crown, King Nothing?
You’re just nothing
Absolutely nothing
Off to never-never land
@frankcastleisdead7473
This Song is criminally underrated.
@xvor_tex8577
Seriously there’s not many people that know this song exists I’m gonna go far to say this is better than enter sandman or One or whiskey in the jar, their most popular songs
@alexandromorales3099
Gaming Doggo I mean a lot of the Metallica community like the album and they probably heard the song
@matiasramirez896
Just wait unilt 2030 just wait
@athfstl
load is underrated in general...great album
@blindsey8234
Whiskey in the Jar, you listed in their most popular, I would bet is not one of their most popular or well known. But we can still be friends since you do know the song.
@nilabhsingh9986
This song is soo good that I can literally smell it
@user-jw8sd2xu6i
and apparently, this song is also a jojo reference
@user-jw8sd2xu6i
@euclid bros mad 💀
@soul3488
@euclid bros mad 💀