Rock & Metal

Alex Skolnick Dismisses James Hetfield’s Lyrics Writing By Exposing Their True Source

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Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick recently called attention to James Hetfield’s songwriting in Metallica’s track “No Leaf Clover,” revealing the true source of one of the song’s iconic lyrics.

Skolnick shared a quote responding to Donald Trump’s post about the recent elections: “The light at the end of the tunnel is only the light of an oncoming train,” Murphy’s Law.

In reply, a user quoted a line from Metallica’s “No Leaf Clover”, which reads, “Yeah, then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel was just a freight train coming your way,”—a lyric penned by Hetfield.

Skolnick responded, acknowledging Hetfield’s lyric while explaining its origin. “Those quoting Hetfield: Now you know his source. It’s an old quote & great reference,” he wrote, citing other well-known examples of Hetfield borrowing from famous philosophers and writers: “There are more: ‘What does not kill me makes me stronger’ – Friedrich Nietzsche, ‘Twilight of the Idols,’ 1888. ‘What don’t kill ya make ya more strong,’ – Metallica, ‘Broken, Beat & Scarred,’ 2008.”

Hetfield’s “No Leaf Clover” was one of two new songs Metallica wrote for their 1999 live album S&M, recorded with the San Francisco Symphony. The track blends the band’s rock style with the symphony’s grand arrangements. Hetfield’s powerful vocals and Kirk Hammett’s intense guitar solo made the song stand out, and it went on to top Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for seven weeks.

I'm Emma. I Love rock music, doing guitar reviews, and making food. I love writing works because it is the best way to provide information to people.

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