It mainly talks about someone subjugated by society. He works hard all his life trying to please everyone and one day realizes that his life has passed him by and he never lived any of his dreams and becomes bitter and resentful because of it.

This song is part of a trilogy of songs by Metallica. There are two other songs in this trilogy, each one released at different times through their career, part 1 being release in 1990, part 2 in 1997 and part 3 in 2008. I really recommend reacting to them all in time, they are all amazing and unique songs!

The Unforgiven is a trilogy of amazing songs. I recommend you listen to 2 and 3 soon. The Unforgiven: Can't forgive them The Unforgiven II: Can't forgive you The Unforgiven III: Can't forgive myself

You should check out their song Welcome Home (Sanitarium). It has some of my favorite guitar work.

Music videos in the 90s were often divorced from a song’s subject matter, but the imagery may have been metaphorical in this video and it’s possible that it’s exactly what Metallica was going for. The singer/rhythm guitarist, James Hetfield, had a rough childhood and this song is about child abuse. Metallica is a socially-conscience band and you’ll find they tackle tough subjects - drug addiction (Master Of Puppets), child abuse (The Unforgiven), the horrors of war (For Whom The Bell Tolls, Disposable Heroes, One), injustice within the judicial system (And Justice For All), suicide (Fade To Black), capital Punishment (Ride The Lightning), Blind Faith (The God That Failed, Leper Messiah), the list goes on. During their 5th album (The Black Album), James’ lyrics became a lot more introspective. Subsequent albums exhibit a James who is much more in tune with his own emotions, problems, concerns, etc. Metallica is one of the most fun musical journeys anyone can go on! Fun Fact - James is a guitarist first and a reluctant singer next. Most of the time, when you hear guitars in Metallica, you’re hearing James’s playing and not lead guitarist’s, Kirk Hammett, guitar playing. He mostly plays the guitar solos. James was a shy guy early on (and probably still to this day) and didn’t think of himself as a singer, but the people they auditioned were singing their parts “wrong”, so James started singing because no other singers fit their style. His voice got better and better over the years and his guitar playing is top notch. 🍻

The lyrics... New blood joins this earth, and quickly he's subdued Through constant pained disgrace, the young boy learns their rules With time the child draws in, this whipping boy done wrong Deprived of all his thoughts, the young man struggles on And on he's known, a vow unto his own That never from this day, his will they'll take away What I've felt, what I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never free, never me So I dub thee unforgiven They dedicate their lives to running all of his He tries to please them all, this bitter man he is Throughout his life the same, he's battled constantly This fight he cannot win, a tired man they see No longer cares, the old man then prepares To die regretfully, that old man here is me What I've felt, what I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never be, never see Won't see what might have been What I've felt, what I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never free, never me So I dub thee unforgiven

songs like this you have to listen to many times. it can be the music you hear the first time then the second time you hear a bit more lyrics, then the third time you can put it all together

One, Orion, Enter Sandman, Sad But True, Wherever i may roam yessirr

Lyrics are cryptic in most Metallica songs kind of like poetry so don't beat yourself up if you don't understand them

Metallica really is poetry. Their lyrics can be cryptic, but once you understand them you're kind of like OHH!!! Duh!! Ill post the lyrics to this song. Give them a read. New blood joins this earth And quickly he's subdued Through constant pain disgrace The young boy learns their rules With time the child draws in This whipping boy done wrong Deprived of all his thoughts The young man struggles on and on he's known A vow unto his own That never from this day His will they'll take away What I've felt What I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never be Never see Won't see what might have been What I've felt What I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never free Never me So I dub thee unforgiven They dedicate their lives To running all of his He tries to please them all This bitter man he is Throughout his life the same He's battled constantly This fight he cannot win A tired man they see no longer cares The old man then prepares To die regretfully That old man here is me What I've felt What I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never be Never see Won't see what might have been What I've felt What I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never free Never me So I dub thee unforgiven What I've felt What I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never be Never see Won't see what might have been What I've felt What I've known Never shined through in what I've shown Never free Never me So I dub thee unforgiven Never free Never me So I dub thee unforgiven You labeled me I labeled you So I dub thee unforgiven Never free Never me So I dub thee unforgiven You labeled me I labeled you So I dub thee unforgiven Never free Never me So I dub thee unforgiven

It's interesting to see how rap people is focused on the lyrics. We, the Metal people, are mainly focused on the music, and even the voice is for us other instrument. We enjoy much more, or only, the music. Besides, MetallicA makes the best music. In other styles, as pop or rock or rap, the music is not complex, it has basic composition, so, here, the lyrics may have more relevance. I like 80s rap too. The rhythm.

You need the lyrics man, it hits different

I can see you playing a lead guitar man i don’t know 🤷🏽‍♂️😂

That old man here is me 😭

You should try to creeping death by them. It has heavier guitar riffs and the trash metal side of them.

React to them in concert. I think people appreciate them more when they see they’re musicianship live

Do the lyric videos? 😆

You said nothing about the epic solo! Wow you're not familiar with rock/metal r u?