"So I dub thee, Unforgiven". The lyrics are talking about just exactly what you thought. A young boy, dreams trashed, made to feel like who he is and what he wants is unimportant. The sentiment has no gender though and can apply to anyone

Never trust a slow beginning. 😁

"Never judge a book by its cover." Nor judge a Metallica song by its title, nor by its opening sequence.

"The Unforgiven" is James Hetfield's most personal track of all Metallica songs. The song explores James' tumultuous childhood. His dad left the family when he was thirteen for no apparent reason, her mother made a living by painting but wasn't able to properly care for him and his sister, then his mom passed away when James was sixteen after a losing battle with cancer. When James' mother was in deathbed, her relatives - who also happened to have a similar christian mindset - never really gave her any medicine or took her to to the hospital. They thought God would somehow take care of her but they were very wrong. Without a parent or close friends, James quickly fell into drinking. Even at some points in his adult life he was so addicted to it that his wife kicked him out of home. As he said in an interview, "personal wounds are a great thing to write about."

I, will once again, ask for Welcome home (sanitarium). And I shall not stop asking either. Because it's that good.

A slow song or a ballad isn't always a love song. There are other emotions they can express.

The singer (James Hetfield), his father left when he was 13 and his mother died of cancer when he was 16. They were strict Christian Scientists and according to their beliefs, they were against medicine and medical treatment. James has struggled most of his life dealing with the anger, sadness, confusion, grief, pain, guilt and forgiveness over his childhood. So they have lots of songs that some may interpret as love songs or break up songs, but they're really about him dealing with the topic of what he went through, still goes through, and him sorting through those feelings.

One of the greatest guitar solos ever. Not technically the most difficult but it cuts into my soul.

JoJo: "Is this gonna be a love song?" Metallica: "We don't DO that!"

“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” If that doesn’t make you feel something then I don’t know what will.

Thats exactly what he's telling. Every song he has made tells a story. He has said himself, music was a way of expressing himself

Nobody: LFR Jojo: it’s a love song

Idk man “for whom the bell tolls” sounds hard as fuck

You’ve open this journey young fella now you gotta continue onto Unforgiven II and Unforgiven III. It’s a great trilogy!!!

Oh this is going to be a love song. You’ve said this before every Metallica song you’ve reacted to and by the end you’re staring off into space speechless. Dude, metallica doesn’t just write love songs, hardly ever. They always tell a story about real life. I can think of this song anytime in my head and I can hear the beat and the sound and melody of it. It gets me every time. I can’t believe I have a memory of being in high school youth group, and an older boy brought in this video for us all to watch and listen to. I fell in love with it then I was we analyzed who he dubbed “the unforgiven“ and why. And should we have mercy. As he says never free, never me. He’s never been himself, trapped inside his entire life. And the end of this video where the old man is trapped and finally break through the wall and sees the light! After one of your last metallica reactions all you could say was “I need to do some reevaluating“. You’re getting into the deepness and hard work of rock music and its complexity and storytelling. And you were so right on with your instincts in the beginning about the boy growing Into an old man. You are so perceptive. Great job. Keep going man

Also, those song titles you'll learn are some of The Most hardcore song titles of all time. You haven't fully embraced Rock just yet lol. You'll get there soon though. You're definitely on the right track for sure. And what you said about putting it in your own perspective, is EXACTLY the mindset you need. That's how you can understand and appreciate different forms of art the best way possible. You're not just listening to it bro. You honestly have to feel it through the guitar, the drums, the bass, the power and energy or lack of that the singers voice emanates, AS WELL as the lyrics. Listen to it with your heart as well as your ears. Try to put yourself in the song. That's what makes music truly beautiful.

I love witnessing your journey, JoJo! You have a genuine appreciation for music. I am the same way... I'm creative in other ways - but music isn't one of them! Much respect to those that are gifted in that area. There are so many talented people who never make it big!

He can't forgive his parents for taking his identity and making him feel insugnificant. So he says , I dub thee unforgiven.

Great take at the end! I’ve been a fan of this guy for at least four or five months now, maybe longer. Love his humble, yet keen and open minded observations!! Good energy too! Keep it up!

"oh, this is a love song." shakin my head...

Best reaction you ever done, mature and on point, perfect 👌🏼

"I got the sleeves ripped off for the wrong video" is golden! Also: Great reaction to a very, very deep and awesome song.

Arguably one of their best. Gives me chills each time I listen to it. Do "Nothing else matters" for one of the most beautiful love songs ever.

You should react to the two lost "The Unforgivens", because yes brother, this has its trilogy, it is like a kind of events that have marked throughout the life of the vocalist, which makes it memorable when it is exposed in a song. A tremendous gem you've heard, keep it up.

Metallica tends to transcend the lines of gender, race, class, and all of that because what they produce is music that describes life in general and the shit we all deal with. This one one is is simple, it is about the corrosion of societies through conformity, the expectation of a sense of normalcy. How we are expected to fit into a box of complicity and serve the masters and all of those that refuse are labeled as outsiders, unforgiven, or disrupters. It is best to listen once to hear the song, then again to hear the words, and a few times more to feel the song because with music other than rap there is always a very deep level of subcontext and the real meaning is in how things are said and not what is said.

James Hetfield (lead singer) had a less than stellar childhood. This is one of the songs he wrote that poured that emotion and anger out. He's basically telling the people who messed him up emotionally they're not forgiven for what they did (namely his father). There's multiple documentaries that cover what happened in his life and why he wrote the songs he died.

Also, hair-slinging power game here is level 1,000,000. 🤘

Those are some impressive guns, Jojo! 😊💪

This song is so heavy and it always got me right in the heart. I feel so much of what James expresses in this song.

I love the look of shock and disbelief. That's probably what my face looked like when I heard this 'Metallica' song, before I realized what the Black album was.

I just felt through a rabbit hole of your reaction videos. I am very pleased to see that you treat art as it should be: a personal experience that mean something different to everyone. Your interpretation, although it is the same as me, is as valid and real ss everyone else. Respect, you are a real music liver!

Ahh hell, Love this song. Nice reaction! 🤘

Great perspective! I learned some things on this one, between you and your subs. I appreciate you!

Jojo every time he listens to a Metallica song- Oh shoot its a love song lol

Can you please listen to “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”?

Funny how you hear a slow song and automatically think love song... 😅 Those are usually the darkest. You are on a Metallica roll 🔥 Keep'em up!

Thank you for this honest, heartfelt, analysis. There is some absolutely amazing rock music out there that gets right into your core

It’s amazing to see you go from what the fuck this is no banger or something like that to getting grabbed by the lyrics abs the meaning. Your musical journey thru most of this stuff has been a joy to see. You learned what most people don’t seem to get. Even tho it’s metal it’s got some serious meaning and positive messages in it. Its a shame people even I grew up with thru the 90s didn’t get this but a kid born 10 years later gets it in seconds. If you read this just know you’re appreciated and your channels pretty great.

I rly appreciate that youre open to any kind of music and you still see whats good and whats bad^^ Just about the music itself. The world is maybe much more peacefull with more people like you. Greets from germany^^

This songs is a trilogy so don't forget to do "The Unforgiven II and "The Unforgiven III" too. Thanks! =)

the whole metal community has your back for life bro

One of the most beautiful songs ever, period.

You wear what ever you like. We all bleed the same. 💜

Love your Metallica reactions! Creeping Death Moscow 1991! The live energy is biblical.

Yes. Its a trilogy. The song has since spawned two sequels, in the form of "The Unforgiven II", from the album Reload, and "The Unforgiven III", from the album Death Magnetic.

Your appreciation of music is refreshing.

You nailed it brother!

I could see you deeply felt the song! (You got speechless after the song ended!!!) Loved your video Jojo!

You have to hear black hole sun by soundgarden

Great job JoJo, u got the EXACT message the band was sending And he said “I dub thee, unforgiven” 😉 U should definitely do “One & Fade to black”

Great comments! You nailed your reaction to Rock n Roll! Great video!

musics for all so appropriate away! :-) i love hearing new people appreciate great music. much love to ya!

Its probabily about 2 or 3 hours that i’ve been watching your reacts vídeos nonstoping, its addicting. I came because of the Linkin Park vídeos, i’m 26 and and i’m fan since i was 13. I admire your passion for music and inteliggence to apreciatte the different kinds of music style

The beauty of Metal is its meaning is what you decide it is.

The beauty of music is you can apply the lyrics however the connect with you. If it relates to you as a man, and the struggles we men face in modern society, that's valid. First time I've heard someone make that connection with these lyrics and this song, and honestly it's pretty spot on in todays society. Well done man.

You are right about men's problems being ignored. Sad but true reality. Great reaction

Can he react to creeping death by Metallica live in Moscow 1991

As soon as you're born, people are telling you how to live your life and what to be. They wanna put you in a box/cage, mentally (and sometimes physically). Yeah this song has a strong ass message. Every time I hear this song, I'm like "I need to live my life for me."

Great analysis of the lyrics. Sounds like you understood them perfectly to me .

One of my favorites. Do you JoJo.😀😀❤️ You are right. Love your perception and reaction.

You have to listen to Bark At The Moon by Ozzy Osbourne. Its a Banger

So, for some reason KZfaq sent me here, and I was delighted to see you are being open-minded and listening to one of the BEST bands worldwide. I am a Metallica fan and have been for decades, and It is good to see you experiencing the raw power, energy, and extreme talent of this band. They are still super cool!! How many bands have been together for decades like them and still have it? KUDOS to you for checking them out! Your pure reaction was interesting to watch! And, when concert tours start up again now that the COVID restrictions have loosened, you NEED to go to one of their concerts to experience it live! You will never forget it!

Music evolves. I witnessed so many changes in rock music and rock culture. My generation saw it go from rock n roll to rock. Rock music to metal.. Rock music to Progressive Rock. Blues to Blues Rock. And on and on. I disagree with older folks who say todays music isn’t that good. No, it’s different. True there’s not the same attention to musicianship. It’s evolving. Appreciate music what ever form it may take. If you look at it closely there will be many artists worth seeing or listening to. Go to a live concert. Who knows you may be witness to some historical shift in music.

Listen to the demo to this song. You'll see what they put into it. James (the singer and Rhythm guitarist) literally just says "wannanana" just for where he thinks the vocals should go. They're super creative and alot of people hate on them for no reason. They've put blood, sweat and tears just to put into their music and their live performances. Like in 1992, james got 3rd degree burned from the pyrotechnics . he didn't know where they placed them so he had to rush to the hospital and that man still performed months after , he didnt play guitar so he just sung while he had someone play for him. Theyre really great people.

been loving them for 40 years got a massive tattoo of Metallica lol on my back, I LOVE WHAT U SAID UR INTERPRETATION

Your right Rock singers do put all their hearts into their songs. It's from their life that they have lived. That is why I love their songs cause I can put myself into their lyrics. I relate to what they are talking about in their songs. That is why I love 80's and 90's music so much. Thank you all such for all your hard works and heart felt music. I am no one special I am just a person who loves music inside and out. The only time I could not listen to any music for along while is when my cousins passed away. It's been 4 years ago and doesn't seem that long ago. I could not listen to anything but, silence and lonely tears.

No.1. Wear what you want. The majority of us aren't interested in a fashion show. No 2. Keep going& speak what you know&feel. That's what we want!

The unforgiven, if you can’t understand the pain and rage in these lyrics, than you’ve lived a blessed life. Everyone else though is banging their head.

I guess that the true beauty of this song, is that everyperson can read their own life in it! Art!

The Unforgiven ll and The Unforgiven lll. You really should listen to those also. I usually queue them consecutively when I’m feeling in a Metallica mood. My all-time favorite band😍🤘🏻

The video captures the essence of the song. Introspective thought and self reflection,

dude keep grinding i like your style lol i pop in time to time. love the work you put in you doing good on audio edits for intros just keep it up jojo

Love your honesty and interpretation

This is by far my most favorite Metallica song tbh.

There’s actually 2 more parts that came in a very different eras of Metallica evolution, very cool.

It's "So I dub thee unforgiven" It's like saying, I pronounce you unforgiven.

so glad you do more metallica! you should do blackened next

I really like your reactions to my favorite songs you are not far off on the meanings either…I like your responses are genuine and through out this is a good channel

Congratulations, I've watch quite a few of your videos and I think that this is the first time I've seen that you have listened to the song and not just the music. That is a very important when listening to bands like Metallica.

Usually Metallica songs start off as a riff and they build around that.

Great analysis keep it real

Fun fact: the actor playing the old man in the music video was also the general in Predator, R. G. Armstrong.

I love how about half way through, you just stop. No talking. You can tell that you are really absorbing the song. Best band ever.

next you should do seventh son of a seventh son by Iron Maiden, round and round by ratt, or antisocial by anthrax you wont regret it at all

You’re getting it 🤘🏽

Beautiful reaction my man.

🤘Respect! Great reaction.

Brilliant reaction young man.

You're damn right son, Rock ain't just a beat and a lyric, Rock is the hardest than any other genre. Respect to you for understanding and respecting this genre. Rock is the Art and poetry of Music

React to FADE TO BLACK live at Nimes please! LFR Jojo you can finally see one of their crazy solos in person. Get ready to have your mind blown.

Good thing of music. It all reaches the listeners in a way no one else understands. If you feel it. It did its job. If you don't then your just not listening all songs have a story and every story has a point

❤️❤️❤️❤️ Love that guitar solo sooooo much !! It’s 🔥🔥!!

Nice job as always kid might as well do “Wherever I may roam” now..might be the best song on that album and the official video is really good too..and don’t worry Metallica’s never made a love song🤘🏼👍🏼

I about fell out of my chair laughing when he said "ooh it's a love song". 😁

"For whom the bell tolls" is another way to say someone dead, like the church bells are tolling(ringing) for a funeral lol its pretty metal🤟

The lyrics says it all.. I truly associate and feel the meaning of this song... Which is why i have UNFORGIVEN tattooed across my chest...

I, as a man, feel you hit the nail on the head with this one. However, as pointed out by others, it can apply to anyone who feels oppressed throughout their lives. Shamed and shunned for being themselves and who they are. For having to hide and never being able to show their true selves to the world. No matter where you fall on any argument about race, sexuality, and gender these days, I feel this sentiment can be felt by all. In a frightened society where everything is offensive and anything offensive must be snuffed out, we are all oppressed. Never free. And all who are responsible shall be dubbed The Unforgiven.

I once watched metallica live, its better than the recording.

I mean, for whom the bell tolls is about the chapels bells ringing during the Great War. The symbolism is when another body was retrieved from the battlefield they would count them at the church before burial so when soldiers heard the bells ring it made them scared as to who they know that died and also instills the dread of being next. "Look to the skies just before you die, for it's the last time you will. For whom the bells tolls".

lol i love watching videos like this from people who have never listened to a band or artist before and genuinely appreciate their craft. just by jojo's critique of the music i can tell he's a pretty bright guy. regardless of whether or not he likes the music he's hearing and recognizing the intricacies of the composition. so whatever judgement is made after that point is just a matter of opinion not ignorance & i can respect that. keep up the good work.