Metallica: Nothing Else Matters (Analysis of the lyrics)

This mere cover version of James Hetfield’s “love song” Nothing Else Matters is by Scala & Kolacny choir. Sorry, but I don’t like Hetfield’s version even though he wrote it, and I don’t like how Metallica plays it. Scala & Kolancy bring it to life.

I give the lyrics a totally, utterly different interpretation, which I’m sure no one else in the world would agree with, perhaps because it’s now associated with Zero Dark Thirty, which is, oddly, one of my favorite movies. That should tell you something about me. So, it should be no big surprise that, for me, the lyrics seem to be swimming around in the head of someone being tortured to betray all that is good and holy, but he/she is remaining loyal, entrenching in loyalty, no matter what, no matter what.

=======================

So close no matter how far [still oneself despite whatever tactics of every possible type of dissociation are used]
Couldn’t be much more from the heart [that is, loyalty existentially identified with our very selves]
Forever trusting who we are [and, to me, this trust would also be religious, our true identity continuing to shine in Christ Jesus, who provides integrity, honesty, He remaining faithful, as it were, even if we would be unfaithful, which He saves us from]
And nothing else matters [exactly]

Never opened myself this way [never betrayal, never compromise, no frustration, no despair, no caving in]
Life is ours, we live it our way [because given to us by God, our way being the natural law, the goodness and kindness and integrity and honesty and respect for others that is given to us by the Lord]
All these words I don’t just say [indeed: Jesus actually stood in our place, the innocent for the guilty, tortured right to death, therefore having the right in His own justice to have mercy on us, that is, that we might have within us a love and truth stronger than death itself]
And nothing else matters [exactly]

Trust I seek and I find in you [speaking to Jesus]
Every day for us something new [we’re trained in and grow by leaps and bounds by just being faithful in whatever circumstance that God’s providence or permissive will lets happen to us for the most excellent reasons of mercy founded on justice: as the Master, so the disciple; for when one person is loyal to all that is good and holy, especially under the most trying of circumstances, that is itself an act of intercession for the good of all mankind right before the throne of the Most High; nothing goes unnoticed by God; the death of His faithful ones is precious in His eyes, we needing only to the faithful no matter what]
Open mind for a different view [in that daily learning in whatever circumstances we are like little children rejoicing in ever greater expansiveness of spirit as our Lord lifts us up from the quagmire of this world, intensifying love and truth within us]
And nothing else matters [exactly]

Never cared for what they do [torturers have nothing on a love and truth stronger than torture, stronger than death]
Never cared for what they know [which is nothing, even if particulars are correct; knowledge of the facts doesn’t equate to understanding, to intensity of real life]
But I know [exactly, in the Lord; well put]

So close no matter how far
It couldn’t be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters

Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know

I never opened myself this way hey
Life is ours, we live it our way hey
All these words I don’t just say hey
And nothing else matters

Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters

Never cared for what they say
Never cared for games they play [mind games cannot be won in adverse conditions of torture; don’t even try; rather, count on deep loyalty, a matter of love, love of country, love of self, love of neighbor, love of God: love cuts through mind games; it’s like Jesus tempted by Satan  in the desert by way of mind games about power, and Jesus answering with love and respect for His Heavenly Father. Hah. Loyalty all the way.]

Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
And I know, yeah yeah!

So close no matter how far
Couldn’t be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
No nothing else matters.

6 Comments

Filed under Song analysis, Terrorism

6 responses to “Metallica: Nothing Else Matters (Analysis of the lyrics)

  1. My favorite nun in high school told me that she sang,
    (silently in her heart) “It Had to be You” when she went to communion. She was quick to add she changed the line ‘With all your faults, I love you still’ to – with all MY faults YOU love me still. I always thought that was pretty neat. Her relationship with Jesus was so close she could sing to Him like that. Cool huh?

  2. Michael O'Donnell

    Ok so theres absolutely ZERO feeling to this cover version of a truly great song. As far as “bringing this song to life” it sounds like a dirge to its own funeral. There are so many intricacies in this song that the local choir cant cover let alone comprehend. Theres no rise and fall. Theres no emotion. Its laughable to think anyone can compare the two. It shows a complete and utter lack of not only musical taste but of even the thinnest grasp of what music represents to the soul. If you want to here this song covered then i reccomend Steve N Seagulls. In the most simplistic and yet skillful way possible they turn this from an ok “metal ballad” (which, as u misstate, is NOT a “love song”) into one of the saddest and most heartfelt songs ive ever heard. Even in their signature off key style they manage to make you FEEL the sorrow that can be conveyed only in song. Unlike that attempt at hypnotism that you believe is music. Open your closed mind and check it out.

    • Father George David Byers

      Thanks, Michael. As the Romans said: “De gustibus, non disputandum.” There’s no disputing tastes. This was just where I was at when I made the comment.

  3. This is written as how a single person views the world around him or herself and only wants to live a life in his own way without the advice or views of other people trying to influence them with their knowledge or experiences in their past and as written in the Bible Life is ours we live it our way so the choices we make are very precious and in fact always affects the way others live their lives its live and let live until you die and try to live your life and be urself because your dreams and actions and decisions are what makes life change from day to day nothing stays the same time is after us all and in the end when it’s time to stand and answer for all the sins we have made if you have done your best to live a life of kindness and you have done the very best with what you were blessed with, in all honesty Nothing Else Matters now does it

  4. Francisco

    Very interesting approach! I’ve been listening to these lyrics like Jesus speaking to Humanity, you listen to it just in the opposite way!
    Anyhow, thank you for this moment!

    P.S.: I do prefer other version rather than the one you propose, but that’s less important in this matter. God bless you, father!

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