What does Whiplash mean?

Metallica: Whiplash Meaning

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Album cover for Whiplash album cover

Song Released: 1983


Whiplash Lyrics

Late at night all systems go
You have come to see the show
We do our best You're the rest
You make it real you know
There is a feeling deep inside
That drives you fuckin' mad
A feeling of a hammerhead
You need it oh so bad

Adrenaline...

  1. metallicarox69
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    Dec 2nd 2013 !⃝

    It's about how awesome metallica really is.

  2. anonymous
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    Mar 12th 2013 !⃝

    This song describes the feeling of thrashing and headbanging in a heavy metal concert. Much of the feelings are described in sections of the song.

    Obviously, the lyrics do tell the listener the meaning, but Whiplash is one of those songs where just the music alone can tell the story.

    First, the intro gives the feeling of anticipation and excitement in the crowd. When the main riff kicks in, thats usually when the headbanging starts.

    Next, when near entering the solo, the crowd is already energized, but still not at full intensity. Then as the solo progresses, the crowd is worked into a frenzy and their intensity hitting it's maximum potential as the solo is finished off.

    Finally, is the cool down moment in the end as the crowd is satisfied with the performance, along with the bumps and bruises they recieved during the concert, and cheers the band off.

    See, and all of that was told without the need of lyrics. Sometimes you could feel the energy coming from the song alone.

  3. anonymous
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    Apr 13th 2012 !⃝

    It's a song.... about whiplash. c'mon guys, seriously?

  4. anonymous
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    Apr 17th 2011 !⃝

    The song is about Cliff Burton telling his father about his neck hurting from all the headbanging he would do on stage.

  5. anonymous
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    Jun 26th 2009 !⃝

    Whiplash, a neck injury caused by the head jerking quickly, causing soft tissue damage. When we headbang, we jerk our heads around like crazy. This song is about metallica's shows, this was when they were still doing thrash, and this song is a fucking thrash anthem, its a massive adrenaline rush, it is fast, it is great, and it tells you who they are. The chorus, "adrenaline starts to flow, you're thrashing all around, acting like a maniac!", this is what metals all about, insane adrenaline rush, you jump around, headbang, slam against people, some people do those gay karate kicks, but that's not metal, you go fucking nuts, do shit you'd get arrested for outside of a concert.

    "we'll never stop, we'll never quit because we're metallica!"


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