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Song
…and Justice for All (album)

Eye of the Beholder is the third track from Metallica's 1988's album ...And Justice For All. It was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett.

About[]

"The Eye of the Beholder" is about freedom and it is only as true as you perceive it. It protests against the restricted limit of freedom by the law.

Live[]

  • "Eye of the Beholder" has been played live 134 times, as of January, 2025.
  • "Eye of the Beholder" was played live for the first time on September 11th, 1988, in Budapest, Hungary, at the MTK Stadion.
  • It was last performed live on July 5th, 1989, in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the Riverbend Music Center.

Trivia[]

Lars has stated in interviews that he doesn't like the song, much in the same way that James dislikes "Escape" from 1984's Ride the Lightning.

Lyrics[]

    Do you see what I see?
    Truth is an offence
    Your silence for your confidence
    
    Do you hear what I hear?
    Doors are slamming shut
    Limit your imagination, keep you where they must
    
    Do you feel what I feel?
    Bittering distress
    Who decides what you express?
    
    Do you take what I take?
    Endurance is the word
    Moving back instead of forward seems to me absurd
    
         Doesn't matter what you see
         Or into it what you read
         You can do it your own way
         If it's done just how I say
    
              Independence limited
              Freedom of choice
              Choice is made for you, my friend
              Freedom of speech
              Speech is words that they will bend
              Freedom with their exception
    
    Do you fear what I fear?
    Living properly
    Truths to you are lies to me
    
    Do you choose what I choose?
    More alternatives
    Energy derives from both the plus and negative
    
    Do you need what I need?
    Boundaries overthrown
    Look inside, to each his own
    
    Do you trust what I trust?
    Me, myself and I
    Penetrate the smoke screen, I see through the selfish lie
    
         Doesn't matter what you see
         Or into it what you read
         You can do it your own way
         If it's done just how I say
    
              Independence limited
              Freedom of choice
              Choice is made for you, my friend
              Freedom of speech
              Speech is words that they will bend
              Freedom with their exception
    
    Do you know what I know?
    Your money and your wealth
    Your silence just to hear yourself
    
    Do you want what I want?
    Desire not a thing
    I hunger after independence, lengthen freedom's ring
    
         Doesn't matter what you see
         Or into it what you read
         You can do it your own way
         If it's done just how I say
    
              Independence limited
              Freedom of choice
              Choice is made for you, my friend
              Freedom of speech
              Speech is words that they will bend
              Freedom no longer frees you
    
         Doesn't matter what you see
         Or into it what you read
         You can do it your own way
         If it's done just how I say

References[]

…and Justice for All (album)
...And Justice for All
Songs Blackened...And Justice for AllEye of the BeholderOneThe Shortest StrawHarvester of SorrowThe Frayed Ends of SanityTo Live Is to DieDyers Eve
Members James HetfieldLars UlrichKirk HammettJason Newsted
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