Song |

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[]
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...And Justice for All |
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Songs | Blackened • ...And Justice for All • Eye of the Beholder • One • The Shortest Straw • Harvester of Sorrow • The Frayed Ends of Sanity • To Live Is to Die • Dyers Eve |
Members | James Hetfield • Lars Ulrich • Kirk Hammett • Jason Newsted |