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The God That Failed is the tenth track on Metallica's 1991 self-titled album.
About[]
The subject matter revolves around looking to a proposed God to heal and aid humanity even when there is no such reward in return. As told by James Hetfield, the song was born out of his childhood experience with his parent's chosen religion, Christian Science. Christian Science holds that God will heal you if you are to be healed and bars consulting doctors or other 'unnatural' assistance when sick because "your body is just a shell". Both of Hetfield's parents died of cancer and James observed that God didn't intervene to save them as their faith dictated. This is reflected in the lyrics, "The healing hand held back by the deepened nail, Follow the God that failed".
In the now infamous "God That Failed Interview" Hetfield describes being forced to leave health class as a child due to his parents beliefs and laments on the alienation that it created. You can watch the interview here.
Live[]
- "The God That Failed" was first performed live on May 30, 1994, in Buffalo, New York.
- As of August 2023, it's been played live 103 times.
Trivia[]
Lyrics[]
Pride you took
Pride you feel
Pride that you felt when you'd kneel
Not the word
Not the love
Not what you thought from above
It feeds
It grows
It clouds all that you will know
Deceit
Deceive
Decide just what you believe
I see faith in your eyes
Never you hear the discouraging lies
I hear faith in your cries
Broken is the promise, betrayal
The healing hand held back by the deepened nail
Follow the god that failed
Find your peace
Find your say
Find the smooth road on your way
Trust you gave
A child to save
Left you cold and him in grave
It feeds
It grows
It clouds all that you will know
Deceit
Deceive
Decide just what you believe
I see faith in your eyes
Never you hear the discouraging lies
I hear faith in your cries
Broken is the promise, betrayal
The healing hand held back by the deepened nail
Follow the god that failed
Pride you took
Pride you feel
Pride that you felt when you'd kneel
Trust you gave
A child to save
Left you cold and him in grave
I see faith in your eyes
Never you hear the discouraging lies
I hear faith in your cries
Broken is the promise, betrayal
The healing hand held back by the deepened nail
Follow the god that failed
References[]
| |
Metallica |
|---|---|
| Songs | Enter Sandman • Sad But True • Holier Than Thou • The Unforgiven • Wherever I May Roam • Don't Tread on Me • Through the Never • Nothing Else Matters • Of Wolf and Man • The God That Failed • My Friend of Misery • The Struggle Within |
| Members | James Hetfield • Lars Ulrich • Kirk Hammett • Jason Newsted |