Album: Master Of Puppets (1986)

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Songfacts®:

• This song is about using soldiers as cannon fodder in the war. It is about the complete disregard the country in question has of its loyal troops, its heroes. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Andrew - Tampa, FL
• "Disposable Heroes" is a segment from the book Fahrenheit 451. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Amir - Salt Lake City, UT
• On the Master Of Puppets demo tapes, the bridge section was much different. Though it was very fast, the bridge section was taken and used as the bridge section of "Damage, Inc." which appears as the final track on the album. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  JT - Tullahoma, TN
• Speaking to Revolver, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo chose this song as the best one to introduce the band to prospective new fans. "The reason is because it's really in a lot of ways – especially in metal – the perfect balance of what I call 'power groove,'" he explained.
  
  Trujillo liked the song even before he joined Metallica. When he went running in the Santa Monica hills to prepare for Suicidal Tendencies tours, he had three or four cassettes that motivated him. One of them was Master Of Puppets, and also he listened to Slayer's Reign In Blood and Metallica's Ride The Lightning. "That's how I really, really dissected and discovered Master Of Puppets," he said.
  
  "'Disposable Heroes' has that groove that leans more in that sort of headbanging kind of funky zone," Trujillo added. "Slayer has that, too, with certain songs. And then at the same time it shifts gears, and you get the speed in there."
  
  "It's very well-crafted and has a little bit of everything, well, not even a little bit, it's got a lot of everything," he concluded. "It's always one of my go-to classic Metallica songs. Now, I know some people call it a deep cut... but 'Disposable Heroes' would be my go-for-broke Metallica classic song right there, 'cause it has everything."

Comments: 27

• Don Y. U'cry And Don B. Sahd from The Nyc MobI wish I woulda known that Judas Preist was considered Heavy Metal before I agreed to go, back in 87'.
• Dade Lee Murphy from IaContrary to, but in addition to popular belief; the song was created after Kirk Hammett asked James Hetfield where he got the concept. James says to Kirk that he heard the term "Disposable Heroes" from when a football announcer remarks "they're (the football players) just a bunch of Disposable Heroes" they have their careers, then they're all busted up, and then they're thrown away. Lars has been later stating, during that recording of Master of Puppets "This was written about certain people, whether it be the government, or military leaders and the people that they rule, being the soldiers out of battle, out in the fields in which I'm fighting fighting for you... you know, what are we fighting for?" source: Hypnotizing Power: The Story of Master of Puppets (YouTube) video time index 27:00
• Tommy "metal Up Your Ass' Stowe from Delco,pa.This song is about WW2 I believe,If you look at the words to the pre chorus/21only son, but he served us we'll/-there was alot of young guys being drafted that were an only child(and-or) male in the family back then which the government had no regard for.i also think from what I had just said,a combination of views that was an overall look from all sides of how the various govts involved looked at there people=Disposable
• Endgame from Va UsaNot "bare" but "wear"
  
  More a man, more stripes you bare, glory seeker trends
• Levi from SeattleThis song is about WWI, the front of the trenches was a zone where you have an average of 2 weeks to live. What the title of the song means is that while fighting in the trenches, bodies fill the place and rotting. "I was born for dying!" Is the most chilling sector of the song, meant that when you were born and drafted all you were meant to be was a person who was gonna die and never come home. Basically a suicide mission for your country.
• Zero from Nowhere, NjThis, along with the Master of Puppets album as a whole, is a masterpiece. Every song is a winner. Def one of if not THE greatest heavy metal albums of all time.
• Kyle from Calgary, AbThe sheer speed of this song is just amazing, especially Lars' drumming and the massive rolls he does near the end. James's voice was in it's prime too and had all that power to it. The break where he screams "I was born for dyyingggg!!" sends chills down my spine everytime lol
• Jean from San Lorenzo, Puerto RicoMy all time favorite.
  And Johnny's got a gun is of the song One.
• Aaron from Ventura , CaThis is by far one of Metallicas best songs. Sadly, it's underrated. When you listen to this song, you literary feel like you are on the front lines. Seeing the horrifying sights, smelling the ripe smell of cordite, the staccato sound machine gun fire, the rumble of artillery in the distance, and the overall insanity of war. Folks
  
  BACK TO THE FRONT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Alex from Holt, Mithis song is absolutely amazing. great guitar, great drums, great bass, great vocals, just awesome
• Bradyn from Melfort, SkMy favorite albums and one of my favorite Metallica song!!!
• Tyler from Apple Valley,This album this song is on and the pre-chorus in this song are all WAY awesome.
• Ryan from Roseville, CaNot all of Metallica's songs are political. In fact, they don't try to get involved in politics.
• Adam from Yarmouth, MeYah that is for sure One mike. But this is still a great song.
• Ryan from Pataskala, OhMike, you're definitely thinking of One, not Disposable Heroes.
• Mike from Smyrna, TnI saw an interview with Lars Ulrich and he spoke specifically about the development of this song. It wasn't conceived on the basis of war or using our soldiers as "cannon fodder" like you goofy libs like to think. (Not everything is political in this world) When Hetfield writes, his ideas ocme from personal experiences and "what ifs" that could happen in life. Think of Trapped Under Ice. Its not a statement about an oppressive society or some other political garbage, but simply being trapped under ice. Kind of refreshing.
  
  It was simply an idea of James' where he came up with what it would be like to be limbless, blind and mute. No way to interact with the world. He pitched the idea and someone told him about a movie called "Johnny's got a gun" in which they watched. The main character was a soldier injured in war who was just that, limbless, blind and mute. They eventually bought the rights to the movie and that is where the music video shots came from.
  
  
• Luca from London, Englandyeah this is about soldiers being used as pawns and heroes not being appreciated (hence the name) but the main theme is the absence of control the soldiers have over there own destiny
• Cam from Melbourne, Alawesome song, pure thrash. One of metallicas most underrated
• Bob from Toronto, CanadaDylan sucks, and metaliica clearly shows this in this rockin but true song.
• Dylan from Olmsted Falls, United States"Soldier boy made of clay no an empty shell" War sucks and Metallica clearly shows this in this rockin but true song.
• Bob from New York, NyI love this song because the whole master of puppets theme is that of mind control and propaganda. (Hence the soldiers graves with the strings on the cover of the album). It is cleary just about pawns to get the job done. All the lyrics in the song suggest this.
• Kayla from Coquitlam, CanadaI love this song. One of my favourites from puppets. The chorus is awesome!
• Evan from Otway, OhThis is one of their more underrated songs, which is a shame. AWESOME song, from my favorite album of all time. (BACK TO THE FRONT!)
• Devon from Westerville, OhThis song is Awesome. It's a great song from a great album. One of my favorites from Puppets.
  
• Josh from Plainview, NyGreat song. I love the drums during the chorus
• Sidic from Penticton, CanadaYet isn't it so true. So many soldiers are used as Canon fodder. Good job Metallica for pointing out another flaw in our country.
• Marc from Niagara Falls, Canadasiiiick song another blow away by metallica of master of puppets

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