The Struggle Within

Album: Metallica (1991)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written and sung on Metallica's last day in the studio recording The Black Album (officially titled Metallica). The band's lyricist, James Hetfield, had run out of steam and he has since admitted that "the struggle within" was the trouble he had coming up with the words for this song. With the benefit of hindsight, he also sees the song as indicative of the anger he was feeling at the time, and his struggle to deal with it. Said Hetfield, "I'm no psychiatrist, but it's right there."

Comments: 2

  • Jakob from SwedenEpic song.
  • Jacob from Jackson, TnI like how the words "struggle within" are mentioned in "The Frayed Ends of Sanity." The words "nameless feeling" are also in it (Frayed Ends), which makes me think of "The Unnamed Feeling," one of my favorite songs ever.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

90s Music Quiz 1

90s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Jimmy Webb

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.