"Unforgiven"

[Amie]

The depth of this series of songs by Metallica, to me, is awesome - literally.

The ballad "Unforgiven" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhryYbyTZ2M) is about the destruction of a person the minute he came into the world. Forced to confrom, he dubbed the persons oppressing him "unforgiven" and attempted to free his own will. By the time a window of opportunity was carved out of the dark stone encasement his heart had become, he was tired and old. He lay dying with the regret of never having really lived - throwing away the key to his heart.

In "Unforgiven 2" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZbF0SYg7tU), the old and alone man considers life again after a woman approaches the locked door. He's unsure, but renewed by the idea that it could be opened, it cracks and he discovers hope. He places the key to his heart, in hers', after he sees that she too is one of the Unforgiven.

By "Unforgiven 3" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6FFAckr7ac), he goes out to sea. The people that he once shut out aren't there any more. He says, "How can I blame you, when it's me I can't forgive?" He turns on himself, unable to and realizing that he was the Unforgiven all along.

I don't know whether it will have more sequels. The song is supposed to be autobiographical of the singer.

Just sharing :)

Amie

[Barry]

"When It's me I can't forgive" Unforgiven 3.

Now that's a post!
Barry

[Lou]

Songs have had underlying meanings since before Moses and since these questions keep the songs alive the writer/singer rarely put end to the questions.
As for Metallica I have now heard three of their songs so I am in no way a expert in their music.
Inn listening to them I noticed that #2 music striking similar to a sixties song that it’s meaning is questioned and a play on the title is use several times.
The song “The House of the Rising Sun” by the Animals is traditionally believed to be about a man that had turned into a drunkard and sought the services of a whore house the Rising Sun.
I have several problems with that and the two biggest is that he was sent to prison forever. I am unaware of a man going to jail for any major time for drinking and visiting whores.
What I see is “Rising Sun” is coming from the east or Opium. The original version of the song seems to say “the only time he is satisfied is when he is on the drug.” In the sixties using “drug” in a song would get it banned so later versions clearly say “drunk.” Now for the going to prison, it says he was getting on the “train” a symbol for going to hell. The addiction was a life sentence.
Imo “The House of the Rising Sun” was an Anti- drug song at the time drugs were running wild..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C86oH5RwyJg


To me addictions always center around a normal relationship that has gone bad being replaced with a destructive relationship. If a child has a poor or no relationship with their father when grown often they have serious relationship problems as a adult. As an adult if a personal relationship is broken by a death, divorce or something else they often seek a relationship with drugs, alcohol, making money, religion or something else they feel secure with. That thing is your best friend, lover or anything you need. It never questions you or condemns you, it there in the good times and the bad and will take a back seat when you want it too.


Now for my take on these three, there all about relationship that keep you in bondage (unforgiven).


#1 religion

#2 drugs/alcohol/sex

#3 material wealth

:2cents:

[Amie]

Buzz,

I hear the similarities in the bass especially, cool! I like your take on the song ("House of the Rising Sun"), interesting! I read that "The Animals" created a new rendition out of an old folktale song - and I would put money on that twist you mentioned.

One of the older versions has the woman as the singer and it goes:



There is a house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun.
It's been the ruin of many a poor girl,
And me, O God, for one.
If I had listened what Mama said,
I'd 'a' been at home today.
Being so young and foolish, poor boy,
Let a rambler lead me astray.
Go tell my baby sister
Never do like I have done
To shun that house in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun.
My mother she's a tailor,
She sewed those new blue jeans.
My sweetheart, he's a drunkard, Lord, Lord,
Drinks down in New Orleans.
The only thing a drunkard needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk.
The only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk.
Fills his glasses to the brim,
Passes them around
Only pleasure he gets out of life
Is hoboin' from town to town.
One foot is on the platform
And the other one on the train,
I'm going back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain.
Going back to New Orleans,
My race is almost run.
Going back to spend the rest of my days
Beneath that Rising Sun

"Beneath"? Still sounds sort of like hell? New Orleans is a spiritual city to many Southern folks - this you may know - so an underlying tone of that stuff wouldn't be surprising.

Amie