In a recently rescued interview, guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, author of the song, gives more details about the composition
An old interview of James Hetfieldgranted in the 1990s and recently rescued, brings curious information about a song from the Metallic that … it was not supposed to be from Metallica.
According to the vocalist and guitarist in this chat of 1996, available in the Youtube channel The Music Factory (via Louder), the song “Mama Said” It was not composed for the band. It was just “very personal” from Hetfield, who composed her to her mother – whose story will be explained later in this text.
However, Metallica’s frontman states that his bandmates listened to the song and decided to enjoy it on the album Load (1996).
“It was myself writing something to myself: simply on the road, bored, in my hotel room. It wasn’t exactly for others to hear. It was very personal.”
Hetfield adds:
“They saw something there, something real, coming from within. It was very heavy, in terms of meaning. So we worked on it and turned it into a Metallica song. Originally, it was not to be one.”
Metallica, “Mama Said” and the mother of James Hetfield
Composed and recorded to the guitar, “Mama Said” It is a ballad with country music, quite melodic and emotional. It was released as the third single from Loadin November 1996.
The lyrics speak of the dilemmas between James Hetfield and his mother, Cynthia Bassettwho died in 1980 when he was 16 years old. Cyinthia was a fan of Christian science religion and was not taking medicine, based on the belief that healing came from God. She died of cancer.
THE Metallic never played “Mama Said” live. The song was performed only by James Hetfield, alone to the guitar, on television shows.
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Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
