Eye of the Beholder (song)

"Eye of the Beholder" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released in October 1988, as the second single from their fourth studio album, ...And Justice for All, where it also features as track 3.[3] The song has not been performed live in its entirety since 1989, and drummer Lars Ulrich has stated that it is his least favourite Metallica song, in part due to the alternating time signatures. "It sounds like you put a square peg in a round hole".[4]

"Eye of the Beholder"
Single by Metallica
from the album ...And Justice for All
B-side"Breadfan"
ReleasedOctober 1988
RecordedJanuary 28 – May 1, 1988
StudioOne on One (Los Angeles)
GenreProgressive metal[1]
Length6:25 (album version)
5:58 (radio edit)[2]
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Metallica singles chronology
"...And Justice for All"
(1988)		 "Eye of the Beholder"
(1988)		 "One"
(1989)


Background

"Eye of the Beholder" is one of the most political Metallica songs to date. The lyrics cover political correctness and limitations on freedom of speech/freedom of expression.[5] The chorus is in 12/8 time while the rest of the track stays in basic 4/4.

The song has not been performed live in its entirety since 1989, however it did feature as part of a medley of songs from …And Justice for All often played by the band in concert during the 1990s. One of these medley's was featured on the band's 1993 live album Live Shit: Binge & Purge.[6] Due to Ulrich's distain for the song, it is unlikely to be played in full again.


Track listing
US 7' single
No.TitleLength
1."Eye of the Beholder"6:25
2."Breadfan"5:44

Cover versions

In Flames recorded a cover of "Eye of the Beholder" for Metal Militia: A Tribute to Metallica, a tribute album recorded by various artists. This version of the song also appears on the remastered edition of In Flames' first EP, Subterranean. A cover of the song by Life After Death appears on Metallic Attack: The Ultimate Tribute.

Personnel

Credits adapted from ...And Justice for All's liner notes.[7]


References
  1. Peters, Daniel (November 2, 2016). "10 Underrated Metallica Songs They Need To Play Live Again". Bandwagon.asia. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  2. "…And Justice for All (Remastered Deluxe Box Set)". spotify.com.
  3. "Eye of the Beholder release date". Metallica.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  4. Gerber, Brady (September 24, 2020). "Lars Ulrich on Metallica's Most Underrated and What Makes a Great Drummer". Vulture. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  5. "10 Most Underrated METALLICA Songs". Metal Injection. November 18, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  6. "Eye of the Beholder". Metallica.com. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  7. ...And Justice for All liner notes. Vertigo Records. 1988.
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