- Human

Metallica's song '- Human' delves into the existential struggle and the human condition, exploring themes of time, existence, and the need for sustenance. The lyrics open with a plea to 'Father Time,' a personification of time itself, asking not to be left behind. This suggests a fear of being forgotten or left out of the passage of time, a common human anxiety. The question, 'does your sun still shine?' implies a search for hope and continuity in a world that often feels uncertain and fleeting.

The recurring imagery of squeezing the world and dripping it down the throat symbolizes a desperate need to consume life and experience fully. This metaphor highlights the insatiable human desire for meaning and the struggle to feel alive. The repetition of 'breathe, man, breathe' serves as a reminder of the basic necessity of life—breathing—while also symbolizing the need to pause and take in the world around us. The act of coming up for air signifies moments of clarity and realization amidst the chaos of existence.

The line 'Touch me so I think I'm here' speaks to the need for physical and emotional connection to affirm one's existence. The phrase 'barely breathing, minus human' suggests a state of being that is on the edge of survival, where one feels less than human due to the overwhelming pressures of life. The song's cyclical structure, with its repeated calls to breathe and come up for air, mirrors the ongoing struggle to find balance and meaning in a world that often feels suffocating. Metallica's powerful lyrics and intense musical style amplify these themes, making '- Human' a poignant reflection on the human experience.