Whiplash

From MetallicaWiki

Whiplash is the sixth track on Metallica's 1983 debut album Kill 'Em All. It's a song about the feeling one gets while headbanging.

Often in concerts, Hetfield changes the original lyric from "But we'll never stop, we'll never quit, 'cause we're Metallica" to "But you'll never stop, you'll never quit 'cause you're Metallica" emphasizing that it is the fans who've made Metallica what they are.

In live performances, Jason Newsted often sang for part or all of the song, notably on Live Shit: Binge & Purge. He also sang it without Hetfield on the stage July 7, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, July 8, 2000 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, KY and July 9, 2000 at Texas Stadium in Irving, TX. Hetfield was icing down a recently injured back while Hammett, Newsted and Ulrich performed.

During the Live Shit version of the song, Hetfield counted off random numbers to start the song. Instead of saying "1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4", he said "1, 2, 4, 3, 2 and a half!"

Lyrics

Late at night, all systems go, you've come to see the show
We do our best, you're the rest, you make it real, you know

There is a feeling deep inside that drives you fucking mad
A feeling of a hammerhead, you need it oh so bad

Adrenaline starts to flow
You're thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac
Whiplash

Bang your head against the stage like you never did before
Make it ring, make it bleed, make it really sore

In a frenzied madness with your leather and your spikes
Heads are bobbing all around, it's hot as hell tonight

Adrenaline starts to flow
You're thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac
Whiplash

Here onstage the Marshall noise is piercing through your ears
It kicks your ass, kicks your face, exploding feeling nears

Now's the time to let it rip, to let it fucking loose
We're gathered here to be with you 'cause this is what we choose

Adrenaline starts to flow
You're thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac
Whiplash

The show is through, the metal's gone, it's time to hit the road
Another town, another gig, again we will explode

Hotel rooms and motorways, life out here is raw
But we'll never stop, we'll never quit, 'cause we're Metallica

Adrenaline starts to flow
You're thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac

Notes

Written By: Hetfield/Ulrich
Copyright © 1983 Creeping Death Music (ASCAP)
International Copyright Secured
All Rights Reserved