This track about surviving through struggle includes the line "What don't kill ya make you more strong." This is a paraphrase of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's idiom, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger," from his 1888 book Twilight of the Idols.
James Hetfield has stated that he and Lars Ulrich argued at length over the title of this song. James said that he didn't like the title, but that Lars was "very adamant" about the title being what it is. He also stated that the song is now called "BBS" by the members of Metallica.
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Suggestion credit: Brian - Goodhue, MN
Death Magnetic was Metallica's 5th consecutive studio album to hit #1 in the US, selling nearly 3 million copies in the first two months of its release worldwide.
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Zero from Nowhere, NjAnd with what to add to what Nick from Australia said, if Death Magnetic was produced like the Beyond Magnetic EP, it would of fared a lot better. I understand those weren't originally intended to be released and that's why they weren't finished production wise but whatever they did to on those songs they should have left the rest of the album like that and maybe polished the tracks up just a little bit (I don't know anything about producing or engineering so please excuse me, I do know from what people said on the web the major problem what that it was too compressed/everything was pushed up to eleven in terms of loudness and I agree) On a side note, I liked Beyond Magnetic, those song could have been put in place of a couple that were on Death Magnetic. (Judas Kiss, anyone?)
Zero from Nowhere, NjMy friend thinks Dave Mustiane coined the phrase, "That which doesn't kill me only makes me stronger." (See "Skin O' My Teeth" by Megadeth) I should show him this page.
Jacob from Jackson, TnContinuation on my previous comment below:
Now, it's obvious this was written to represent how they've stayed strong after all their struggles in the music industry and what not. But, I think it also can stand as a dual meaning with life.
Jacob from Jackson, TnThis is a very insparational song to me, as I had a rough time in Middle School, what with people picking on me and everything. Now, I was super freakin' annoying, I just didn't know it. I was also misunderstood. Still, no one deserves the hell I went through. Anyway, anytime I'm down, I just listen to this song, rock out to it, and move on with my life. Thanks, Metallica!
Jesse from Orland Park , Ili kind of a gree with joseph the lyrics show it that they are not gonna be the same
Joseph from Bronx, NyI have no sources but it seems SUPER apparent to me this song was about Jason leaving and them fighting amongst themselves nearly breaking apart, as well as fighting their drug/alcohol abuse problems. Basically everything that was portrayed in Some Kind of Monster. One of my Metallica Faves.
Nick from Cairns, AustraliaYeah, I agree with you Brian, but with the whole Death Magnetic album, I also kinda agree with the bands response to some critics saying that it wasn't engineered properly and so the sound is too loud in some cases. I mean its not Rick Rubin's fault, he propably did a good job at producing, though I don't think It wouldn't be exactly the same if Bob Rock produced the album. But sometimes it even sounds like the drums rule over everything with the sound.
Brian from Goodhue, MnI think in a way this is about Metallica's struggles along the way, thus leaving them "Broken, Beat & Scarred". Their albums post Black-album are often hated by even fans (I will admit those albums aren't necessarily up to par with their previous), but I believe that this song -- and album -- is about re-creating that kind of power in their music again. "What don't kill ya make you more strong" and the echo "show your scars" make me think it's as if Metallica is saying "Yeah, so what? We've struggled. We made it through it, and now we're back on top."
