Spit Out the Bone
| "Spit Out the Bone" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Metallica | ||||
| from the album Hardwired... to Self-Destruct | ||||
| Released | November 14, 2017 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | Blackened | |||
| Composer(s) | ||||
| Lyricist(s) | James Hetfield | |||
| Producer(s) | Greg Fidelman | |||
| Metallica singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Spit Out the Bone" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the fifth single from their tenth studio album, Hardwired... to Self-Destruct (2016), on November 14, 2017, through Blackened Recordings.[5] The song made its live debut at The O2 Arena in London on October 24, 2017.[6][7] "Spit Out the Bone" has been regarded as a fan and critic favorite from the album.[8][9][10][11] The song is featured on the soundtrack for the WWE 2K19 video game.
Background and composition
[edit]Regarding the song's meaning, Metallica vocalist and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield said:
"We could be a much more efficient race if we just allow computers to help us. And yeah, they are helping us, but how far does that go? All of that craziness. So 'Spit Out the Bone' is that your bones aren't needed. They break."[8]
Hetfield states the phrase "Spit Out the Bone" was taken from British punk rock band Charged GBH's song "Passenger on the Menu" from their 1982 album City Baby Attacked by Rats.[12]
On the writing of the song, drummer Lars Ulrich said:
" '[Spit Out the Bone]' was just an adventure, man. I have versions of that song that are two to three minutes longer. We just kept going and going and going. That was also the first song where we went, 'Wait a minute, is there too much of a good thing here?' And then we started peeling it back. It was one of those where you just keep going to different universes and different modes and areas because it was super fun."[13]
Robert Trujillo, Metallica's bassist, singled "Spit Out the Bone" as the song from Hardwired... to Self-Destruct that he looked most forward to performing.[14] Metallica's lead guitarist, Kirk Hammett, called "Spit Out the Bone" the "Mount Everest" of the new album, alluding to its complexity and speed.[15] In 2024, Slayer guitarist Kerry King praised "Spit Out The Bone" as a "killer fucking song."[16]
Music video
[edit]The music video of "Spit Out the Bone" was released on November 17, 2016, and was directed by Phil Mucci.[17] In keeping with the song's transhumanistic themes,[8] the video shows a group of renegade humans revolting against machine rule.[18] The music video was filmed in the Italian city of Matera.[19]
Personnel
[edit]- James Hetfield – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Kirk Hammett – lead guitar
- Robert Trujillo – bass
- Lars Ulrich – drums
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2016–17) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[20] | 27 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[21] | 32 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[22] | 4 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Alec Reviews Music: Metallica's latest album is not worth it". Rocky Mountain Collegian. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
- ^ "Fred Phillips' Best Hard Rock and Metal of 2016: Anthrax, Testament, Rob Zombie, Dead Daisies". SOMETHING ELSE!. January 2, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
- ^ "Review: Metallica 'Hardwired… To Self-Destruct': Thrash Is Back!". Hidden Jams. November 19, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
- ^ "Metallica Play It Safe in Patented Style on 'Hardwired... To Self Destruct (ALBUM REVIEW)". November 17, 2016. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023.
- ^ "Spotify entry". Spotify. November 14, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- ^ "Setlist entry". Setlist.fm. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- ^ "Loudwire debut article". Loudwire. October 25, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Watch Metallica Debut 'Hardwired' Rager 'Spit Out the Bone' Live". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "HWTSD Allmusic review". Allmusic. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "HWTSD Spin review". Spin. November 23, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "HWTSD Loudwire review". Loudwire. November 17, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "James Hetfield Reveals the Street Punk Band He Took the Phrase 'Spit Out the Bone' From". Ultimate Guitar Archive. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Rolling Stone Ulrich interview". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "Trujillo interview". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "Hammett interview". Brave Words. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ Nichols, Vlad. "Kerry King Names Newer Metallica Song He Loves, Says Slayer Was 'the Thrashiest' of Big Four". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ "Music video". youtube. November 17, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- ^ "Rolling Stone SOTB video article". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "Italian interview". Metal in Italy. November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ "Metallica Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- ^ "Metallica Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
External links
[edit]- Making of video on the official Metallica YouTube page.
- Music video on the official Metallica YouTube page.
