Song meaning of ...And Justice for All [Live- Seattle ’89] by Metallica

The song "...And Justice for All [Live- Seattle ’89]" by Metallica is a powerful commentary on the corruption and manipulation within systems of justice and power. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world where justice has been perverted by greed and vanity, leaving individuals helpless in the face of overwhelming forces.

The opening lines, "Halls of justice painted green, money talking / Power wolves beset your door, hear them stalking," set the tone for the song, highlighting how money and power often dictate the course of justice. The imagery of the "Hammer of justice crushes you, overpower" conveys a sense of helplessness and oppression in the face of a system that is meant to uphold fairness and truth.

Throughout the song, the chorus repeats the theme of exploitation and the loss of justice, with lines like "Justice is lost, justice is raped, justice is gone / Pulling your strings, justice is done." The repeated refrain of "Seeking no truth, winning is all / Find it so grim, so true, so real" drives home the idea that in this world, the pursuit of victory and power has overshadowed the search for truth and justice.

The lyrics also touch on the idea of truth being silenced and manipulated, as seen in lines like "Lady justice has been raped, truth assassin / Rolls of red tape seal your lips, now you're done in." This imagery of truth being suppressed and justice being perverted adds a layer of darkness and despair to the song's message.

In the end, "...And Justice for All [Live- Seattle ’89]" by Metallica serves as a scathing critique of a society where corruption and exploitation reign supreme, leaving individuals at the mercy of a broken system. The raw energy and intensity of the song, combined with its thought-provoking lyrics, make it a powerful anthem for those who seek truth and justice in a world filled with deception and greed.