Eye Of The Beholder (song)
"Eye of the Beholder" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the second single from their fourth album, ...And Justice for All.
Lyrically, the song concerns imposed limitations on freedom of speech and freedom of expression in general. "Eye of the Beholder" is notable for its chorus section containing 12/8 time played, not as an ordinary compound quadruple time, but as a syncopated rhythm. The rest of the song is a more conventional 4/4 rhythm at a slower tempo than seen on Metallica's previous three albums.
"Eye of the Beholder" was released as a single in place of "Harvester of Sorrow" in the United States (actually coming before the "One" single) but failed to chart. The B-side of the single was a cover of the Budgie song "Breadfan".
The song has not been performed live in its entirety since 1989. However, "Eye of the Beholder" always formed part of the medleys of songs from …And Justice for All often played by the band in concert during the 1990s as an alternative to playing full songs that were seen as too difficult because of the numerous guitar parts. One such "Justice Medley" was featured on its 1993 live album Live Shit: Binge & Purge.
Read more about Eye Of The Beholder (song): Track Listing, Cover Versions
Famous quotes containing the words eye and/or beholder:
“He gives the impression of a strong mind which is composed and wise. His brown eye is exceedingly kindly and gentle. A child would like to sit in his lap and a dog would sidle up to him. It is difficult to associate his personality and this impression of kindness and gentle simplicity with what has occurred here in connection with these purges and shootings of the Red Army generals, and so forth.”
—Joseph Davies (1876–1958)
“Fogs and clouds which conceal the overshadowing mountains lend the breadth of the plains to mountain vales. Even the small-featured country acquires some grandeur in stormy weather when clouds are seen drifting between the beholder and the neighboring hills.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)