Hero of the Day

"Hero of the Day" is a song by Metallica on their 1996 album Load. The song was first recorded on December 13 1995, and was the first song on Load to be recorded. The song was also Metallica's second single release off of the album. A promotional video for the track was also filmed. It became their second consecutive number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It is one of the few Metallica songs written primarily in a major key. The demo for the song is entitled "Mouldy" due to the main riff of this song being on a demo tape for many years. The demo was recorded on December 8, 1994, one of the earliest demo recordings for the Load sessions. The song was played live with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Michael Kamen), which is recorded on the album S&M.

[Refrain] Mama, they try and break me [Verse 1] The window burns to light the way back home A light that warms, no matter where they've gone They're off to find the hero of the day But what if they should fall by someone's wicked way? [Link] Still the window burns Time so slowly turns And someone there is sighing Keepers of the flames Do you feel your name? Did you hear your babies crying? [Refrain] Mama, they try and break me Still they try and break me [Verse 2] Excuse me while I tend to how I feel These things return to me that still seem real Now, deservingly, this easy chair But the rocking stopped by wheels of despair [Bridge] Don't want your aid But the fist I make For years can't hold or feel No, I'm not all me So please excuse me while I tend to how I feel [Chorus] But now the dreams and waking screams That ever last the night So build the wall, behind it crawl And hide until it's light So can you hear your babies crying now? [Bridge 2] Still the window burns Time so slowly turns And someone there is sighing Keepers of the flames Did you feel your names? Did you hear your babies crying? [Chorus] But now the dreams and waking screams That ever last the night So build a wall, behind it crawl And hide until it's light So can't you hear your babies crying now? [Refrain] x2 Mama, they try and break me Mama, they try and break me Mama, they try and break me Mama, they try Mama, they try...