MÖSH YOUR ENTHUSIASM (1)
By:
January 2, 2024
One in a series of 25 enthusiastic posts, contributed by 25 HILOBROW friends and regulars, on the topic of metal records from the Eighties (1984–1993, in our periodization schema). Series edited by Heather Quinlan. Also check out our MÖSH YOUR ENTHUSIASM playlist at Spotify.
METALLICA | “ENTER SANDMAN” | 1991
I have a friend who knows song lyrics aplenty. Like if he’s going through something, or I am — we usually alternate who’s falling apart — he’ll recite an applicable verse or two from memory. Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Stephen Sondheim…
I have one such song. “Enter Sandman” by Metallica.
Say your prayers, little one
Don’t forget, my son
To include everyone
Less applicable to everyday life’s twists and turns.
I tuck you in, warm within
Keep you free from sin
’Til the sandman, he comes
In 2008, I got a concussion from a pretty bad car accident and wound up in the hospital.
Sleep with one eye open
Gripping your pillow tight
I remember there was one nurse who kept grilling me about my memory. I was a bit defensive about it, and irritated that she was asking. I told her my memory was fine. To prove it, I recited “Enter Sandman.”
“Say your prayers, little one. Don’t forget my son. To include everyone.”
She told me a concussion affected short-term memory. For instance, could I remember her name? No, I couldn’t. Did I know what state I was in?
“Louisiana.”
“No. You’re in Texas.”
Exit light
Enter night
Take my hand
We’re off to never-never land
Every time I saw her, she kept asking me about my memory and I kept insisting it was fine. And to prove it, I’d launch into “Enter Sandman.”
Something’s wrong, shut the light
Heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren’t of Snow White
According to my friend who was also in the accident and whose injuries were much worse than mine — but no concussion — this went on for days.
Dreams of war, dreams of liars
Dreams of dragon’s fire
And of things that will bite, yeah!
This poor nurse.
But over time, I remembered what she said about short-term memory. I stopped singing to her and really made an effort to remember her name. And one day, I could. And I still do: Liz.
MÖSH YOUR ENTHUSIASM: INTRODUCTION by Heather Quinlan | Crockett Doob on Metallica’s ENTER SANDMAN | Dean Haspiel on Mötley Crüe’s HOME SWEET HOME | Jack Silbert on Poison’s TALK DIRTY TO ME | Adam McGovern on Dio’s INVISIBLE | Mariane Cara on Faith No More’s EPIC | Heather Quinlan on Blue Öyster Cult’s SHOOTING SHARK | Steve Schneider on UFO’s DIESEL IN THE DUST | Carlo Rotella on Primus’ JERRY WAS A RACE CAR DRIVER | Erik Davis on St. Vitus’ BORN TOO LATE | Greg Rowland on Motörhead’s ACE OF SPADES (remix) | Kathy Biehl on Twisted Sister’s WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT | Nikhil Singh on G.I.S.M.’s GAS BURNER PANIC | Erin M. Routson on Metallica’s ESCAPE | Holly Interlandi on Helmet’s MILQUETOAST | Marc Weidenbaum on Celtic Frost’s I WON’T DANCE (THE ELDERS’ ORIENT) | Amy Keyishian on Living Colour’s CULT OF PERSONALITY | Josh Glenn on Scorpions’ STILL LOVING YOU | Alycia Chillemi on Danzig’s SOUL ON FIRE | James Parker on Godflesh’s CHRISTBAIT RISING | Miranda Mellis on The Afflicted’s HERE COME THE COPS | Rene Rosa on Type O Negative’s BLACK NO. 1 | Tony Leone on Slayer’s SOUTH OF HEAVEN | Christopher Cannon on Neurosis’s LOST | Brian Berger on Black Sabbath’s HEADLESS CROSS | MÖSH CONTEST-WINNING ENTRY: Tony Pacitti on Metallica’s THE CALL OF KTULU. PLUS: CONTEST RUNNER-UP: James Scott Maloy on Accept’s MIDNIGHT MOVER.
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