While the lyrics sound like they could be about a literal puppet master or a tyrant, the song is primarily an —specifically cocaine. James Hetfield has stated that the song deals with how roles eventually flip: instead of you controlling what you take, the drugs begin controlling you. Key Lyrical Breakdowns
: The character Eddie Munson plays the track in the "Upside Down" to lure away monsters. The band expressed that they were "beyond psyched" by how the Duffer brothers incorporated the music into such a pivotal moment. metallica_master_of_puppets_lyrics
Metallica often turns the song into a massive sing-along during their live shows. While the lyrics sound like they could be
: This line refers to intravenous drug use ("needlework") and the idea that the addict becomes "loyal" to the substance above all else. The band expressed that they were "beyond psyched"