Ride the Lightning
Megadeth
2026
Duration: 6:12
Track number: 11
Times played live: 0
Writers
Lyrics by: James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine
Music by: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Dave Mustaine
Theme
A powerful full-circle moment where Dave Mustaine reclaims a masterpiece he co-wrote. The song delivers a visceral first-person account of a prisoner facing execution by the electric chair. Beyond the horror of the event, it explores the loss of agency and the chilling realization that one's life is being terminated by a system that remains indifferent to the individual's humanity.
Lyrics
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
Guilty as charged, but damn it, it ain't right
There's someone else controlling me
Death in the air, strapped in the electric chair
This can't be happening to me
Who made you, God to say
"I'll take your life from you"?
[Chorus]
Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flame
[Verse 2]
Wait for the sign to flick the switch of death
It's the beginning of the end
Sweat, chilling cold, as I watch death unfold
Consciousness, my only friend
My fingers grip with fear
What am I doing herе?
[Chorus]
Flash before my eyеs
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flame
[Instrumental Break]
[Bridge]
Someone help me
Oh please, God, help me
They're trying to take it all away
I don't want to die (Ah)
[Instrumental Break]
[Guitar Solo]
[Bridge]
Someone help me
Oh please, God, help me
They're trying to take it all away
I don't want to die (Ah)
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
Time moving slow, the minutes seem like hours
The final curtain call I see
How true is this? Just get it over with
If this is true, just let it be
Wakened by horrid scream
Freed from this frightening dream
[Chorus]
Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flame
[Instrumental Outro]
Song Artwork
Musicians
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