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 song saw a massive resurgence in popularity in 2022 after being featured in the finale of Stranger Things Season 4 .
: The song is written from the first-person perspective of the drug itself. It speaks as a sentient "master" that actively seeks to destroy its "puppet".