Regarding the song's meaning, Metallica vocalist and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield said: "We could be a much more efficient race if we just allow computers to help us.

"[8]Hetfield states the phrase "Spit Out the Bone" was taken from British punk rock band Charged GBH's song "Passenger on the Menu" from their 1982 album City Baby Attacked by Rats.

"[13]Robert Trujillo, Metallica's bassist, singled "Spit Out the Bone" as the song from Hardwired... to Self-Destruct that he looked most forward to performing.

[14] Metallica's lead guitarist, Kirk Hammett, called "Spit Out the Bone" the "Mount Everest" of the new album, alluding to its complexity and speed.

[17] In keeping with the song's transhumanistic themes,[8] the video shows a group of renegade humans revolting against machine rule.