Nothing Else Matters
by Metallica

Album: Metallica (1991)
Charted: 6 34
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Songfacts®:

  • Band members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett wrote this. According to Hetfield, he wrote the song about a girlfriend he once had, but when he looks back at it, he can't remember why he wrote it. Now, Metallica just considers it a song about their fans, because nothing else matters but their fans.
  • The orchestration in the song was arranged by Michael Kamen, who also conducted the San Francisco Symphony orchestra. This song appears on Metallica's 1999 live album S&M, which was recorded with the San Francisco Symphony orchestra. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Nick - Paramus, NJ, for all above
  • James Hetfield has cited the band's constant touring as an inspiration for this song. They wrote pieces of the song on their tour bus and in numerous hotels.
  • This is one of the few Metallica songs where James Hetfield played the guitar solo rather than Kirk Hammett. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • Hetfield explained this song to Mojo magazine December 2008. Said the Metallica singer: "It's about being on the road, missing someone at home, but it was written in such a way, it connected with so many people, that it wasn't just about two people, it was about a connection with your higher power, lots of different things."

    Hetfield added: "I remember going to the Hells Angels Clubhouse in New York, and they showed me a film that they'd put together of one of the fallen brothers, and they were playing 'Nothing Else Matters.' Wow. This means a lot more than me missing my chick, right? This is brotherhood. The army could use this song. It's pretty powerful."
  • Hetfield told Mojo that after penning this love ballad, he was initially concerned about playing it to the rest of the band. He explained: "At first I didn't even want to play it for the guys. I thought that Metallica could only be the four of us. These are songs about destroying things, head banging, bleeding for the crowd, whatever it is, as long as it wasn't about chicks and fast cars, even though that's what we liked. The song was about a girlfriend at the time. It turned out to be a pretty big song."
  • The 3/4 waltz time signature is more commonly associated with classical pieces like "The Blue Danube," but select rockers have had success with it as well, as Metallica did on this track. The Jimi Hendrix song "Manic Depression" is also in 3/4.
  • The Scala & Kolacny Bros. recorded an acoustic choral version of this song for the soundtrack to Zero Dark Thirty, a 2012 thriller about the manhunt for Osama bin Laden, starring Jessica Chastain and Jason Clarke. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Charlie - Las Vegas, NV
  • Metallica recorded an orchestral version of this song with composer James Newton Howard for the 2021 Disney movie Jungle Cruise. This version plays at the beginning of the film and appears on the soundtrack.
  • Metallica announced on August 1, 2021 that this song's music video had surpassed one billion views on YouTube, becoming the band's first track to reach the milestone.
  • Phoebe Bridgers covered the song for The Metallica Blacklist, a 2021 tribute collection comprising covers of Black Album tracks by various artists. "It was just so fun to take a part in it," Bridgers told Zane Lowe of throwing her heavy metal hat into the Metallica ring. "I feel like my version almost sounds baroque. Literally, James [Hetfield] does all sorts of weird octave jumps and stuff that I can't do, and I almost have a Billie Eilish approach of right by the microphone, performing it the opposite of them, which was really fun to lean into."

    Country star Chris Stapleton also recorded a rendition for The Metallica Blacklist. His dark and doomy interpretation incorporates a guitar solo stretching the running time to over eight minutes.
  • Metallica released Miley Cyrus' interpretation on June 22, 2021 as a promotional single from the Metallica Blacklist. She previously covered "Nothing Else Matters" during her 2019 set at Glastonbury.

    Cyrus' rendition also features Elton John on piano, Metallica's Robert Trujillo on bass, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith on drums, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Andrew Watt produced the track.

    Watt asked Elton to play piano on the track. Originally, the track started with guitar, but Watt decided it should begin and end with piano, so he asked Elton to play on it. Elton made his contribution in London via Zoom.

    Cyrus' version also features on Elton's The Lockdown Sessions album.
  • According to Metallica bass player Jason Newsted, the song's relative softness was more accessible for popular audiences than Metallica's other material, and it opened new doors for the band. "Nothing Else Matters" was a hit in countries the band hadn't previously visited and got them invitations to perform for those new markets. It was their bridge to fans outside the heavy metal genre.
  • Newsted admitted in a 2022 interview with Metal Hammer that he struggled with "Nothing Else Matters."

    "I knew it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up," he said. "It was undeniable," but I was kinda scared of it, to be honest, because I still wanted 'CRUNCH!"

    "The beautiful thing was that we all sat in the room together and played it out, 70 takes of 'Nothing Else Matters.'" Newsted added. "After a while, you're too close to it. 'How much more delicate can I make it?'"

Comments: 128

  • Sean D. from United StatesThis song is so moving to me. I remember playing this song on repeat for hours before a ski trip playing solitaire and never tiring of it. Now that I've had friends and relative pass away I cry sometimes when I hear it. I just get me so emotional.
  • James Hopkins from DelawareNothing Else Matters is beautiful, and beyond! I like the freedom of the person or person (people) it describes - saying we matter, so nothing else matters! I want to write lyrics to the mood of the song, to say: we are God’s children, we love as God loves us, nothing else matters!
  • Bey from UsaJust masterpiece. Nothing new ones even come close to!
  • Oleg from ZimbabweDave Gahan (frontman of Depeche MODE) made a masterpiece cover song for Nothing Else Matters.
    Just listen it. Masters can only make a masterpiece from another masterpiece.
  • AnonymousToo much brain-dead right-wing hate/love in this world, I wish it to stop.
  • Wasim from India Nothing else should've mattered.
  • Tracyann from PennsylvaniaThis song, and a few others, but mainly this song reminds me of my brother who passed away November 24th 2018. Two days after Thanksgiving. My brother and I enjoyed road trips with Metallica and everytime I hear this song, it makes me cry, but in a happy way because it truely describes my brother, his personality, his huge heart and how he lived on his own terms. My brother had no remorse, no regrets and had an open mind and a soft heart. He believed in justice for all and felt many times, ...unforgiven. Every metallica song is a way to connect to my brother....we were supposed to grow old together...we were the youngest of 5. I miss him every single day.
  • Richiroo from Port Adelaide South AustraliaThe black album and Metallica from then on is CRUD. kill em all / ride the lightning / master of puppets / garage days re revisited the 5.98 ep / and their masterpiece And Justice For All is real Metallica.
  • Izzy H from Edinburgh, ScotlandJames's voice on this - the power, the softness, the precision; the song's arrangement, guitar, orchestration; the depth of the lyrics - love for another, love for yourself - it is a masterpeice. It is timeless and beautiful.
  • Angela Evante from TexasIf you think about it this song fits for right now. That the government is trying to get us to think a certain way. Nothing else matters but what our God means in our lives. It doesn’t matter what they do or say. All that matters is our belief and trust in God.
  • AnonymousI used to do his girlfriends nails back then Kirsten Rodriguez and she told me he wrote this song for her!!!
  • Funkqueen from San FranciscoI was Really hoping for more meaning from such a beautiful song. Alas no
  • Carol Messier from MaineMy son is grown now he never knew his dad from ny
  • Cory from Nsw, AustraliaThis was a good read, thank you. However, the song is in 6/8 time. It is not a 3/4 waltz. The strong pulse is on the 1st and 4th quavers of each bar.
  • Stelt from Syracuse“ nothing else matters” if Jesus isn’t God then everything else is just matter and nothing else matters.
  • Drew from Ville, TxNo matter what black days might fall on you during your life.
  • Drew from Ville, TxOne of the most powerful and inner soul songs ever written. It is clearly from the soul and for the soul. no matter what blacks might fall on you, nothing else matters your soul will prevail.
  • Emily from Perth , AustraliaI don't know, but my interpretation of the song, especially in relation to the lyrics "never cared for what they do, never cared for what they know, but I know" and of course, "forever trusting who we are" is about staying true to who you are, and not letting other people's opinions or wicked ways change you. staying true to yourself. This song isn't really about love to me, as others have mentioned, but believing in who you are, and being yourself. That's why I love it so much.
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjYeah! I learned the intro within my first year of playing guitar. Is it true James wrote this (while talking) on the phone? Anyway, beautiful song! One of the first times James really SINGS (Unforgiven is the other one).
  • Lea from Ironton, Ohthe meaning that nothing else matters has on me and my boyfriend is that it was the song that he was listeing to when he first saw me and when we first kissed. so metallica has a great toll on ur relationship. so when i listen to nothing else matters i know that metallica did an awsome job at writting the song!!!
  • Brandon from Seneca, Ilhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbdTWeCg_oo
    listen to this...
  • Kimberly from Landing, NjWords are close to the heart as we trust our brothers n sisters as our are time is in travel n sometimes go unmarked. when nothing else matters apperience is a cover for soul of our lessons as we have the skills to c matter
  • Mary from Athens, GreeceThis song means so much to me! Masterpiece.... <3
  • Wendell from Milton, PeThis song is one of the best metal ballads of all time.
  • Jacob from Jackson, TnThe thing is, though, this piece is actually written very symphonically. It's designed to get louder and softer throughout the song and swell notes (although really only the orchestra does that in the track). This is one of the best pieces ever written, and I'm glad it was.
  • Jacob from Jackson, TnThe only thing I don't like about this piece is the orchestra's not loud enough.
  • Cedric from Las Vegas, Nvthis song makes me cry so hard..............awesome song though
  • Zoigling from Lx, PortugalThis music, for me, is about my conflict, between what is told, what I have learn, my culture, everybody saying me what to do, in books, on tv, so deep, that is my blood flowing; and in the other side, my my desire to live as i want and as i wanted it to be. the but.., is that what i want, will I be successful? my culture says the way to be, as is as it says. but i doubt that, the question is: will i be successful being as i want to be? I'm afraid, because I am not sure. So, I am deciding...
  • Fred from Sweet Home Chicago,One of hetfields best vocal performances
  • Rahul from Chennai, Indiathough very soft compared to other metallica songs, this is the one which got me into metallica..... i still regard it as one of their best....
  • Dean from Miami , FlCool song..... it's got great harmony and nice drum beats...Congratulations Metallica for getting inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
  • Hetfield from Port Louis, MauritiusI would like to thx James for this great song. Even my gf is not with me, this song makes me feel her presence.... Metallica for life!
  • Monster from Rome, ItalyI like this part : every day 4 us somthin new
    Open mind 4 diffrent of view
    Maybe im hopeless
  • Josh from Bowie, MdWhen playing this song at house party I did, I cried a little bit because it reminds me of my ex-girlfriend that I love so much but had to let go. Very beautiful song!
  • Austin from Smallsville, New EnglandStaind covered this song for Mtv icon Metallica
  • Adam from Boston, MaThe song means to things to me. One, in an interview about Cliff Burton's Death, Knowing he died in 1989, and the song recorded in 1991, it kind of means something about cliff's death, rest his soul. Also, my friends and I made a video for it about ww2, with a soldier (me), leaving his wife (my girlfriend), and never coming home. At the solo, we had him get shot down by an MG42, and after the solo, his wife recieves the letter that he had been killed. It ends in the 2 dancing in his wife's dream. I presented it as a project for school, and 1 girl in my class cried.
  • Nathan from Marion, Iaone of my favorite metallica songs
  • Wasim from Belgaum, IndiaWell, this song was actually dedicated to me by my friend (she's as close as a gf could be). We live in the same country but we are still very far from each other. The starting stanza which goes like this:

    "So close, no matter how far
    Couldn't be much more from the heart
    Forever trusting who we are
    and nothing else matters "

    It somehow defines our relationship. We two maybe physically thousands of miles apart from each other, yet we share everything and are very close to each other. And these feelings we have for each other are truly and completely from our hearts :) And we trust each other enough and for that reason, "nothing else matters" ;)
    The first stanza is what I would like to call our mutual feeling. However, the rest of the song looks more like from her side. I really wish that she truly means whats in the rest of the song :)
    And yeah, her name is, well its 'Alien' ;) That's what I love to call her :P
  • Jan from Antwerp, --Everytime I hear this song it makes me cry. This was the favourite song of a very close girlfriend. We even sang it together at the party which would turn out to be her last. She and her boyfriend were driving home that same night and their car got hit by a drunken driver. It smashed sideways into a tree and she must have been dead immediately. We played this song at her funeral, so everytime I hear it, it reminds me of that moment and I start crying. Even at a Metallica concert I can't hold up the tears. And than this one time at the Werchter Festival in Belgium, I saw on the big screen that James was crying too during the solo and, although I know this may sound silly, for a moment I thought he must have felt the pain and grief I felt, too.
  • Janice from Miramichi, Nbthis may sound weird....everytime i hear this song it makes me think of his relationship with God. Almost saying he doesnt need structured religion (ie. protastant christian) that its just him and God, he likes it that way and nothing else matters. "trust i seek and i find in you" "Never cared for what they do.
    Never cared for what they know" i think its cool...
  • Courtney from Salt Lake City, UtThis reminds me of an ex boyfriend that I still love and I know I will always love. He is getting married in a week or two. When I heard about it, it broke my heart. I know that I will always feel "so close no matter how far." He is a huge Metallica fan too. Now that he is getting married I truly feel that "nothing else matters." I feel that alot of people can relate to this song. No matter what is going on in your life, any obstacle course can be connected to the lyrics in this song. We choose to interpret lyrics differently depending what we are going through in life.
  • Cody from Owen Sound, Onthis song changed meaning everytime i hear it because i have a diffrent problem every day and this song helps me deal with it metallica this is the best song ever!
  • Cody from Owen Sound, On"life is ours we live it our way" don't let anyone tell you how to live your life those people can't be trusted but " trust i seek and i find it in you" I think means that people who are like you can be trusted
  • Cody from Owen Sound, OnThis song gives me chills when i listen to it, i think it is about trust your self and never let anyone tell you other wise about who you are
  • Adam from Cork, Irelandthe lyrics "so close no matter how far" were james' grandads last words.
    they mean that even though hes not physically there him and james will always stay close. no matter how far away he is
  • Axl1987 from Mumbai, IndiaBest song of Metallica, i started hearing Metallica after hearing this words like " I never open my self this way " & " Trust i seek & i find in you " touched my heart .very superb guitaring parts from start till the end . a song about Love, Trust, Loyalty, Faith & Friendship
  • Fani from Avlon, GreeceNever Care For What They Say Never Care For Games They Play Never Care For What They Do Never Care For What They Know And I KNOW!

    Just for trusting and Loyalty!!
  • Heather from Cary, NcThis is my take on the song/lyrics meaning. I think it started out as a love song but became more of James looking at himself in love or others (maybe parents that split) in love and how fake it was because it was just that initial "infatuation" stage where, literally, nothing else matters. Food. Sleep. Job. Family (if you already have one). Etc. Nothing matters except being with that other person in your mind or in person. It is sick and is sad because so many people think this stage is real love. It isn't. You have to get past that stage, move into the conflict stage and get past the conflict stage onto a deeper love but most people give up when the infatuation passes.
  • Freddy from Askøy, NorwayThis song is the greatest song by metallica. It has so much feelings and touch...
  • Katerina from Thessaloniki, GreeceWhat I love most in this song is 'Never opened myself this way', 'Trust I seek and I find in you' and the guitar solo in the end.
  • Rqpon from Den Helder, Netherlands"He who seeks for Satan"
    Narrow cared for what they say, narrow cared how games they played, narrow care for what they do, never care now they know, cause I know
    This language continieus all over the river.
    An other favo of me is gone incein, that memorie remained. Damn right, because i'm unforgiven too!
  • Ej from Brownwood, Txthis was the first metallica song i ever listened to. It opened me up to some of their better song. Still it is one of my favorite songs. Its not dull its great. Metallica 4 life.
  • George from Jackson, Njeven after the last crapy record they put out in my opinion this is still the worst metallica song ever. All of the other songs have a meaning or a reason, or theyre really cool like seek and destroy. This song is slow, dull and about nothing important and i hate it. It does give me 5 minits to sit and get some joints ready during a metallica concert, witch i consider to be the best show on earth.
  • Kenneth from Loganville, Ga"never opend myself this way..." i love this song so much because he must swallow his pride to see the right path.
  • Dana from Hoover, AlThis is a truly amazing song. It gives me chills when I hear it. Definitely my favorite Metallica song. I'm pretty sure its about love, relationships, etc. In other words, no matter how far apart they are, they're still so close emotionally.
  • Dylan from Olmsted Falls, United StatesI love to play this song on drums, it's so soothing and it's Metallica, so i just love it.
  • Laura from Perth, West Australialove the lyrics to this tune, love the guitar, love james, love metallica! brilliant song, even better performed live
  • Ricky from Peterborough, United StatesI have to hear this song at least once a day, but usually its heard several times. I even have a CD I burned solely with different versions of it that stay in the car CD changer. I first heard heard when it was released and I was living in France, when I was 15 and for weeks played it repeatedly. It just touches a place no other song does, it means something slightly different everytime, and I hear something different in it each time I hear it. Its simplicity and complexity are a paradox of the sort that only comes in musical terms from the mind of a genius, which James clearly is. I'll have this song played for my first dance at my wedding, my funeral and thousands of times in between. I'll even play and sing it at my own first gig. And no guys, I don't have OCD!
  • Diego from Los Angeles, CaThis song is just amazing. I love it! I know it's about the fans but it really reminds me of me and my girlfriend. We live in different towns but like the song says, so close no matter how far. GREAT SONG!!!
  • Cyrus from Baroda, Otherthis is the best song iv ever heard..
    contains the soft rock genre.. the guitar played by James is excellent..
    it describes about wen u luv sumone, how important 'TRUST' is & well nothing else matters..
  • Blair from Peterborough, CanadaThis song stinks. The Black Album stinks. The begining of the end for Metallica. Thanks guys for turning your backs on your core fans you bunch of wankers!
  • Shanthi Pratheek from Hyderabad, IndiaNothing else matters is my all time favourite song.It touched my heart,it's like i forget the world around me and go into dreams floating in the air.It's kinda' like that and the most piercing part of the song is the guitar at the end of the song(lead guitar)played by James...it's awesome guys u know my whole body shivers listening to that guitar...Metallica rules!!!It's my favourite band
  • Jeff from Joliet, IlABOVE ALL...TO THYNE OWN SELF...BE TRUE
    JEFF JOLIET IL
  • Cj from Somewhere, EnglandThis was the first song I ever heard from Metallica, and to me its the best (being of the soft-core variety in my opinion). To me this song is about someone that I want to be happy always, and nothing else matters.
  • Kayla from Coquitlam, CanadaThis song gives me the chills whenever I listen to it.
  • Joseph from Marikina, Otheri like how you can interpret this song in so many ways - could be about your girlfriend or any other loved, could be about friendship. just beautiful.
  • Mari from Mumbai, IndiaThis song is my ULTIMATE favourite song. really simple. Was my first metallica song. ITs absolutely beautiful...and it can mean alot of different things to different ppl.
    Metallaica rules!!
    nothing else matters rules even more!!
  • Ella from Sydney, AustraliaMe too DJ (donald). I still play it all the time.
  • Dj(donald) from Marthasville, Mothis song means the world to me, mainley it was one of the first sont i learned to play on guitar.
  • Rachel from Susanhell, CaThis song means a lot to me because my boyfriend is always plaing it for me on the guitar. Also, when he's gone for band stuff, I can always play this song and think of him and be happy. It's a great song and not to mention, fun to play on the guitar as well
  • Clara from Port, IrelandThis song is my favourite, it got me into heavy metal and rock and everthing, and it means loads to me because my ex close friend / ex- kinda used me guy , used to always play that song for me on his guitar
  • Charlie from Ormesby, EnglandWithout this song i would have never gotten into Metallica. This song means so much to me ever since it was played one day at work i've been hoocked. I think a lot of people can relate to this song as to them, nothing else matters exept what is very important to them. and with a powerful guitar solo, there's no wonder so many people love this song. I'd have to give it an 11 out of 10 in my books!!!!!
    Charlie, Norfolk, England.
  • The Aaron from Nunyabidness, MoThis is my favorite Metallica song of all, for many reasons. Firstly, this is the song that got me into both playing guitar (I'm learning the classical method so I can put together my own music similar to this and Fade to Black :). Besides, if you can play classical you can pretty much play anything.) ...and into Metallica themselves. For a short while though, Creeping Death was my favorite, then I met my current girlfriend and now the song has amazing lyrical value as well and quickly re-became my favorite. It fits perfect: Everyone is against us, my own family looks down on me for it under the certain circumstances, but I "Never cared for what they say..."
  • Miles from Queanbeyan, AustraliaI'm not particularly into heavy metal music, but this has to be one of the best songs I have ever heard - I have 4 different video clip performances of the band playing this song. I never tire of it, and thank God Kirk talked James into including it on one of their albums.
  • Jacob from Mabelvale, ArI was watching the video of metallicas black album on my psp and James Hetfield said that when he started writing this song he was on the phone and just started pluck the open strings at the beginning of the song. He said then he hung up the phone and just started adding hammer ons and pulloffs. He didnt intend this song to be a Metallica song, he didnt think it was metallica material, but then one of the band members heard him playing it and it went from there
  • Sarah from Chicago, IlTo me this song is about someone that is really important to you in life who can truly understand you and you get along really well even though you are two very different people. For the most part I think this could be looked at as about the fans, as a love song, and just about a friend or a really important person that you will never forget and who will always be special to you
  • Paul from Derry, IrelandThis is the song that my fiancee and I will have our first dance to at our wedding next year. great song for couples.
  • Laura from Wincanton, EnglandMy boyfriend is a big metallica fan and he sed this song makes him think of us which i thought was really sweet! x
  • Josh from Brisbane, AustraliaThis is one of my all-time favoutite songs. When I first heard it, I thought that it was dedicated to the Vietnam Veterans (and all war-veterans at that)- thus such lines like "Never cared for what they say... Never cared for what they do...". Comparing to all the other comments, though it is only just an opinion.
  • Steff from Louisville, KyReading all of the other comments, well...i can see how, in this song, they could be singing to fans, and such...but if you really read each lyric, it makes for the perfect love song, and puts much significance on how a particular person is the only thing that is truly significant to someone, and how when you love someone, you put all of your trust in (forever trusting who we are), and have an open mind to their views and see things through their perspective (open mind for a different view) and how this person has opened up to the person they love, in which they have never done before, to anyone else. (never opened myself this way...) in simple terms, when you are in truly love with someone, and you have put all of your trust in them..and they may be the only person who can genuinely understand who you are inside..... no matter what anyone else says, nothing else matters.
  • Jessie from Brisbane, Australianothing else matters is a really good metallica song. metallica is my fav band ever and their music inspires other people (including myself) to do their best. there was another version of Nothing else matters recorded called the "Elevator Version" which had one acoustic guitar played by james and the symphony orchestra. awesome mix and it suits the song
  • Matt from Mentor, OhJames Hetfield Wrote it about the life of Having girlfriends come and go " We got Married during and justice for all and were devorcied by The black album but the song still means something-James"
  • Charbel from SydneyGREAT SONG FOR METALLICA--i'll never get bored of it.............BUT, how come i saw on :www.themetsource.com that this song,nothing else matters was written by James after his Grandfather died, and his last words were:"So close, no matter how far/Couldn't be much more from the heart/Forever trusting who we are/And nothing else matters"........
  • Ben from Chinatown, Hong Konganon speaks true words of wisdom man...
  • Vinnie from Devonthis song was written about hetfields gf...he wrote it wen they were on the road and it is sayin no matter how far u get from some1, u will never be far away from them in ur heart...just watch there "metallica - Black" dvd, but yeah, VERY awsome song, i love it! one of my favs...along wiv a lot of other metallica songs! 1st tallica song i heard and made me buy 1 album...which led on to all 10 :D cheers!
  • Hypnolinth from Plymouth, EnglandThis song reminds me of special guy in my life, now somebody elses boyfriend. He was the only person who ever made me feel comletely safe in his arms, and he remains an enigma.
    It reminds me of lazy afternoon skiving off Games and chilling out with mates, (o just sleeping in the same room).
    It always makes me cry.
    One of my faves.
  • Anon. from Twin Cities, MnI'm going to have to disagree with all of you and say this is my least favorite Metallica song, just because it seems like any old hair metal or glam metal band could have written this about one of their groupies. Also, I'm naturally inclined to hate all slow songs by metal bands (with the exception of Fade to Black). Get back to thrash metal!
  • Bavo from Oostrozebeke, BelgiumThis is indeed Metallica's best song. It's just a touch of genious! And a very good slow song too ;)
  • Nick from Geraardsbergen, BelgiumThis is the first song of metalica I ever heard and I Think I was about 7 years old when I heard it for the first time and it was my favorite song ever since then. actually this song was the reason I started drumming so thanks metallica!!!
  • Marthinus from Sa, South AfricaWhen you play a few strings on your guitar while on the phone and figure out a basic structure for a song, youre a genius. James is a Genius! When you turn it into a masterpiece with syphonics and a wicked solo, youre a music god. James is a music god! Every beginner guitarist's fave.
  • Sarah from Marlborough, New Zealandevery time i hear it, it totally pumps me up and sends shivers through my spine! i love it! wicked song!
  • Nick from Laguna Niguel, Cametalica played this song better in black
  • Amol from Aurangabad, Indiathis is totally the bestest best song metallica have done. compare this to "damage inc" and you'll know what extremes metallica can go to.
  • Carley from Grande Prarie, CanadaI think this songs about someone whos been hurt alot but still has someone to trust, but im only guessing
  • Lindsey from Somewhere, WiI ABSOLUTLY LOVE this song. Me and my b/f dont meet eye to eye on music, but this is one of the few songs we agree on--thats proble why its "our" song. It has got us through a lot of tough times. VERY wonderful song! Love it.
  • Rar from Flint, MiNot their style!?!?!?!?!? This is what made metallica not just a good metal band, but a great one. It demonstrated an ability NOT to wail on electrics, but to take it down a notch and sound beautiful and intrigueing.
  • Evileye_8@msn.com from Perth, Australiait isnt really their style but it is still a really good song
  • Mike from Anaheim, Ca"so close, no matter how far
    couldnt be much more from the heart
    forever trust in who you are
    and nothing else matters"
    -James hetfeild's Grandfather's last words
  • Mai Trang from Helsinki, Francereally a nice songs with so many philosophical sentences, gives me the way to move on...
  • Russ from Elkton, WaI have heard many things about the meaning of this song, but when i first learned how to play it on guitar, it reminded me of all of metallica's fans and all the people who look up to them as their role model...I personally think it's one of their best songs that they recorded
  • Michael Picard from Lapwai, IdBefore I started playing Guitar my cousin Alex played this a lot and snowed me the first part. He's a wicked guitar player. I love this song. It's supreme.
  • Ashley from San Bernardino, CaI have been trying to figure out how to play this on the electric guitar and it is so hard so if anyone knows how to play it, please let me know. This song is awesome, the best Metallica song ever, along with Unforgiven.
  • Ian from Hamilton, CanadaJake! how could you call this easy! just bevause it's softer doesn't make it any easier. It took me quite some time to get all the acoustic rythms and solos down. If you want a realy easy cover song though, try for whom the bell tolls. Great song, but very simple.

    Also the reason the intro is all open strings is because James started writing it while he was on the phone with his girlfriend and had only one hand free.
  • Cody from Houston, AkThis is my favorite song. Two reasons. 1) it is totally awesome, easily Metallica's best. 2)It examples Metallica's ability to combine slow and moving with hardcore vocals that totally get stuck in your head.
  • Nina from Townsville, OhThis is mine and my boyfriend's song.
  • Sam from Sydney, Australiaive seen the video clip of nothing else matters with san francisco symph and oddly there is a guitar solo on it, but s&m album version doesnt.......although its generally said that kirk did all guitar work on it, but in live versions when james plays guitar, the 2 parts sound so good i think kirk actually did play it on the album......this song along with fade to black are easily metallicas best
  • Jessica from Des Plaines, IlThis is one of my favorite songs by Metallica. Genius how they can make a song that isn't heavy, but not too soft either.
  • Jake from Burke, Vaif anyone is looking for a metallica song to cover, this would be the easiest metallica song to cover.
  • Danny from Liverpool, Englandone word.....perfection
  • Chris from Andover, MnThe Song "Nothing Else Matters" Through The Rest Of Metallica's "Madly In Anger With The World" Tour, Is Gonna Be Dedicated To A Fan Named Christopher, Who Was A Cancer Patient, Who Was A Fan Of Metallica, He Was Invited To One Of Their Shows, He Was Too Ill To Attend. Metallica Sent Someone To The Hospital Gave Christopher An Autographed Shirt & A Recording Of "Nothing Else Matters". He Died A Coupla Days Later.
  • AnonymousIm not a real big metallica fan but nothing else matters is an excellent song. But it sounds to me like the song is about ur own life and sadly the only person in ur life is u and nothing else matters.
  • Richard from Runcorn, EnglandI think songs like these are the what makes them the best songs ever written. We'll probably never know what this song is actually about, but people like us will keep on guessing. We dont really need to know what a song like this is about, because the idea of what we think its is about may be much better.
  • Josh from El Paso, TxResponse to Anthony in Melrose Park,IL:
    Kirk plays the intro as well as numerous pieces that James cannot play. Yes James did the solo and the rythm but Kirk also played his role as lead guitarist
  • Billy from Seminole, Fli think this is one of the must under rated metallica songs ever made along with wherever i may roam and fade to black. this song is much better than enter sandman will ever be... any true metallica fan knows that...
  • Anthony from Melrose Park, IlOn the Black Album, Kirk doesn't play one note on the track Nothing Else Matters. James did ALL the guitar work. I think the song is basically about ignoring all the BS and just doing your own thing. Thats what Metallica is all about in a way. James is singing about the Metallica experience. The band and his loved ones are his inner circle and nothing else matters.
  • Alastair from Sydney, AustraliaWhen performed with the San Fransisco Symphony Orchestra in 1999, Lars Ulrich's Drumming comes in after the first verse unlike the album version when the drumming comes in when the singing starts.
  • Andrew from Ronkonkoma, NyNothing Else Matters is a great song but i do not think he is talking about the fans or his girlfriend. "Never cared for what they do, never cared for what they know, never cared for what they say, never cared for games they played." He is obviously talking about something deeper, but he probably didn't want to say what it really means
  • Tom from Trowbridge, EnglandBeautiful song, shows all the people who think Metallica are just noise (i.e. parents of teenagers like me!) that they have a gentle sensitive side. The intro reminds me of 'Stairway to Heaven'; did James Hetfield have this in mind when he wrote this?
  • Dean from Blackburn, EnglandThis is the greatest slow song of all time!!i think im correct in saying that james wrote this when he was on the road, its about being away from the ones you love but still being close to their heart
  • Brian from Pittsburgh, PaI always thought this song was about following a dream and not listening to detractors.
  • Will from Mcallen , Txthis song shows the talent that metallica has for combining slow melodic riffs with heavy elecric riffs. this song wouldnt be complete without kamens orchestral talent either. R.I.P. micheal kamen.
  • Rob from Canon City, CoNothing Else Matters was written by James Hetfeild and was never actually gonna be on the black album, but Kirk Hammet heard it and liked it, so they put it on Black Album.
  • Brian from Mayfield Heights, OhThe song isn't so much about a love so much, I think, as it is about a relationship of fufilled trust, and the power of that trust.
  • Louis from London, Englandthe orchestra wrote a whole piece for this song, but in the recording studio it kept getting cut to shreds and got quiter and quiter so you only hear a fraction of it on the track
  • Brian from Vacaville, CaGreat song with a catchy guitar part. It gets stuck in your head easliy
  • Glen from Fgura, EuropeI heard James saying that "Nothing Else Matters" was written by him in the tour bus and in hotels all over the world.
  • Nick from Paramus, NjI heard that same story about "Mama Said"
  • Emma from Kingston, EnglandIn the documentary on when Metallica recorded the black album (the album (I've heard) is really called 'metallica' but is referred to by everyone including the band as 'the black album') James said that 'Nothing Else Matters' was a very personal song and that it was never meant to be on the album. Fortunately, the rest of the band overheard him playing it one day and 'forced' it onto the album.
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