10 Great Metallica Songs
Metallica have garnered over 11.5 billion streams on Spotify, and they average more than 5.8 million streams per day. Two songs, “Enter Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters” have crossed the one-billion streams mark. Both are on the multi-platinum (16x) “Metallica” set released in ’91.
#10. Wherever I May Roam
A 12-string bass was only used for effect during the intro to emphasize several accented notes and then a standard tuned 4-string bass was used throughout the remainder of the recording.
#9. 72 Seasons
“72 Seasons” won the award for Best Metal Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards.
#8. Whiskey In The Jar
Metallica’s Metal version of the traditional Irish folk song was inspired by Thin Lizzy’s take on the song.
#7. Fuel
It was written by bandmembers James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett and is on the band’s seventh album, “Reload” (1997).
#6. King Nothing
The song appeared as background music in the ninth episode of the second season of “The Sopranos.” It peaked at #6 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks.
#5. Lux Æterna
Released in ’22, the song was the lead single from their eleventh studio album, “72 Seasons.” The title is Latin for ‘Eternal Light’.
#4. For Whom The Bell Tolls
The song was inspired by Ernest Hemmingway’s 1940 novel of the same name. The track is on the band’s second album “Ride The Lightning (1984).
#3. Master Of Puppets
The song is the title track off the band’s third studio set – the last to feature bassist Cliff Burton who died on September 27th, 1986 after the band’s tour bus was involved in an accident in Sweden.
#2. Nothing Else Matters
It is one of the few Metallica songs in which Hetfield plays the guitar solo. Lead guitarist Kirk Hammet does not play on the studio recording. He stated he did not learn how to play the song until they were well into the tour for the album.
The power ballad is recognized as one of Metallica’s best known and most popular songs.
#1. Enter Sandman
The music was written by Hetfield, Hammett and Ulrich. Hetfield wrote the lyrics, which deal with the concept of a child’s nightmares.
Metallica:
James Hetfield – Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Kirk Hammett – Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals (replaced Dave Mustaine in 1983)
Robert Trujilo – Bass/Backing Vocals
Lars Ulrich – Drums
Former Bassists: Ron McGovney, ’81-82, Cliff Burton, ’82 – ’86 and Jason Newsted, ’86 -’01
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