METALLICA - NOTHING ELSE MATTERS

Released : April 20, 1992

Charted:  UK: #6   US: #34 

"Nothing Else Matters" is a ballad by American band Metallica, released in 1992 as the third single from their self-titled fifth studio album. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield wrote the song (credited to Hetfield/Ulrich) in 1990 while on tour, expressing his feelings of homesickness and longing.

Hetfield explained the meaning of "Nothing Else Matters" to Mojo magazine in December 2008, describing it as a song about being on the road and missing someone at home. However, he noted that the song's emotional resonance extended beyond romantic relationships, connecting with themes of spirituality and brotherhood. Hetfield recalled a poignant moment when the Hells Angels showed him a film tribute to a fallen member, set to the song, highlighting its power to evoke brotherhood.

According to Metallica bass player Jason Newsted, the song's relative softness made it more accessible for popular audiences compared to the band's other material, leading to new opportunities for Metallica. "Nothing Else Matters" served as a breakthrough hit in countries where the band hadn't previously toured, expanding their fan base beyond the heavy metal genre and opening doors to new markets.

The music video premiered on MTV on February 26, 1992. Directed by Adam Dubin and edited by Sean Fullan, it features footage from the “A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica” documentary, shot during the recording of “Metallica”. Due to its inclusion of nudity in the form of pin-up posters and Playboy centerfolds, as well as a picture of Winger's Kip Winger being targeted by Ulrich with darts, MTV no longer airs the video during daytime hours. The posters are censored on the band's 2006 music video compilation DVD.

Metallica released Miley Cyrus' interpretation on June 22, 2021, as a promotional single from the Metallica Blacklist. Cyrus had previously covered "Nothing Else Matters" during her 2019 set at Glastonbury. Her 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 and asked Elton to play piano on it. Originally starting with guitar, Watt decided it should begin and end with piano, so he reached out to Elton, who contributed remotely from London via Zoom.