Nothing Else Matters

In 1992, California-bred Singer/Songwriter James Hetfield, who also happens to be the frontman for the American metal band Metallica, wrote one of the most iconic rock ballads of all time. He was inspired to write the song on the phone with his girlfriend, whom he missed while touring. It appeared as the third single on the band’s fifth self-titled studio album. The song is also said to be an ode to fans. Its universal themes of trust, love, and staying true to oneself still resonate today. When the band released this track back in '92, they faced some criticism. Some fans called it “too soft” and accused the band of selling out. However, over time, it opened the band to a whole new audience and helped redefine what metal could be.

If I had to pick a favorite cover, it would be Miley Cyrus’s version in 2021 with Elton John and Yo-Yo Ma. I generally don’t favor covers since nothing can quite top or match the original, but in this case, Miley’s cover truly stands out. She’s an incredible vocalist and often doesn’t get the recognition she deserves. Though she has made some questionable choices throughout her career, those don’t change who she is as an artist. Personal life choices don’t define her talent. As a writer and a huge music fan, I’ve learned that whatever issues artists may face offstage are left behind when they perform. They become these larger-than-life figures we admire, creating songs we love and relate to. A person’s personal life should never stop us from appreciating their work. Questionable decisions don’t automatically mean a song or an artist isn’t good, so we should keep enjoying the music we love despite their mistakes. They’re human, just like us, even if we see them as larger-than-life.

Although I’m not a big metal fan, I do love songs with incredible guitar riffs, and this song has one—showing why Metallica remains a timeless band. “Nothing Else Matters” is one of the rare tracks where James Hetfield plays lead guitar instead of Kirk Hammett. Hetfield is one of two original band members still with Metallica, with Lars Ulrich being the other. Kirk Hammett isn’t technically an original member, but he has been with the band since 1983, which is quite remarkable. Despite not being a huge metal fan myself, I greatly admire these guys. They’ve spent 40 years perfecting their craft and becoming a band loved and appreciated by all music fans, not just die-hard metal enthusiasts.

The more I listen to Metallica, Black Sabbath, Dio, System of a Down, and Pentagram, the more I appreciate and love heavy metal artistry. Thanks to these bands, I've become a bigger fan than I was before. I may not be a die-hard metal fan, but there are many bands and songs in the genre I enjoy. This band’s storytelling is incredible—you can't judge them just by the screaming or their outward appearance, but by their lyrics which tells amazing stories, like Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters," which I must say leans more toward hard rock than heavy metal. They also have another song on the same album, "Enter Sandman," which I consider one of the most perfect metal songs. Metallica's "Black" album, along with much of their earlier work, is some of my favorites. You can definitely see why, after over four decades, they continue to be one of the greatest bands in heavy metal, with Hetfield undoubtedly being one of the best heavy metal frontmen around. I honestly don't think there's a frontman I respect or admire more than James Hetfield. He’s truly legendary—along with the rest of Metallica.