Nothing Else Matters

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"Nothing Else Matters"
File:Metallica - Nothing Else Matters cover.jpg
Single by Metallica
from the album Metallica
B-side
Released April 20, 1992 (1992-04-20)
Recorded May 30, 1991
Studio One on One, North Hollywood, California
Genre Heavy metal, power ballad[1]
Length 6:28
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Script error: The function "ucfirst" does not exist. singles chronology
"The Unforgiven"
(1991)		 "Nothing Else Matters"
(1992)		 "Wherever I May Roam"
(1992)
Music video
"Nothing Else Matters" on YouTube

"Nothing Else Matters" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released in 1992 as the third single from their self-titled fifth studio album, Metallica. The song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, number 6 on the UK Singles Chart, number 1 in Denmark, and reached the top ten on many other European charts. "Nothing Else Matters" was featured as a playable track in the music video game Guitar Hero: Metallica. Recognized as one of Metallica's best known and most popular songs, the power ballad[2] has become a staple in live performances.

History

Lead singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield wrote the song (credited to Hetfield/Ulrich)[3] in 1990 while on tour, when Hetfield "was bumming out about being away from home."[4] Initially, the song was not meant to be released, as Hetfield had written it for himself, but after drummer Lars Ulrich heard it, it was considered for the album.[4] Hetfield initially had reservations about presenting the song to the band: "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."[5] It was one of four demo songs recorded by the band on August 13, 1990.[5]

Composition

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Its intro is an E minor arpeggio (transposed one half-step lower on stage performances) beginning with the open low E followed by the open G, B and high E strings.

It is one of the few Metallica songs in which Hetfield plays the guitar solo. Guitarist Kirk Hammett does not play on the studio recording, making it one of the few in the whole Metallica repertoire, along with Cliff Burton's "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth", in which he does not appear.[6] Hammett stated he did not learn how to play the song until they were well into the tour for the album.

The orchestral arrangements were written by award-winning composer Michael Kamen, who would later go on to collaborate with the group on S&M.

Music video

The music video premiered on MTV on February 26, 1992.[citation needed] It was directed by Adam Dubin and edited by Sean Fullan. The clip consists of parts of the A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica documentary, which was shot during the recordings of Metallica.[7] One of them shows Hetfield playing a Gibson EDS-1275 guitar during the second chorus. MTV will not air the video during daytime hours anymore because it features nudity in the form of pin-up posters and Playboy centerfolds that are taped up in the studio. It also has a picture of Winger's Kip Winger which Ulrich is seen throwing darts at. On the band's 2006 music video compilation DVD, the posters are censored, as was done with the nudity featured in the music videos for "Turn the Page" and "Whiskey in the Jar".

In August 2021, the music video hit one billion views on YouTube, making it Metallica's first music video to do so.[7]

Live

The song has now become a staple in Metallica's live performances, and has been dedicated to their fans. When played live nowadays, Hammett does the first part of the intro, and Hetfield joins in for the second, to then sing and play it alone until after the first chorus, when the whole band kicks in. Also, the last verse is left out, ending the song with the heavily distorted guitar solo by Hetfield, and usually fading into "Enter Sandman". A live version in which this can be heard can be found on the CD/DVD Orgullo, Pasión y Gloria: Tres Noches en la Ciudad de México. Other live recordings can be found on Live Shit: Binge & Purge, on S&M, Cunning Stunts DVD, the DVD/Blu-ray The Big 4 Live from Sofia, Bulgaria as well as on the soundtrack for the band's feature film Through the Never, and also featured on 2019 S&M follow-up live album, S&M2.

Track listing

U.S. cassette
No. Title Length
1. "Nothing Else Matters"   6:30
2. "Enter Sandman" (Live) 5:26
International single
No. Title Length
1. "Nothing Else Matters"   6:30
2. "Enter Sandman" (Live) 5:26
3. "Harvester of Sorrow" (Live) 6:02
4. "Nothing Else Matters" (Demo) 5:52
Live at Wembley Stadium, London, April 20th, 1992
No. Title Length
1. "Enter Sandman"   5:39
2. "Sad but True"   5:30
3. "Nothing Else Matters"   6:17
1999 CD single
No. Title Length
1. "Nothing Else Matters" (Live) 6:47
2. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (Live) 4:52
3. "- Human" (Live) 4:19
4. "Nothing Else Matters" (Video)  

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[40] 5× Platinum 350,000
Austria (IFPI Austria)[41] Gold 25,000
Belgium (BEA)[42] Gold 25,000
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[43] Platinum 10,000
Germany (BVMI)[44] Platinum 500,000
Italy (FIMI)[45] 2× Platinum 100,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[46] Gold 7,500
Sweden (GLF)[47] Gold 25,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[48] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[49] Gold 500,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales/streaming figures based on certification alone

Personnel

Additional personnel

Alternative versions

"Nothing Else Matters '99"

"Nothing Else Matters '99 (live)"
File:Metallica - Nothing Else Matters (live) cover.jpg
Single by Metallica
from the album S&M
B-side
Released November 22, 1999 (1999-11-22)
Recorded April 21–22, 1999
Venue Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, California
Length Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character ":".
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
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"Die, Die My Darling"
(1999)		 "Nothing Else Matters '99 (live)"
(1999)		 "No Leaf Clover"
(2000)
{{{This album}}}

For its appearance on S&M, its orchestration was arranged by Michael Kamen conducting the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. This live version is featured on the album S&M. It was also released as the single "Nothing Else Matters '99", which included the b-sides "-Human", and the S&M version of "For Whom the Bell Tolls", on November 22, 1999.[50] This version was also played with guitars tuned to E♭.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1999) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[51] 28
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[52] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[53] 33
Germany (Official German Charts)[54] 2
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[55] 5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[56] 3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[57] 4

Year-end charts

Chart (2000) Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[58] 12
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[59] 42
Germany (Official German Charts)[60] 20
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[61] 9
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[62] 21
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[63] 31

"Elevator Version"

There is also an acoustic remix of "Nothing Else Matters" that is called "Elevator Version", with no electric guitars (replaced by acoustic guitars, even for the solo), Kamen's orchestrations, and Hetfield's voice only; it appears as the B-side to "Sad but True".

Jungle Cruise version

An instrumental version of "Nothing Else Matters" appears on the soundtrack of the 2021 film Jungle Cruise. The band collaborated with the film's composer James Newton Howard to record a new orchestral arrangement of the song for the film.[64][65]

Lucie Silvas version

"Nothing Else Matters"
Single by Lucie Silvas
from the album Breathe In
B-side "Better Love Next Time" (demo)
Released October 31, 2005 (2005-10-31)
Genre Pop
Length Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character ":".
Label Mercury
Producer(s) Mike Peden
Script error: The function "ucfirst" does not exist. singles chronology
"Forget Me Not"
(2005)		 "Nothing Else Matters"
(2005)		 "Everytime I Think of You"
(2006)

"Nothing Else Matters" is a special Europe-only single by British singer-songwriter Lucie Silvas. It was released in exactly the same way as "Don't Look Back", with the same B-sides and artwork.

Track listing

CD1
No. Title Length
1. "Nothing Else Matters" (Edit) 3:07
2. "Breathe In" (Live in Denmark) 3:32
CD2
No. Title Length
1. "Nothing Else Matters" (Edit) 3:07
2. "Twisting the Chain" (Acoustic) 3:55
3. "Better Love Next Time" (Demo) 3:40
4. "Nothing Else Matters" (Video)  

Charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position
Dutch Top 40 13
Germany 38
Greece[66] 35
Eurochart Hot 100 160

Gregorian version

Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs. In 1999, they recovered their version to be included on their album Masters of Chant.[67]

Miley Cyrus version

"Nothing Else Matters"
Promotional single by Miley Cyrus featuring Watt, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Trujillo and Chad Smith
from the album The Metallica Blacklist <templatestyles src="Noitalic/styles.css"/>and The Lockdown Sessions
Released June 22, 2021[68]
Length 6:35
Label Blackened
Songwriter(s)
  • James Hetfield
  • Lars Ulrich
Producer(s) Andrew Watt
Music video
"Nothing Else Matters" on YouTube

On January 7, 2021, it was announced that Miley Cyrus would be releasing a cover version that would feature Elton John on piano, drummer Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers, current Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Cyrus also announced in October 2020 that she plans to release a full album of Metallica covers. Cyrus previously covered "Nothing Else Matters" during her 2019 set at Glastonbury.[69] The cover, produced by Andrew Watt, was released on June 22, 2021, as a promotional single from Metallica's tribute album The Metallica Blacklist, released on September 10. The video for this version was uploaded the same day on Cyrus' YouTube channel.[70] The cover is also featured on John's album The Lockdown Sessions, which released on October 22.

Charts

Chart (2021) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[71] 26
UK Rock and Metal (Official Charts Company)[72] 26
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[73] 36

Hardwell mashup

On December 23, 2022, Hardwell released a mashup of "Nothing Else Matters" and his song "F*cking Society", featured on the deluxe edition of his album Rebels Never Die.[74]

Other cover versions

References

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  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Live at Wembley Stadium release date Archived March 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Metallica – Nothing Else Matters". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  10. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Metallica – Nothing Else Matters" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  11. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2116." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Lescharts.com – Metallica – Nothing Else Matters" (in French). Les classement single.
  14. ↑ "Musicline.de – Metallica Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  15. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Nothing Else Matters". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Metallica search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
  18. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Metallica – Nothing Else Matters" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Metallica – Nothing Else Matters". Top 40 Singles.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 "Swedishcharts.com – Metallica – Nothing Else Matters". Singles Top 60.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 "Swisscharts.com – Metallica – Nothing Else Matters". Swiss Singles Chart.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Metallica: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company.
  25. ↑ "Metallica – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Metallica.
  26. ↑ "Metallica – Chart history" Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs for Metallica.
  27. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Metallica – Nothing Else Matters" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  28. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Metallica – Nothing Else Matters". Tracklisten.
  29. ↑ "Metallica: Nothing Else Matters" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  30. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Metallica – Nothing Else Matters". VG-lista.
  31. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter Metallica in the field Interpret. Enter Nothing Else Matters in the field Titel. Select single in the field Format. Click Suchen
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Click on næste to go to page 5956 if certification from official website
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Metallica in the field Filtra. Select 2018 in the field Anno. The certification will load automatically
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter Nothing Else Matters in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  50. ↑ Nothing Else Matters '99 release date Archived January 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  51. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Metallica with Michael Kamen conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra – Nothing Else Matters". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  52. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Metallica with Michael Kamen conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra – Nothing Else Matters" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  53. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Metallica with Michael Kamen conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra – Nothing Else Matters" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  54. ↑ "Musicline.de – Metallica with Michael Kamen conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  55. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Metallica with Michael Kamen conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
  56. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Metallica with Michael Kamen conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra – Nothing Else Matters" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  57. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Metallica with Michael Kamen conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra – Nothing Else Matters". Swiss Singles Chart.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  70. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  71. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  72. ↑ "Archive Chart: 20210702" UK Rock Chart.
  73. ↑ "Miley Cyrus – Chart history" Billboard Hot Rock Songs for Miley Cyrus.
  74. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  75. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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