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Revision as of 14:26, 18 September 2004 by Army1987 (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Nothing Else Matters is probably the best known ballad by Californian thrash metal band Metallica. It was first released in 1991 on the self-titled "black album". At that time, it was not liked by long-standing Metallica fans, who were used to the thrash metal songs of their first four albums and accused them of "selling out". Regardless, the song is now very popular among Metallica fans and is still played frequently on the radio.
Singer and rhytm guitarist James Hetfield initially wrote it to a girlfriend he once had, but now he cannot remember why; some say it meant that "no matter how far" he was (since Metallica spent most of their time on tours), he was still "so close" with the heart. He considered it a very personal song and was not going to publish it, but once lead guitarist Kirk Hammet heard it and wanted it on the Black Album. Now Metallica consider it a song dedicated to all their fans.
The video was premiered on MTV on February 26, 1992. It was directed by Adam Dublin; it consists of parts of the "A year and a half..." video tape which was shot during the recordings of the Black Album.
Its orchestration was arranged by Michael Kamen conducting the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. A live version is found on the album S&M. This version was released as the single "Nothing Else Matters '99" with the b-sides of the S&M version of "For Whom The Bells Toll", "-Human" and "Until It Sleeps" on January 4, 2000.
It was covered by the bands "Apocalyptica" and "Die Krupps" for tribute albums.