Few people have not heard of the famous band Metallica, whose activities began in the very early 1980s. This musical group performs songs in the genres of thrash metal and heavy metal and is popular all over the world. Metallica is known and loved by both adults and teenagers. At the moment the band has released ten albums and almost four dozen video clips. Performers have been awarded many times “Grammy” and other prestigious music awards. Their creativity serves as a source of inspiration for musicians of various directions.
One of Metallica’s “calling cards” is the song Nothing Else Matters. From English the title translates as “Nothing Else Matters”. Like many other compositions of the band, it is not devoid of deep subtext, which each listener can interpret in his own way. Let’s understand what the meaning of the composition Nothing Else Matters is.
The history of creation and the meaning of the text
Every true fan of the band Metallica at least once heard the legend about the creation of the song Nothing Else Matters. It is said that James Hetfield composed this track while he was on tour and was talking on the phone with his sweetheart. He was holding the phone with one hand and trying to play the guitar with the other. Naturally, in this position he could only strum some of the strings, and even then it was not too loud. It was in such circumstances, during the separation from his beloved and at the moment when the conversation was engrossing the musician, that this brilliant song was born.
But this story is not the only interesting event connected with the song. So in one of the interviews James shared that at first he did not dare to show the invented song to other members of the band. He was sure that they had to do any creative work only when everyone was together. And the theme of the songs was completely different – the guys mostly sang about something destructive, about their performances and about explosions of energy. A song dedicated to their favorite girl didn’t fit too much into the concept of their work.
During the same interview, it was explained that the song is about that feeling when you go on a trip and you don’t want to part with a loved one. It just so happens that the lyrics of the song have something to do with their experiences that almost everyone can relate to.
The meaning of the song is truly comprehensive. At the first acquaintance with it it seems that it tells about two soul mates. But repeated listens reveal less obvious intentions. This composition is about man’s connection to his own highest power, as well as other deeply philosophical things.
Hatfield shared that this ballad about a long road trip was imbued with the love experiences that come from being forced to leave. He shared that the meaning of the word “love” is very different for each of the band members. And for him personally, this feeling is connected with the fact that you can trust a loved one, especially when you are on the road, when you are exposed to a lot of dangers and risks.
Also in recent years, Metallica members claim that in many ways the song is dedicated to their fans. After all, who, if not thousands of loyal fans around the world, serve as an inexhaustible source of inspiration and motivation for the performer?
Interesting facts about the track
For a long time, the song Nothing Else Matters did not leave the highest positions in the charts. It was honored with high places in Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks.
For a long time, the video clip for the track was not allowed on television. The reason was that the posters featured naked girls in the background. In order for viewers to enjoy the music video for their favorite song, these posters had to be blacked out.
James Hetfield rarely performs a guitar solo, but for the sake of this song he made an exception.
Conclusion
Nothing Else Matters is a great composition that has struck a chord in the hearts of millions of listeners. There are many different shades of meaning to be found in it, from longing for your beloved to the importance of people you can turn to in a difficult moment. Each of us listening to this track can find something that resonates in our hearts time after time.
