Nothing Else Matters
Metallica, 1991, from Metallica. Solo by James Hetfield.
James Hetfield wrote the song's famous open-string arpeggio intro, and he plays the lead parts too, a rarity in Metallica's catalogue. His solo is short and deliberately simple, built on melodic phrases that follow the vocal line and bends that sing instead of shred. That restraint suits a song more personal than anything else the band had released. It became one of the most widely learned guitar parts of the 1990s and drew many new listeners to the band. Listen for how the solo stays within the song's melody while the strings and full band lift it toward the final chorus, proving that a lead break can move people without a single fast run.
Nothing Else Matters by Metallica is ranked #135 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by James Hetfield and the song was released in 1991. It appears on 4 lists, placing as high as #39 (Magazyn Gitarzysta).
In our lists
- The Most-Taught Solos — #1
- See Them Live — #48
- The Modern Canon: Best Since 1990 — #32
- The 25 Greatest Metal Guitar Solos — #17
- The 1990s — #25
- Ballad Solos — #19
- The Best Metallica Guitar Solos — #5
Sources
- Magazyn Gitarzysta: 100 solówek wszech czasów [100 solos of all time] — #39
- Planet Rock: The 75 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time — #58
- Thomann: 25 Iconic Guitar Solos
- Musician Tuts: The 51 Best Guitar Solos Of All Time
Who played the guitar solo on Nothing Else Matters?
James Hetfield played the solo on Metallica's Nothing Else Matters (1991).
What guitar was used on the Nothing Else Matters solo?
An esp, according to widely reported accounts.
Where does Nothing Else Matters rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#135 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 4 of them.