10 Metallica Songs That Have Been Played The Most Live

One day, when James Hetfield was feeling particularly sick of being on the road, he sat down and wrote himself a simple song on the guitar. It was never meant to end up on a Metallica album, but after Lars Ulrich heard it for the first time, he insisted they record it.

This was the right call.

Nothing Else Matters is one of Metallica's biggest ever songs. It's sold millions of copies around the world and its official music video has over one billion views on YouTube.

Metallica have played this song live 1,279 times, possibly because of its gigantic success, but also presumably because it's really really easy to play. The main riff is played on open strings, for goodness' sake! You could play it in your sleep!

This does not diminish the song's power; far from it. Sometimes the best music is the easiest, the songs that everyone can easily understand and get involved with.

Also, if you're not Nothing Else Matters' biggest fans, chances are Metallica don't care. It's made them a lot of money.