Before “Enter Sandman,” which song was initially intended to open Metallica's The Black Album?

Before “Enter Sandman,” “Holier Than Thou” was initially intended to open Metallica's The Black Album.

According to the album's production history, “Holier Than Thou” was originally planned as both the opening track and the first single. Producer Bob Rock argued that the record contained several songs with major mainstream potential, but drummer Lars Ulrich strongly favored “Enter Sandman” as the ideal introduction.

The disagreement became an important sequencing decision. After Ulrich explained his view to the other members, “Enter Sandman” became the opening track and lead single. Its compact structure, repeating guitar figure, and ominous bedtime imagery made it a particularly immediate introduction to the album's new sound.

“Holier Than Thou” remained on the finished album as its fourth track. The change is easy to overlook because both songs are prominent early-album cuts, but only “Enter Sandman” ultimately served as the record's opening statement and first commercial single.