How long is the original studio version of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters”?

The original studio version of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” runs 6 minutes and 28 seconds.

That length reflects the song’s spacious arrangement, which begins with clean guitar and gradually expands into a full-band performance. Unlike many of the album’s faster heavy-metal tracks, it gives substantial room to melody, sustained chords, and an emotional vocal delivery.

The song was recorded on May 30, 1991, at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles. It was later issued as the album’s third single, on April 20, 1992. Its extended running time did not prevent it from becoming a major international hit.

Listeners sometimes remember shorter radio edits or live versions, which can create confusion about the original track length. The album version is the 6:28 recording listed in reference sources. It is classified as a power ballad and remains one of Metallica’s signature songs.