“Enter Sandman” reached number 16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Released as the lead single from Metallica’s The Black Album, it became one of the band’s best-known songs.
The single was released on July 29, 1991, shortly before the album’s August 12 release. Its heavy guitar riff, repeated vocal hook, and lyrics about a child’s nightmares made it an unusually accessible introduction to Metallica for many listeners.
The song was written by Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, and Lars Ulrich, while Hetfield wrote the lyrics. It was the first Black Album song written and the last to receive its lyrics during the album’s development.
Its promotional video, directed by Wayne Isham, helped expand the band’s visibility on music television. The song also received a platinum certification in the United States and contributed substantially to the album’s worldwide sales.