“Enter Sandman” was the lead single from Metallica’s 1991 album, commonly called The Black Album.
The single was released on July 29, 1991, shortly before the album itself arrived. It was the first song written for the record, but James Hetfield finished its lyrics later than the other songs. Its central imagery draws on childhood nightmares, bedtime rituals, and the Sandman figure from folklore.
The song marked a major change in Metallica’s presentation. Instead of the very long and intricate structures associated with some earlier material, it used a compact arrangement, a memorable guitar riff, and a strong chorus. That made it especially effective on radio and music television.
“Enter Sandman” reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Metallica’s signature concert songs. Its Wayne Isham-directed video also won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video in 1992.