Which Black Album song did James Hetfield initially write for himself?

James Hetfield initially wrote “Nothing Else Matters” for himself.

Hetfield began writing the song in 1990 while Metallica was on tour and he was feeling homesick. He originally did not intend to present it to the band, but drummer Lars Ulrich heard the piece and encouraged its development for the album.

The song represented a noticeable emotional and musical departure from Metallica's earlier reputation for aggressive subject matter. Its arpeggiated guitar opening, reflective lyrics, and orchestral arrangement helped establish it as a power ballad and one of the band's most widely recognized songs.

Kirk Hammett does not play on the studio recording, making the track unusual in Metallica's catalog. Michael Kamen wrote the orchestral arrangement, while the London Symphony Orchestra performed it. These details are often mixed up with the later live arrangements, in which Hammett did perform the song.