Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song was released as the lead single from The Black Album on July 29, 1991. Although Metallica was primarily known as a heavy-metal band, the single’s strong hook, compact structure, and polished production helped it achieve substantial mainstream radio exposure.
Its chart performance was notable because the Billboard Hot 100 measures individual songs across the United States, not albums. The Black Album itself made its biggest chart impact on the Billboard 200, where it debuted at number one and remained there for four consecutive weeks.
“Enter Sandman” also earned platinum certification from the RIAA. Its music video, directed by Wayne Isham, won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video at the 1992 ceremony.