Which Metallica album song was originally written by James Hetfield while he was away from home?

“Nothing Else Matters” was originally written by James Hetfield while he was away from home.

Hetfield wrote the song in 1990 while on tour, initially treating it as a private piece rather than a Metallica composition. Its lyrics and melody differed from the band's usual aggressive subject matter, and he was reportedly hesitant to present it to the group.

Drummer Lars Ulrich heard the developing song and encouraged Hetfield to bring it into the band's work. The result became one of Metallica's best-known power ballads and a major example of the broader musical range explored on The Black Album.

The studio recording also has an unusual personnel detail: Kirk Hammett does not play on it. Hetfield performs the guitar solo, while orchestral arrangements were written by Michael Kamen. The song was released as the album's third single in 1992.