Which Metallica member played sitar on the song “Wherever I May Roam”?

James Hetfield played sitar on Metallica's song “Wherever I May Roam.”

Hetfield is best known as Metallica's lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, but the Black Album credits also identify him as the sitar player on this track. The unusual timbre appears in the song's arrangement alongside heavy electric guitars, bass, and drums, adding a distinctive color to its road-oriented atmosphere.

“Wherever I May Roam” was one of the album's five commercial singles and became a recurring concert song. Its lyrics describe a wandering musician whose sense of home is tied to travel and performance. The track's broad, spacious sound reflects the album's move toward more controlled and accessible arrangements.

The other three members had different primary roles on the record: Kirk Hammett played lead guitar, Lars Ulrich played drums, and Jason Newsted played bass. Because all four were central to the band's identity, instrumental-credit questions about individual album textures can easily be misremembered.