Which Metallica song from The Black Album reached number two on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart?

“Wherever I May Roam” reached number two on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart.

The song was released as the fourth commercial single from Metallica, following “Enter Sandman,” “The Unforgiven,” and “Nothing Else Matters.” Its chart performance made it one of the album's strongest rock-radio successes, even though it did not become the band's highest Hot 100 crossover hit.

Lyrically, “Wherever I May Roam” presents a wandering, self-directed outlook. The narrator treats the road as home and emphasizes independence, travel, and freedom from fixed boundaries. That theme connected naturally with Metallica's touring life as the band expanded from club and theater audiences into worldwide stadiums.

The song's distinctive sound includes a sitar-like guitar texture at the opening, created with a Coral electric sitar played by James Hetfield. This detail is sometimes confused with the string arrangements used elsewhere on the album. “The Unforgiven” features cellos, while “Nothing Else Matters” includes an orchestra; “Wherever I May Roam” uses its unusual timbre within a primarily rock arrangement.