Which Metallica song on Metallica began as an instrumental idea written by bassist Jason Newsted?

“My Friend of Misery” began as an instrumental idea written by Metallica bassist Jason Newsted.

Newsted wrote the main riff, and the piece was initially intended to remain instrumental. It became a full song during the development of Metallica, with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich contributing to the final songwriting and arrangement.

The track is notable because every previous Metallica studio album had included an instrumental. On The Black Album, “My Friend of Misery” was originally planned to continue that tradition, but lyrics and vocals were eventually added.

The song appears as the penultimate track on the standard album sequence. Its origin also illustrates how Metallica's songwriting process combined ideas from individual members with the collaborative shaping of the finished record.