Which Metallica song on The Black Album was originally written as a private piece by James Hetfield?

“Nothing Else Matters” was originally written as a private piece by James Hetfield.

Hetfield wrote the song while touring and feeling homesick. He initially did not intend to present it to Metallica because he considered it personal and unlike the band’s usual subject matter. After drummer Lars Ulrich heard the material, the band developed it into a recording for Metallica.

The song became one of the album’s most prominent departures from the group’s aggressive metal image. Its clean guitar work, orchestral arrangement, and emotionally direct lyrics made it a power ballad and one of Metallica’s best-known songs. Hetfield and Ulrich receive the composition credit, while Hetfield wrote the lyrics.

The track was released as the album’s third single on April 20, 1992. It reached number six on the UK Singles Chart and number one in Denmark. Kirk Hammett does not play on the studio recording, although he appears in the music video and performs the song live with the band.