“Enter Sandman” was the first song written during the creation of Metallica’s 1991 album, commonly called The Black Album.
The song began with a riff by Kirk Hammett, which he developed after hearing a demo idea associated with drummer Lars Ulrich. James Hetfield then wrote the lyrics, transforming the song into a dark but highly accessible meditation on childhood nightmares and bedtime fears.
Although it was the first song written, “Enter Sandman” was the last of the album’s songs to receive its lyrics. The band recorded a demo of it on August 13, 1990, alongside demos for “The Unforgiven,” “Nothing Else Matters,” and “Wherever I May Roam.”
“Enter Sandman” became the album’s lead single and one of Metallica’s defining songs. Its memorable opening riff helped introduce the band to a much broader international audience.