The Metallica song that won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 1990 was “One.” The award was presented at the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards, making Metallica the first winner in the category.
“One” appears on Metallica’s fourth studio album, ...And Justice for All, released in 1988. Inspired by Dalton Trumbo’s anti-war novel Johnny Got His Gun, the song follows a severely wounded soldier who loses his limbs and senses while remaining conscious. Its bleak subject matter is reflected in the song’s gradual transformation from restrained verses to explosive, machine-gun-like guitar sections.
The award is often confused with Metallica’s later Grammy wins. The band also won Best Metal Performance for “Stone Cold Crazy” in 1991, but “One” was the historic 1990 winner. The song’s music video, assembled from Johnny Got His Gun footage and band performance scenes, also helped introduce Metallica to a wider television audience.