“Holier Than Thou” was initially considered to open Metallica's The Black Album and serve as its first single.
According to the album's production documentary, producer Bob Rock told James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich that the record contained several potential classics. He argued that “Holier Than Thou” should be the first song released and should lead the album.
The plan changed after Ulrich strongly advocated for “Enter Sandman.” The band eventually chose “Enter Sandman” as both the opening track and lead single, giving the album a slower, groove-focused introduction rather than beginning with “Holier Than Thou.”
That decision became one of the album's most important sequencing choices. “Enter Sandman” was released on July 29, 1991, and its success helped establish the record's broad commercial appeal.