“Enter Sandman” was the last song to receive lyrics during the writing of Metallica’s 1991 album, commonly called The Black Album.
The song’s music was developed early in the album process and was the first composition written for the record. Its lyrics came later, after the band had already established the central riff and arrangement. That distinction explains why it can be both the first song written and the last one to receive lyrics.
“Enter Sandman” focuses on childhood fears, nightmares, and the unsettling imagery associated with bedtime. The subject helped make the track accessible while preserving the ominous mood expected from Metallica. It became the album’s opening track and lead single.
The song’s development is often discussed alongside the album’s broader change in style. Metallica moved away from the very long, complex structures of earlier records and emphasized memorable riffs, clear choruses, and more concise arrangements. The finished track became one of the band’s best-known songs and a defining example of the album’s sound.