“Nothing Else Matters” features an orchestral arrangement by Michael Kamen and the London Symphony Orchestra.
The song appears on Metallica’s 1991 self-titled album and was released as its third single on April 20, 1992. James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich wrote the composition, while Hetfield wrote the lyrics. Its reflective tone and prominent acoustic guitar made it one of the album’s clearest departures from the band’s earlier thrash-metal style.
Michael Kamen arranged the orchestral parts, and the London Symphony Orchestra performed them. Kirk Hammett does not play on the studio recording, despite appearing in the music video and performing the song live with Metallica.
The track is often called a power ballad, but it remains a Metallica composition rather than a separate soundtrack recording. It reached number six on the UK Singles Chart and became a regular part of the band’s live repertoire.