Which three musicians are credited with writing the music for Metallica's “Enter Sandman”?

Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, and Lars Ulrich are credited with writing the music for Metallica's “Enter Sandman.”

The song began with a guitar idea from Hammett, which developed into the central riff. Hetfield and Ulrich helped shape the arrangement, and the three musicians received the songwriting credits. Hetfield separately wrote the lyrics, which focus on childhood fears and nightmares.

Jason Newsted played bass on the recording but is not listed among the song's music writers. Producer Bob Rock also contributed to the album's production, yet he is not one of the credited composers for “Enter Sandman.” These distinctions explain why performance personnel and songwriting credits are not interchangeable.

The song became the opening track and lead single from The Black Album. Its compact structure, memorable riff, and dark bedtime imagery made it one of Metallica's defining songs and a frequent entry point for new listeners discovering the band.