“Nothing Else Matters” is track eight on Metallica’s 1991 album, The Black Album.
The song follows “Through the Never” and comes before “Of Wolf and Man” in the album’s standard track sequence. Its placement gives the record a major change of mood after several heavy, riff-driven songs.
James Hetfield wrote the song during a period when he was away from the band. It began as a personal piece and was initially not intended for public release, but its emotional directness eventually convinced Metallica to include it on the album. The recording features orchestral arrangements by Michael Kamen.
The song is often remembered primarily as a power ballad, but its importance extends beyond that label. It became one of Metallica’s most successful singles and introduced the band to listeners who might not normally have followed heavy metal. Its track number is specific to the standard album sequence, not later bonus editions.