Who wrote the lyrics to Metallica's “Nothing Else Matters” from The Black Album?

James Hetfield wrote the lyrics to Metallica's “Nothing Else Matters.”

Hetfield is credited as the song's lyricist and composer, with Lars Ulrich sharing the composition credit. The song began as a private guitar idea Hetfield played while touring, then developed into one of Metallica's most recognizable power ballads. Its direct, personal words marked a different emotional emphasis from the band's more aggressive material.

Producer Bob Rock helped shape the recording, and the finished track appeared on Metallica's 1991 album. It was later released as the album's third single and became a major international hit, reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart and the top ten in several European countries.

A common mistake is to credit Ulrich alone because he was Hetfield's principal songwriting partner and drummer. Ulrich did share the music credit, but the lyrics are specifically credited to Hetfield. The song's orchestral versions and later performances do not change that original songwriting credit.