Who wrote the main guitar riff for Metallica's song “Enter Sandman”?

Kirk Hammett wrote the main guitar riff for Metallica's song “Enter Sandman.”

Hammett developed the riff after drawing inspiration from Soundgarden's 1989 album Louder Than Love. His original idea was shorter, and Lars Ulrich suggested a different repetition pattern that became central to the finished arrangement.

The instrumental framework came together quickly, but the lyrics took longer. James Hetfield initially wrote words with a darker family theme, and producer Bob Rock and Ulrich told him they believed he could produce stronger lyrics. Hetfield then created the final words, including the song's well-known bedtime imagery.

Songwriting credits on “Enter Sandman” go to Hammett, Hetfield, and Ulrich. Hammett supplied the signature riff, while the rhythm, lyrics, and final structure were shaped collaboratively during the album's development.