“Nothing Else Matters” Lyrics & Meaning (Metallica)

Nothing Else Matters is one of Metallica’s most popular songs.

We all recognize it the second Kirk Hammett begins the famous guitar intro.

But lead singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield wrote the song purely for himself.

He never meant for it to become a Metallica song. He just didn’t feel it fit into their repertoire.

That’s hard to imagine now, looking back from a place where Nothing Else Matters is one of their biggest hits ever.

But back then, they just didn’t do ballads. They certainly didn’t sing about their feelings.

So is that what the Nothing Else Matters lyrics meaning is all about?

Sort of. It’s a bit more complicated than that. Keep reading to learn what Hetfield was thinking when he wrote the song and what he has shared about it since.

 

Nothing Else Matters Lyrics And Meaning

Nothing Else Matters was written by vocalist James Hetfield and the music speaks of a particular sentiment the singer had at the time. Over the years, it became a staple of the band’s live repertoire. They always dedicate the song to their fans at their live shows.

The song was released in 1992. It was the third single from Metallica’s fifth studio album, which was self-titled, but is commonly referred to as ‘The Black Album’, due to its black cover.

Nothing Else Matters made it up to number 11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the United States. It’s popularity has only grown over the years and the power ballad is now one of the band’s most famous and most popular songs

Let’s take a look at the lyrics to Nothing Else Matters in full, before analyzing them and seeing what they mean.

 

Nothing Else Matters Lyrics

Verse 1

So close, no matter how far
Couldn’t be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters

Verse 2

Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don’t just say
And nothing else matters

Verse 3

Trust I seek and I find in you
Everyday, for us, something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters

Chorus

Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know

Verse 1

So close, no matter how far
It couldn’t be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters

Chorus

Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know

Verse 2

I never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don’t just say
And nothing else matters

Verse 3

Trust I seek and I find in you
Everyday, for us, something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters

Chorus

Never cared for what they say
Never cared for games they play
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
And I know, yeah-yeah!

Verse 1

So close, no matter how far
Couldn’t be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
No, nothing else matters

 

Nothing Else Matters Meaning

Nothing Else Matters has a bit of an ambiguous meaning, which is why there has been so much discussion about its meaning. But basically, the lyrics say that we can feel the warmth of people who are distant.

So close no matter how far
Couldn’t be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters

Two people are at a distance, and James realizes his feelings of love. Therefore, he sings in confidence and knows that everything is fine. That distance doesn’t matter as long as everyone’s hearts are connected.

Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don’t just say
And nothing else matters

James wrote the song on tour when he was feeling down about being far from home. He was especially missing his girlfriend at the time. Such moments of reflection were common now that he was a successful musician who was often on tour.

In this stanza, the author acknowledges that he is fine with opening up and declaring what he is feeling at this moment. He has learned to accept life, be strong, and embrace the way you choose to live.

Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters

What he is saying in this verse is that all the sentiments he has for that special someone are good. Good wishes and the love for that companionship remain the same as they have been for a long time.

He has this confidence that they will also continue to love each other. He lives through the experience of something new every day, a different destiny, and he needs an open mind to live with everything. If your feelings are and remain in order, the rest does not matter!

Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know

The refrain reinforces the assurance of the character’s feelings, regardless of what others may say. He is aware of himself and his feelings. Music is like a moment of enlightenment, one that reinforces self-confidence to deal with adversities.

James Hetfield’s had a long career and was used to life on the road, but it was still hard at times. And that is what inspired him to compose the greatest ballad in Metallica’s repertoire and one of their two biggest hits, period.

 

Differing Interpretations

James mentioned that the song was about his girlfriend at the time, but he has also commented that the central theme is brotherly love, not just between blood relatives, but also between siblings and friends.

And since the lyrics do not mention any romance or talk specifically about a female character, we can understand it as a song that talks about absence.

Hetfield’s differing statements at different times have ended up gaining the song an ambiguous interpretation. It can be understood as a love song, maybe romantic but not necessarily, or a song about absence.

Both were on Hetfield’s mind when he was inspired to talk about mental health and write the song. He was distant from two relatives, two friends, and his girlfriend. He wrote the song for himself and had no intention of ever turning it into a Metallica song.

But he demonstrated the lyrics and opening riff to drummer Lars Ulrich, who liked what he heard and suggested that Nothing Else Matters should be used on the next album.

James was reluctant at first, because he felt the song was something very particular to him. Nevertheless, James agreed to record the song for the album, after producer Bob Rock insisted. In hindsight, that was a very good decision.

 

Nothing Else Matters Lyrics Meaning: Final Thoughts

Nothing Else Matters was a big departure for Metallica at the time. They did not do ballads and songs about their feelings. The song almost was not released at all because of this.

Now, looking back more than 30 years later, we can safely say that it is most definitely a Metallica song. It has become one of their signature tracks and one of two greatest hits in their catalog.

If you like this side of Metallica, there is a chance you also like the songs of theirs we included in our lists of songs about losing a parent and songs about going crazy. Can you guess which ones they are?

We also have a similar breakdown to this one of the Enter Sandman lyrics meaning. That is probably Metallica’s most famous song and it comes from the same album as Nothing Else Matters.

For another introspective rock tune, check out our look into the lyrics and meaning of The Foundations of Decay by My Chemical Romance. It is their first new song in 8 years.

You might also want to check out our breakdown of the White Winter Hymnal lyrics meaning. That song is also about friendship.

Finally, the song Wild Horses is about a relationship that is coming to an end, perhaps also because of distance. As a result, the end is amicable. See our breakdown of the Wild Horses lyrics meaning for more.