10 Best Metallica Songs

For the past three decades, Metallica songs have been filling our speakers with some of the greatest music in the history of metal and hard rock. Based on the highest listener-rated songs on AOL's All Metallica station, we bring you the 10 Best Metallica Songs ever.

'Creeping Death'

The song's inspiration comes from the scene in the movie 'The Ten Commandments' in which plagues in the Bible were bestowed on the ancient Egyptians. While watching the movie, bassist Cliff Burton mentioned, "It's like a creeping death," giving the song its name.

In the media: On Slipknot's DVD 'Voliminal: Inside the Nine,' Slipknot's Joey Jordison plays the drums on 'Creeping Death' for Metallica because Lars Ulrich was too sick to play.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Wherever I May Roam'

The opening of the song uses an electric sitar, which is a guitar that mimics the sound of the traditional Indian instrument.

In the media: In the game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, a unit quotes the song by saying, "Roamer, wanderer, nomad, vagabond, call me what you will" with a response by the Beastmaster of "Where I lay my head is home."

iTunes | Lyrics

'Enter Sandman'

This was the first song written for the 'Metallica' album but the last one to have lyrics. In fact, the words we know and love aren't the originals. The first set of lyrics, written by James Hetfield, were about destroying the perfect family, in order to counter the commercial appeal of the song. However, Lars Ulrich and producer Bob Rock told him that he could write something better.

In the media: In 2003, 'Enter Sandman' was in the news because of its use by American interrogators during the Iraq War. Interrogators exposed prisoners to the song for hours at a time, the hope being that under the pressure of listening to music that was "culturally offensive," the prisoners would break their resistance.

iTunes | Lyrics

'For Whom the Bell Tolls'

The intro, written by Cliff Burton before joining Metallica, is often mistaken for an electric guitar but is actually a bass guitar affected by distortion and "wah-wah" sound.

In the media: The song is sampled by the Bloodhound Gang for their song 'Mope.' The opening riff appears in the chorus.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Fade to Black'

The lyrics depict a man contemplating life who eventually commits suicide. In 2003, Lars Ulrich said that he and James Hetfield were obsessed with death at the time of the recording, and it obviously came out in their lyrics.

In the media: Guitar World magazine ranked the song as having the No. 24 best guitar solo ever.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Battery'

The song is a tribute to the Old Waldorf Club in San Francisco. However, the lyrics directly address assault and the control that anger can have over a person's actions.

In the media: In the documentary 'Some Kind Of Monster,' Robert Trujillo's audition to be Metallica's new bass player started with a request to play 'Battery.'

iTunes | Lyrics

'Seek and Destroy'

Since its debut in 1982, 'Seek and Destroy' has been the song that Metallica closes most shows with. It also appears in 'Some Kind of Monster' over images depicting the progression of the band.

In the media: The wrestler Sting uses a 1999 concert recording of 'Seek and Destroy' as his theme song.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)'

On tour in the late '90s, Metallica began combining 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)' and 'Master of Puppets,' renaming the medley 'Mastertarium.' The song also borrows from the Rush song 'Tom Sawyer,' who are thanked in the liner notes of the album.

In the media: Limp Bizkit covered the song in 2003 for a Metallica tribute concert.

iTunes | Lyrics

'One'

This song draws its inspiration from the 1939 novel 'Johnny Got His Gun,' by Dalton Trumbo, in which a World War I soldier is injured by German artillery and is left deaf, blind, mute and limbless; the man becomes a prisoner of his own body.

In the media: The movie clips from the 'One' video are taken from the film version of 'Johnny Got His Gun.' You can view the trailer of the film here and buy the DVD here.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Master of Puppets'

The song is about cocaine and how powerless drugs can make a person feel. Powerlessness is a theme throughout Metallica's music but most noticeably on the album 'Master of Puppets.' The title song is considered the band's signature tune, known for its lengthy instrumental sections and downpicking.

In the media: Triumph the Insult Comic Dog did a sketch for 'Late Night With Conan O'Brien' where he trashed John Mayer's hotel room to 'Master of Puppets.'

iTunes | Lyrics

What Are Your Favorite Metallica Songs?

Share your top Metallica songs in the comments. You can also find Metallica on our lists of the Top Hard Rock Songs and the Decade's Top Metal Songs.

Listen to All Metallica Radio

Filed under: Feature, Best Songs, Top 10 Lists

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. There is no Orion... there for this fails epicly, orion is musicaly one of the best songs out there.

Posted at 3:31PM on Jun 21st 2009 by Pancakes123124

2. Enter Sandman is so overrated. Blackend, AJFA,Orion,Harvester of Sorrow etc are better songs.

Posted at 11:51AM on Jun 24th 2009 by Thrall

3. I agree!

Posted at 1:14PM on Jun 24th 2009 by rcc

4. I would put All Nightmare Long in the Top 10. That song is absolutely incredible.

Posted at 8:14AM on Jun 25th 2009 by Matt

5. Where is Shortest Straw?!

Posted at 12:27PM on Jun 25th 2009 by Czesław

6. there is no unforgiven or four horsemen are you serious over all those songs on that list are over played and overratted and i have to agree orion is one of the best peices of music made

Posted at 3:49PM on Jun 26th 2009 by steve

7. it might be one of the softest songs theyve ever done, but wheres Nothing Else Matters? its an amazing song, that you can listen to over and over again

Posted at 5:46AM on Jun 27th 2009 by scott

8. I beleive that "One" should be #1 and that "Master" should be #2, also all three "Unforgiven" tracks should have been included as one pick and they should have been the #8 pick. But that is only my opinion. :)

Posted at 1:39PM on Jun 27th 2009 by Luke1139

9. What about No Leaf Clover? Just because it isn't one of their older songs doesn't mean it's amazing!

Posted at 4:18PM on Jun 27th 2009 by Autumn

10. this is actually ridiculous. orion? ride the lightning?! dyers eve?? dammm this is stupid. for whom the bell tolls is a good song, but shouldnt be on there. looks like the posers have been voting

Posted at 7:23PM on Jun 27th 2009 by Stee

11. i dont know.. i think they did a pretty good job at it.. i mean u know they are going to have the more commercial songs in the top ten. but if your looking at it in a non commercial way then yes orion, the unforgiven, and to me the song ...and justice for all should of been in the top ten. and take out where ever i may roam. but lets face it.. they have to meny big hits to put in the top ten.. cuz all songs done from killem all to the black album are worthy!! but its the top ten not top 46 haha..

Posted at 2:31AM on Jun 28th 2009 by razar

12. this is some the best of.

Posted at 5:19AM on Jun 28th 2009 by xozex

13. This is really a posers list it has all of the good, but way too overplayed songs, also notice that all of them are on Guitar Hero:Metallica, I like each and every Metallica song but there could have been such a better list if you would of let the real fans vote....

Posted at 11:33AM on Jun 28th 2009 by av

14. Where the hell is Whiplash?Everything after Justice is inferior commercial crap!Slayer rules!

Posted at 3:33AM on Jun 29th 2009 by Brian Davenport

15. Pretty good list but i could do without wherever i may roam and instead have the unforgiven or nothing else matters or ride the lightning!

Posted at 5:40PM on Jun 29th 2009 by Austin Smith

16. Whoever made this list has no fucking clue.

Posted at 8:13PM on Jun 29th 2009 by rory

17. wow a top ten list that no one agrees with and gets angry over. shocker.

Posted at 5:27AM on Jun 30th 2009 by fasf

18. i think there are so many awesome song from metallica so its hard to decide which one is the best but where is nothing else matters :)

Posted at 10:46AM on Jun 30th 2009 by jameshetfield

19. Dude how come Unforgiven and Nothing Else Matters are not in the list. Yeah know it is hard to make a list like that for Metallica but that just dont make sense. Also Orion and To Live is To Die must be in too.

Posted at 1:20PM on Jul 1st 2009 by Orkut Aydemir

20. HEY, ALBION NY CLASS OF 1987 METAL HEADS WHERE ARE YOU?? METAL RULES!! SO SAYS CHUCK MOSHER!!ON AOL MUSIC RADIO STATIONS!! GO FACEBOOK!! LOOK ME UP!! OR XANGA!! OR YAHOO!! IN PHX AZ. NOW, 2009

Posted at 4:29AM on Jul 1st 2009 by CHUCK MOSHER

21. where's nothing else matters???
who's the bullshit who has not put up unforgiven 2 and turn the page?

Posted at 6:42AM on Jul 1st 2009 by Rohan Mitra

22. turn the page is a cover so wouldnt be put up...learn your actual songs there are no covers on that list and four horsemen wouldnt be aloud because its not there song! its hdave mustaines and hes way better than james lol

Posted at 9:37AM on Jul 1st 2009 by alex

23. Good choices, but only One song from And Justice For All!
Blackened, Eye of the Beholder, To Live is To Die, or Shortest Straw should have been on the list.
From Master of Puppets, The Thing That Should Not Be, Disposable Heroes, Leper Messiah, and Orion.
From Kill Em All, Phantom Lord & The Four Horsemen.
From the Black album, Unforgiven, Nothing Else Matters, and Sad But True.

But hey there's so many awesome songs, it's hard to pick just 10.
Metallica rules!

Posted at 8:04PM on Jul 1st 2009 by Abe

24. wheres nothing else matters? that songs gotta be put in there

Posted at 11:22PM on Jul 1st 2009 by Sh4tter3d

25. where the hell is nothing else matters? thats gotta be one of their best songs and it never gets boring!

Posted at 11:24PM on Jul 1st 2009 by Sh4tter3d

26. screw this list! only a couple of enrolled songs deserve such honor.AOL please make a new survey!

Posted at 2:31AM on Jul 2nd 2009 by roma

27. I cant belive no one said anything about the call of ktulu or blacked, wich are definatley top 5. but I also agree in the stupidity of leaving the four horsemen, ride the lightning, among other. this IS some comercial top ten!

Posted at 6:27PM on Jul 2nd 2009 by charly

28. oooiii hammet pantekk....
ang ingin duet jo aden ndak
main gitar ang ndak sabara do
siko den gnti posisi ang haaaa
ang ciek hetfield, ang pakak
mamilih gtaris ndak pndai doh
rnck aden see ang rekrut lai
psti laku album ang mah

Posted at 3:29AM on Jul 3rd 2009 by firman

29. uhhh actually metallica have so many good song that there shouldnt be a list seek and destroy, dyers eve, whiplash, the call of ktulu, orion,
disposable heroes, ajfa, blackened, all nightmare long, sad but true, one, master of puppets, creeping death , (welcome home) sanitarium, no remorse, the four horseman, fight fire with fire

see what i mean

Posted at 5:44AM on Jul 3rd 2009 by Slayer36

30. At least they got it right by not having any songs after 1990..god if i would of saw a song from Reload or sumtin, i would flip. #1 song is UNDISPUTED

Posted at 6:22PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by ComedyAct00

31. I think this is spoton!:)

Posted at 9:52PM on Jul 3rd 2009 by Josh

32. 1. One 2. Master of Puppets 3. Harvester of Sorrow. 4. Creeping Death 5. Seek & Destroy 6. Battery 7. Shortest Straw 8. All nightmare long 9. Orion 10. Ride the lightning!!!!!!!!!!!! I could put about 30 songs in my top 10

Posted at 9:31AM on Jul 4th 2009 by Jerk

33. Ride the lightning is No. 1 4 me

Posted at 12:34PM on Jul 5th 2009 by Lawrence

34. enter sand man sucks... there are much better songs. i'd take out both wherever i may roam and sandman, and instead of them, orion and and justice for all

Posted at 2:01PM on Jul 6th 2009 by kennethac

35. Quit asking where songs are and bitching there not there these songs were picked because of how many people listened to them on AOL so to the idiot that said the person that made this list has no clue you have no clue. Just because your fav songs arent on the list doesnt make this list wrong its obviously right so quit your mindless bitching and stop trying to sound cool over the fucking internet you retarded little bitches

Posted at 2:18PM on Jul 5th 2009 by Tommy

36. yea this list sucks balls, the songs on here are only the radio friendly ones which is mad gay.
they forgot all the best songs which would be the whole ...and justice for all album, not to mention orion, if people really cared about cliff burton and his talent they would put orion at least 5th on the list or higher

Posted at 7:55PM on Jul 5th 2009 by devon goyit

37. metallica is the best and yes where is nothing else matters

Posted at 9:47AM on Jul 6th 2009 by keith

38. Ark! no Nothing Else Matters? and no Unforgiven? But I guess when all are good, then top 10 is nothing...you can't put everything up there..right? long live metallica!!!

Posted at 7:15AM on Jul 6th 2009 by auntyli

39. All Nightmare Long, the 3 unforgiven, nothing else matters, harvester of sorrow, ride the lightning, orion, whiskey in the jar, you forgot all of them, i'll take out fade to black, wherever i may roam, creeping death and one, battery is a great song, but isn't the best to be here, sanitarium is better and i think should stay here, seek and destory, in my opinion is the best song of kill 'em all, and for whom the bells tolls is a good song, but i don't like much that be in the best songs of metallica, i think i give the number 15

Posted at 9:32PM on Jul 6th 2009 by Blas

40. This list is pretty good, but really, For Whom the Bell Tolls? I agree with Rohan Mitra, The Unforgiven II and Turn the Page should be up there... and Nothing Else Matters, and probably Ride the Lightning...

Posted at 1:42AM on Jul 11th 2009 by Alice in Chains '94

41. 1. Damage Inc. - 2. Ride the Lightning - 3. Battery - 4. Fight Fire with Fire - 5. Creeping Death - 6. The Thing That Should Not Be - 7. For Whom the Bell Tolls - 8. My Apocalypse - 9. Call of Ktulu - 10. Jump in the Fire

Posted at 6:10PM on Jul 7th 2009 by IamCyberjosh

42. ...and "nothing else matters" must be here!

Posted at 6:28PM on Jul 7th 2009 by Andrew mcpherson

43. Seriously guys WTF? Where is disposable heroes?Or Orion? or even Leper Messiah? And One, Enter Sandman, and Creeping Death are average at best.

Posted at 10:34AM on Jul 8th 2009 by vladtepes

44. guys..we r talking about metal ,,so cut the crap about the black album and other shit and someone tell me ...where the hell is "orion" "ride the lightning" "the call of ktulu"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 3:33PM on Jul 8th 2009 by metal addict

45. 1-Fade To Black 2-Creeping Death 3-Leper Messiah 4-Master Of Puppets 5-Blackened 6-Eye Of The Beholder 7-Unforgiven 8-The Four Horseman 9-All Nightmare Long 10-No Leaf Clover

Posted at 12:09PM on Jul 10th 2009 by Carlos

46. I'll give you a top 10 list!

Blackened
Horsemen
whiplash
Metal Milita
Damage, Inc.
Disposable Heroes
The God That Failed
Figth Fire
Trapped under ice
The Judas Kiss

there you go, that's a top 10 list!

Posted at 1:44PM on Jul 12th 2009 by Freddy

47. I think METALLICA have more important songs, as Lepper Mesiah , Orion, Sad but True,No Remorse, and I agree with the list, but I do not like Battery for this list.

Posted at 4:10PM on Jul 14th 2009 by Oskar

48. 10:blackened
9:dispossable heros
8:one
7:no leaf clover
6:lepper messiah
5:master of puppets
4:orion
3:the thing that should not be
2:creeping death
1: FADE TO BLACK!

Posted at 4:43PM on Jul 14th 2009 by matthew H

49. I totally agree amazing songs were missed but master of puppets is the best metallica song of all time... dare I saw it but the new album is soon to have some all time greats as well. All nightmare long is phenomenal.

Posted at 9:58PM on Jul 14th 2009 by benyboy_white

50. You know, the question about the fact that there are no four horsemen, is really misunderstood. If you know, Metallica is now in recovery. Being in recovery, knowing what the four horsemen are, the song makes complete sense to me. 90% of Metallica's music makes sense to me. A lot of it may not apply the way I think it does, but I definitely relate.

Posted at 12:48AM on Jul 15th 2009 by Jill

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