Enter Sandman

"Enter Sandman" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It's the opening track and lead single from their self-titled fifth album. The music was written by Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. Vocalist and guitarist Hetfield wrote the lyrics which deal with the concept of a child's nightmares.

"Enter Sandman"
Single by Metallica
from the album Metallica
B-side	"Holier Than Thou" "Stone Cold Crazy" "Enter Sandman (Demo)"
Released	July 29, 1991
Recorded	June 16, 1991
Studio	One on One (Los Angeles)
Genre	Heavy metal hard rock
Length	5:31
Label	Elektra
Composer(s)	Kirk Hammett James Hetfield Lars Ulrich
Lyricist(s)	James Hetfield
Producer(s)	Bob Rock James Hetfield Lars Ulrich
Metallica singles chronology
"One" (1989) "Enter Sandman" (1991) "The Unforgiven" (1991)
Music video
"Enter Sandman" on YouTube

Background

When they were writing the song, Hetfield at first had "disrupt the perfect family" which he wrote about sudden infant death syndrome. He wanted this instead of "off to never never land". He also wanted the sandman to kill the baby but said that it was too corny. In an interview with Uncut, Hetfield said:

"I wanted more of the mental thing where this kid gets manipulated by what adults say. And you know when you wake up with that shit in your eye? That's supposedly been put in there by the sandman to make you dream. So the guy in the song tells this little kid that and he kinda freaks. He can't sleep after that and it works the opposite way. Instead of a soothing thing, the table's turned."

In the song, Hetfield sings the bedtime prayer "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep".

Legacy

The song was able to make it to #10 on the Mainstream Rock, #16 on the Billboard Hot 100, and RPM's Canada Top Singles charts.

Both the physical and mastertone releases were certified Gold and the digital release was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

It was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 34th Grammy Awards but lost to Sting's "The Soul Cages".

Music video

A music video for the song was released. It was directed by Wayne Isham. In the video, a child is in bed having nightmares while sleeping. In his nightmares, he is drowning, jumps off a building, gets covered in snakes and is chased by a semi truck. R. G. Armstrong plays the old man in the video.

Track listings

US single

1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:37
2. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:19

International CD single

1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:37
2. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:19
3. "Enter Sandman (Demo)" – 5:05

International 12-inch vinyl single (4 tracks)

1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:34
2. "Holier Than Thou (Work in Progress...)" – 3:48
3. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:17
4. "Enter Sandman (Demo)" – 5:05

International 12-inch vinyl single (3 tracks)

1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:34
2. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:17
3. "Enter Sandman (Demo)" – 5:05

International 7-inch vinyl single

1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:34
2. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:17

International 7-inch vinyl picture disc single

1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:34
2. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:17

Australian 2-track CD single

1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:37
2. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:19

Japanese 2-track 3-inch CD single

1. "Enter Sandman"
2. "Stone Cold Crazy"

Personnel

Personnel adapted from Metallica liner notes, except where noted.

Metallica

• James Hetfield – guitars, vocals, production
• Lars Ulrich – drums, production
• Kirk Hammett – lead guitar
• Jason Newsted – bass

Additional Personnel

• Bob Rock's son – child talking
• Bob Rock – producer
• Randy Staub – engineer
• Mike Tacci – assistant engineer

Other websites

• "Enter Sandman" on YouTube