Metallica Chords: Nothing Else Matters

Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters is one of the most popular rock ballads of all time. The song was released in 1992 as the third single from Metallica’s self-titled album.

This is also known as The Black Album. Written by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, Nothing Else Matters is a power ballad. Many guitarists strive to learn it, as it has a fun chord progression.

In this Killer Rig article, we are going to explore the Metallica chords for Nothing Else Matters and how to play them.

Nothing Else Matters Guitar Chords with Lyrics

If you want to work on the intro, you can find the tabs here. Otherwise, you can find the Metallica chord progressions for the bulk of the song below.

Verse 1

[Em] So close no matter [D] how far [C]

[Em] Couldn’t be much more [D] from the heart [C]

[Em] Forever trusting [D] who we are [C]

[G] And [B7] nothing else [Em] matters

[Em] Never opened [D] myself this way [C]

[Em] Life is ours, we live it [D] our way [C]

[Em] All these words I don’t [D] just say [C]

[G] And [B7] nothing else [Em] matters

[Em] Trust I seek and I [D] find in you [C]

[Em] Every day for us [D] something new [C]

[Em] Open mind for a [D] different view [C]

[G] And [B7] nothing else [Em] matters [C] [A]

Chorus

[D] Never cared for what they [C] do [A]

[D] Never cared for what they [C] know [A]

[D] But I [Em] know

Verse 2

[Em] Never opened [D] myself this way [C]

[Em] Life is ours, we live it [D] our way [C]

[Em] All these words I don’t [D] just say [C]

[G] And [B7] nothing else [Em] matters

[Em] Trust I seek and I [D] find in you [C]

[Em] Every day for us [D] something new [C]

[Em] Open mind for a [D] different view [C]

[G] And [B7] nothing else [Em] matters [C] [A]

Chorus 2

[D] Never cared for what they [C] say [A]

[D] Never cared for games they [C] play [A]

[D] Never cared for what they [C] do [A]

[D] Never cared for what they [C] know [A]

[D] And I [Em] know

Verse 3

[Em] So close no matter [D] how far [C]

[Em] Couldn’t be much more [D] from the heart [C]

[Em] Forever trusting [D] who we are [C]

[G] No [B7] nothing else [Em] matters

We also have Metallica’s Master of Puppets chords here!

Chords You Will Need To Learn

Are you a beginner guitarist? Then learning Nothing Else Matters chords is a great way to expand your repertoire. The song uses mostly basic chords and riffs. These 6 chords are:

  1. E minor.
  2. D major.
  3. C major.
  4. G major.
  5. B7.
  6. A major.

If you are not familiar with these chords, you can find them in the chart below.

Nothing Else Matters Chords.

Tips to Play Nothing Else Matters

While this song has some simple parts that beginners can play, it is also complex. There are some parts that might not be possible just yet. But here are a few tips to help you.

  1. If you are not able to play the intro, try taking it in smaller segments. Break the intro into segments and practice them one at a time until they become easier. Then combine them as you go.
  2. Slow down the parts as you learn them. If you are trying to play along to the song, it might be too fast right now. Slow down and take your time getting use to the finger placement.
  3. Don’t get frustrated! This is the most important point. You may not know it now, but one day you will with practice and patience.
  4. Work on the hammer-ons and pull-offs apart from the rest of the intro. If you need to go over these parts a number of times by themselves, that is ok. This is the best way to work it out, especially if you are a beginner.

Difficulty Level

Beginner to intermediate

Nothing Else Matters is a great song for beginner guitarists. The chords are basic, and the song isn’t overly fast.

If you can keep up with the tempo, you should be able to play this song. However, the introduction may be difficult for beginners. There are some hammer-on techniques and pull-offs that can be tricky.

The solo will also be a challenge for beginners and will take some serious practice. Players that are intermediate will find it a bit easier, but will still require a good amount of practice.

This song can be played on an acoustic or electric guitar. You can also find the right amp settings here.

Final Thoughts

Learning any new song takes time and patience. I would encourage you to take your time and try not to get frustrated when learning these harder parts.

For a beginner, there are plenty of chords that are easier to play during the majority of the song. But with the solo and intro, give yourself some time.

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Don East

My name is Don East, I'm the editor for Killer Rig. I've been playing guitar for over 20 years and have designed and manufactured products like guitar amps, effects pedals, and more. Over the years I have played in many bands and have a deep love for quality gear. I am an electrical engineer and have a passion for music gear, and now want to share what I know with the community!