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.

## 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:

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
1. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:19

**International CD single**
1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:37
1. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:19
1. "Enter Sandman (Demo)" – 5:05

**International 12-inch vinyl single (4 tracks)**
1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:34
1. "Holier Than Thou (Work in Progress...)" – 3:48
1. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:17
1. "Enter Sandman (Demo)" – 5:05

**International 12-inch vinyl single (3 tracks)**
1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:34
1. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:17
1. "Enter Sandman (Demo)" – 5:05

**International 7-inch vinyl single**
1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:34
1. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:17

**International 7-inch vinyl picture disc single**
1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:34
1. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:17

**Australian 2-track CD single**
1. "Enter Sandman" – 5:37
1. "Stone Cold Crazy" – 2:19

**Japanese 2-track 3-inch CD single**
1. "Enter Sandman"
1. "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

## Infobox (song)

- **name**: Enter Sandman
- **type**: single
- **artist**: Metallica
- **album**: Metallica (album), Metallica
- **b-side**: * "Holier Than Thou"
* "Stone Cold Crazy"
* "Enter Sandman (Demo)"
- **released**: July 29, 1991
- **recorded**: June 16, 1991
- **studio**: Extasy Records#Extasy Recording Studios, One on One (Los Angeles)
- **genre**: *Heavy metal music, Heavy metal
*hard rock
- **length**: 5:31
- **label**: Elektra Records, Elektra
- **composer**: * Kirk Hammett
* James Hetfield
* Lars Ulrich
- **lyricist**: James Hetfield
- **producer**: * Bob Rock
* James Hetfield
* Lars Ulrich
- **prev title**: One (Metallica song), One
- **prev year**: 1989
- **next title**: The Unforgiven (song), The Unforgiven
- **next year**: 1991