"King Nothing" is a song by American heavy metal band

Metallica Metallica is an American heavy metal band. It was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instrume ...

from their 1996 album '' Load,'' released on January 7, 1997. The song was written by

James Hetfield James Alan Hetfield (born August 3, 1963) is an American musician. He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, co-founder, and a primary songwriter of heavy metal band Metallica. He is mainly known for his raspy voice and intricate rhythm playi ...

, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett. The song starts on a bass riff which develops into the main riff of the song. A single of "King Nothing" was released in the United States. It included a live version of the song " Ain't My Bitch", which is also on the album ''Load''. A music video also accompanied the song. The guitars and bass are both tuned to Eb. The words ''"Off to never-never land"'', heard at the end of the song, are a nod to the song "

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", from Metallica's preceding album, which also contains these words. Both songs have a similar structure. "King Nothing" appeared as background music in the ninth episode of the second season of ''

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'', "

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", in a scene in which

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is speaking with

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in the

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strip club. On the US charts, the song reached number 90 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, while peaking at number six on the

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chart.

Music video

In the music video, "King Nothing" is seen wandering around a snowy wasteland, throwing away his crown, and then putting another one on. He does this so much, by the end of the video, there are crowns everywhere. At the very end, hundreds of other King Nothings surround him. The music video, directed by Matt Mahurin, was filmed in Park City, Utah, in December 1996.

Demo

The demo of "King Nothing" was called "Load" (hence the title of the album on which it is featured) and was recorded in Lars Ulrich's home studio 'Dungeon' by

and Ulrich on November 30, 1994.

Track listing

;Canada and US single #"King Nothing" – 5:28 #"Ain't My Bitch" (Live – Irvine Meadows, California, 4 August 1996) – 6:00 ;US promo Single #"King Nothing" (edited version) – 4:59 #"King Nothing" (full version) – 5:28

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes. *

– vocals, rhythm and lead guitar * Kirk Hammett – lead and rhythm guitar * Jason Newsted – bass * Lars Ulrich – drums

Charts

Certifications

References

1996 songs 1997 singles Metallica songs Music videos directed by Matt Mahurin Songs written by James Hetfield Songs written by Kirk Hammett Songs written by Lars Ulrich Song recordings produced by Bob Rock {{1990s-metal-song-stub