Video: Elton John Makes Metallica’s James Hetfield Weep

Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
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Back in March, it was revealed that Metallica were working on something with none other than Sir Elton John. This came after the curious news that the metal giants’ music would be covered on a tribute album by pop star Miley Cyrus. Since then, of course, Metallica unveiled their ‘Blacklist’ tribute record, in which various artists paid tribute to Metallica’s famous Black Album — including Miley covering “Nothing Else Matters” with Elton on piano.

Now, in video segment, Elton John discusses what he really thinks of the track — and his words bring frontman James Hetfield to tears.

After Miley and Metallica performed “Nothing Else Matters” on Howard Stern, Howartd revealed that he had Elton John calling in via video conference. Stern asks Elton to talk about Metallica, and “Nothing Else Matters,”

“Well that idea came from Andrew Watt who produced the track and played guitar on it,” says Elton. “He said, ‘I want you to start the song and finish the song, because I don’t want it to start with the guitar, because that’s how the original record started…

“I have to say, it was a no brainer playing on this song,” says Elton. “Metallica are probably the crème de la crème of those kinds of bands. They’re not just a heavy metal band, they’re a musical bands. They’re songs aren’t just heavy metal, they’re beautiful songs. Listen, this is one of the best songs ever written, to me. It’s a song that never gets old. And playing on this track, I just couldn’t wait. The chord structure, the melodies, the time changes, it’s got drama written all over it.”

Watch James lose his shit, and rightly so, below:

Metallica’s Blacklist tribute album is available now across streaming services. Here’s the full list of participants below:

  • ALESSIA CARA & THE WARNING – Enter Sandman
  • MAC DEMARCO – Enter Sandman
  • GHOST – Enter Sandman
  • JUANES – Enter Sandman
  • RINA SAWAYAMA – Enter Sandman
  • WEEZER – Enter Sandman
  • SAM FENDER – Sad But True (Live)
  • JASON ISBELL – Sad But True
  • MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND FEAT. LA PERLA & GERA MX – Sad But True
  • ROYAL BLOOD – Sad But True
  • ST. VINCENT – Sad But True
  • WHITE REAPER – Sad But True
  • YB – Sad But True
  • BIFFY CLYRO – Holier Than Thou
  • THE CHATS – Holier Than Thou
  • OFF! – Holier Than Thou
  • PUP – Holier Than Thou
  • COREY TAYLOR – Holier Than Thou
  • CAGE THE ELEPHANT – The Unforgiven
  • VISHAL DADLANI, DIVINE, SHOR POLICE – The Unforgiven
  • DIET CIG – The Unforgiven
  •  FLATBUSH ZOMBIES FEAT. DJ SCRATCH – The Unforgiven
  • HA*ASH – The Unforgiven
  • JOSÉ MADERO – The Unforgiven
  • MOSES SUMNEY – The Unforgiven
  • J BALVIN – Wherever I May Roam
  • CHASE & STATUS FEAT. BACKROAD GEE – Wherever I May Roam
  • THE NEPTUNES – Wherever I May Roam
  • JON PARDI – Wherever I May Roam
  • SEBASTIAN – Don’t Tread On Else Matters
  • PORTUGAL. THE MAN FEAT. AARON BEAM – Don’t Tread On Me
  • VOLBEAT – Don’t Tread On Me
  • THE HU – Through The Never
  • TOMI OWÓ – Through The Never
  • PHOEBE BRIDGERS – Nothing Else Matters
  • MILEY CYRUS FEAT. WATT, ELTON JOHN, YO-YO MA, ROBERT TRUJILLO, CHAD SMITH – Nothing Else Matters
  • DAVE GAHAN – Nothing Else Matters
  • MICKEY GUYTON – Nothing Else Matters
  • DERMOT KENNEDY – Nothing Else Matters
  • MON LAFERTE – Nothing Else Matters
  • IGOR LEVIT – Nothing Else Matters
  • MY MORNING JACKET – Nothing Else Matters
  • PG ROXETTE – Nothing Else Matters
  • DARIUS RUCKER – Nothing Else Matters
  • CHRIS STAPLETON – Nothing Else Matters
  • TRESOR – Nothing Else Matters
  • GOODNIGHT, TEXAS – Of Wolf And Man
  • IDLES – The God That Failed
  • IMELDA MAY – the god that failed
  • CHERRY GLAZERR – My Friend Of Misery
  • IZÏA – My Friend Of Misery
  • KAMASI WASHINGTON – My Friend Of Misery
  • RODRIGO Y GABRIELA – The Struggle Within

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Words by Chris Krovatin