James Hetfield Quotes

Music was the voice I didn't have.

All that is, was, and will be. Universe much too big to see. Time and space never ending, disturbing thoughts, questions pending. Limitations of human understanding. Too quick to criticize, obligation to survive, we hunger to be alive. All that is, ever, ever was, will be ever twisting, turning, Through The Never. In the dark, see past our eyes. Pursuit of truth, no matter where it lies. Gazing up to the breeze of the heavens, on a quest, meaning, reason. Come to be, how it begun. All alone in the family of the sun, curiosity teasing everyone. On our home, third stone from the sun.

Trios aren't really geared for slide unless you're gonna play chords, or play that simple George Thorogood style. It gets pretty thin when you play single note lines.

There is one Metallica. We have many styles, it's called Metallica.

Every breath I take becomes deeper, and I become more confident of myself without my crutches. The lies I've filled my body and soul with aren't needed anymore. They're not welcome. I choose to live, not just exist.

Rap is just to me very annoying.

Any time somebody is into your band that's a good thing. And if they're in a really cool, really popular band, that's a better thing.

I'd like to have a beer-holder on my guitar like they have on boats.

The fans like the idea we do what we want. It's not an act. Screw the record company and the beaten path. Without MTV or radio, we still have a huge underground following.

We like to set off bombs.

I was pretty quiet as a child.

Live win, dare fail.

My lifestyle determines my deathstyle.

Nothing can duplicate the sheer power and feeling you get from standing in front of your amp and bashing on your guitar.

Metallica is a wonderful key to have on my key ring. I can go anywhere - it's great.

It's all fun and games 'till someone loses an eye, then it's just fun you can't see.

I don't remember doing anything else; I don't remember not living in the studio. I'm itching for people to hear this album because I'm sick of hearing it myself.

As far as artists and musicians, they don't retire. They might tour less.

The band? No way! There ain't no band. The band is not 'the band' right now. It's just three guys.

Deceit, Deceive, Decide just what you believe... I see faith in your eyes, Never you hear the discouraging lies. I hear faith in your cries... Broken is the promise, Betrayal... The healing hand held back by the deepened nail... Follow the god that failed.

Every time I'd go out drinking I was looking for something new. But it was the same every time. I'd wake up in some bed with some person, I had a hangover and a show to do. And the truth is, it was the same every time. But now life is... pretty interesting without the alcohol.

My vocals are bad, I can't sing, hey man, I wouldn't ask you to do a drum roll if your arm was falling off.

I think it's very cool for the drummer to be set free from having to worry about holding down the beat every once in a while, though it's a little constricting.

Everybody is born good and everybody has got the same size soul. We're here to connect with that.

Music is the soundtrack to my life.

If I hadn't of had music in my life, it's quite possible I'd be dead and I'd much rather be alive.

If you're into what you're playing, that's the most important thing.

It's good to listen to lots of different stuff, just whatever you like. The first two records I ever bought were Alice Cooper, Killer and Jethro Tull, Aqualung. That's two weird records to begin with, but I think they hold up well.

I was pretty quiet as a child. I kind of hung out with my family and listened to music and sh*t. I wasn't too outgoing at all.

Authority pisses me off. I think everyone should be able to drink and get loud whenever they want.

Most of my guitars have been instruments that look cool. I'm not picky. I never think, 'Oh, this neck isn't made of ebony,' or, 'These strings don't feel correct.' It doesn't matter too much.

I wanted to make noise, not study theory.

There was so much good and different music back then and you'd just keep moving through it and discovering more new stuff. I went through my Black Sabbath phase before I even started playing guitar.

People always complain about something. If you face yourself and stand up strong, you're OK. You can't go wrong.

You want to hear vocals? Go sing it.

When you're an actor and you walk into a theatre where your movie is playing, you're kinda proud. "Look at my skill!"

Every band that I've known that has done side projects or things like that - I don't respect them anymore.

I've discovered that sheer quantity doesn't necessarily make for a heavier sound; if anything, overdubs make guitars sound mushier.

Metallica is the world to me - it always has been, and that's not going to change. I'm married to Metallica.

Rehab is like college for your head.

I like a women who's got some balls, some strength. As long as I can beat her at arm wrestling, that's fine.

It's a good feeling, that you can put your heart out there, no matter how black it is, and people can understand it.

Aqualung is one that my brother turned me onto. It wasn't that hard-rocking, but Martin Barre had a really good sound. He knew what he was doing.

I like playing music because it's a good living and I get satisfaction from it. But I can't feed my family with satisfaction.

I have the best job in the world. I'm able to express myself, and people attach themselves to it if they identify with it. Music certainly is a driving force in my life. There's not a moment where I'm not in it.

If everyone was the same, it would be boring as sh*t

There is something powerful in Metallica, a will, a drive.

I associate times with certain music. It still is that for me. It's telling the story of our lives.