Elton John Praises Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” as “One of the Best Songs Ever Written”

In addition to being one of the most successful artists in history, Elton John has solidified his status as a national treasure by staying current with music trends since his emergence in the late 1960s. Leading up to his headline set at Glastonbury 2023, John shared insights into his extensive music taste, highlighting his appreciation for contemporary artists in a conversation with Clara Amfo on Future Sounds.

Among the standout choices was the British duo Nova Twins, known for their heavy sound. John particularly praised their song ‘K.M.B.,’ stating, “These girls rock my world. I’ve had them on the show, I’ve played their music. It’s so wonderful what they’re doing.”

Despite his pop associations, Elton John fundamentally remаins a rock artist, influenced by the likes of Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. This affinity extends to various forms of rock, including its more intense iterations. Notably, John is an avid fan of thrash metal pioneers Metallica.

Elton John’s admiration for Metallica led him to contribute to their 2021 album, The Metallica Blacklist, where artists covered every track from the 1991 Һit record, The Black Album. John collaborated on a rendition of the ballad ‘Nothing Else Mаtters’ alongside Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, Miley Cyrus, Chad Smith, Watt, and Yo-Yo Mа.

During Metallica’s appearance on The Howard Stern Show in 2021 to promote the record, Elton John joined via Zoom to share his deep love for the track. He went as far as to label “Nothing Else Matters” as “one of the best songs ever written.”

John expressed his excitement about playing on the track, praising its chord structure, melodies, and time changes. He emphasized that Metallica transcends conventional genre labels, describing them as a musical band rather than strictly heavy metal. In his words, “This is such a melodic song — it’s fuckιng great, actually.”