The “best written song” James Hetfield ever heard
James Hetfield of Metallica has identified "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin as the best written rock song in history. The Metallica frontman credits the track's masterful balance between delicate and heavy elements as the defining characteristic of perfect songwriting, a philosophy that has shaped Metallica's musical evolution and broader appeal.
Hetfield specifically praised how the song begins lightly and builds to crushing heaviness, a dynamic that Metallica replicated in tracks like "Nothing Else Matters" and "One." The band drew on Led Zeppelin's broader musical attitude and swagger to create heavier material that appealed beyond traditional metal purists. This approach helped cement Metallica's position as one of rock's greatest champions.
- Hetfield praises "Stairway to Heaven" for its perfect balance between delicate and heavy musical elements
- Led Zeppelin's approach directly influenced Metallica's songwriting and helped expand their fanbase
- The band blended light and dark passages, expanding beyond pure metal into broader rock
New here? Start with this
"Stairway to Heaven" is a song by Led Zeppelin, an influential British rock band of the 1970s. James Hetfield is the frontman of Metallica, one of the world's most commercially successful heavy metal bands.
Hetfield has pointed to "Stairway to Heaven" as exemplary for how it develops from delicate acoustic passages to heavy, intense sections. This dynamic structure—moving from soft to crushing—has become influential in how rock and metal musicians approach composition.
Metallica drew on this philosophy in their own material, employing similar progressions in songs such as "Nothing Else Matters" and "One." By successfully combining delicate and heavy elements, the band expanded metal's appeal beyond traditional fans and became one of rock's most significant acts.