Metallica vs. Miley Cyrus | Head 2 Head 🗣️

On the 34^th edition of Head 2 Head, Metallica and Miley Cyrus contend for the best rendition of “Nothing Else Matters.” 

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elcome to Head 2 Head 🗣️! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  On the 34^th edition of head-to-head, iconic musicians 🎙 Metallica and 🎙 Miley Cyrus contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Nothing Else Matters.” So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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1. Metallica, “Nothing Else Matters”

💿 Metallica • 🏷 Blackened Recordings Inc. • 📅 1991

🎙 Metallica ranks among the most influential, badass metal bands in all the land – I dare you dispute those facts! In 1991, they released their self-titled album, which had no shortage or hits that are among the elite of their catalog.  💿 Metallica features the surefire gem, 🎵 “Nothing Else Matters,” which never seems to grows old.

The introduction of “Nothing Else Matters” is one of its biggest selling points – rhythmic, with some classical, neo-Baroque elements.  After a minute of this refined instrumental introduction, 🎙 James Hetfield drops vocals, singing in an undertone.  “So close, no matter how far / Couldn’t be much more from the heart,” he sings, continuing, “Forever trusting who we are / And nothing else matters.” Interesting! Later, on the third verse, Hetfield picks up more steam, with harmonized vocals, and the production bringing a bit more punch.

On the chorus, Hetfield is beastly, yet, at the same time, never overindulges.  It’s powerful but non troppo you might say.

“Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know.”

Following the fabulous vocal sections, we get more of that sweet instrumental, which features guitars as well as strings.  The strings amplify the drama, giving “Nothing Else Matters” more of a symphonic metal vibe – always rad in my book.  Also, we get an awesome guitar solo too. Also worth mentioning is the personal, vulnerable nature of the songwriting, reemphasized via the repetition of all three verses.  “Nothing Else Matters” in the hands of Metallica = perfection!

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2. Miley Cyrus, “Nothing Else Matters”

Ft. Elton John, Watt, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Trujillo & Chad Smith

💿 The Lockdown Sessions • 🏷 Mercury • 📅 2021

🎙 Metallica did a fine job with 🎵 “Nothing Else Matters”.  In essence, no more renditions of “Nothing Else Matters” were necessary.  That said, 🎙 Miley Cyrus does a stellar job covering the 💿 Metallica classic.  Worth noting, Cyrus’ take ends up on 💿 The Lockdown Sessions, the 2021 studio album by 🎙 Elton John (his 32^nd studio album to be precise).  Cyrus handles the vocals on “Nothing Else Matters,” but John contributes his incredibly piano skills, at the beginning during the famous instrumental intro.  Besides Cyrus and John, this new version of “Nothing Else Matters” enlists 🎙 Watt (guitar), 🎙 Yo-Yo Ma (cello), 🎙 Robert Trujillo (bassist for Metallica), and 🎙 Chad Smith (drummer for 🎙 Red Hot Chili Peppers). What an all-star cast!

Cyrus does a magnificent job channeling her inner James Hetfield.  She’s the star here, aided by musicians exhibiting marvelous musicianship.  Yes, Miley is polarizing at times (💿 BANGERZ particularly), but what’s undeniable are her distinct, powerful, and cutting pipes. I adore her tone – it’s tailor made for this metal gem.  She evokes the same spirit as Hetfield but does it with a contrasting sound. Ultimately “Nothing Else Matters” in Cyrus’ hands doesn’t disappoint, delivering one of the high points from John’s The Lockdown Session and Cyrus’ own career.  This is a solid remake thirty years after the original arrived.

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

Metallica or Miley Cyrus and friends?  Cyrus does a bang-up job with “Nothing Else Matters” – makes it sound fresh in 2021.  That said, the original by James Hetfield and company is (and should remain) the definitive version.  “Nothing Else Matters” is one of those once-in-a-lifetime songs.  Even with a killer version like Cyrus’, Metallica owns this one 🤘!

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Metallica vs. Miley Cyrus: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 34 [📷: Blackened Recordings Inc., Brent Faulkner, GenderArts from Pixabay, Mercury, The Musical Hype, Valentin Tikhonov from Pixabay]

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