Sad but True
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| “Sad but True” | |||||
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| Single by Metallica from the album Metallica |
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| B-side | Harvester of Sorrow (live)/So What? Nothing Else Matters (Elevator Version)/Creeping Death (live)/Sad but True (Demo) |
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| Released | 1992 | ||||
| Format | CD single | ||||
| Recorded | 1991-1992 | ||||
| Genre | Heavy metal | ||||
| Length | 5:24 | ||||
| Label | Elektra Records | ||||
| Writer(s) | James Hetfield Lars Ulrich |
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| Producer | Bob Rock | ||||
| Metallica singles chronology | |||||
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"Sad but True" is a heavy metal song recorded by Metallica for their fifth studio album Metallica (1991; also known as The Black Album). The song was released as the album's fifth single in mid-1992 (see 1992 in music). Its lyrical theme is based on the film Magic (1978).
A focal point of the song is its consistent bass riff. It is accompanied by heavy, yet melodic guitars, and steady, booming drum beats alongside Hetfield's (at times) harmonious vocals. The guitars are tuned down a full step from the conventional "EADGBE" tuning, adding to the deeper, heavier sound.
"Sad but True" is one of five songs released as a single off Metallica, and moves toward a heavy metal groove, rather than the speed-thrash metal scene. The song was included on Metallica's live collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Michael Kamen), entitled S&M.
This song has an almost "funky" bouncing rhythm that steps away from Metallica's earlier "thrash metal" sound. It becomes an indication that Metallica was mildly changing its direction, and becoming more introspective and rounded in their musical repertoire and willingness to "step outside the box" of conventional thrash metal to express ideas with somewhat different sounds.
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[edit] Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Sad but True".
[edit] UK Single #1
- "Sad but True" (James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich) - 5:27
- "Harvester of Sorrow (Live)" (Hetfield/Ulrich) - 6:40
- "So What" (Nick "Animal" Kulmer, Chris "Magoo" Exall, Clive "Winston" Blake) - 3:09
"Harvester of Sorrow" recorded live on September 28, 1991 at Tushino Air Field, Moscow, Russia
[edit] UK Single #2
- "Sad but True" (Hetfield, Ulrich) - 5:27
- "Nothing Else Matters (Elevator Version)" (Hetfield, Ulrich) - 6:31
- "Creeping Death (Live)" (Kirk Hammett, Hetfield, Cliff Burton, Ulrich) - 8:01
- "Sad but True (Demo)" (Hetfield, Ulrich) - 4:53
"Creeping Death" recorded live on September 28, 1991 at Tushino Air Field, Moscow, Russia
[edit] UK Single #3 Picture Disc
- "Sad but True" (Hetfield, Ulrich)
- "Nothing Else Matters (Live)" (Hetfield, Ulrich)
- "Sad but True (Live)" (Hetfield, Ulrich)
[edit] US Cassette
- "Sad but True (Hetfield, Ulrich)
- "So What" (Nick "Animal" Kulmer, Chris "Magoo" Exall, Clive "Winston" Blake)
[edit] Other appearances and covers
The instrumental structure of the song was sampled by rap/rock musician Kid Rock in his song "American Bad Ass" in 2000. This song was, at one point, used as entrance theme of World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler The Undertaker. It was later parodied by the rock band Tuff in a song called "American Hair Band" from their album The History of Tuff.
The song was also used by Rey Mysterio, Jr. during his run in Extreme Championship Wrestling from 1995 to 1996.
Trinity used the song while in Ohio Valley Wrestling.
A snippet of "Sad but True" was performed live by Snoop Dogg on the tribute show MTV Icon Metallica edition in 2003.
The song was covered by Joey Belladonna, Bruce Kulick, Marco Mendoza, and Eric Singer for Metallic Assault: A Tribute to Metallica. It was also covered by In Strict Confidence on An Industrial Tribute to Metallica and by Nickelback at Rock am Ring, a rock music festival held annually in Germany.
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