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{{Short description|1993 single by Metallica}}
{{Single infobox2 |
{{For|the albums|Sad but True (The Times album)|Sad but True (Tex, Don and Charlie album)}}
| Name = Sad But True
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
| Cover = 69018.jpg |
{{Infobox song
| Artist = [[Metallica]]
| name = Sad but True
| from Album = [[Metallica (album)|Metallica]]
| cover = Metallica - Sad but True cover.jpg
| Released = [[1992]]
| alt =
| Format = [[CD single]]
| type = single
| Recorded = 1991-1992
| Genre = [[Heavy Metal]]
| artist = [[Metallica]]
| album = [[Metallica (album)|Metallica]]
| Length = 5:27
| B-side = {{ubl|[[Harvester of Sorrow|"Harvester of Sorrow" (live)]]/"[[So What? (Anti-Nowhere League song)|So What?]]"|[[Nothing Else Matters|"Nothing Else Matters" (Elevator version)]]/[[Creeping Death|"Creeping Death" (live)]]/"Sad but True" (demo)}}
| Label = [[Vertigo Records]]
| released = October 8, 1992<ref name=MetallicaOfficial>{{cite web|last=Metallica|title=Sad but True|url=http://www.metallica.com/releases/sad-but-true.asp|access-date=November 5, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410135105/http://www.metallica.com/releases/sad-but-true.asp|archive-date=April 10, 2011}}</ref>
| Writer = [[James Hetfield]], [[Lars Ulrich]]
| recorded = 1990–91
| Producer = [[Bob Rock]]
| studio = One on One ([[Los Angeles]], [[California]])
| Last single = [[Nothing Else Matters]]
| genre = *[[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Enis |first1=Eli |title=METALLICA: HEAR PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED VERSION OF "SAD BUT TRUE" |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/metallica-hear-previously-unreleased-version-sad-true/ |website=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]] |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref> [[groove metal]]
| Next single = [[Until it Sleeps]]
| length = 5:24
| label = [[Elektra Records|Elektra]], [[Vertigo Records|Vertigo (UK)]]
| composer = {{hlist|[[James Hetfield]]|[[Lars Ulrich]]}}
| lyricist = James Hetfield
| producer = {{hlist|[[Bob Rock]]|James Hetfield|Lars Ulrich}}
| prev_title = [[Wherever I May Roam]]
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = [[Until It Sleeps]]
| next_year = 1996
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|A8MO7fkZc5o|"Sad but True"}}}}
{{Audio sample
| type = single
| file = Metallica - Sad But True.ogg
| description = "Sad But True"
}}
}}
}}


'''Sad But True''' is a [[Metallica]] song of the eponymously named album, ''[[Metallica (album)|Metallica]]'' (also known as ''The Black Album''). The song was released as a single in 1992 with an accompanying [[music video]] to support the band on its then ongoing [[Wherever We May Roam Tour]], and was composed by band members [[James Hetfield]] and [[Lars Ulrich]].
"'''Sad but True'''" is a song by American [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Metallica]]. It was released in October 1992 as the fifth and final single from their [[Metallica (album)|1991 self-titled album]]. The music video for the single was released in October 1992.


== Music ==
The song is based off of a 1978 movie directed by Richard Attenborough starring Anthony Hopkins, entitled "Magic". The movie is about a ventriloquist who is at the mercy of his vicious puppet.
"Sad but True" is in D Standard tuning, however the song was originally written and demoed in E Standard. [[Bob Rock]], who produced ''The Black Album'', recalled to Musicradar.com: "We were in pre-production, which was uncomfortable because nobody had ever made them go through their songs in such a deliberate way before, and six songs in 'Sad But True' came along. Suddenly, I realized that every song, including this one, was in the key of E. I brought this to the band's attention, and they said, 'Well, isn't E the lowest note?' So I told them that on [[Mötley Crüe|Mötley Crüe's]] [[Dr. Feelgood (album)|''Dr. Feelgood'']], which I produced and Metallica loved, the band had tuned down to D. Metallica then tuned down to D, and that's when the riff really became huge. It was this force that you just couldn't stop, no matter what."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sad But True by Metallica |url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/metallica/sad-but-true |access-date=2023-04-06 |publisher=[[Songfacts]]}}</ref>


Rock, Hetfield, and Ulrich are all credited as producers, and [[Randy Staub]] and his assistant, Mike Tacci.<ref>{{Citation |title=Metallica - Sad But True |year=1993 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/979307-Metallica-Sad-But-True |language=en |access-date=2023-02-27}}</ref>
A focal point of the song is its consistent bass riff. It is accompanied by heavy and sludgy, 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.


==Track listing==
Sad But True is one of 5 songs released as a single off the Black Album, and moves toward a power metal groove, rather than the thrash/speed metal scene. The song was included in Metallica's live collaboration with the [[San Francisco Symphony Orchestra]] (conducted by [[Michael Kamen]]), entitled ''[[S&M (album)|S&M]]''.
'''US single'''
# "Sad but True"
# "[[So What? (Anti-Nowhere League song)|So What?]]"


'''International single part 1'''
The bass riff in this song was sampled by American rap/rock/alternative country artist [[Kid Rock]] in his song ''American Badass'', which was at one point used as entrance theme music by the [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) wrestler known as [[Mark Calaway|Undertaker]]. This version was parodied by the rock band [[Tuff (band)|Tuff]] in a song called ''American Hair Band'' from their album [[The History of Tuff]].
# "Sad but True" – 5:27
# "So What?" – 3:09
# "[[Harvester of Sorrow]]" (live) – 6:41


'''International single part 2'''
The snippet of the song was performed live by [[Snoop Dogg]] on the tribute show [[MTV Icon]] Metallica edition in 2003.
# "Sad but True" – 5:27
# "[[Nothing Else Matters]] (Elevator Version)" – 6:31
# "[[Creeping Death]]" (live) – 8:01
# "Sad but True" (demo) – 4:53


'''UK picture single'''
Sad But True is the name of a Metallica Tribute band from England.
# "Sad but True" – 5:26
# "Nothing Else Matters" (live) – 6:13
# "Sad but True" (live) – 6:12


'''UK and German 7-inch single'''
==Track Listing==
# "Sad but True" – 5:24
# "Nothing Else Matters" – 6:29


'''UK Single #1'''
'''French single'''
# "Sad but True" – 5:27
# "Nothing Else Matters (Edit)" – 6:29


'''International 7-inch single'''
#"Sad But True" (Hetfield/Ulrich) - 5.27
# "Sad but True"
#"Harvester of Sorrow (Live)" (Hetfield/Ulrich) - 6.40
# "Nothing Else Matters" (live)
#"So What" (Exall/Culmer) - 3.09
# "Sad but True" (live)


==Personnel==
"Harvester of Sorrow" recorded live on September 28, 1991 at Tushino Air Field, Moscow, Russia
Personnel adapted from ''Metallica'' liner notes<ref>{{Cite AV media notes| title=Metallica| others=[[Metallica]]| date=1991| type=liner notes| publisher=[[Vertigo Records]]| id=510 022-2}}</ref>
;Metallica
* [[James Hetfield]] – vocals, rhythm guitar
* [[Kirk Hammett]] – lead guitar
* [[Jason Newsted]] – bass
* [[Lars Ulrich]] – drums
;Additional Performer
* [[John Marshall (guitarist)|John Marshall]] – guitar on "Nothing Else Matters" (live)


==Cover versions==
'''UK Single #2'''
In 2020, the Mongolian hunnu band [[The Hu|The HU]] released a cover of the song translated entirely into [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lewry|first=Fraser|title=The Hu release spectacular Mongolian language cover of Metallica's Sad But True|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/the-hu-release-spectacular-mongolian-language-cover-of-metallicas-sad-but-true|access-date=December 7, 2020|website=Metal Hammer Magazine|date=December 4, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
#"Sad But True" (Hetfield/Ulrich) - 5.27
#"Nothing Else Matters (Elevator Version)" (Hetfield/Ulrich) - 6.31
#"Creeping Death (Live)" (Hetfield/Ulrich/Burton/Hammett) - 8.01
#"Sad But True (Demo)" (Hetfield/Ulrich) - 4.53


''The Metallica Blacklist'', a compilation album released in 2021, features seven covers of the song, including a live version by [[Sam Fender]] and studio versions by [[Jason Isbell|Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit]], [[Mexican Institute of Sound]], [[Royal Blood (band)|Royal Blood]], [[St. Vincent (musician)|St. Vincent]], [[White Reaper]] and [[YB (band)|YB]].
"Creeping Death" recorded live on September 28, 1991 at Tushino Air Field, Moscow, Russia


==Samples==
{{Metallica}}


[[Kid Rock]] sampled the track for his song "[[American Bad Ass]]" from his 2000 album ''[[The History of Rock]]''.
[[Category:Metallica songs]]
<!--[[Category:(year) songs]]-->


==Charts==
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1992–1993)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|48|artist=Metallica|song=Sad but True|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|50|artist=Metallica|song=Sad but True|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|Denmark ([[IFPI Denmark|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-03-27.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=10|issue=13|page=28|date=March 27, 1993|access-date=March 22, 2018}}</ref>
|3
|-
!scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-03-27.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=10|issue=13|page=27|date=March 27, 1993|access-date=October 30, 2020}}</ref>
|22
|-
!scope="row"|Finland ([[Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book|first=Jake|last=Nyman|title=Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja|edition=1st|year=2005|publisher=Tammi|location=Helsinki|isbn=951-31-2503-3|language=fi}}</ref>
|1
|-
{{single chart|Germany|42|artist=Metallica|song=Sad but True|songid=37846|rowheader=true|access-date=October 30, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|13|song=Sad but True|rowheader=true|access-date=October 30, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|17|artist=Metallica|song=Sad but True|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|10|artist=Metallica|song=Sad but True|rowheader=true|access-date=October 30, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|42|artist=Metallica|song=Sad but True|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Norway|5|artist=Metallica|song=Sad but True|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|Portugal ([[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|AFP]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-04-10.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=10|issue=15|page=24|date=April 10, 1993|access-date=October 30, 2020}}</ref>
|2
|-
{{single chart|Sweden|31|artist=Metallica|song=Sad but True|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|20|date=19930227|rowheader=true|access-date=October 30, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|98|artist=Metallica|rowheader=true|access-date=October 30, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|15|artist=Metallica|rowheader=true|access-date=October 30, 2020}}
|}


==Certifications==
[[fi:Sad But True]]
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1993|certyear=2024|access-date=8 March 2024|refname="ARIA"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Metallica}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1991 songs]]
[[Category:1993 singles]]
[[Category:Metallica songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by James Hetfield]]
[[Category:Songs written by Lars Ulrich]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Bob Rock]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Finland]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Wayne Isham]]
[[Category:Elektra Records singles]]

Latest revision as of 19:40, 12 December 2024

"Sad but True"
Single by Metallica
from the album Metallica
B-side
ReleasedOctober 8, 1992[1]
Recorded1990–91
StudioOne on One (Los Angeles, California)
Genre
Length5:24
LabelElektra, Vertigo (UK)
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)James Hetfield
Producer(s)
Metallica singles chronology
"Wherever I May Roam"
(1992)
"Sad but True"
(1992)
"Until It Sleeps"
(1996)
Music video
"Sad but True" on YouTube
Audio sample
"Sad But True"

"Sad but True" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released in October 1992 as the fifth and final single from their 1991 self-titled album. The music video for the single was released in October 1992.

Music

[edit]

"Sad but True" is in D Standard tuning, however the song was originally written and demoed in E Standard. Bob Rock, who produced The Black Album, recalled to Musicradar.com: "We were in pre-production, which was uncomfortable because nobody had ever made them go through their songs in such a deliberate way before, and six songs in 'Sad But True' came along. Suddenly, I realized that every song, including this one, was in the key of E. I brought this to the band's attention, and they said, 'Well, isn't E the lowest note?' So I told them that on Mötley Crüe's Dr. Feelgood, which I produced and Metallica loved, the band had tuned down to D. Metallica then tuned down to D, and that's when the riff really became huge. It was this force that you just couldn't stop, no matter what."[3]

Rock, Hetfield, and Ulrich are all credited as producers, and Randy Staub and his assistant, Mike Tacci.[4]

Track listing

[edit]

US single

  1. "Sad but True"
  2. "So What?"

International single part 1

  1. "Sad but True" – 5:27
  2. "So What?" – 3:09
  3. "Harvester of Sorrow" (live) – 6:41

International single part 2

  1. "Sad but True" – 5:27
  2. "Nothing Else Matters (Elevator Version)" – 6:31
  3. "Creeping Death" (live) – 8:01
  4. "Sad but True" (demo) – 4:53

UK picture single

  1. "Sad but True" – 5:26
  2. "Nothing Else Matters" (live) – 6:13
  3. "Sad but True" (live) – 6:12

UK and German 7-inch single

  1. "Sad but True" – 5:24
  2. "Nothing Else Matters" – 6:29

French single

  1. "Sad but True" – 5:27
  2. "Nothing Else Matters (Edit)" – 6:29

International 7-inch single

  1. "Sad but True"
  2. "Nothing Else Matters" (live)
  3. "Sad but True" (live)

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel adapted from Metallica liner notes[5]

Metallica
Additional Performer

Cover versions

[edit]

In 2020, the Mongolian hunnu band The HU released a cover of the song translated entirely into Mongolian.[6]

The Metallica Blacklist, a compilation album released in 2021, features seven covers of the song, including a live version by Sam Fender and studio versions by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Mexican Institute of Sound, Royal Blood, St. Vincent, White Reaper and YB.

Samples

[edit]

Kid Rock sampled the track for his song "American Bad Ass" from his 2000 album The History of Rock.

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1992–1993) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[7] 48
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] 50
Denmark (IFPI)[9] 3
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[10] 22
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[11] 1
Germany (GfK)[12] 42
Ireland (IRMA)[13] 13
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[14] 17
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 10
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[16] 42
Norway (VG-lista)[17] 5
Portugal (AFP)[18] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[19] 31
UK Singles (OCC)[20] 20
US Billboard Hot 100[21] 98
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[22] 15

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[23] 2× Platinum 140,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Metallica. "Sad but True". Archived from the original on April 10, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  2. ^ Enis, Eli. "METALLICA: HEAR PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED VERSION OF "SAD BUT TRUE"". Revolver. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  3. ^ "Sad But True by Metallica". Songfacts. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  4. ^ Metallica - Sad But True, 1993, retrieved February 27, 2023
  5. ^ Metallica (liner notes). Metallica. Vertigo Records. 1991. 510 022-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ Lewry, Fraser (December 4, 2020). "The Hu release spectacular Mongolian language cover of Metallica's Sad But True". Metal Hammer Magazine. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  7. ^ "Metallica – Sad but True". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  8. ^ "Metallica – Sad but True" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  9. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 13. March 27, 1993. p. 28. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  10. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 13. March 27, 1993. p. 27. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  11. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  12. ^ "Metallica – Sad but True" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  13. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sad but True". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  14. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Metallica" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  15. ^ "Metallica – Sad but True" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  16. ^ "Metallica – Sad but True". Top 40 Singles.
  17. ^ "Metallica – Sad but True". VG-lista.
  18. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 15. April 10, 1993. p. 24. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  19. ^ "Metallica – Sad but True". Singles Top 100.
  20. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  21. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  22. ^ "Metallica Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  23. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 8, 2024.