Nothing Else Matters is Metallica's most intimate and enduring ballad, and Sungha Jung's fingerstyle arrangement — with over 17 million views — has become one of the definitive versions of the song outside the original. The arrangement proves something that metal fans may find surprising: James Hetfield's chord writing was always built for fingerstyle guitar.
The song's original intro consists of open-string arpeggios across an Em chord, plucked fingerstyle by Hetfield himself. Jung builds from this foundation, expanding it into a complete solo guitar arrangement that covers the full arc of the song, including the verses, choruses, and iconic guitar solo sections.
The Em-based harmonic world of Nothing Else Matters translates naturally to standard tuning fingerstyle. The open low E string rings as a pedal tone through much of the piece, giving it a dark, resonant foundation. Chord shapes stay largely in open position, making the left-hand work accessible to intermediate players.
Natural harmonics punctuate key transitions, particularly in the intro and between sections. The picking pattern varies between sections — the verse uses a gentle rolling arpeggio while the chorus demands a fuller, more assertive approach.
At nearly seven minutes, the arrangement requires endurance and careful attention to dynamic pacing. Building toward the emotional peak requires restraint early and full commitment in the final sections. This is a piece about musical narrative as much as technique.