"For Whom the Bell Tolls" is a song by the American thrash metal band Metallica, first released on their second studio album, Ride the Lightning , in 1984
. The song was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Cliff Burton, with Burton composing the distinctive bass intro using distortion and a wah pedal before joining Metallica
. The song's lyrics and theme are inspired by Ernest Hemingway's 1940 novel For Whom the Bell Tolls , specifically referencing a scene in which five soldiers are killed during an airstrike in the Spanish Civil War
. The bell sound at the beginning of the track was created by drummer Lars Ulrich striking an anvil with a metal hammer combined with a bell sound effect
. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" has been highly regarded in Metallica's catalog, ranking number five in their live performance count and number 39 on Rolling Stone 's "100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time" list in 2023
. It has been performed live over 1,500 times since its first live performance in August 1984 and continues to be a staple in their concerts
. The song has appeared in various live albums and videos, including Metallica's collaborations with the San Francisco Symphony (S &M and S &M2) and has been remixed for soundtracks such as Spawn
. It is considered a classic heavy metal track that combines heaviness, groove, and atmosphere, with a notable bass-driven intro and powerful lyrics reflecting the tragedy of war
. In summary, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is a seminal Metallica song from 1984, inspired by Hemingway's novel, featuring a unique bass intro by Cliff Burton, and remains one of the band's most iconic and frequently performed songs
