Wherever I May Roam
Encyclopedia
"Wherever I May Roam" is a song by the American heavy metal
band Metallica
. It was released as the fourth single from their eponymous
fifth album, Metallica
.
of E A D G B E. The original recording of the song is notable for its interesting instrumentation: Asian instruments such as a gong
and sitar
feature, along with an overdubbed Warwick
twelve-string bass
(as mentioned by the bassist
Jason Newsted
on the Classic Albums: Metallica - Metallica DVD). This instrument was only used for 'effect' during the intro to emphasize several accented notes and that a standardly tuned 4-string bass was used as the main bass instrument throughout the remainder of the recording.
The song is performed frequently during the band's live concerts, and was performed with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Michael Kamen
) on the live S&M
and its companion DVD. When performed live, the band has always relied on their original sitar recording for the intro (the band enters on the first accented note to dramatic effect), however for the S&M concerts guitarist Kirk Hammett
utilised a Danelectro
electric sitar for the intro before switching to his ESP
electric guitar. Jason Newsted never reprised his use of the 12-string bass guitar for any live performances of the song.
The music video featured clips from Metallica behind the scenes and in concert, during their Wherever We May Roam Tour
.
International Single
International Digipak Single
Japanese EP
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
. It was released as the fourth single from their eponymous
Eponym
An eponym is the name of a person or thing, whether real or fictitious, after which a particular place, tribe, era, discovery, or other item is named or thought to be named...
fifth album, Metallica
Metallica (album)
Metallica is the self-titled fifth studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica. Mainly produced by Bob Rock, it was released on August 12, 1991 through Elektra Records to critical acclaim...
.
Music
All stringed instruments featured in this song, both guitars and basses, are tuned in the standard tuningStandard tuning
In music, standard tuning refers to the typical tuning of a string instrument. This notion is contrary to that of scordatura, i.e. an alternate tuning designated to modify either the timbre or technical capabilities of the desired instrument.-Bowed strings:...
of E A D G B E. The original recording of the song is notable for its interesting instrumentation: Asian instruments such as a gong
Gong
A gong is an East and South East Asian musical percussion instrument that takes the form of a flat metal disc which is hit with a mallet....
and sitar
Sitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
feature, along with an overdubbed Warwick
Warwick (bass guitar)
-Overview:Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods with 'Neck-through' design...
twelve-string bass
Twelve-string bass
The twelve-string bass is an electric bass with four courses each of three strings.Normal tuning is eeE-aaA-ddD-ggG, with one string of each course tuned similarly to the corresponding string of the four-string bass, and the remaining two strings tuned to the octave.-Notable 12-string Bassists:*...
(as mentioned by the bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Jason Newsted
Jason Newsted
Jason Curtis Newsted is an American bassist known for his work with Metallica, Voivod and Flotsam and Jetsam. Joining Metallica in 1986 after Cliff Burton's death, Newsted remained a member until 2001, making him the band's longest-serving bassist...
on the Classic Albums: Metallica - Metallica DVD). This instrument was only used for 'effect' during the intro to emphasize several accented notes and that a standardly tuned 4-string bass was used as the main bass instrument throughout the remainder of the recording.
The song is performed frequently during the band's live concerts, and was performed with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Michael Kamen
Michael Kamen
Michael Arnold Kamen was an American composer , orchestral arranger, orchestral conductor, song writer, and session musician.-Background:...
) on the live S&M
S&M (album)
-Video release:Metallica also filmed and released the concert in DVD and VHS with direction by Wayne Isham. The VHS set has only the concert video, while the double DVD set has 5.1 sound , 41 minute documentary about the concert, and two "No Leaf Clover" music videos: "Slice & Dice" version and the...
and its companion DVD. When performed live, the band has always relied on their original sitar recording for the intro (the band enters on the first accented note to dramatic effect), however for the S&M concerts guitarist Kirk Hammett
Kirk Hammett
Kirk Lee Hammett is the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003, Hammett was ranked 11th on Rolling Stones list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
utilised a Danelectro
Danelectro
Danelectro is an American manufacturer of musical instruments and accessories, specializing in rock instruments such as guitars, bass guitars, amplifiers and effects units.-History:...
electric sitar for the intro before switching to his ESP
ESP Guitars
, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
electric guitar. Jason Newsted never reprised his use of the 12-string bass guitar for any live performances of the song.
The music video featured clips from Metallica behind the scenes and in concert, during their Wherever We May Roam Tour
Wherever We May Roam Tour
Wherever We May Roam was the fifth concert tour by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It began in autumn of 1991...
.
In other media
- The song is included in Guitar Hero: MetallicaGuitar Hero: MetallicaGuitar Hero: Metallica is a music video game developed by Neversoft and distributed by Activision. The game was released in North America on the PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 on March 29, 2009 and on PlayStation 2 on April 14, 2009, with a European release in May 2009...
. - In the PC game Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosWarcraft III: Reign of ChaosWarcraft III: Reign of Chaos is a real time strategy computer game released by Blizzard Entertainment on July 3, 2002 . It is the second sequel to Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, and it is the third game set in the Warcraft Universe...
, the Bandit unit quotes this song, saying "Roamer, wanderer, nomad, vagabond, call me what you will", and the Beastmaster hero says, "Where I lay my head is home. See that rock? That's my pillow." - Koopsta KniccaKoopsta KniccaRobert Cooper, better known by his stage name Koopsta Knicca, is an American rapper. He is best known as one of original members of the Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia and for his melodic 'fast-rapping' style similar to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony....
, a former member of Three 6 MafiaThree 6 MafiaThree 6 Mafia are an Academy Award-winning, American rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 as Triple 6 Mafia, by DJ Paul, Juicy J, & Lord Infamous, the group at its most featured six members including; Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca...
, used some instrumental parts of this song for his song "Torture Chamber" from the album Da Devil's Playground. - An instrumental cover version of this song can be found as track 5 on the 2005 album Hands Without ShadowsHands Without Shadows-Credits:* Michael Angelo Batio – lead guitar, rhythm guitars, keyboards, production, arrangements* William Kopecky – five-string bass, fretless bass* Bobby Rock – drums* Mark Tremonti – guitar solo on "Burn"...
by guitarist Michael Angelo BatioMichael Angelo BatioMichael Angelo Batio also known as Mike Batio or MAB, is a guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois. His work has encompassed many genres, notably metal and its subgenres. Batio was voted the "No. 1 Shredder of All Time" by Guitar One Magazine in 2003...
. - SinnerSinner (band)Sinner are a German heavy metal band formed by vocalist and bassist Mat Sinner in 1982 . They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene. Their latest album, One Bullet Left, was released in 2011.-History:...
covered the song for A Tribute to the Four HorsemenA Tribute to the Four HorsemenA Tribute to the Four Horsemen is a tribute album to heavy metal band Metallica. It was re-issued by Nuclear Blast Records in 2003 with a slightly different track listing. The album contains covers of songs by Metallica from Kill 'Em All to ReLoad, but omits Load.-Track listing:...
. - ApocalypticaApocalypticaApocalyptica is a band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Sirén...
also covered this song on their album Plays Metallica by Four CellosPlays Metallica by Four CellosPlays Metallica by Four Cellos is the debut album by Finnish metal band Apocalyptica, released in 1996. It features eight instrumental Metallica covers arranged and played on cellos.-Track listing:#"Enter Sandman" - 3:41 ...
. - The track is sampled by Chase & StatusChase & StatusChase & Status are an electronic music production duo from London consisting of Saul Milton and Will Kennard. MC Rage & Andy Gangadeen also make up the live band.-2003-2005:...
for the dubstep single "Saxon", which was sampled by RihannaRihannaRobyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
for her song "Red Lipstick"
In Sports
- The song is used as the entrance song of Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
pitcher Jon RauchJon RauchJon Erich Rauch is a right-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. At 6' 11" , he is the tallest player in Major League Baseball history. He is also an Olympic Gold Medalist.-Early years:...
and the batting music for Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson WerthJayson WerthJayson Richard Gowan Werth is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws right-handed.-Background:Werth was born in...
. - The song is used as an entrance theme by pro wrestler A.J Styles, currently on contract with Impact Wrestling.
Track listing
US Single- "Wherever I May Roam"
- "Fade to Black (Live)"
International Single
- "Wherever I May Roam"
- "Fade to Black (Live)"
- "Wherever I May Roam (Demo)"
International Digipak Single
- "Wherever I May Roam"
- "Last Caress (Live)"
- "Am I Evil? (Live)"
- "Battery (Live)"
Japanese EP
- "Wherever I May Roam"
- "Fade to Black (Live)"
- "Last Caress (Live)"
- "Am I Evil? (Live)"
- "Battery (Live)"
Chart positions
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
14 |
| French Singles Chart | 28 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 22 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 2 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 28 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
25 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
82 |
| US Billboard Album Rock Tracks | 25 |