Top 75 Quotes & Sayings by James Hetfield

There is one Metallica. We have many styles, it's called Metallica.

I like playing music because it's a good living and I get satisfaction from it. But I can't feed my family with satisfaction.

I choose to live, not just exist.

My live sound does not work in the studio, which is a completely different animal. Every little thing is detrimental to the sound. And if someone moves a mic, you've lost it. It's pretty much a case of 'lock the door and set up a police line.'

I've discovered that sheer quantity doesn't necessarily make for a heavier sound; if anything, overdubs make guitars sound mushier.

Metallica is a wonderful key to have on my key ring. I can go anywhere - it's great.

Nothing's really a prized possession except my family, you know?

Authority pisses me off. I think everyone should be able to drink and get loud whenever they want.

There is something powerful in Metallica, a will, a drive.

I'm married to Metallica.

I wanted to make noise, not study theory.

If I hadn't had music in my life, it's quite possible I'd be dead and I'd much rather be alive.

I'm on this eternal quest to get the best guitar sound in the world, but my vision of what is 'the best' changes every time I go into the studio. Sometimes my goal is to make my guitar jump out, and sometimes I want it to lay back.

Rap is just to me very annoying.

I was pretty quiet as a child.

Sleep my friend, and you will see that dream is my reality.

We do this basically for ourselves. People appreciate it, which is cool, but I think they appreciate that we're doing it for ourselves. We're doing it our way, and how people like it is not up to us. We like it.

I'd like to have a beer-holder on my guitar like they have on boats.

Most of my guitars have been instruments that look cool. I'm not picky. I never think, 'Oh, this neck isn't made of ebony,' or, 'These strings don't feel correct.' It doesn't matter too much.

I'd rather regret doing something than not doing something.

Dying, dying, someone told me just recently, dying is easy. Living is hard. for everyone.

It's all fun and games 'till someone loses an eye, then it's just fun you can't see.

As far as artists and musicians, they don't retire. They might tour less.

Just like the poles of a magnet, some people are drawn to death and others are repulsed by it, but we all have to deal with it.

I'd much rather talk about guitar playing. I hate it when people ask me about my lyrics. I always feel like telling them to just go and read them.

A lot of modern amps and preamps sound great when you're jamming by yourself, but don't hold up in a band situation. The sound isn't dense enough, and the lows and highs tend to get soaked up by the bass and cymbals.

I like a women who's got some balls, some strength. As long as I can beat her at arm wrestling, that's fine.

I'm always feeling like I don't belong, no matter where I am. So I'm just searching for a family nonstop, and sometimes I find it in the mosh pit, sometimes I find it when I'm doing some French TV show with the president's wife.

Life is for my own to live my own way.

Every time I'd go out drinking I was looking for something new. But it was the same every time. I'd wake up in some bed with some person, I had a hangover and a show to do. And the truth is, it was the same every time. But now life is... pretty interesting without the alcohol.

I'm not generally a big solo guy, because I'm not into showing off that way.

There was so much good and different music back then and you'd just keep moving through it and discovering more new stuff. I went through my Black Sabbath phase before I even started playing guitar.

I was pretty quiet as a child. I kind of hung out with my family and listened to music and sh*t. I wasn't too outgoing at all.

My vocals are bad, I can't sing, hey man, I wouldn't ask you to do a drum roll if your arm was falling off.

Every band that I've known that has done side projects or things like that - I don't respect them anymore.

The fans like the idea we do what we want. It's not an act. Screw the record company and the beaten path. Without MTV or radio, we still have a huge underground following.

Nothing can duplicate the sheer power and feeling you get from standing in front of your amp and bashing on your guitar.

I have the best job in the world. I'm able to express myself, and people attach themselves to it if they identify with it. Music certainly is a driving force in my life. There's not a moment where I'm not in it.

If everyone was the same, it would be boring as sh*t

All that is, was, and will be. Universe much too big to see. Time and space never ending, disturbing thoughts, questions pending. Limitations of human understanding. Too quick to criticize, obligation to survive, we hunger to be alive. All that is, ever, ever was, will be ever twisting, turning, Through The Never. In the dark, see past our eyes. Pursuit of truth, no matter where it lies. Gazing up to the breeze of the heavens, on a quest, meaning, reason. Come to be, how it begun. All alone in the family of the sun, curiosity teasing everyone. On our home, third stone from the sun.

Music is the soundtrack to my life.

The band? No way! There ain't no band. The band is not 'the band' right now. It's just three guys.

If I hadn't of had music in my life, it's quite possible I'd be dead and I'd much rather be alive.

If you're into what you're playing, that's the most important thing.

One time we saw some hookers but when we got closer we realized it was Motley Crue.

Live win, dare fail.

I associate times with certain music. It still is that for me. It's telling the story of our lives.

When people start copying your style, you know that something must be happening.

Deceit, Deceive, Decide just what you believe... I see faith in your eyes, Never you hear the discouraging lies. I hear faith in your cries... Broken is the promise, Betrayal... The healing hand held back by the deepened nail... Follow the god that failed.

Everybody is born good and everybody has got the same size soul. We're here to connect with that.

You want to hear vocals? Go sing it.

Don't look back, because that's the sign of failure.

Every breath I take becomes deeper, and I become more confident of myself without my crutches. The lies I've filled my body and soul with aren't needed anymore. They're not welcome. I choose to live, not just exist.

When you're an actor and you walk into a theatre where your movie is playing, you're kinda proud. "Look at my skill!"

No one but me can save myself though its too late, death greets me warm, now i will just say goodbye.

People always complain about something. If you face yourself and stand up strong, you're OK. You can't go wrong.

A lot of times, I'll have a goal, I'll start writing, and I'll end up in some far off place, which is good. It's nice to have a focus, but letting the lyrics write themselves where they need to go is important.

Music was the voice I didn't have.

My lifestyle determines my deathstyle.

It's a good feeling, that you can put your heart out there, no matter how black it is, and people can understand it.