James Hetfield Quotes

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.

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

I'm married to Metallica.

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

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.'

- James Hetfield

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.

- James Hetfield

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.

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

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.

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

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.

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

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.

- James Hetfield

Rap is just to me very annoying.

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

I wanted to make noise, not study theory.

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

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.

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

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.

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

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

- James Hetfield

I choose to live, not just exist.

- James Hetfield

I was pretty quiet as a child.

- James Hetfield