Hero of the Day

Hero of the Day
Metallica
publication	September 9, 1996
length	4:21
Genre (s)	Hard rock , alternative metal
Author (s)	Kirk Hammett , James Hetfield , Lars Ulrich
Label	Elektra
album	Load (1996)

Hero of the Day is a song by the US metal band Metallica . It was released on September 9, 1996 as the second single from the album Load (1996).

History of origin

Hero of the Day was written by Kirk Hammett , James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich . An early demo version called Moldy was created on December 10, 1994 . The name is a reference to Bob Mold , on whose guitar sound the main riff is based. The demo version later appeared as the B-side of one of the single versions . The song itself was recorded on December 13, 1995 at Plant Studio in Sausalito , California under the direction of Bob Rock and Hetfield and Ulrich. Musically it is a power ballad .

In 1999, S&M released a version of the song that Metallica recorded with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra .

Although the song was very popular during Load times, it disappeared relatively quickly from Metallica's setlist and is rarely played.

Music video

The music video was shot by Anton Corbijn . It shows a stoned youth zapping through the television program . Metallica members can be seen in every program. So Jason Newsted be seen as host of a game show. He's fighting with Kirk Hammett on another channel. The band members can also be seen as leading actors in a western . The video can be found on the compilation Metallica: The Videos 1989–2004 .

Single versions

The single was best known for the four Motörhead covers Overkill , Damage Case , Stone Dead Forever and Too Late Too Late . All four were recorded at the birthday party for Lemmy Kilmister's 50th birthday in Whiskey-A-Go-Go ( Los Angeles ) and included as the B-side of different versions of the single. All four covers were later added to the cover album Garage Inc. (1998).

There are several versions of the single, including a collective edition consisting of two maxi CDs that can be purchased separately. The most popular versions are listed here.

US single

1. Hero of the Day - 4:24
2. Kill / Ride Medley (Live) - 10:17

International Single Part 1

1. Hero of the Day - 4:24
2. Overkill - 4:07
3. Damage Case - 3:53
4. Hero of the Day (Outta B-Sides Mix) - 6:34

International Single Part 2

1. Hero of the Day - 4:24
2. Stone Dead Forever - 5:06
3. Too Late Too Late - 3:18
4. Moldy (aka Hero of the Day - early demo version ) - 5:22

Limited Edition CD (MotörheadACHE)

1. Hero of the Day - 4:24
2. Overkill - 4:09
3. Damage Case - 3:39
4. Stone Dead Forever - 4:52
5. Too Late Too Late - 3:12

EP (Japan)

1. Hero of the Day - 4:24
2. Moldy (aka Hero of the Day - early demo version ) - 5:25
3. Hero of the Day (Outta B Side Mix) - 6:37
4. Stone Dead Forever - 4:50
5. Damage Case - 3:38
6. Too Late Too Late - 3:12

Chart successes

Hero of the Day was successful in the charts. The single reached position 39 in Germany in six chart weeks. In Austria it reached position 29 in two chart weeks, in the United Kingdom position 17 in four chart weeks and in the United States position 60 in 18 chart weeks. Only in the UK did the EP for Hero of the Day also make it into the charts. In one chart week, she managed to reach position 47 on the British album charts .

Chart placements

Charts	Top ranking	Weeks
Chart placements
Germany (GfK)	39 (6 weeks)	6th
Austria (Ö3)	29 (2 weeks)	2
United Kingdom (OCC)	17th (4 weeks)	4th
United States (Billboard)	60 (18 weeks)	18th

Web links

• Overview of the different single versions on Discogs

Individual evidence

1. ^ Paul Brannigan: The Top 10 Best Metallica Songs Of The 90s. Team Rock , August 12, 2016, accessed November 26, 2016 . 
2. ↑ ^{a b} Andy Greense: Readers' Poll: 10 Best Post-Black Album Metallica Songs. Rolling Stone , October 5, 2015, accessed November 26, 2016 . 
3. ↑ Garage Inc . 2CD. Vertigo Records 1998
4. ↑ Hero of the Day EP. Officialcharts.com, accessed November 26, 2016 . 
5. ↑ ^{a b c d} Chart sources: DE AT CH UK US (search required)