1.
One time we saw some hookers but when we got closer we realized it was Motley Crue.
James Hetfield
2.
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.
James Hetfield
3.
I choose to live, not just exist.
James Hetfield
4.
Nothing can duplicate the sheer power and feeling you get from standing in front of your amp and bashing on your guitar.
James Hetfield
5.
I'd rather regret doing something than not doing something.
James Hetfield
6.
People always complain about something. If you face yourself and stand up strong, you're OK. You can't go wrong.
James Hetfield
7.
My lifestyle determines my deathstyle.
James Hetfield
8.
Live win, dare fail.
James Hetfield
9.
There is one Metallica. We have many styles, it's called Metallica.
James Hetfield
10.
It's all fun and games 'till someone loses an eye, then it's just fun you can't see.
James Hetfield
11.
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.
James Hetfield
12.
It's a good feeling, that you can put your heart out there, no matter how black it is, and people can understand it.
James Hetfield
13.
Rap is just to me very annoying.
James Hetfield
14.
Everybody is born good and everybody has got the same size soul. We're here to connect with that.
James Hetfield
15.
Music was the voice I didn't have.
James Hetfield
16.
Don't look back, because that's the sign of failure.
James Hetfield
17.
When people start copying your style, you know that something must be happening.
James Hetfield
18.
Sleep my friend, and you will see that dream is my reality.
James Hetfield
19.
I'd like to have a beer-holder on my guitar like they have on boats.
James Hetfield
20.
Life is for my own to live my own way.
James Hetfield
21.
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
22.
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
23.
If everyone was the same, it would be boring as sh*t
James Hetfield
24.
There is something powerful in Metallica, a will, a drive.
James Hetfield
25.
Music is the soundtrack to my life.
James Hetfield
26.
Nothing's really a prized possession except my family, you know?
James Hetfield
27.
Every band that I've known that has done side projects or things like that - I don't respect them anymore.
James Hetfield
28.
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.
James Hetfield
29.
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
30.
If you're into what you're playing, that's the most important thing.
James Hetfield
31.
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.
James Hetfield
32.
Dying, dying, someone told me just recently, dying is easy. Living is hard. For everyone.
James Hetfield
33.
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.
James Hetfield
34.
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.
James Hetfield
35.
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.
James Hetfield
36.
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
37.
Authority pisses me off. I think everyone should be able to drink and get loud whenever they want.
James Hetfield
38.
I'm not generally a big solo guy, because I'm not into showing off that way.
James Hetfield
39.
I'm married to Metallica.
James Hetfield
40.
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
41.
I associate times with certain music. It still is that for me. It's telling the story of our lives.
James Hetfield
42.
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
43.
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.
James Hetfield
44.
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.
James Hetfield
45.
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.
James Hetfield
46.
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.
James Hetfield
47.
The band? No way! There ain't no band. The band is not 'the band' right now. It's just three guys.
James Hetfield
48.
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
49.
My whole life was duality: Here's my life at home, here's my life on the road.
James Hetfield
50.
I wanted to make noise, not study theory.
James Hetfield