Whiplash (Metallica song)

"Whiplash" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the first single from their debut album, Kill 'Em All, and the band's debut single overall, released on August 8, 1983.[1] The song has been covered a number of times, most notably by Motörhead, whose version won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.[2]

"Whiplash"
The cover shows a single image of James Hetfield copied multiple times with a blur effect.
Single by Metallica
from the album Kill 'Em All
B-side"Whiplash (Special Neckbrace Remix)"
ReleasedAugust 8, 1983
RecordedMay 10–27, 1983 at Music America Studios (Rochester, New York)
GenreThrash metal
Length4:10
LabelMegaforce
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Metallica singles chronology
"Whiplash"
(1983)
"Jump in the Fire"
(1984)
Audio sample
Whiplash

The single also includes fake live performances of "Seek & Destroy" and "Phantom Lord", which are actually alternate studio recordings with overdubbed crowd noise.[3]

Live performances

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"Whiplash" was first played live in October 23, 1982,[4] and was one of the last songs Metallica wrote for Kill 'Em All.[citation needed] As of 2022 the song has been played 953 times.[5]

Cover versions and appearances in media

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Track listing

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US single (vinyl)
No.TitleLength
1."Jump in the Fire"4:41
2."Whiplash (Special Neckbrace Remix)"4:24
3."Seek & Destroy" (Live)7:04
4."Phantom Lord" (Live)4:52
US single (cassette maxi-single)
No.TitleLength
1."Jump in the Fire"4:41
2."(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth" (instrumental)4:15
3."Whiplash (Special Neckbrace Remix)"4:24
4."Seek & Destroy" (Live)7:04
5."Phantom Lord" (Live)4:52

Personnel

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Credits are adapted from Kill 'Em All liner notes.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Whiplash | Metallica.com". www.metallica.com. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "47th Grammy Awards - 2005". Rock on the Net archive. Retrieved February 11, 2007.
  3. ^ "Metallica Discography". Metallica. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  4. ^ "1982-10-23 Fullerton, CA, United States | Metallica.com". www.metallica.com. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  5. ^ "Metallica Tour Statistics | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  6. ^ Cat Badra (October 13, 2012). "Metallica's Kirk Hammett on Nirvana's Kurt Cobain: I Knew Him Well". Audio Ink Radio. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  7. ^ Kill 'Em All liner notes. Megaforce Records. 1983.
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