"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. The song has been covered a number of times, most notably by Motörhead, whose version won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.

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

Live performances

"Whiplash" was first played live in October 23, 1982, and was one of the last songs Metallica wrote for Kill 'Em All.

Cover versions and appearances in media

  • Motörhead (who have been cited by Metallica as a major influence) covered this song for the Metallica tribute album Metallic Attack: The Ultimate Tribute and won their first Grammy in the awards of 2005 in the Best Metal Performance category.
  • While not an official cover of the song itself, Corey Taylor and his band play the main riff of "Whiplash" as a finale to their cover of "Holier Than Thou" that featured on The Metallica Blacklist.

Track listing

;US single (vinyl)

;US single (cassette maxi-single)

Personnel

Credits are adapted from Kill 'Em All liner notes.

  • James Hetfield – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Kirk Hammett – lead guitar
  • Lars Ulrich – drums
  • Cliff Burton – bass guitar

References

  • Whiplash lyrics from the official website