Ain't My Bitch

"Ain't My Bitch"
Promotional single by Metallica
from the album Load
ReleasedJuly 3, 1996
RecordedMay 1995 – February 1996
StudioThe Plant (Sausalito, California)
Genre
Length5:04
LabelElektra
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)James Hetfield
Producer(s)

"Ain't My Bitch" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica from their sixth album, Load (1996). It is the opening track of the album and was released as a promotional single in Mexico. It reached number 15 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.[2]

"Ain't My Bitch" gained media attention and notoriety due to its title. To avoid being sued[citation needed], Vocalist/lyricist James Hetfield explained that the 'bitch' in the song does not refer to a woman, but acts as a metaphor for a problem. Under this interpretation he avoided any legal issues[citation needed].

Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett used a slide for the guitar solo, a first for Metallica and one of the many musical departures found on Load. Upon the album's release in June 1996, "Ain't My Bitch" quickly became a staple in the band's live set, featured regularly during their Poor Touring Me world tour. The song was last played in 1998, and as of 2019, has yet to since be included in the band's setlist rotation.

The song's demo was simply named "Bitch" and was recorded on April 6, 1995.

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Ain't My Bitch"5:04

Personnel

Credits are adapted from Load liner notes.[3][4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Every Metallica Song Ranked". Loudwire. September 23, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2022. More than a nod towards '90s alt-rock, the opening track from 'Load' was a nod back to '70s southern rock.
  2. ^ Rock Music: Top Mainstream Rock Songs Chart | Billboard
  3. ^ Load liner notes. Vertigo Records. 1996.
  4. ^ "Liner notes". Metallica official website. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.