ROCK MOMENT – Metallica ‘Turn The Page’
Metallica’s powerful cover of ‘Turn the Page‘ stands as one of the most emotionally charged performances in their career, paying tribute to Bob Seger’s classic tale of life on the road while transforming it into something darker, heavier, and unmistakably Metallica. Originally released in 1973 on Seger’s Back in ’72 album, the song paints a weary picture of a touring musician’s loneliness and struggle. When Metallica reimagined it for their 1998 cover album Garage Inc., they brought new intensity and grit to the story — giving it a modern edge while keeping its soulful heart intact.
Recorded at The Plant Studios in Sausalito, California, the track features James Hetfield’s raw and raspy vocals, which perfectly capture the exhaustion and isolation described in the lyrics. The band traded Seger’s saxophone for Kirk Hammett’s haunting slide guitar, a change that deepened the song’s melancholy tone. Lars Ulrich’s steady drumming and Jason Newsted’s brooding bassline added a weight that transformed the ballad into a haunting anthem for the modern rock era.
The accompanying music video, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, took the song’s message even further, following the struggles of a single mother who works as an exotic dancer to support her child. Its gritty realism and emotional depth resonated strongly with audiences, earning heavy rotation on MTV and critical praise for its bold storytelling.
‘Turn the Page’ became one of Metallica’s most successful covers, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. More than just a reinterpretation, the song proved that Metallica could channel vulnerability and empathy through their signature heavy sound — turning Seger’s road-worn reflection into a timeless rock lament.
