James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich wrote "Wherever I May Roam" about life on the road. Metallica were road warriors in these days, touring constantly. The song talks about the weary travels during, and at the end of the tour. Kirk Hammett was quoted saying after the Wherever I May Roam tour, "I bought a house last year that I haven't even seen yet!"
The instrument used at the beginning is an electric sitar. Kirk Hammett used it again when they played this with the San Francisco Orchestra in 1999. This can be heard on their album S&M.
The odd "cracking" sound heard throughout the song is from a 12-string bass that Jason Newsted used on the track.
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