Music Discussion And Vocabulary: "Nothing Else Matters"

On Saturday, May 12, 2012, I had a dream come true. My dream became reality when I saw Metallica in concert in France. Metallica was on tour in Europe to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Black Album.

On their album, there is a unique song. A song that is different from all their other songs. The title of the song is "Nothing Else Matters."

This activity consists of vocabulary points and a music discussion of Nothing Else Matters, followed by the music video.

Vocabulary Points

Dictionary.com defines matter as

• the substance or substances of which any physical object consists or is composed of
  (For example, the matter of which the earth is made.); and
• a situation, state, affair, or business.
  (For example, in the human resources department, we have many important matters to deal with at the moment.)

As a verb, to matter means to be of importance or to signify. For example, it does not matter if you drink tea or coffee during your break. (It is not important or it makes no difference if you drink tea or coffee.)

We also use the word matter in the following expressions:

• A matter of life and death means that there is something of vital or crucial importance. For example, "Giving up smoking could be a matter of life and death."
• As a matter of fact means the same as in fact, in reality, or actually. For example, "As a matter of fact, I am not working on the computer project at the moment because we have no budget for it."
• For that matter means as far as that is concerned or as for that. For example, "For that matter, I cannot go swimming with you on Sunday because I am going running."
• No matter means that it is not important or it makes no difference. For example, "No matter what you do, I will always love you." "I do not have any apples for the pie. No matter, we have some pears that we can use."

In the song, "Nothing Else Matters" means that "nothing else is important." 

Song Lyrics

So close, no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters

Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
and nothing else matters

Trust I seek (look for, search for) and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters

never cared for (never liked) what they do
never cared for what they know
but I know

So close, no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters

never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
but I know

Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
and nothing else matters

Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us, something new
Open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters

never cared for what they say
never cared for games they play
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
and I know

So close, no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
No, nothing else matters

Music Video

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

What is the most important thing to you? Something so important that nothing else matters?

Tell me by leaving a comment below or in a message by E-mail at kaufman.terry@gmail.com, if you like.

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