Metallica Transforms “Turn the Page” into a Haunting Masterpiece on The Howard Stern Show
Metallica surprised everyone when they kicked off their appearance on the Howard Stern Show with a live take on Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page.” It wasn’t just another radio session—they delivered a raw and powerful rendition that sounded more like a full stadium show than an in-studio performance.
From the first verse, James Hetfield’s voice cut through the mic with gravel and conviction. He channeled Seger’s road-weary lyrics through a heavier frame, transforming “another ten thousand miles” into a metal anthem bristling with urgency.
Kirk Hammett’s slide guitar replaced Seger’s iconic saxophone lines with jagged precision. Each bent note and wailing phrase came packed with emotional aggression, yet still retained the original melody’s solemn mournfulness.
On Reddit, opinion was split but passionate. One fan wrote,
“Kirk’s slide sounds good and James sounds good!”
Others were more critical:
“Halfway through the first verse, everyone comes in full banging, ruining the feel of the story.”
That debate underscored how bold the rendition truly was.
Even Lars Ulrich’s drums, usually tight and compact during radio appearances, rang out with punch and space. He found a groove that kept the pacing alive without drowning the vocals—a subtle but crucial contribution to the cover’s momentum.
Metallica later admitted they chose this song because it fit Hetfield’s voice perfectly. On Howard Stern, they revealed how they connected with Seger’s storytelling and felt they could bring a fresh perspective to it with their sound.
This wasn’t the first time Metallica covered Seger—they famously recorded it for their 1998 Garage Inc. album. But the in-person, unedited performance on Stern gave the song a new immediacy, as if the tired road tales were unfolding before our eyes.
Their version hit national radio waves—and it stuck. Clips from the show circulated far beyond Stern’s audience, with fans posting onto YouTube, where it continues to draw attention from rock lovers old and new.
Reaction clips on TikTok also kept the momentum going, with users praising that “metallic edge” Seger never had. The debut on Stern bridged decades—honoring the past while proving the song still resonates in new, heavier forms.
Critics noted the change in texture from sax to slide guitar created a sonic shift: the lonely-night-on-the-road melancholy of Seger’s version turned into a grim, existential howl under Metallica’s treatment—and it worked.
Some fans believed the cover lost the song’s intimacy. Yet others defended it, saying this was modern storytelling: a reminder that rock isn’t always about polished nostalgia—it can also be about raw reinterpretation and emotional impact.
For James Hetfield, it was more than a cover—it was confession. His gritty voice brought new weight to lines like “Oh, the same old cliches,” as if reflecting his own life on tour across four decades.
The performance also highlighted Metallica’s ability to adapt. They didn’t strip back their sound; they adapted it. The result wasn’t change for change’s sake—it was evolution rooted in respect.
Seger himself praised the Metallica version back in 2012, stating, “I loved it… I really like the drums especially.” That endorsement reflects how the cover ultimately landed: as a reverent rebirth rather than sacrilege.
Looking back, the Howard Stern rendition ranks as one of Metallica’s most powerful cover moments—unfiltered, explosive, and heartfelt. It serves as proof that even well-worn classics can be rediscovered and deepened.
At the end of the day, Metallica’s live take on “Turn the Page” wasn’t just another radio session—it was a moment of musical symmetry. They honored Seger’s legacy while asserting their own voice, making listeners re-think what a cover can—and should—be.
