Liquid metals have many fluid properties in common with non-metallic liquids, and many metallic properties in common with solid metals. In recent years experimental techniques familiar in solid-state physics have been helping to increase our empirical knowledge of fluid metals. At the same time attempts have been made to form conceptual links between liquid-state physics and metal physics. The article describes some of the current activity in this field, reviews some of the progress that has been made, and points out some of the major difficulties.