People need to stop thinking that Corey's only writing very personal songs about himself, and concentrate on the way they've written the lyrics which (even though it reflects events in his own life), anyone can relate to:
This seems to be what people are confused about:
"I am a world before I am a man
I was a creature before I could stand
I will remember before I forget
Before I forget that!"
Most people have interpreted it as being about evolution xD... LOL SlipKnoT's songs are almost always very 'personal' or based on feelings alone. It CAN be interpreted that way, but it has too many loose ends. I should mention first that evolution is -very- similar, metaphorically, to a human being growing up. In my opinion, anyone who has just reached 'adulthood' from adolescence (your teenage years), can come to realize what that meant, and it's really something:
"I was a creature before I could stand" = Easily interpreted: When you were a baby, you were self-centered, self-indulgent, and didn't necessarily 'think', you just did what you felt like, no matter what it was. 'Creature' is a metaphor for this. I've mentioned this first because it's just plain obvious.
"I am a world before I am a man" = This one's my favorite from this song, and to be honest, it's one of my favorite quotes, ever. I know I sound far-fetched here, but seriously this one line perfectly describes through metaphor: you growing up into an adult, and what that really means. When you're an adolescent (teenager), you have a psychological trait called 'tunnel vision', which isn't actually a tunnel-limited vision, but a way you perceive the entire world around you. All adolescents have this, and it makes you feel as if 'life would last forever', and you don't understand that life is in fact 'short' until you lose this trait when you become an adult. In this case, "world" is a metaphor for how you see yourself as an adolescent: you feel as if you WILL be exactly what you want to be in life (this one varies, and at least a few do), and you're constantly 'image-conscious' and 'self-conscious', wanting to 'have a certain identity', and wanting to be recognized as "someone" rather than "no one". Most of all though, you have your very own, opinionated perception of the "world" around you. (I'm aware I'm describing a rebellious teen, but seriously, this is a Slipknot song). In other words, you're a 'world' as a teenager, but anyone who has actually 'grown up' definitely knows that to be a "Man" in the modern world, you eventually need to 'let go' of those thoughts and accept the system: now you're no longer a "world", you're PART of it :].
To be honest, this song's helped me understand what it takes to -actually- grow up, and everyone's gotta check this out, if you still doubt the meaning I've given:
It's got a VERY similar name, and pretty much -exactly- the same meaning xD...
Mudvayne - "Forget To Remember"
What have I done?
Where have I come from?
When I burnt the backs with the sun through a glass did I seal the loss that's become me?
Feeling undone
What have I become?
When I turned my back on you I turned my back on myself and became this machine
Thoughtlessness
Selfishness
Hopelessness
Arrogant
I feel it on the inside
Twisting and contorting
Memory has shaped me once again
Still feel you on the inside
Biting through and stinging
Will I ever forget to remember?
Shadows in the sun
Filter through us
Still wrestle the demons that arrested me as a child
Confession rejected
We grow up
To give up
People step on the cracks for wounds owed paid back
Through the words of surrender
Emptiness
Loneliness
Listlessness
Worthless
I feel it on the inside
Twisting and contorting
Memory has shaped me once again
Still feel you on the inside
Biting through and stinging
Will I ever forget to remember?
Can you save me?
From myself
From these memories
Can you save me?
From myself
From these memories
Surrender
To the shadows
Haunting inside
Bleed through you
Surrender to the secrets...inside
Lies within you
I feel it on the inside
Twisting and contorting
Memory has shaped me once again
Still feel you on the inside
Biting through and stinging
Will I ever forget to remember?
Can't feel you on the inside
Set down the bag and left it
Lost memory has left me
One again
Open up the inside
Admission for the cleansing
Now that I've forgotten to remember
Compare them and see for yourself:
"Before I Forget"/"Forget To Remember"
"I am a world before I am a man, I was a creature before I could stand. I will remember before I forget."
"What have I become? When I turned my back on you I turned my back on myself and became this machine."
"Memory has shaped me once again. Still feel you on the inside. Biting through and stinging. Will I ever forget to remember?"
"Still wrestle the demons that arrested me as a child
Confession rejected
We grow up
To give up"
..."I am a world before I am a man"
Thanks ;]. And you'll notice how the rest of the song goes with that:
Thanks ;]. And you'll notice how the rest of the song goes with that:
"I'm ripped across the ditch and settled in the dirt
And I wear you like a stitch, yet I'm the one who's hurt
Pay attention to your twisted little indiscretions
I've got no right to win
I'm just caught up in all the battles"
"I'm ripped across the ditch and settled in the dirt
And I wear you like a stitch, yet I'm the one who's hurt
Pay attention to your twisted little indiscretions
I've got no right to win
I'm just caught up in all the battles"
"I'm smeared across the page and doused in gasoline
I wear you like a stain, yet I'm the one who's obscene
Catch me up on all your sordid little insurrections
I've got no time to lose
I'm just caught up in all the cattle"...
"I'm smeared across the page and doused in gasoline
I wear you like a stain, yet I'm the one who's obscene
Catch me up on all your sordid little insurrections
I've got no time to lose
I'm just caught up in all the cattle"
----- Similar to what's mentioned almost directly in "Forget To Remember", he wants to convince himself to 'stay away' from his teenage thoughts, along with his childish thoughts, and that he has no time for them, he's just 'caught up in all the cattle' and 'caught up in all the battles' of the 'real' life he leads now. In this case, 'you' refers to his teenage self, and it would tie in perfectly with the chorus, along with:
"My end, it justifies my means
All I ever do is delay
My every attempt to evade
The end of the road and my end
It justifies my means
All I ever do is delay
My every attempt to evade
The end of the road!"
...What I mentioned before is actually a very common example ("All adolescents have this, and it makes you feel as if 'life would last forever', and you don't understand that life is in fact 'short' until you lose this trait when you become an adult"). He mentions that "the end of the road and my end, it justifies my means": this means that the knowledge of his impending death has given his life some 'purpose' ("it justifies my means"). It's almost as if the whole song's about a man who's having some kind of midlife crisis and is beginning to feel some angst, like he did as a teen, but doesn't want to. He's using his memories and feelings to try and reassure himself that there is some meaning to his life.
Whilst I appreciate the chronological aspect your explanation for the chorus I feel that I have to disagree with your interpretation.
Whilst I appreciate the chronological aspect your explanation for the chorus I feel that I have to disagree with your interpretation.
I agree that when corey sings that he was a 'creature before I could stand' that he is referring to being young and then growing up. I think is more talking to emotional maturity and that when he was young he was a lot younger emotionally. Once he chronologically began to mature the way he interacted with the world matured also
I agree that when corey sings that he was a 'creature before I could stand' that he is referring to being young and then growing up. I think is more talking to emotional maturity and that when he was young he was a lot younger emotionally. Once he chronologically began to mature the way he interacted with the world matured also
If the first line of the chorus is viewed with this in mind it takes on s slightly...
If the first line of the chorus is viewed with this in mind it takes on s slightly different meaning to yours. Perhaps 'I am a world before I was a man' is referring to the lyricist becoming aware that his actions have a large effect on his surrounding world. This displays emotional development as the lyricist is beginning to understand the effect his choices of the world around him. Therefore they are thinking more about how they are part of the world first before they are a man
Metalnine thanks for your interpretation. On the quote "I am a world before I am a man" I couldn't agree more that it's one of the best lines out there. My interpretation of it is different from yours though but doesn't contradict, I think it stems from it.
Metalnine thanks for your interpretation. On the quote "I am a world before I am a man" I couldn't agree more that it's one of the best lines out there. My interpretation of it is different from yours though but doesn't contradict, I think it stems from it.
When I listen to this song this line is almost all I hear because I can't stop thinking of the meaning after the first chorus. I "AM" a world before I "AM" a man... they're both in the present tense so I don't see them so much as an...
When I listen to this song this line is almost all I hear because I can't stop thinking of the meaning after the first chorus. I "AM" a world before I "AM" a man... they're both in the present tense so I don't see them so much as an evolution from one to the other but a choice between the two. I've recently become a dad and I think to your child (especially in their early stages), you ARE their world. Without you they're helpless so really as a parent your actions determine the 'world' of your child. The reason I like this so much is because it's a powerful way to remind you to choose being a world (important) over being a man (selfish).
Whenever there's some sort of dad duty that I don't want to do or feel put out by, I just hear "I am a world before I am a man" and it takes away any thought of yourself and inspires you to give everything you've got to your family. I'd love to get this quote as a tattoo for this reason.
People need to stop thinking that Corey's only writing very personal songs about himself, and concentrate on the way they've written the lyrics which (even though it reflects events in his own life), anyone can relate to:
This seems to be what people are confused about:
"I am a world before I am a man I was a creature before I could stand I will remember before I forget Before I forget that!"
Most people have interpreted it as being about evolution xD... LOL SlipKnoT's songs are almost always very 'personal' or based on feelings alone. It CAN be interpreted that way, but it has too many loose ends. I should mention first that evolution is -very- similar, metaphorically, to a human being growing up. In my opinion, anyone who has just reached 'adulthood' from adolescence (your teenage years), can come to realize what that meant, and it's really something:
"I was a creature before I could stand" = Easily interpreted: When you were a baby, you were self-centered, self-indulgent, and didn't necessarily 'think', you just did what you felt like, no matter what it was. 'Creature' is a metaphor for this. I've mentioned this first because it's just plain obvious.
"I am a world before I am a man" = This one's my favorite from this song, and to be honest, it's one of my favorite quotes, ever. I know I sound far-fetched here, but seriously this one line perfectly describes through metaphor: you growing up into an adult, and what that really means. When you're an adolescent (teenager), you have a psychological trait called 'tunnel vision', which isn't actually a tunnel-limited vision, but a way you perceive the entire world around you. All adolescents have this, and it makes you feel as if 'life would last forever', and you don't understand that life is in fact 'short' until you lose this trait when you become an adult. In this case, "world" is a metaphor for how you see yourself as an adolescent: you feel as if you WILL be exactly what you want to be in life (this one varies, and at least a few do), and you're constantly 'image-conscious' and 'self-conscious', wanting to 'have a certain identity', and wanting to be recognized as "someone" rather than "no one". Most of all though, you have your very own, opinionated perception of the "world" around you. (I'm aware I'm describing a rebellious teen, but seriously, this is a Slipknot song). In other words, you're a 'world' as a teenager, but anyone who has actually 'grown up' definitely knows that to be a "Man" in the modern world, you eventually need to 'let go' of those thoughts and accept the system: now you're no longer a "world", you're PART of it :].
To be honest, this song's helped me understand what it takes to -actually- grow up, and everyone's gotta check this out, if you still doubt the meaning I've given:
It's got a VERY similar name, and pretty much -exactly- the same meaning xD...
Mudvayne - "Forget To Remember"
What have I done? Where have I come from? When I burnt the backs with the sun through a glass did I seal the loss that's become me?
Feeling undone What have I become? When I turned my back on you I turned my back on myself and became this machine
Thoughtlessness Selfishness Hopelessness Arrogant
I feel it on the inside Twisting and contorting Memory has shaped me once again
Still feel you on the inside Biting through and stinging Will I ever forget to remember?
Shadows in the sun Filter through us Still wrestle the demons that arrested me as a child Confession rejected We grow up To give up People step on the cracks for wounds owed paid back Through the words of surrender
Emptiness Loneliness Listlessness Worthless
I feel it on the inside Twisting and contorting Memory has shaped me once again Still feel you on the inside Biting through and stinging Will I ever forget to remember?
Can you save me? From myself From these memories Can you save me? From myself From these memories
Surrender To the shadows Haunting inside Bleed through you Surrender to the secrets...inside Lies within you
I feel it on the inside Twisting and contorting Memory has shaped me once again Still feel you on the inside Biting through and stinging Will I ever forget to remember?
Can't feel you on the inside Set down the bag and left it Lost memory has left me One again Open up the inside Admission for the cleansing Now that I've forgotten to remember
Compare them and see for yourself: "Before I Forget"/"Forget To Remember" "I am a world before I am a man, I was a creature before I could stand. I will remember before I forget." "What have I become? When I turned my back on you I turned my back on myself and became this machine." "Memory has shaped me once again. Still feel you on the inside. Biting through and stinging. Will I ever forget to remember?"
"Still wrestle the demons that arrested me as a child Confession rejected We grow up To give up" ..."I am a world before I am a man"
:]
Glad I came across and read this. Great interpretation
Glad I came across and read this. Great interpretation
Thanks ;]. And you'll notice how the rest of the song goes with that:
Thanks ;]. And you'll notice how the rest of the song goes with that:
"I'm ripped across the ditch and settled in the dirt And I wear you like a stitch, yet I'm the one who's hurt Pay attention to your twisted little indiscretions I've got no right to win I'm just caught up in all the battles"
"I'm ripped across the ditch and settled in the dirt And I wear you like a stitch, yet I'm the one who's hurt Pay attention to your twisted little indiscretions I've got no right to win I'm just caught up in all the battles"
"I'm smeared across the page and doused in gasoline I wear you like a stain, yet I'm the one who's obscene Catch me up on all your sordid little insurrections I've got no time to lose I'm just caught up in all the cattle"...
"I'm smeared across the page and doused in gasoline I wear you like a stain, yet I'm the one who's obscene Catch me up on all your sordid little insurrections I've got no time to lose I'm just caught up in all the cattle"
----- Similar to what's mentioned almost directly in "Forget To Remember", he wants to convince himself to 'stay away' from his teenage thoughts, along with his childish thoughts, and that he has no time for them, he's just 'caught up in all the cattle' and 'caught up in all the battles' of the 'real' life he leads now. In this case, 'you' refers to his teenage self, and it would tie in perfectly with the chorus, along with:
"My end, it justifies my means All I ever do is delay My every attempt to evade The end of the road and my end It justifies my means All I ever do is delay My every attempt to evade The end of the road!"
...What I mentioned before is actually a very common example ("All adolescents have this, and it makes you feel as if 'life would last forever', and you don't understand that life is in fact 'short' until you lose this trait when you become an adult"). He mentions that "the end of the road and my end, it justifies my means": this means that the knowledge of his impending death has given his life some 'purpose' ("it justifies my means"). It's almost as if the whole song's about a man who's having some kind of midlife crisis and is beginning to feel some angst, like he did as a teen, but doesn't want to. He's using his memories and feelings to try and reassure himself that there is some meaning to his life.
Definitely, I am sure that anyone going through this type of thing can relate. I do:)
Definitely, I am sure that anyone going through this type of thing can relate. I do:)
Whilst I appreciate the chronological aspect your explanation for the chorus I feel that I have to disagree with your interpretation.
Whilst I appreciate the chronological aspect your explanation for the chorus I feel that I have to disagree with your interpretation.
I agree that when corey sings that he was a 'creature before I could stand' that he is referring to being young and then growing up. I think is more talking to emotional maturity and that when he was young he was a lot younger emotionally. Once he chronologically began to mature the way he interacted with the world matured also
I agree that when corey sings that he was a 'creature before I could stand' that he is referring to being young and then growing up. I think is more talking to emotional maturity and that when he was young he was a lot younger emotionally. Once he chronologically began to mature the way he interacted with the world matured also
If the first line of the chorus is viewed with this in mind it takes on s slightly...
If the first line of the chorus is viewed with this in mind it takes on s slightly different meaning to yours. Perhaps 'I am a world before I was a man' is referring to the lyricist becoming aware that his actions have a large effect on his surrounding world. This displays emotional development as the lyricist is beginning to understand the effect his choices of the world around him. Therefore they are thinking more about how they are part of the world first before they are a man
Metalnine thanks for your interpretation. On the quote "I am a world before I am a man" I couldn't agree more that it's one of the best lines out there. My interpretation of it is different from yours though but doesn't contradict, I think it stems from it.
Metalnine thanks for your interpretation. On the quote "I am a world before I am a man" I couldn't agree more that it's one of the best lines out there. My interpretation of it is different from yours though but doesn't contradict, I think it stems from it.
When I listen to this song this line is almost all I hear because I can't stop thinking of the meaning after the first chorus. I "AM" a world before I "AM" a man... they're both in the present tense so I don't see them so much as an...
When I listen to this song this line is almost all I hear because I can't stop thinking of the meaning after the first chorus. I "AM" a world before I "AM" a man... they're both in the present tense so I don't see them so much as an evolution from one to the other but a choice between the two. I've recently become a dad and I think to your child (especially in their early stages), you ARE their world. Without you they're helpless so really as a parent your actions determine the 'world' of your child. The reason I like this so much is because it's a powerful way to remind you to choose being a world (important) over being a man (selfish).
Whenever there's some sort of dad duty that I don't want to do or feel put out by, I just hear "I am a world before I am a man" and it takes away any thought of yourself and inspires you to give everything you've got to your family. I'd love to get this quote as a tattoo for this reason.
LOL. Personally, I believe you talk WAY too much and need a good spanking . Mmmmmmm
LOL. Personally, I believe you talk WAY too much and need a good spanking . Mmmmmmm
i feel enlightened :D
i feel enlightened :D
Good Analysis on the song bro! and nice call back to Mudvayne. Forget to Remember is my all time favorite song and I appreciate you bringing it up.
Good Analysis on the song bro! and nice call back to Mudvayne. Forget to Remember is my all time favorite song and I appreciate you bringing it up.