Korn Lyric Interpretation Essay, Research Paper

F r e a k O n A L e a s h

Something takes a part of me.

Something lost and never seen.

Every time I start to believe,

Something’s raped and taken from me… from me.

Life’s got to always be messing with me. (You wanna see the light)

Can’t they chill and let me be free? (So do I)

Can’t I take away all this pain. (You wanna see the light)

I try to every night, all in vain… in vain.

Sometimes I cannot take this place.

Sometimes it’s my life I can’t taste.

Sometimes I cannot feel my face.

You’ll never see me fall from grace

Something takes a part of me.

You and I were meant to be.

A cheap **** for me to lay

Something takes a part of me.

Feeling like a freak on a leash. (You wanna see the light)

Feeling like I have no release. (So do I)

How many times have I felt diseased? (You wanna see the light)

Nothing in my life is free… is free

Chorus (mumbling)

Boom na da mmm dum na ema

Da boom na da mmm dum na ema

GO! something on the

So…fight! something on the…

Fight…some things they fight

So…something on the…

Fight…some things they fight

Fight…something of the…

No…some things they fight

Fight…something of the…

Fight…some things they fight

Chorus

Part of me…

Oh…

The music industry today seems to have taken a step into two different directions, rock and R&B a.k.a. rap music. Rock has taken on the form of a derelict ship floating amongst a monstrous sea of rap. Even the most hardcore of rock bands have incorporated a hint of rhyme into their music. For better or worse, Korn is one such respectable rock band who has partially retreated to the refuge of the rap style of music. In the song Freak On A Leash Jon Davis, the lead singer in the group Korn, describes the torment of his band by the sinking ship that rock has become.

Pressure form the music industry can and does greatly influence artist and their songs. Many Artists such as Eminem, Manson, and Limp Bizkit have written songs about this topic specifically. Most of the lyrics in their songs are simple and can be easily deciphered. How then can such an interpretation be taken from Korn’s song Freak On A Leash? This song leaves itself open to the listener to interpret it in so many ways. Jonathan Davis blames the music industry for his divorce citing that the change in life style also changed his behavior. The very first word “something” provides a portal through which imagination can enter any meaning for the song. The title, however, leads me to believe the artist feels as if he is being dragged around, perhaps by a publisher who is out for the all-important dollar. It was said by Jon Davis that this title was his most fitting. Once this realization is achieved the remainder of the song falls into place.

“Something takes a part of me, something lost and never seen.” The introduction, possibly referring to the ever-greedy music industry. “Every time I start to believe something’s raped and taken from me” his frustration mounts, as does the volume. The

last line could refer to the broken promises of record labels. “life’s got to be messing with, cant they chill and let me be free.” I this line Jon expresses tension between record companies over contracts and legal mumbo-jumbo. “Sometimes I cannot take this place, sometimes it’s my life I can’t taste.” A sense of disgrace is easily picked up in these lines. Perhaps showing unhappiness with the changes occurring in his home life. The song then continues in this pace and direction.

This song has a definite meaning to it, and although I happen to have a quote to back up my theory about the changing music industry, it is very apparent that this song has a pessimistic attitude throughout. Although this song may not be truly about Jon’s disappointment in rock genre of music, that was what I was thinking when I wrote the introduction.

“One of the best titles I’ve heard ever for a song. That’s my song against the music industry. Like me feeling like I’m ******’ a pimp, a prostitute. Like I’m paraded around. I’m this freak paraded around but I got corporate America ******’ making all the money while it’s taking a part of me. It’s like they stole something from me, they stole my innocence and I’m not calm anymore. I worry constantly.”-Jonathan Davis

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