THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
379-Slipknot-Psychosocial.
2008-Number 67 single.
Best Bit-At 0.23. It was Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) (see also best songs 877-567-469-120 and 73) who once said, ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ is the most brutal, ugly, desperate, vicious form of expression it has been my misfortune to hear.’ I wonder what he would have made of this lot.
Slipknot are an ‘Alternative Heavy Metal’ group, who were formed in 1995, in Des Moines, Iowa, United States, by Shawn Crahan, (percussionist) Anders Colsefni, (vocals) and Paul Grey (1972-2010) (bass.) In the early 1990’s there were several Rock bands performing in the surrounding areas of Des Moines, and it was an eventual coming together of like minded musicians that led to the formation of Slipknot, as they settled on nine members who stayed together throughout their first decade. In total 17 members have come and gone for various reasons, with the only constant being founding member Shawn Crahan. Slipknot are known for their energetic, and chaotic live performances, which have included headbanging, stage diving, and fighting each other. They also always perform wearing unique individual face masks, and matching uniforms, normally jumpsuits. Slipknot have cited fellow contemporary bands Korn, and Limp Bizkit (see also best songs 583) as influences, as well as the American Rock band ‘Kiss,’ who were a major influence on the bands stage act, and look. However the band state they are most indebted to Mike Patton (see also best songs 335) the lead singer of ‘Faith No More’ for their image and music.
The discography of Slipknot who have sold in excess of 30 million records worldwide, and who took their name from one of their early recordings, have released seven studio Albums between 1999-2022, and 28 singles between 1999-2023, there is also one extended play, (EP) two official compilation Albums, and three live Albums available. In America three of their studio Albums have reached the Number 1 position on the Billboard ‘Hot 200 Albums’ chart, although none of their singles have made the Billboard ‘Hot 100 singles’ chart. In the UK, Slipknot have achieved three Number 1 Albums, and six top 40 singles, with ‘Duality’ from 2004, peaking the highest at Number 15.
‘Psychosocial’ was the second of five singles released from ‘All Hope Is Gone,’ the fourth studio Album from Slipknot, from August 2008, the song was co-written by the band members Corey Taylor, Joey Jordison, (1975-2021) and Paul Gray, (1972-2010) with the production being by Dave Fortman, who was born on July 11th, 1967, in Orlando, Florida, United States. Dave Fortman is also a musician and songwriter, he joined the American Rock band ‘Ugly Kid Joe’ in 1992 and played guitar on their multi-platinum selling Album ‘America’s Least Wanted,’ he has multiple songwriting credits on all five of that groups studio Albums. Dave Fortman’s greatest success in music has been producing two of the studio Albums by the American Rock group Evanescence, their debut studio Album ‘Fallen,’ (2003) which has sold in excess of 17 million copies worldwide, and ‘The Open Door,’ (2006) which has sold in excess of seven million copies worldwide.
Shawn Crahan, who was born Michael Shawn Crahan on September 24th, 1969, was the co-founder of Slipknot, and is the bands one constant. As well as Slipknot, he has recorded with three side projects, ‘To My Surprise,’ ‘Dirty Little Rabbits,’ and ‘Black Dots of Death.’ Away from music, he has directed three films, including the 2016 American action thriller movie ‘Officer Downe.’ Shawn Crahan has been credited with several things that Slipknot is known for, such as their large percussion section and their masks. Crahan began wearing a clown mask to rehearsals when the band was still fairly unknown, spawning the mask theme that the band is known for today. As well as the mask gimmick, several Slipknot band members are also known by a designated number, for example Shawn Crahan is officially known to fans as ‘(#6) Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan.
The meaning to the song ‘Psychosocial’ is open to interpretation, but it is probably an anti war song. It warns us not to be materialistic, and if we don’t look after each other, one day we will face terrible consequences. Shawn Crahan has said of the recording, ‘That song has got a lot of, I would say, social anxiety. It hits different. It’s really fun and it’s different. Most of the stuff that we have is different.’
‘Go drill your deserts, go dig your graves. Then fill your mouth with all the money you will save. Sinking in, getting smaller again, I’m done, it has begun, I’m not the only one.’