Blind (Korn song)

"Blind"
Single by Korn
from the album Korn
Released August 1, 1994
Format 10", CDs"
Recorded 1994
Genre Nu metal
Length 4:19
Label Immortal/Epic
Writer(s) Reginald Arvizu / Jonathan Davis / Don Schinn / James Shaffer / Ryan Shuck / David Silveria / Brian Welch
Producer(s) Ross Robinson
Korn singles chronology
"Christmas Song"
(1993)		 "Blind"
(1994)		 "Need To"
(1995)
Korn track listing
"Blind"
(1)		 "Ball Tongue"
(2)

"Blind" is a song written and recorded by American nu metal band Korn for their self-titled debut album. It was released as the album's first single in August 1994.

Concept

"It's just this monster riff, and lyrically it's about me feeling that I'm blind to people taking advantage of me, blind to my depression, just blind to everything." – Jonathan Davis

Music and structure

"Blind" is one of the songs Jonathan Davis wrote with his former bandmate from Sexart, guitarist Ryan Shuck. The fact that Korn has used this song on the album without crediting Shuck almost led to a case in court, but Shuck was later credited on the Greatest Hits Vol.1 compilation album when the song was used on that record.

The bass coda at the end of the song quotes Cypress Hill's song "Lick a Shot". This was not mentioned in the song's credits.

The beginning is inspired by the song "Too Many Puppies" by Primus.

Track listing

US Enhanced Radio Promo CD

  1. "Blind" – 4:18
  2. "Blind" (video) - 4:18

UK Single

Side A:

  1. "Blind" – 4:18

Side B:

  1. "Fake (Album Version) - 4:51
  2. "Sean Olson (Radio Edit) - 4:45

Australian Radio Promo

  1. "Blind" – 4:18

Chart performance

The song was released as a promotional single in the United States, Canada and Australia, and as a limited edition 10" vinyl single in the United Kingdom. It charted on the Canadian alternative chart, the RPM Alternative 30, in November 1995.[4]

Chart (1995) Peak
position
Canada Alternative 30 (RPM)[4] 15

Live performance

The song was used as the opening for all of Korn's shows, up until the release of "Follow the Leader", where the song "It's On!" was used to open. However, "Blind" was used for the encore. The song is well known for its intense performances. Former guitarist Brian "Head" Welch has covered the song live, with Welch playing guitar and singing lead vocals. When performed live, the main riff of the song is played as the outro instead of the bass coda that is on the recorded version. Recently, at shows such as the Download Festival, the song has opened the show as a new mix, with a much shorter intro.

It was performed live at the Carolina Rebellion in Rockingham, North Carolina; Davis invited Brian "Head" Welch to join Korn on stage and perform the song. This was Welch's first performance with Korn since his departure in February 2005.[5]

Music video

The music video was directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol. Korn is seen performing in front of an energetic crowd in a small stage room. A large "Korn" flag can be seen on the back of the stage. There are also clips of the band hanging out. The video was released in January 1995.

Demo version

The first version of this song had been recorded on the band's demo tape entitled Neidermeyer's Mind, released in 1993. There is a slight difference between these versions, as the primal version had a more heavy-metal atmosphere, and the version that appeared on band's debut album featured a hip-hop stylized bridge.

Accolades

The song has gained major acclaim in the press.

Q magazine

100 Songs That Changed The World (January 2003): 88. - Korn - Blind

100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever! (March 2005): 93. - Korn - Blind

Kerrang!

666 Songs You Must Own (contemporary metal): 2. - Korn - Blind

100 Greatest Singles Of All Time (December 14, 2002): 10. - Korn - Blind

Appearances in media

The music video was featured in an episode of Beavis and Butt-head, where the duo comment on the video's lack of originality, however they commented that the song sounded "kinda cool". The song itself was used as the ending theme for the U.S. release of Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie, as well as in the 2000 film Charlie's Angels, directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol, who has directed several Korn videos. This song was also featured in the 2k Sports video game NHL 2k8. The song is also featured on the tracklist for Madden NFL 10.

Remixes

Version Release appearance
LukHash Remix LukHash official website[6]

See also


References

  1. ↑ "Blind US Radio Promo (ESK 6786)". Korn.simpol.net. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  2. ↑ "Blind US Radio Promo (1995)". Korn.simpol.net. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  3. ↑ "Blind Australian Radio Promo (SAMP 3165)". Korn.simpol.net. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Rock/Alternative - Volume 62, No. 15, November 13, 1995
  5. ↑ ((cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/brian-head-welch-joins-korn-onstage-at-carolina-rebellion/ |title=Brian 'Head' Welch Joins Korn Onstage at Carolina Rebellion|publisher=Loudwire.com |date= |accessdate=2012-5-5))
  6. ↑ "Lukhash (Sh Music)". www.lukhash.com. Retrieved 2012-01-16.

External links