The Worm

Album: Out Of Exile (2005)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Frontman Chris Cornell handled Audioslave's lyrics, with his bandmates composing the music. In "The Worm," he remembers his earlier days and thinks about his regrets. It's a cathartic, aggressive song, typical of the band's sound. Cornell never mentions a worm in the lyric.
  • Some lyric analysis:

    "Born too young" - Cornell had immature views in his former career as a lyricist and singer.

    "Top of my lungs" - He sang in a high-pitched voice when he was in early Soundgarden.

    "Sitting on the bottom rug" - On the back of the Louder Than Love CD, there is a portrait of a band, and there is a transparent rug over them. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Marco - Stanfield, United States
  • A track from the second of Audioslave's three albums, "The Worm" was produced by Rick Rubin, who helped team Chris Cornell with ex-Rage Against The Machine members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk to form the band.

Comments: 5

  • Adrian from Brookings, Sd"Low and high" is a recurring theme in Chris Cornell's lyrics. A perfect general description of life I suppose. He was low for most of his life, but finding sobriety and fatherhood while with Audioslave has made him high and given him a new take on life.
  • Chris from Columbus, OhMy favorite lyric by far is "Took advice from the wrong shoulder; took a lot of everything."
  • Brandon from Saskatoon, Canadathis is my favourite audioslave song. the "halo, i'm complete, halo i'm reborn" is a real cool lyric
  • Ashley from Moncton, CanadaThis is one of favourite songs from Out Of Exile and I find it is a lot like Black Sabbath, at the first especially.
  • Phil from Hampshire, Englandthe lyric is 'sitting on the bottom rung'

    as in bottom rung of a ladder at the bottom were no one would even listen to what he had to say and there was so much more he wanted to do (move up the ladder)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."