Album: Human Clay (1999)

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Songfacts®:

• In this song, Creed frontman Scott Stapp sings about those who oppress the band with their words and hatred. He seems to be referring to the media and critics who lashed out at Creed, and asks what they would do if faced with a similar situation.
• "What If" was released on Creed's second album, Human Clay, in 1999. This was two years after their debut, My Own Prison, but that album took a while to catch on, so it didn't earn airplay until 1998, and songs like "What's This Life For" and "One" were still getting played well into 1999, so when Human Clay came out, there was no break from Creed on the airwaves. "Higher" was the first single, followed by "What If." Next came "With Arms Wide Open," which was a #1 hit but burned out many listeners on the band. After their third album, Weathered, was released, radio saturation made listeners even more weary of their sound.
  
  The musicians in the band were also getting sick of Scott Stapp, who was dealing with addiction and mental health issues. They split up in 2004, with the rest of the band forming Alter Bridge. Creed returned in 2009 for one more album and got together again in 2024 for more touring.
• "What If" was used in the 2000 movie Scream 3 - Creed helped produce the soundtrack. The music video shows the band getting offed one-by-one by the infamous Ghostface from the franchise. The video features David Arquette in his Scream role.
• According to Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti, who wrote the music for this track, the intro was inspired by both "Paint It Black" from The Rolling Stones and the Nintendo game Zelda.
• The Human Clay album was recorded at a house the band rented outside of Tallahassee; the band formed at nearby Florida State University. Creed was more comfortable recording in houses than in studios. Their debut album, My Own Prison, was made in the home studio of their producer, John Kurzweg.
• When he was an American Idol contestant, Chris Daughtry sang "What If" on the show in 2006, and judge Simon Cowell told him: "There is a line you don't cross. Creed would not be seen dead on this show."

Comments: 14

• Jason from MarylandI can definitely hear the "Paint it Black" intro riff at the beginning of this song.
  
  But I don't hear the Zelda inspiration?
• Chad from WisconsinI get the sense that this song is a pushback to the often annoying question well meaning Christians ask
  
  What if you died right now, do you know where you would go
• Alan from South AfricaEmily - you clearly have no idea of what you speak. Probably still brainwashed by the powers that be that feed you your little daily dose of ideology that you're free as a human being to do whatever you please... maybe one day when you awake and achieve true consciousness, this song will also then resonate with your spirit like it does with mine and millions of other free thinkers.
• Joseph Trexler from Jensen Beach, FlWell... I just wanted to share that this song was the first song playing during the very first time I started tripping on mushrooms. The natural, cow s--t kind, not grown in an aquarium. I have to say, it does something to you. Like losing your virginity, you never forget it. I still get chills and Goosebumps up my arms and s--t anytime this song plays. Very eye opening trip, and anyone that has done mushrooms knows they seriously intensify music. This song has a meaning all its own for me. Wicked fruit of your vine destroys the man that lacks a strong mind. Yeah damn right, if I lacked a strong mind, I'm not sure I would have made it through that first trip. Like I said.. Carries a meaning all its own for me.
• Zero from Nowhere, NjI Think Scott Stapp is a good singer but nowhere near as great as Myles Kennedy. He's a great lyricist though.
• Angelica from San Diego, CaAll I can say about this song is, go Creed. You rock. And hey, they're back together!
• Landon from Winchester, OhSimon Conwell can go f**k himself. He can't tell certain bands that they can't attend American Idol. That over-rated termegant Carrie Underwood character made it, so practically anybody should have a shot at attending it. Simon Conwell sucks.
• Joe from Perth, Australiasimon cowell bagged this on idol when his show is an abomination and just karaoke sang by untalented retards deport the stupid pom
• Canopus from Cairo, EgyptHi guys...i would love to say that i'm Creed's biggest fan and i think that "What if" really has that special Creed flavour and i must say that i'm surprised of you Emily ( with no offence ) that you think of this song as a stupidlly written song...& obviously you haven't heard any other songs by Creed who are known for creative MUSICALITY mixed with Scott Stapp's unparalleled vocals and unmatched performance of Mark Tremonti , Scott Philips & Brian Marshall.. i hope you don't think the same about "With arms wide open"
  forgot to say that I,m Alter Bridge's biggest fan too...you have to listen to "Ties that bind" &"One day remains"
  
• Emily from Abingdon, VaThis song's lyrics are so stupid. They tried way to hard to be deep and ended up sounding like idiots. Luckily the public did not noticed because they were so distracted by Stapp's obnoxious voice and the band's general lack of any musicality.
• Chauncey from Omha, Nethis song is awesome!!!!
  
  Bought the greatest hits CD the first day it was out in stores
• Will from Des Moines, IaUh, nick, FYI for ya, Korn's CD came out a couple years after this CD did. But, nice try through.
• Nick from Elk Grove, Caoffed one by one? kinda sounds like the Alone I break video by Korn. Don't get my wrong, Creed is a good band(or they were)
• Stefan from North White Plains, NyFrom what I remeber, Stapp described this song as his revenge for those who picked on him throughout his earlier years. Basically saying (as his younger self) "What if I succeed in life, what if I don't" to his opponents. It was his was of showing how far he came in life without forcefully trying to make himself better than others.

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