Left Behind

Album: Iowa (2001)
Charted: 24
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Left Behind" was released as a single from Slipknot's 2001 Iowa album. Lead singer Corey Taylor wrote it about the friends he made during a period he spent sleeping rough under a bridge in Des Moines, Iowa. Many Slipknot songs have lyrics that reflect his difficult childhood; he has a lot of empathy for those who feel "left behind" because he often felt that same way.
  • Kerrang! January 29, 2011 asked Corey Taylor if he thought "Left Behind" would be a song that would really connect with people. He replied: "No, but I'm like that. Once we record stuff I tend to turn my eyes to the road again, because what I've done is already in the past and I'm more interested in what the future holds. I think the appeal of it is that there's an inherent groove to it that a lot of the really good songs have. It's heavy but not too heavy."
  • The music video was directed by Dave Meyers and marked the video debut of Slipknot's new costumes in promotion of Iowa. Taylor recalled filming the clip to Kerrang!: "It was funny, I gotta be honest! We were in a field in the middle of nowhere, it was super early, we were rally pissed off and there were 15 goats and a goat wrangler. I'll never forget it - one goat started chewing on the drum set and another ran away. The rain machine blew my mask off at one point and I had to chase it down before a goat ate it!"

Comments: 2

  • Dillon from Bloomington, Indiana I haven't been into Slipknot for long, i think i started listening to them earlier this year, but I have absolutely loved what i have heard from them. I saw them at their Summer's Last Stand Tour up in Indy with my friend and we had the best time. Screaming, Jumping, and reciting the songs on the way home. It's really hard to choose a favourite song when all of them are so great, but i love to listen to this track while walking through the halls of this h*ll hole called high school. I have also learned a lot from this site and plan to use it for looking at Metallica songs.
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjOh, my God! No comments on this great song?! I remember back when this song came out, I was visiting my childhood friends in California and after listening to "The Heretic Anthem" repeatedly that we downloaded, they finally debuted this song on the radio, wow, our jaws hit the floor! This was ten years ago and I still have fond memories of it (even though it was right before September 11th, I flew my plane home on August 11th 2001, holy crap!)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."