Surfacing

Album: Slipknot (1999)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Slipknot drummer Chris Fehn (#3) told Songfacts about "Surfacing": "It basically encompasses everything. Kind of encompasses the attitude of the band and the attitude of how we feel about life: Don't judge me. Everything that you think that you know about the world, and about Slipknot, and about your own life, might not be the case. So I think it's just openmindedness and just be cool."
  • This song was partly inspired by the first trip the band took to Los Angeles, where they started work on their self-titled album in 1998. They're from Des Moines, Iowa, which was a novelty to the West Coasters, and some of them seemed really stuck up. Slipknot was happy to let them know how crazy the Midwest is.
  • Slipknot bassist Paul Gray, a founding member who died unexpectedly in 2010, explained the meaning behind the chorus: "Basically, we dedicate it to the kids as their new national anthem. It's our way of saying don't worry about everybody else. Just worry about yourself. Don't worry about the people judging and the people coming down on you and all the fake crap. Stick to what you believe in."

Comments: 15

  • Dumbass from The BackroomsZack, do you honestly think that the song is about the U.S? Because, it's not, it's about life or smth like that, not war or any of that bs. Also, it should be the new international anthem.
  • Zack from Noblesville, InThis should be the new National Anthem letting the rest of the world know: Don't f--k with America b/c we will prevail in war and in everything else!
  • Matt from Portsmouth, United KingdomSlayer have no rhythm, their guitar riffs, drumming and vocals are all over the place in their songs... apart from Raining Blood and Cult.

    Maggot till the end!
  • Steven from San Antonio, TxI agree with luke. Slipknot is good but they have nothing on slayer. Slayer made but the power riffs and power chords your hearing. So praise to your anthem but all praise be to slayer!!!!!!!!!!1
  • Andrew from Linmdenhurst, NyThis is one of there best songs they play live
  • Justin from Franklin, VaLuke shut up, everyone has their one "anthem" and this song might be his
  • Jerimias from Nuuk, GreenlandAfter I've listened to this song on a bad day, it's suddenly not a bad day anymore.! I feel crazy, careless and f*cking free!
  • Luke from Manchester, EnglandMike, it's the phrase for metalheads under the age of 14 everywhere who haven't heard Slayer
  • Vanessa from Orlando, FlCorey wrote this song while he was on his graveyard shift at the adult emporium. He called his friend up and said I'm gonna be screaming this in front of kids and they'll be screaming it back at me. His friends are like yeah right, you'll be playing in bars for your whole life. Look where he is. THIS SONG IS YOUR NEW NATIONAL ANTHEM!
  • Sid from Desmoines, IaTHIS SONG IS YOUR NEW NATIONAL ANTHEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Jeremy from Laffeyette, LaYour just saying it is the new national anthem because he said it on the live version..by the way i know I spelled Lafayette wrong
  • Jake from Milwaukee, Wione of my favorites by slipknot, personally, their version on slipknot 9.0 live, is really great, i love it.

    anything live by slipknot is really intense. seeing them live was really amazing. corey looked like a god up on stage, and when they played this song i went crazy.
  • Mike from Lisbon, NdA GREAT SONG, and as it has been called before, the new national f--king anthem. The chorus is like the phrase for all metal heads everywhere
  • Rob from Uniondale, Nythis song is awesome
  • George from Phx, Azthis song was writen in the studio when mick thompson made up the cool begin riff. the osng took like 5 minutes to write
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Michael Bolton

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."