This is the story of a man who has recurring black and white dreams about lying in a bathtub full of his own blood with his wrists slit. He wakes up one day to find that his dream has become a reality, but he refuses to believe it and tries to sleep again.
A remix of the song, mixed by Terry Date, is included on the Digipack of their self-titled release. This is the version that most radio stations play.
Chris Fehn of Slipknot told us about this song:
"It was just a simple song. We had no idea it would be so popular. The funny thing is that when we started getting big, the record label, especially the new guys at the label, were coming around and saying, 'Oh, the next record you can write like three Wait And Bleeds.' And we're like, "You're an idiot." As a result, we don't do it. But, believe it or not, the band has so much control over what we do that we don't write for money, we don't write for popularity, we have to like it first. And it's just a song that we liked, and it just so happened that it got on the radio and received unexpected attention."
When Corey says in the lyrics, "I am a victim, a Manchurian Candidate!" he is referring to a 1962 film about communist mind control.
Lyrics
I've felt the hate rise up in me Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves I wander out where you can't see Inside my shell, I wait and bleed I've felt the hate rise up in me Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves I wander out where you can't see Inside my shell, I wait and bleed Goodbye! I wipe it off on a tile The light is brighter this time Everything is 3D blasphemy My eyes are red and gold The hair is standing straight up This is not the way I pictured me I can't control my shakes How the hell did I get here? Something about this, so very wrong I have to laugh out loud I wish I didn't like this Is it a dream or a memory? I've felt the hate rise up in me Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves I wander out where you can't see Inside my shell, I wait and bleed Get outta my head 'cause I don't need this Why I didn't, I see this Well I'm a victim - Manchurian candidate I have sinned by just making my mind up And taking your breath away I've felt the hate rise up in me Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves I wander out where you can't see Inside my shell, I wait and bleed I've felt the hate rise up in me Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves I wander out where you can't see Inside my shell, I wait and bleed Goodbye! You haven't learned a thing I haven't changed a thing My flesh was in my bones The pain was always free You haven't learned a thing I haven't changed a thing My flesh was in my bones The pain was always free I've felt the hate rise up in me Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves I wander out where you can't see Inside my shell, I wait and bleed I've felt the hate rise up in me Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves I wander out where you can't see Inside my shell, I wait and bleed And it waits for you!
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