Not Long For This World

Slipknot's song "Not Long For This World" delves deep into themes of mortality, betrayal, and existential angst. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone grappling with the inevitability of death and the scars left by life's harsh experiences. The opening lines, "Cutting or scratching, they scar the same / Angle is off, edges are soft / The mark remains," suggest that no matter how one is hurt, the pain and its marks are enduring. This sets the tone for a song that is both introspective and accusatory, reflecting on personal suffering and the perceived betrayals by others.

The chorus, with its repeated plea to "decide, tell me how I'm gonna die," underscores a sense of resignation and inevitability. The protagonist feels as though they have already been condemned, and the repeated line "Not long for this world" serves as a grim reminder of their impending end. This fatalistic outlook is further emphasized by the lines, "God I'm starving, spreading me thin / Buying a story, my soul was for sale / Trust is such an arrogant thing," which highlight feelings of being used and betrayed, and the futility of placing trust in others.

The song also touches on themes of disillusionment and the rejection of societal norms. The verse, "You don't get credit for your rare good behavior / Go be a savior / You don't seem to get what I'm saying / And I'm sick and tired of explaining," expresses frustration with societal expectations and the superficiality of people's actions. The protagonist's declaration that "Living never felt so bad" and the repeated assertion that they were "not long for this world" encapsulate a profound sense of despair and disconnection from life. Slipknot's raw and intense musical style amplifies these themes, making "Not Long For This World" a powerful exploration of the darker aspects of the human experience.