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The inspiration for Got the Life is revealed! What surprises are hidden in Korn's creative process?
"Got the Life" released by the American heavy metal band Korn in 1998 immediately became a hot topic in the music industry. The song not only achieved amazing commercial success, but also attracted widespread attention among music fans. This song is the second single from Korn's third album "Follow the Leader". The inspiration during the recording process and the subsequent music video production contain many surprising details.
Creation Background and Release
"Got the Life" was recorded in April 1998 at NRG Studios in North Hollywood, California. After recording, all members of Korn thought that this song had a unique charm, especially lead singer Jonathan Davis, who revealed that this song reminded him of the party music that was very popular at the time and brought endless inspiration to the band. Although they were initially hesitant about whether the song would be accepted by fans, they still released it as a promotional single in early August 1998, which was undoubtedly a wise decision.
"The song revolves around the mixed blessings of fame, which are both joyous and bittersweet."
Musical Structure
"Got the Life" is three minutes and 45 seconds long, also the shortest song on the album. The song was produced by Steve Thompson and Toby Wright, and mixed by Brendan O'Brien. Not only that, different versions of the song, such as "Deejay Punk-Roc Remix" and "D.O.S.E.'s Woollyback Remix", make its musical layers even richer.
"The song opens with a single percussion hit, followed by a triple guitar riff before launching into the chorus."
Among the members of Korn, Jonathan Davis' unique voice became the soul of this song. Its lyrics explore the admiration of the masses and the fame that comes with it, but in some internal interviews, Davis revealed that the original opening of the song included a soundtrack from the 1974 film "Blazing Saddles", but it was ultimately removed due to copyright issues.
The Birth of the Music Video
With the success of the song, Korn decided to shoot a music video, the original idea came from bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu. Joseph Kahn was originally chosen to direct the music video, but due to his cold response, Korn eventually worked with their old director McG. The music video not only showcases the charm of the melody, but also depicts Korn's unique visual style, becoming one of the most popular music videos on MTV.
"The music video was so successful that it became MTV's first retired video, probably because the audience wanted other artists to have a chance to be on the charts."
Business Success and Evaluation
Although the song received little attention from the music media, it was still certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association and topped several charts. The song entered the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart at number 15 and peaked at number 1 on the RPM Rock/Alternative Chart in Canada. In 2021, Kerrang voted it one of Cohen's 20 greatest songs.
"Although the score is not high, "Got the Life" shows the best rhythm style in the fusion of metal and rap."
Now as we look back at this song and the story behind it, we can't help but wonder whether the challenges and inspirations Korn faced when writing this song can inspire more music creators today? However, as musical styles evolve, how will Korn stay relevant in future creations?
