“Not Long for This World” mainly talks about Corey Taylor hurting himself and feeling like his life is not going to last much. While he recognizes “all is just a difficult stage,” he pleads for a certain someone to let him die, feeling that he has lived what he could and saying he’s already through...
[Verse 1]
Cutting or scratching, they scar the same
The angle is off, edges are soft, the mark remains
I know I'm bitter and full of rage
You would be too, what I've been through
Knowledge is a difficult age
[Chorus]
So decide, tell me how I'm gonna die
'Cause I've already gone away
Decide, tell me how you loved a lie
It wasn't really hard to see
Hard to see
Not long for this world
[Verse 2]
Carving or biting, we bleed for keeps
Out of control, into the cold, hell repeats
God, I'm starving, spreading me thin
Buying a story, my soul was for sale, trust is such an arrogant thing
[Chorus]
So decide, tell me how I'm gonna die
'Cause I've already gone away
Decide, tell me how you loved a lie
It wasn't really hard to see
Hard to see
Not long for this world
Not long for this world
[Bridge]
I know the shit you eat
There's nothing mellow in the drama you live and breathe
You like your secrets to be kept in the family
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
Good night, goodbye, good luck
There's nothing worse than a ghoul manifesto
I'm not impressed though
[Pre-Chorus]
The greatest conclusion that I ever had
Was when I woke up and said that's enough
Living never felt so bad
You don't accept it and I don't care
Bury yourself above all your guilt
When you're ready, it'll be there
[Chorus]
So decide, tell me how I'm gonna die
'Cause I've already gone away
Decide, tell me how you loved a lie
It wasn't really hard to see
Hard to see
Not long for this world
Not long for this world
Not long for this world
[Outro]
I was not long for this world
I was not long for this world
I was not long for this world
I was not long for this world
I was not long for this world
I was not long for this world
Not Long for This World was written by Michael Pfaff & Sid Wilson & Jay Weinberg & Alessandro Venturella & Jim Root & Craig Jones & Shawn Crahan & Mick Thomson & Corey Taylor.
Not Long for This World was produced by Slipknot & Greg Fidelman.
Slipknot released Not Long for This World on Fri Aug 09 2019.
This is one of my favorites. The guitar riff behind the vocals has this vibe to it where it’s very melodic, and airy, and open—and then it breaks down into a typical Slipknot thing. I just love the way the vocals and the riff work together.
—Jim Root, Kerrang!