Blind (Korn song)

"Blind" is a song recorded and performed by American nu metal band Korn for their self-titled debut album. It was released as the album's first single in August 1994.

"Blind"
Single by Korn
from the album Korn
ReleasedAugust 1, 1994
Recorded1994
GenreNu metal[1][2][3]
Length4:19
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Ross Robinson
Korn singles chronology
"Christmas Song"
(1994)		 "Blind"
(1994)		 "Need To"
(1995)

Music and structure

"Blind" had been written while Jonathan Davis was in Sexart before he left the band to join Korn. The song was composed entirely by Dennis Shinn[4] - being both music, and vocal melodies / lyrics, in December 1992. Once Shinn had the song ready, he introduced the song to the other guys at band practice. From that point, Ryan Shuck added in one music section (acting as a bridge). Shuck's bridge contribution followed the extremely popular song opening riff composed by Dennis Shinn. Shuck's bridge divided the popular intro riff from the vocal section of the song. His bridge came back around after the vocal section ended as well. Shuck's contribution landed on both Sex Art's recorded demo of "Blind", as well as Korn's recorded demo of "Blind". However, once the 1994 Korn LP was being recorded, the music part written by Shuck was removed. On the Sex Art recorded demo, following Shucks bridge, the song then dropped into an extensive musical (Bridge) that built up before the closing out of the song. The entire section (bridge) was musically composed by Ray Solis. This area of music by Solis was not recorded on the Korn demo, nor album.

Korn's contribution came once they re-recorded the song for their debut album LP 1994. Even though the song was completed by Sexart, Korn added an extended song intro, utilizing drum cymbals, and an added small Bass-Line. Their addition acted as an intro that led into the original intro composed by Sexart. Also, Korn applied a small musical change away from Sexart's version, which landed under the vocal chorus "I'm so blind" lyric. That change didn't occur until the Korn LP was recorded. SexArt's original music piece was present on Korn's demo Neidermayer's Mind[5] 1993. Korn also tailored the song ending, being the bass coda at the end of the song quotes Cypress Hill's song "Lick a Shot". The ending, technically, had nothing to do with the actual song itself. Jonathan Davis and his music group Korn utilized this song on the album without crediting the original songwriters Dennis Shinn, and or Ryan Shuck. However, both Dennis Shinn and Ryan Shuck were later credited on the Greatest Hits Vol.1 compilation album when the song was used on that LP.,[6] as well as being creditied on multiple products that contain the song.

"It was Korn's professional production that brought the song to life". −Dennis Shinn

Track listing

US Enhanced Radio Promo CD
  1. "Blind" – 4:18
  2. "Blind" (video) - 4:18

UK Single

Side A:

  1. "Blind" – 4:18

Side B:

  1. "Fake (Album Version) - 4:51
  2. "Sean Olson (Radio Edit) - 4:45

Appearances
  • RIAA Certifications:[9] Reflect USA Sales, through Nielsen SoundScan.

KORN: "Korn (self titled)" Korn RIAA Certified 4X's Platinum (Korn "Self Titled" sold over 10 million worldwide.)

KORN: "Who Then Now?" (video) RIAA Certified 2X's Platinum / KORN: "Deuce (video album)" (DVD) 1X's Platinum

Family Values Tour '98 (album): Family Values Tour '98 (DVD) (DVD) RIAA Certified 3X's Platinum

Woodstock 1999 (album): (video RIAA Certified 2X's Platinum / cd - Gold)

KORN: Deuce (video album) RIAA Certified Platinum

KORN: "Live at Hammerstein" Live (Korn DVD) RIAA Certified Gold

KORN: "Live on the Other Side" (DVD) RIAA Certified 1X's Platinum

KORN: "Live & Rare (Korn album)" - (DVD) RIAA Certified 1X's Platinum

Family Values Tour 2006: - (DVD) RIAA Certified 1X's Platinum

KORN: "Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (Korn album)" 2004 RIAA Certified 1X's Platinum

KORN: "MTV Unplugged (Korn album) 2007 DVD - RIAA Certified 1X's Platinum

NHL 2K8 2007: (Gameplay soundtrack)

KORN: The Family Values Tour 2007 dvd/cd documented but unreleased

Madden NFL 10: (Gameplay soundtrack)

KORN III: Korn III: Remember Who You Are Special Edition iTunes (BLIND - live ) 2010

KORN: The Path of Totality Tour – Live at the Hollywood Palladium (cd/DVD) 2012

KORN: Family Values Festival 2013 - dvd

Australian Radio Promo
  1. "Blind" – 4:18

Chart performance

The song was released as a promotional single in the United States, Canada and Australia, and as a limited edition 10" vinyl single in the United Kingdom. It charted on the Canadian alternative chart, the RPM Alternative 30, in November 1995.[11]

Chart (1995) Peak
position
Canada Alternative 30 (RPM)[11] 15

Live performance

"Blind" had been performed by Sexart multiple times (club venues - live shows), before Jonathan Davis joined up to sing for Korn.
From that point; the song "Follow Me" had been renamed to "Daddy", after taking on a new musical approach created by Korn.
Both "Blind" and "Daddy" were then being performed by Korn, throughout their career before signing their first record deal with a major label.
After Korn was signed, and released their debut LP in 1994, the song "Blind" has been used as their concert opener, or show closer, for the entire 20+ years of their career as Korn.

"Blind", is well known for its intense opening guitar riff, as Jonathan Davis yells "Are you ready?!".
It's been known that the performances of "Blind" lends the greatest impact, crowd reaction, and energy, throughout the entire live performance set.
The song was chosen as the fan favorite, as well as being placed 1st in category on the historical "Woodstock 99 (album)" concert festival cd, and DVD video.
After departing from Korn in 2005, guitarist Brian "Head" Welch had also covered the song live.

It was performed live at the Carolina Rebellion in Rockingham, North Carolina; Davis invited Brian "Head" Welch to join Korn on stage and perform the song. This was Welch's first performance with Korn since his departure.[12] Since then, Welch had rejoined Korn.
Recently, at shows such as the Download Festival, the song has opened the show as a new mix, with a much shorter intro.
In the later side of 2015, the music group Suicide Silence started to play "Blind" live, being their cover version - tribute to the song.[13]
Korn played their first 20th Anniversary concert in March 2015, marking the first time several songs off their debut 1994 self-titled "Korn" LP had been performed live in years, including "Daddy," "Predictable" and "Shoots and Ladders."[14]

Meanwhile: Korn continue to perform "Blind" at every live performance throughout the world.

Music video

The music video was directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol. Korn is seen performing in front of an energetic crowd in a small stage room. A large "Korn" flag can be seen on the back of the stage. There are also clips of the band hanging out. The video was released in January 1995.

Demo version

The first version of this song had been recorded on the band's demo tape entitled Neidermeyer's Mind, released in 1993. There is a slight difference between these versions, as the primal version had a more heavy-metal atmosphere, and the version that appeared on band's debut album featured a hip-hop stylized bridge.

Accolades

Kerrang!

December 14, 2002[15]

  • 666 Songs You Must Own (contemporary metal) TOP 20: No.2 - Korn - Blind
  • 100 Greatest Singles Of All Time: No.10 - Korn - Blind
  • The Kerrang! 100 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: No.18 - Korn, 'Korn'

Q Magazine
  • January 2003 - "100 Songs That Changed The World" - No.88 - Korn - Blind.
  • March 2005 - "100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever!" - No.93. - Korn - Blind.

Loudwire
  • 10 Best KORN Songs: No.2 'BLIND'[16]
  • 10 Best Metal Riffs of the 90's: No.7 KORN 'Blind'[17]
  • Best Korn Album - Readers Poll: No.1: Korn, 'Korn' Featuring the "Fan Favorite" Hit Song, "Blind"[18]

Appearances in media

The music video was featured in an episode of Beavis and Butt-head, where Beavis commented on the video's lack of originality, however they commented that the song sounded "kinda cool".
The song itself was used as the ending theme for the U.S. releases of Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie.
X-Games Vol.1[19] compilation cd, as well as the opening song to launch the official XGames live on TV.
In 2000, the song was featured in Charlie's Angels directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol, who has directed several Korn videos.
The song was also featured in the 2k Sports video game 'NHL 2K8 2007".
The song is also featured on the track list for Madden NFL 10.

References
  1. Wiederhorn, Jon (July 1, 2013). "NOISEY VS. METALSUCKS - THREATEN MY FAMILY IF YOU MUST, BUT I STILL SAY KORN RULES". Vice.
  2. "The Ultimate Nu Metal Mixtape". Kerrang!. (November 10th, 2014)
  3. Diver, Mike (September 6, 2009). "Top Ten - Nu-Metal Anthems". Clash. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-07-05. Retrieved 2015-07-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Neidermayer's Mind
  6. http://www.discogs.com/Korn-Greatest-Hits-Vol-1/release/4672014
  7. "Blind US Radio Promo (ESK 6786)". Korn.simpol.net. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  8. "Blind US Radio Promo (1995)". Korn.simpol.net. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  9. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Korn#search_section
  10. "Blind Australian Radio Promo (SAMP 3165)". Korn.simpol.net. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  11. "Rock/Alternative - Volume 62, No. 15, November 13, 1995". Archived from the original on 2013-06-05. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  12. "Brian 'Head' Welch Joins Korn Onstage at Carolina Rebellion". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 2012-05-05.
  13. http://www.metalinjection.net/video/suicide-silence-covers-korns-blind-live-and-inexplicably-ends-with-the-theme-to-montell-jordan
  14. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/korn-extend-self-titled-album-anniversary-tour-20150721
  15. http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/kerrang666.htm
  16. http://loudwire.com/best-korn-songs/
  17. http://loudwire.com/best-metal-riffs-1990s/
  18. http://loudwire.com/best-korn-album-readers-poll/
  19. http://www.allmusic.com/album/x-games-vol-1-music-from-the-edge-mw0000184353
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