What If

Album: Human Clay (1999)
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Songfacts®:

  • In this song, Scott Stapp sings about those who oppress the band with their words and hatred. He seems to be referring to the media and critics who lashed out at Creed, and asks what they would do if faced with a similar situation.
  • This song may have marked the peak of Creed's success and the beginning of the Creed backlash. They had released only three albums, but got constant airplay from 1997-2001. Human Clay was their second album, and soon after their third album Weathered was released, radio saturation made listeners weary of their sound.
  • This was used in the 2000 movie Scream 3. Creed helped produce the soundtrack. The music video showed the band getting offed one-by-one by the infamous Ghostface from Scream. The video also features David Arquette.
  • According to guitarist Mark Tremonti, who wrote the music for this track, the intro was inspired by both "Paint It Black" from The Rolling Stones and the Nintendo game Zelda. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Aaron - Chicago, IL, for above 2
  • The album was recorded at a house outside of Tallahassee. Lead singer Scott Stapp moved there after reading that Jim Morrison had lived in Tallahassee.
  • When American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry sang this on the show in 2006, judge Simon Cowell told him: "There is a line you don't cross. Creed would not be seen dead on this show."

Comments: 14

  • Jason from MarylandI can definitely hear the "Paint it Black" intro riff at the beginning of this song.

    But I don't hear the Zelda inspiration?
  • Chad from WisconsinI get the sense that this song is a pushback to the often annoying question well meaning Christians ask

    What if you died right now, do you know where you would go
  • Alan from South AfricaEmily - you clearly have no idea of what you speak. Probably still brainwashed by the powers that be that feed you your little daily dose of ideology that you're free as a human being to do whatever you please... maybe one day when you awake and achieve true consciousness, this song will also then resonate with your spirit like it does with mine and millions of other free thinkers.
  • Joseph Trexler from Jensen Beach, FlWell... I just wanted to share that this song was the first song playing during the very first time I started tripping on mushrooms. The natural, cow s--t kind, not grown in an aquarium. I have to say, it does something to you. Like losing your virginity, you never forget it. I still get chills and Goosebumps up my arms and s--t anytime this song plays. Very eye opening trip, and anyone that has done mushrooms knows they seriously intensify music. This song has a meaning all its own for me. Wicked fruit of your vine destroys the man that lacks a strong mind. Yeah damn right, if I lacked a strong mind, I'm not sure I would have made it through that first trip. Like I said.. Carries a meaning all its own for me.
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjI Think Scott Stapp is a good singer but nowhere near as great as Myles Kennedy. He's a great lyricist though.
  • Angelica from San Diego, CaAll I can say about this song is, go Creed. You rock. And hey, they're back together!
  • Landon from Winchester, OhSimon Conwell can go f**k himself. He can't tell certain bands that they can't attend American Idol. That over-rated termegant Carrie Underwood character made it, so practically anybody should have a shot at attending it. Simon Conwell sucks.
  • Joe from Perth, Australiasimon cowell bagged this on idol when his show is an abomination and just karaoke sang by untalented retards deport the stupid pom
  • Canopus from Cairo, EgyptHi guys...i would love to say that i'm Creed's biggest fan and i think that "What if" really has that special Creed flavour and i must say that i'm surprised of you Emily ( with no offence ) that you think of this song as a stupidlly written song...& obviously you haven't heard any other songs by Creed who are known for creative MUSICALITY mixed with Scott Stapp's unparalleled vocals and unmatched performance of Mark Tremonti , Scott Philips & Brian Marshall.. i hope you don't think the same about "With arms wide open"
    forgot to say that I,m Alter Bridge's biggest fan too...you have to listen to "Ties that bind" &"One day remains"
  • Emily from Abingdon, VaThis song's lyrics are so stupid. They tried way to hard to be deep and ended up sounding like idiots. Luckily the public did not noticed because they were so distracted by Stapp's obnoxious voice and the band's general lack of any musicality.
  • Chauncey from Omha, Nethis song is awesome!!!!

    Bought the greatest hits CD the first day it was out in stores
  • Will from Des Moines, IaUh, nick, FYI for ya, Korn's CD came out a couple years after this CD did. But, nice try through.
  • Nick from Elk Grove, Caoffed one by one? kinda sounds like the Alone I break video by Korn. Don't get my wrong, Creed is a good band(or they were)
  • Stefan from North White Plains, NyFrom what I remeber, Stapp described this song as his revenge for those who picked on him throughout his earlier years. Basically saying (as his younger self) "What if I succeed in life, what if I don't" to his opponents. It was his was of showing how far he came in life without forcefully trying to make himself better than others.
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