Five Minutes Alone

Album: Far Beyond Driven (1994)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul in the album's publicity materials, there was a guy in the front row in San Diego who was heckling lead singer Phil Anselmo. Phil finally had enough, so he incited the crowd to jump this guy. The guy sued them. Then his dad called Pantera's manager and his exact quote was, "You just give me five minutes alone with that Phil Anselmo guy and I'll show him who's big daddy around here." Phil's response was, "You just give me five minutes with that cat's dad and I'll whoop his a--." And that's where that song came from. (From the Best of Pantera booklet. Thanks, Jayson - Atlanta, GA)
  • The Far Beyond Driven album is a metal milestone. It hit #1 in America and also pleased the faithful, as it stuck to the thrash sound the band used to build their legacy. Mike Portnoy explained in the book Survival of the Fittest: Heavy Metal in the 1990s, "The times were changing and metal was about to go through a tough period. Anthrax and Megadeth and Slayer - and especially Metallica - were about to go through a mid-'90s period where they were experimenting with change. All the popular '80s and early '90s metal bands were putting out their weakest albums in the mid-to-late '90s. Pantera - God bless them - were the only thing holding it together for real metal. And then eventually, it came back around."

Comments: 14

  • Ozzman from MissouriI want five minutes alone with Phil Anselmo I don't dislike him I've just got a lot to prove
  • Alex from Mexico City, MexicoSomewhere I heard that this song was written by Phil Anselmo after he was declared dead for around five minutes after doing a speedball (drugs) and a lot of alcohol
  • Dyanna from Zagreb, Croatiai heard the story a years back - couldnt believe from where the inspiration came from - but song kicks ass
  • Matt from Houston, Txhope phil got those 5 minutes alone with him. 4 more than he needs to kick his lily ass
  • Adam from Lodi, OhThis song is awesome and PHil Kicks @ss
  • Dylan from Hudson, MaThe song is about a fan who was giving Phil a hard time so Phil finally snapped and had the audience attack the kid. The kid's father sued Phil, called up the band's manager, and said "You just give me five minutes alone with that Phil Anselmo guy and I'll show him who the big daddy is" and Phil responded by saying "You give me five minutes alone with that cat's dad and I'll whoop his a--". That's where the song comes from. In my opinion, the kid deserves it if you're messing with Phil because Phil is the man and his dad is an idiot.
  • Fred from Pootsville, United StatesI don't know about all that...I always have heard that the song was about Affirmative Action...and the lyrics seem to support the subject matter.
  • Dylan from Perth, AustraliaI was at the concert where Phil said that.
  • Barge from San Francisco, CaIt also has to do with the Heavy Metal Music media. The use to write stupid stuff about Pantera and made up rumors about them having problems. We love you Vinnie!!!
  • Josh from Auburndale, FlJayson from ATL is right i have the booklet to the best of Pantera, and seen many interviews with the exact same...
  • Ahab from Slam Town, CaI hadn't heard the incitement story before, but I have an interview with Phil in a magazine where he says the song is about some guy who sued him for something like $500, claiming Phil deliberately kicked him in the head during a stagedive because he was Mexican or something. I'm not making it up, I swear!
  • Anders from Faaborg, DenmarkSome kid was being very annoying at a Pantera show, so Phil Anselmo said something that made the crowd attack this guy. After this incident the guys father said in an interview: "You just give me 5 minutes alone with that Philip Anselmo guy..." The title refers to this.
  • Luke from Memphis, TnThree words- Phil's a bad@ss.
  • Craig from Dublin, IrelandPhil anselmo thought up off the name as he was sued by a kids father who said phil intested the crowd on him, in an interview phil said just give me 5 mins alone with that guy and he ll be so much different
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.