Before I Forget

Album: Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses) (2004)
Charted: 35
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The guitar riffs for this song are based on an early song called "Carve" that featured on Slipknot's unreleased album Crowz. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jackson - Nottingham, England
  • Corey Taylor's lyrics are open to interpretation, which is how he likes it. This song deals with evolution and the nature of man.
  • In 2006, this won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. This was Slipknot's first Grammy - they were nominated for the award six years in a row before finally winning.
  • The beeping at the end of the song is Morse code, which spells out the word "Slipknot."
  • Slipknot rarely appear without their masks, but they do in this video, although only tight shots of their faces are seen. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR, for above 3
  • Corey Taylor explains the loop at the end of the song in his book A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Heaven: "Another ghost got into the machine in the control room one night as we were making a rough mix of 'Vermilion' - it started looping a section of a verse, so we hit 'record' and began making a remix of that loop. You can actually hear it on the album: it is in between 'Before I Forget' and 'Vermilion pt. 2.'" >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Ryu - Tokyo, Japan

Comments: 17

  • Ryu from Tokyo, JapanCorey Taylor explains loop between "Before I Forget" and "Vermilion Pt. 2" in his book "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Heaven":

    Another ghost got into the machine in the control room one night as we were making a rough mix of "Vermilion"—it started looping a section of a verse, so we hit "record" and began making a remix of that loop. You can actually hear it on the album: it is in between "Before I Forget" and "Vermilion pt. 2."
  • Seth from Ingleside, Txto me the song is about (i think this about most slipknot songs and not in a bad way) is about nothing, just stuff mixed together but makin it sound awesome
  • Luke from Manchester, United KingdomRahul, this song does not have screaming from the start.
    Corey sings it and screams at the end.
  • Devon from Lake Worth, FlI agree with Anthony from Cape May, NJ; this song is very good for gaming. SLIPKNOT FTW!!!
  • Chris from Canberra, AustraliaOh it's the Morse code spelling slipknot lol, wondering what the f--k that was for ages.
  • Rahul from Chennai, Indiathe starting riff is too cool... and i don't care what this song means.... he's screaming frm the start.... so i don't understand anything anyway.... but this song gets me high....
  • Victoria from Chicago, IlI like Travis's comment more than anything, cause i would just hate to get rid of it (along with some others) for denying God's existence
  • Smile from Norwood,i think this song is also bout how all humans are technically animals and when it comes down to it thats all anyone is
  • Drew from Knoxville, Tnok before i forget is about the band and they are just thanking their fans
  • Tanner from Breandon, FlAgreed, travis does have a good point.
  • Ian from Chilli, Ohtravis, very good point.
  • Travis from Upton, KyPersonally, I think this song is about remembering your roots. " I, was a creature before i could stand." I think this is a metaphor representing that they were once just ordinary people. Now they're rockstars, and they dont want to forget how hard they've worked to get here.
  • Angela from Cartersville, GaTHIS SONG FREAKIN ROCK. I LOVE CORY TAYLOR HES SOO HOT. I ALSO LOVE THEIR BAND
  • Anthony from Cape May, NjVery viscious song, great beat, good for gaming
  • Tony from St Clair Shores, MiWell if you coulda said all that, throw in some of it too then.
  • Daniel from Dayton, Txi could have told you all this, you guys are idots
  • Krystal from New South Wales, Australiafreaking awesome song!!! love it to bits
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.

Paul Williams

Paul WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

He's a singer and an actor, but as a songwriter Paul helped make Kermit a cultured frog, turned a bank commercial into a huge hit and made love both "exciting and new" and "soft as an easy chair."

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.