The Dying Song (Time to Sing)

Album: The End, So Far (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "The Dying Song (Time to Sing)" starts off in a very un-Slipknot manner as Corey Taylor sings a couple of lines a cappella. Then he repeatedly screams "DIE!" as the band bursts in behind him so we can relax in the knowledge it's another brutal Knot track.
  • Lyrically, "The Dying Song" finds Taylor giving his perspective on societal problems and the end of the world. He believes people are so entrenched in cancel culture we're ignoring the fact we're heading to oblivion.

    Radical rather than rhetorical, babble like an oracle
    Why am I always in your debt?
    Father and the son and the holy ghost
    Communist comatose, show me all the wagers are a bet


    "To me, it just seems like it's all the outrage and none of the punishment," Taylor ranted to Kerrang. "For the last few years it's been very trendy to be offended and outraged by everything, and yet nothing happens – especially in my country, which is just f---ing ridiculous. It's almost like the tables have turned, and the more angry people get, the more the people who they're mad at just double-down on the s--t."
  • Taylor says the world's end is humankind's fault. Satan will get the blame, but it's down to our own idiocy and refusal to change.

    The middle of a nuclear winter is a modern achievement of the retro apocalyptic horde
    Satan? You must be mistaken, there are no more satans


    "It's almost like people are ringing the doomsday bell," said Taylor. "You're sitting there going, 'Well, it's been fun! Everybody, pick up your trash when you're leaving, and I'll see you in Hell!' That's kind of what that song is. It's just like, 'If we don't figure it out, I'll see you when the meteor hits, basically."
  • Slipknot released "The Dying Song (Time to Sing)" on July 19, 2022 as the second single from The End, So Far. The band laid down the album during the latter stages of the COVID pandemic. This meant that Taylor recorded his vocals in his home city of Las Vegas while his bandmates worked on the music in Los Angeles. Joe Barresi (Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, Nine Inch Nails) co-produced the record alongside the band.
  • Slipknot performed "The Dying Song (Time To Sing)" live for the first time on July 28, 2022, during their show at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.

Comments: 1

  • Milley Boony Brown from Quandale Dingle LandFirst of all, how am I the first to comment on this? and second, my friend shown me this album and now every single day I'm in my basement rocket to it on the good old drum set (I suck at drums btw)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.