“Not Long for This World” by Slipknot

The simplest way to describe Slipknot’s “Not Long for this World” is that it is written from the perspective of someone who is contemplating ending it all. The language used throughout may point to other topics also. However, all things considered, the singer is dealing with an extreme degree of depression and is more or less contemplating how the “world” would be without him.

It is pretty well known that Corey Taylor (who is Slipknot’s lead singer) dealt with his own mental issues shortly before the release of this track. So the general understanding is that he is singing from a personal perspective. And from the onset, he alludes to the concept of self-injurious behavior. Again this may be more symbolic than literal.  

First Verse

In the first verse, he also introduces the idea that he is in such a state due to arduous past experiences, which the person who is analyzing him (i.e. the addressee) has not been through. And this lack of similar experiences makes it difficult for the addressee to fully appreciate what he is going through. Indeed this concept is one Taylor has put forth in other songs also.

Chorus

The chorus is really the part of the song which is most open for interpretation. It is clear that the singer is addressing someone familiar to him. And he is telling this person that he has “gone away”.

The narrative reads like the addressee was privy to the mental issues the singer was suffering from but chose to ignore them. So now the ultimate expression of the singer’s depression is manifest, as he has decided to depart. And this departure can have one of two meanings. On one hand, he can be alluding to perhaps excommunicating himself from said person, as in moving away and never seeing he or she again. Or he can be referring to literally leaving the world of the living. In fact considering that the phrase “gone away” is in the past tense, this track reads sort of like a note someone could have left behind after departing the world.

The latter possibility really comes to light during the pre-chorus. There Taylor states that the addressee, whom once again he has decided to ‘go away’ from, is dealing with some type of tremendous “guilt”. This feeling is possibly due to their seeing their friend suffer and not intervening in time, as in preventing his suicide.

Conclusion

But whether Slipknot is specifically singing about departing this world or not, the bottom line is that via his general discontent in life, the singer is contemplating some type of unhealthy behavior. And in one capacity or another, he is intent on leaving his current life and associates behind. And he seemingly anticipates that they will experience some type of mental grief as a result. But ultimately, as the title puts it, he is “not long for this world”, meaning that, whether metaphorically or literally, he yearns for his time here to soon come to an end.

Who wrote “Not Long for This World”?

Corey Taylor along with the rest of Slipknot penned this dark track. Slipknot also worked with their frequent collaborator Greg Fidelman to produce “Not Long for This World”.

When was “Not Long for This World” released?

The official date “Not Long for This World” was released was August 9, 2019. The track is the 13th track on Slipknot’s We Are Not Your Kind album. It should be noted that this track wasn’t a single. That notwithstanding, it is considered one of the highlights from the album. Other non-single highlights include: “Nero Forte” and “A Liar’s Funeral“.