Falling Away from Me
"Falling Away from Me" is a song by the American nu metal band Korn, released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Issues, in 1999.[1][2] The track premiered on the South Park episode "Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery" on October 27, 1999, followed by radio airplay the next day and a commercial single release on December 6, 1999.[3][4] The song's lyrics explore the psychological impact of domestic abuse, reflecting frontman Jonathan Davis's experiences with childhood trauma inflicted by his mother.[3] Musically, it features Korn's signature downtuned guitars, aggressive rhythms, and Davis's scatting vocal style, contributing to its status as a staple in the band's live performances, played over 1,500 times since its debut concert appearance on July 20, 1999.[5] The accompanying music video, directed by Fred Durst, depicts scenes of child abuse involving actress Amy Aquilina to highlight the issue, premiering on MTV on November 26, 1999, and achieving significant rotation on the network.[6][7] As one of Korn's most enduring hits from the late 1990s nu metal wave, "Falling Away from Me" helped propel Issues to commercial success, with the album debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 upon its November 16, 1999 release.[8] The single's release in the UK on February 12, 2000, marked Korn's continued international reach amid the genre's peak popularity.[4]Background and Development
Songwriting and Inspiration
"Falling Away from Me" was written by Korn's core members—Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Brian "Head" Welch, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and David Silveria—during the recording sessions for their fourth studio album, Issues, which took place primarily in 1999.[9] The track emerged as a collaborative effort blending heavy riffs with introspective lyrics, reflecting the band's evolving songwriting approach amid heightened commercial success following Follow the Leader (1998).[9] The song's lyrics, primarily authored by vocalist Jonathan Davis, stem from his documented experiences with childhood abuse and ongoing battles with depression.[9] Davis has described the content as centering on domestic abuse from the victim's perspective, portraying feelings of isolation, flirtations with suicide, and a plea for escape.[9] He explicitly stated: "The song is about domestic abuse and that there are ways to get help. Whether it’s telling someone or calling a help line, there are ways to get out of those situations."[9] This interpretation aligns with broader themes in Davis's work, where personal trauma is transformed into cathartic expression to resonate with listeners facing similar pain.[10] Issues marked Davis's first album made sober, intensifying the raw emotional output as he confronted personal turmoil, including relationship dissatisfaction, without substances to numb it.[10] [11] Davis later reflected on this period as one of mental instability—"I didn’t know what was going on. I was going insane"—which infused tracks like "Falling Away from Me" with unfiltered vulnerability, distinguishing it from prior works reliant on drug-fueled creativity.[10] The song's inspiration thus embodies causal links between unresolved abuse, sobriety-induced clarity, and therapeutic songwriting as a mechanism for processing and public advocacy against violence.[9]Recording Process
The recording sessions for "Falling Away from Me" formed part of Korn's production for their fourth studio album, Issues, which marked a shift in the band's approach as frontman Jonathan Davis recorded sober for the first time, influencing the emotional intensity of the vocals. Primary tracking occurred at A&M Studios in Hollywood, California, where the band captured the core instrumentation, including the song's distinctive downtuned guitar riffs and Davis's layered screams. Engineer Nick DiDia handled the recording, with assistance from Bryan Cook, emphasizing a raw yet polished nu-metal sound through extensive overdubs and processing to achieve the track's brooding atmosphere.[12][10] To refine the mix, the sessions moved to Southern Tracks Recording in Atlanta, Georgia, under producer Brendan O'Brien, who also mixed the track. O'Brien's involvement brought a cleaner production edge compared to prior albums, utilizing compression and reverb on Davis's performance to heighten the themes of isolation and abuse, while preserving the band's signature low-end heaviness from seven-string guitars. This phase focused on balancing the song's dynamic shifts, from sparse verses to explosive choruses, resulting in a runtime of 4:29 for the final version. The process wrapped efficiently, aligning with Issues' release on November 16, 1999, via Immortal/Epic Records.[12][13]Release
Single Formats
"Falling Away from Me" was issued as a commercial single primarily in CD and vinyl formats in late 1999. The UK CD single, released by Epic Records, was an enhanced, limited edition numbered release featuring the radio edit of the title track, the Krust remix, and the B-side "Jingle Balls," along with the music video.[13] A promotional remix CD, "Falling Away from Me: The Mixes," included the Mantronik Beatdown Formula, Krust remix, and original version, distributed on December 6, 1999, via Immortal Records.[14] Vinyl formats included a UK limited edition 7-inch orange vinyl single, catalog number 6688697, pressing the title track and "Jingle Balls" on picture disc-style backing.[15] Additionally, a 12-inch vinyl promo under Immortal/Epic (EPC 668135 6) was released in 1999.[16] No cassette single formats were commercially issued.[8] These physical releases supported promotion ahead of the Issues album launch on November 16, 1999.[8]Promotion and Album Context
"Falling Away from Me" served as the lead single from Korn's fourth studio album, Issues, released on November 16, 1999, through Immortal Records.[17] The album built on the commercial success of the band's prior release, Follow the Leader (1998), incorporating nu metal elements with introspective themes drawn from frontman Jonathan Davis's experiences with addiction and recovery.[18] Issues debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 573,000 copies in its first week.[18] The single debuted via an animated guest appearance by Korn on the South Park episode "Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery" on October 27, 1999, which featured the band performing the track and functioned as early cross-media promotion for the upcoming album.[3] It was subsequently released to rock radio on October 28, 1999, with physical CD and vinyl formats following on December 6, 1999, including radio edits, album versions, and remixes such as a drum and bass variant.[19][8] Promotional efforts included advance CDs distributed to media and retailers, emphasizing the song's role in generating anticipation for Issues.[20] Album promotion extended beyond the single through strategies like an MTV-sponsored fan contest for the Issues cover art, selecting five winning designs, and a high-profile performance at the Apollo Theater in Harlem shortly after release.[21] In 2000, Korn supported Issues with the Sick and Twisted Tour, a package tour featuring Limp Bizkit and other acts that amplified the album's singles, including "Falling Away from Me," via live renditions and merchandising tie-ins.[18] These efforts contributed to Issues selling over 13 million copies worldwide.[22]Composition
Musical Structure and Instrumentation
"Falling Away from Me" employs a conventional verse-chorus structure typical of Korn's nu-metal style, beginning with an atmospheric intro featuring high-pitched, eerie guitar tones that evoke a sense of unease.[23] The song progresses through two verses characterized by Jonathan Davis's scat-like vocalizations over a heavy, bouncing riff, transitioning into choruses with cleaner, melodic singing of the hook "Falling away from me."[3] A bridge introduces a more introspective section with lyrics addressing suicidal ideation, building tension before returning to the chorus and fading out with repeated motifs.[24] The track is performed at a tempo of 104 beats per minute in 4/4 time, allowing for its mid-paced, groove-oriented feel. Instrumentation centers on dual seven-string guitars tuned to A standard (A-D-G-C-F-A-D), enabling the low-end heaviness and dissonant riffs played by James "Munky" Shaffer and Brian "Head" Welch, often processed with effects for watery, otherworldly textures.[25] Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu provides slap bass lines that lock with the groove, while David Silveria's drumming emphasizes syncopated patterns and dynamic shifts to support the song's emotional intensity.[26] Jonathan Davis's vocals alternate between aggressive scatting, screams, and relatively melodic delivery, with no additional keyboards or synthesizers dominating the mix, though guitar effects simulate atmospheric elements.[23]Lyrics and Themes
The lyrics of "Falling Away from Me," written primarily by Korn vocalist Jonathan Davis, depict a narrative of emotional exhaustion, relational betrayal, and psychological dissociation. The opening verses convey fatigue and resignation—"Hey, I'm feeling tired / My time has gone today"—escalating to accusations of self-destructive behavior and external pressure: "You flirt with suicide / Sometimes that's okay / Do what others say." The chorus repeats the titular phrase "Falling away from me," symbolizing a crumbling connection, accompanied by pleas for clarity amid deception: "Where is the light that I don't see?" Later verses intensify the sense of isolation and disbelief: "Hey, when I need you / I don't have the reasons why / I hear the news / I need to know is it the truth? / They say they've come for me / I can't believe it."[3][27] Thematically, the song centers on domestic abuse and the one-sided nature of strained relationships, where support evaporates during personal crises. Davis has stated that it highlights the importance of seeking help for victims, such as confiding in trusted individuals or contacting helplines, rather than suffering in silence.[9] This interpretation aligns with broader Korn motifs of vulnerability and trauma, though Davis also described it as reflecting how loved ones—romantic partners or family—provide aid during their own hardships but abandon the narrator in reciprocity: "when everything is going bad for them, you're always there for them. And when you're going bad, they turn their back on you."[28] Some analyses extend this to familial violence, including child abuse, echoing Davis's disclosed personal history of molestation, though the lyrics emphasize adult relational dynamics over explicit autobiography.[29] Delivered in Davis's signature style blending sung verses with aggressive scat-singing in the chorus, the lyrics underscore themes of inner turmoil and futile grasping for stability, contributing to the track's raw portrayal of mental fragmentation without resolution.[9]Music Video
The music video for "Falling Away from Me," directed by Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, premiered on MTV on November 26, 1999, during the Spankin' New Music program.[7] It intercuts performance footage of Korn in a stark, white-tiled room with a narrative depicting a teenage boy enduring severe physical abuse from his father, highlighting themes of domestic violence and familial dysfunction that align with the song's lyrics about emotional detachment amid trauma.[9] The boy's mother remains passive or complicit in the scenes, underscoring cycles of neglect and aggression.[9] An original cut of the video included a brief cameo by Durst at the conclusion, where he intervenes in the abuse scenario, but MTV objected to the graphic depiction of the beating, prompting a reshot ending that omitted his appearance to tone down the violence for broadcast.[9] This alteration reflects network sensitivities to explicit content in early 2000s music programming, though the core message of confronting abuse persisted in the final version.[9] The video contributed to the single's visibility, aiding its chart performance amid Korn's rising nu-metal prominence.[21]Live Performances
MTV Unplugged Rendition
Korn performed an acoustic rendition of "Falling Away from Me" during their MTV Unplugged session taped on December 9, 2006, at MTV Studios in Times Square, New York City.[30] The performance featured the band's core lineup adapting the track's nu-metal elements to stripped-down instrumentation, including acoustic guitars and subdued percussion, which highlighted Jonathan Davis's vocal delivery and the song's introspective lyrics about emotional detachment.[31] This version appeared as track four on the live album MTV Unplugged: Korn, released worldwide on March 5, 2007, by Virgin Records, following the televised premiere on February 23, 2007.[32] [33] Unlike other songs in the set that incorporated guest vocalists such as Amy Lee of Evanescence, the "Falling Away from Me" rendition relied solely on Korn's members, preserving the original's raw intensity in an unamplified format.[34] The acoustic arrangement emphasized the track's thematic depth, with Davis's baritone and scat-like phrasing taking precedence over the studio version's distorted guitars and bagpipe accents, resulting in a more vulnerable interpretation that resonated with fans for its exposure of the band's musical versatility.[35] The performance has been made available on platforms like YouTube and Spotify, where it continues to garner views for its contrast to Korn's typical aggressive live shows.[36]Other Notable Versions
Korn debuted an early iteration of "Falling Away from Me" at Woodstock '99 on July 23, 1999, performing the track in an unfinished form that previewed its dynamic shifts and Jonathan Davis's vocal intensity prior to the album Issues release four months later.[37] This rendition, captured amid the festival's high-energy atmosphere, highlighted the song's raw developmental stage, with extended improvisational elements not present in the studio cut.[38] The band recorded an acoustic arrangement for AOL Music Sessions around the mid-2000s, reducing the original's aggressive guitar riffs and percussion to focus on stripped-back instrumentation, Davis's emotive delivery, and the lyrics' introspective themes of relational decay.[39] This version underscored the track's versatility beyond nu metal conventions, appealing to audiences seeking a more intimate interpretation.[40] In a 2012 live session at BBC Radio 1's Maida Vale Studios on March 24, Korn revisited the song with refined precision, incorporating subtle variations in tempo and emphasis on Fieldy's bass grooves to adapt it for a radio audience while preserving its core aggression.[41] Similarly, a 2016 performance during a Sirius XM broadcast from The Theater at Ace Hotel on October 21 maintained the track's staple status in their live repertoire, demonstrating its longevity through consistent setlist inclusion over nearly two decades.[42] An official Krust remix, released on the Falling Away from Me EP in 1999, transformed the song into a drum and bass-infused variant, layering breakbeat rhythms over the original's framework to explore electronic reinterpretations, though it received limited promotion compared to the rock-oriented single.[43][44]Commercial Performance
Chart Positions
"Falling Away from Me" reached moderate peaks on U.S. rock radio airplay charts following its release in late 1999, reflecting Korn's strong presence in the alternative and mainstream rock formats at the time.[45] It also charted briefly in the United Kingdom and appeared lower on Australian singles rankings.[4]| Chart (1999–2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard) | 8 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard) | 7 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard) | 8 |
| Australia (ARIA) | 62 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 24 |
Certifications and Sales
"Falling Away from Me" did not receive a certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the single release. Specific physical sales figures for the single are not publicly detailed in official reports, reflecting the era's limited tracking for non-top-charting rock singles prior to widespread digital metrics. In the streaming era, the track has surpassed 394 million plays on Spotify, indicating enduring digital consumption.[47] This streaming volume equates to equivalent album units well exceeding platinum thresholds under modern RIAA formulas (where 1,500 streams approximate one unit), though no formal certification has been issued as of October 2025.Critical Reception
Initial Reviews
Upon its release as the lead single from Korn's album Issues in October 1999, "Falling Away from Me" received positive attention from critics for its atmospheric production and thematic depth exploring escapism from personal turmoil.[48] A December 1999 review in the Hard News Cafe praised the track's lyrics, such as "Bringing me down, Don't bring me down," as reflective of fleeing problems, tying into the accompanying music video depicting children escaping abusive homes, which echoed frontman Jonathan Davis's own experiences.[48] Album reviews contemporaneous with the single's promotion further highlighted the song's role in elevating Issues' moody, introspective tone. Rolling Stone's January 2000 assessment of the album commended Davis for channeling childhood trauma into compelling material, positioning tracks like the opener "Falling Away from Me" within a narrative of therapeutic aggression that distinguished the record from prior efforts.[49] Similarly, AllMusic's review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted Korn's refined alt-metal sound on Issues, emphasizing atmospheric variations over repetitive riffs, with the single exemplifying the band's shift toward darker, more immersive compositions that solidified their leadership in the genre.[50] Critics appreciated the song's unconventional structure, including its eerie keyboard intro and percussive elements, which contributed to its commercial catchiness despite an off-kilter edge.[24] By early 2000, outlets like Variety referenced it as a standout from the "hit" 1999 album during live performance coverage, underscoring its immediate resonance in Korn's evolving catalog.[51] Overall, initial reception framed "Falling Away from Me" as a pivotal evolution, blending emotional rawness with sonic innovation to maintain the band's momentum amid nu-metal's rise.Retrospective Assessments
In retrospective rankings compiled by music publications, "Falling Away from Me" consistently ranks among Korn's most acclaimed tracks. Loudwire positioned it at number four in their 2019 list of the top 50 Korn songs, attributing its success to the band's creative peak with the Issues album, where it exemplified their ability to blend heavy riffs with emotional intensity.[52] A 2021 Revolver fan poll similarly placed it fifth overall, reflecting sustained enthusiast regard for its groove and lyrical vulnerability.[53] The song's enduring commercial footprint is demonstrated by its inclusion in Korn's top 10 most-streamed tracks on Spotify as of November 2023, underscoring persistent listener engagement two decades after release.[54] Album-focused retrospectives, such as Metal Injection's 2024 assessment of Issues on its 25th anniversary, highlight the track's lead single status and its music video's role as an MTV staple, which propelled the album's platinum certification and cemented Korn's nu-metal dominance.[55] Thematically, later examinations emphasize the song's raw portrayal of domestic abuse and psychological unraveling, with Jonathan Davis clarifying its intent to advocate for seeking help through disclosure or hotlines, themes that retain relevance in discussions of mental health and trauma.[9] [56] Its ongoing vitality is evident in live renditions, including Korn's 2024 Good Things Festival set, where it elicited strong audience response alongside career-spanning material.[57] While some critics, like a 2011 PopMatters review of Korn's essentials, faulted it for favoring mosh-pit aggression over prior innovation, the preponderance of assessments affirm its foundational place in the band's catalog.[58]Cultural Impact
Appearances in Media
The song debuted publicly during the South Park season three premiere episode "Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery," which aired on October 27, 1999, on Comedy Central. Korn guest-starred as animated versions of themselves, joining the child characters to investigate a pirate ghost haunting, with the episode concluding as the band performs the track's opening riff and lyrics over the credits.[59][60] "Falling Away from Me" appeared as downloadable content for the rhythm video game Rock Band 3, released by Harmonix in October 2010 for platforms including PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii, allowing players to perform the song using instrument controllers synchronized to its audio.[61] The official music video, directed by Fred Durst and released in late 1999, depicts a storyline of emotional and physical abuse involving actress Amy D. as both victim and aggressor in dual roles, reflecting the song's lyrical themes of relational dysfunction; it received heavy rotation on MTV and garnered over 100 million YouTube views by 2023.[62]Covers, Remixes, and Influence
The song has been covered by numerous artists across genres, often reinterpreting its nu-metal structure into rock, electronic, or string arrangements. Notable examples include the Vitamin String Quartet's instrumental version released in 2004, which transforms the track into a classical string quartet rendition.[63] Similarly, the Midnite String Quartet offered a string-based cover in 2013.[64] Post-rock band Kadinja, featuring vocalist Malyka Johany, released a progressive metal cover in 2019.[65] In 2020, vocalist Vicky Psarakis collaborated with guitarist Cody Johnstone on a heavy metal rendition, and Violet Orlandi teamed with Halocene for another vocal-focused cover.[66] [67] More recent efforts include Our Last Night's rock cover in 2023 and Piercing Lazer's 2021 version.[68] [64] A 2003 tribute album, Kloned & Remixed: A Tribute to Korn, featured a drum and bass-infused cover by JD and Mix-Demo-Shuns.[69] Official remixes include the DJ Krust remix, released in 1999 on the Falling Away from Me EP, which incorporates electronic and drum and bass elements while retaining the original's vocal delivery and core riff.[43] This version samples and remixes the track for club-oriented playback.[70] Unofficial remixes, such as the Bambi Remix in 2017 and Meduso's bass-heavy electronic take, have circulated online but lack major label distribution.[71] [72] "Falling Away from Me" has influenced subsequent nu-metal and alternative metal tracks through its down-tuned guitar riffs, aggressive vocal style, and themes of personal turmoil, contributing to Korn's role in popularizing the genre in the late 1990s.[73] The song was sampled in 10 tracks, including Jubei's "Outcast" and Polluted Paradise's production, demonstrating its production footprint in electronic and hip-hop crossovers.[70] Its structure has been emulated in tributes and discussions within metal communities, underscoring Korn's broader impact on hybridizing rap, metal, and industrial sounds during the genre's peak.[74]Track Listings
Primary Releases
The primary commercial releases of "Falling Away from Me" occurred in 1999 via Epic Records and Immortal Records, primarily as enhanced CD singles and limited-edition vinyl in regions including the UK and Europe.[8] These formats featured the radio edit of the title track alongside B-sides, remixes, and exclusive content such as the music video. UK CD Single (Enhanced, Limited Edition, 1999)- "Falling Away from Me (Radio Edit)" – 4:31
- "Falling Away from Me (Krust Remix)" – 8:32
- "Jingle Balls" – 3:29
- Video: "Falling Away from Me" – 4:59 [13]
- A: "Falling Away from Me (Radio Edit)" – 4:31
- B: "Jingle Balls" – 3:27 [75]
- "Falling Away from Me (Radio Edit)" – 4:31
- "Falling Away from Me (Mantronik Beatdown Formula)" – 6:04
- "Got the Life (Josh Abraham Remix)" – 4:01 [8]
Promotional and Regional Variants
Several promotional singles for "Falling Away from Me" were issued in 1999 to support radio play and advance the album Issues. In the United States, Epic Records released a two-track promotional CD single featuring the radio edit, clocking in at 4:31, and the full album version.[76] This format was distributed to broadcasters for airplay testing, with no additional tracks or artwork variations noted beyond standard promo markings.[76] Australia received a dedicated promotional CD single under Epic catalog SAMP 2197, tailored for local radio promotion, though specific track listings mirrored the U.S. radio edit and album versions without unique content.[8] A region-exclusive Australian commercial CD single expanded on this, including three distinct mixes of the track alongside bonus material: "Jingle Balls" (a previously unreleased holiday-themed song), a Josh Abrahams remix of "Got the Life," and a CD-ROM component with the music video.[77] Remix-focused promotional variants emphasized electronic and hip-hop reinterpretations. The "Falling Away From Me: The Mixes" promo compilation offered the Mantronik Beatdown Formula at 6:00, the Krust Remix extending to 8:36, and the standard album version at 4:31, aimed at club DJs and alternative formats.[14] A limited multi-media promotional edition further included the uncensored music video, the Krust Remix, and "Jingle Balls," distributed in numbered copies for targeted marketing.[13]| Variant | Tracks | Region | Release Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Promo CD Single | 1. Radio Edit (4:31) 2. Album Version | United States | Epic, 1999; radio-focused distribution[76] |
| Remix Promo ("The Mixes") | 1. Mantronik Beatdown Formula (6:00) 2. Krust Remix (8:36) 3. Album Version (4:31) | International promo | Remix compilation for DJs[14] |
| Australian Exclusive CD | 1–3. Three mixes of "Falling Away from Me" 4. Jingle Balls 5. Got the Life (Josh Abrahams Remix) CD-ROM: Music video | Australia | Commercial single with bonuses[77] |
| Multi-Media Promo Edition | Krust Remix; Jingle Balls; Uncensored video | Limited international | Numbered edition with video[13] |