Some speculate that Taylor's initial interest in performing stemmed from none other than Elvis Presley. Taylor's grandmother helped support his vocal career by purchasing equipment for him and helping him with his talent.
One of the more defining and memorable features of Slipknot is the masks that members wear while performing. Each mask is custom made by the respective member and has some personal meaning and symbolism. Taylor described the masks in an interview, saying "it's our way of becoming more intimate with the music. It's a way for us to become unconscious of who we are and what we do outside of music. It's a way for us to kind of crawl inside it and be able to use it." Taylor's mask is of a crash dummy with dread locks. Back in 1999, when Slipknot released their first debut album, Taylor's dreads were his actual hair, wrapped up and put through holes at the top of the mask. This changed however when Taylor developed a scalp infection from the hair. He later replaced the hair with artificial hair that was sewn on top of the mask.
Taylor shares a comment from the time he worked at an adult store: "People would look at me like I was a freak, but they were the ones buying in the porn shop at four in the morning. Straight looking people I'd know would come to the register with 14-inch dildos and then they'd recognize me sitting there, and I'd be like, 'Like any lotions or lubes with that?'. But I didn't want anyone to feel dirty in the shop - because people are made to feel dirty every day of their lives, and that's bullshit."
As mentioned above, Taylor has been using his own vocal merchandise. The microphone that Taylor uses for Slipknot is a Shure SM58 microphone.
Taylor's vocal style varies depending on the particular performance. He possesses a wide range of singing capabilities, from strong melodic styles to the intense screaming characteristic of some Slipknot songs.
Taylor has several tattoos on his body, including:
* Chest - the band logo, which was tattooed onto his body in his hometown of Des Moines.
* Neck - the number eight, representing his number in the band Slipknot.
* Forearm - a tattoo that says "Truth."
* Right side of his neck - a tattoo that stands for "Father".
* Left side of his neck - a tattoo that stands for "Death."
* Right and left hip bones - smiley face tattoos.
* Left upper arm - a tattoo of the Joker from the Dark Knight
Although it is not known what the "Father" tattoo means, it is likely that one of two explanations is correct.
Taylor did not know his father while growing up. He may have had the tattoo done before meeting his father as a symbol of his desire to meet him or possibly to serve as a physical manifestation for something he did not know. This is hinted at in several Slipknot lyrics which concern a father figure.
Taylor met his father in 2005 and has since developed a strong relationship with the man. The tattoo may be a representation of the bond that has grown between the two since their meeting.
Taylor's life has included several instances substance abuse and depression. He struggled with drug and alcohol addiction throughout his early adulthood. He has announced that his book Seven Deadly Sins will be released on July 12, 2011.
X-M@$
Corey Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gussied up with candy canes and balls
Those carollers have kept me up for hours
It’s Merry Christmas seeping through my walls
Now I’m no wiccan commie nut or nothing
But there’s one damn holiday that I can’t stand
It ain’t Halloween or Thanksgiving or even April Fools
If I ain’t drunk then it ain’t Christmas
You know where to stick those jingle bells
If I ain’t hammered it ain’t Hanukkah
And all you motherfuckers go to hell
If I ain’t cock-eyed it ain’t Quanza
Joy to the world of Jack & Cokes
If I ain’t drunk then it ain’t Christmas
‘Cuz I ain’t ever anything but broke
Now every year the malls are just a madhouse
Full of empty pockets, thoughts and smiles
Just the smell of eggnog makes me vomit
And those colored lights are fucking infantile
I think we collectively as a people
Should rise against this corporate jolly noise
And tell the world let’s buy some peace and quiet for a change
Before we spend it all on fucking toys
So… If I ain’t drunk then it ain’t Christmas
You know where to stick those jingle bells
If I ain’t hammered it ain’t Hanukkah
Fa-la-la-la-la GO FUCK YOURSELF
If I ain’t cock-eyed it ain’t Quanza
Joy to the world of getting stoned
If I ain’t drunk then it ain’t Christmas
So leave this god damn scrooge the fuck alone
Merry Fucking Christmas
Corey Taylor's song X-M@$ satirizes the traditional Christmas celebrations and the consumerism that surround them. The lyrics are full of sarcasm and cynicism as the artist expresses his dislike for the holiday season, and the pressure to conform to societal expectations to be happy and joyful during the holidays. He finds the decorations and music annoying and cliché, and is frustrated by the commercialization of the holiday. He suggests that people should focus on buying "peace and quiet" instead of spending all their money on gifts.
The chorus of the song repeatedly states that the artist can only enjoy the holiday season while being drunk, hammered, or stoned. He is essentially saying that alcohol and drugs are the only way to cope with the false happiness that comes with the holiday season. The bridge of the song includes a profanity-laced message telling people who enjoy the holiday season to "go fuck themselves."
Overall, X-M@$ is a biting and humorous take on the holiday season and the pressure to be happy and merry during it. It reflects the artist's frustration with the expectations placed on people during the holidays and his desire for a more authentic and peaceful celebration.
Line by Line Meaning
There ain’t nothing more depressing than a pine tree
No one has ever looked at a decorated pine tree and thought, 'Wow, this makes me so happy.'
Gussied up with candy canes and balls
All the ornaments and decorations just look cheap and tacky.
Those carollers have kept me up for hours
The incessant singing of Christmas carols is driving me insane.
It’s Merry Christmas seeping through my walls
The forced cheer and joy of the season is invading my personal space.
Now I’m no wiccan commie nut or nothing
I'm not some weirdo, but even I can see how terrible this holiday is.
But there’s one damn holiday that I can’t stand
Out of all the holidays, Christmas is the one I hate the most.
It ain’t Halloween or Thanksgiving or even April Fools
No other holiday irritates me as much as Christmas does.
But it’ll surely make a fool out of every man
Christmas has a way of making fools out of even the most sensible people.
If I ain’t drunk then it ain’t Christmas
The only way to tolerate Christmas is to be completely intoxicated.
You know where to stick those jingle bells
I don't want to hear any of your festive bullshit.
If I ain’t hammered it ain’t Hanukkah
Getting drunk is also a requirement for Hanukkah, apparently.
And all you motherfuckers go to hell
I have no patience for anyone who enjoys this holiday.
If I ain’t cock-eyed it ain’t Quanza
Being cross-eyed is the official stance of Kwanzaa, I guess.
Joy to the world of Jack & Cokes
Drinking Jack Daniels is the only way to make Christmas bearable.
‘Cuz I ain’t ever anything but broke
I'm always broke, so I can't afford to buy anyone presents anyway.
Now every year the malls are just a madhouse
Christmas shopping is a terrible experience that I dread every year.
Full of empty pockets, thoughts and smiles
The only thing people seem to care about during Christmas is spending money.
Just the smell of eggnog makes me vomit
The thought of drinking eggnog is enough to make me sick.
And those colored lights are fucking infantile
Twinkling Christmas lights are only impressive to children.
I think we collectively as a people
Everyone needs to wake up and realize how terrible Christmas really is.
Should rise against this corporate jolly noise
Let's band together and protest the commercialization of Christmas.
And tell the world let’s buy some peace and quiet for a change
We should all take a break from the noise and chaos of the season.
Before we spend it all on fucking toys
Instead of buying more crap, let's focus on finding some peace and quiet.
Fa-la-la-la-la GO FUCK YOURSELF
I have no interest in participating in this bullshit holiday, so leave me alone.
Joy to the world of getting stoned
The only way to make Kwanzaa even remotely enjoyable is to get high.
So leave this god damn scrooge the fuck alone
I'm a miserable bastard, so just leave me alone during the holiday season.
Merry Fucking Christmas
Just in case you missed it, I'm not a fan of Christmas. At all.
Contributed by Adalyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rafablasco8906
Every fucking year, around xmas time, I visit this amazing piece of art.
@calvinelamparo3936
Corey Taylor needs to make a Christmas album 😂🤘🏼🎄
@M4SOPMODII
Same here
@lucashenrique3867
me too
@FataIAnoxia
@@calvinelamparo3936 no
@ollib7256
Same here
@Sam-wel
Back once again in my recommended in 2019... Not complaining
(Edit) Thank you everyone, merry Christmas to you all!
@orionsparks4363
not at all
@rogerconstantin427
+1
@Redruxing
same