"The Deftones had a super tight relationship with Dana. They had a magical thread weaving them together for their love of music."
- Gloria Cavalera (Max’s wife & Dana’s mom)
The bridge features lyrics written by D-Low:
"When they called and asked Max to come to Seattle and collaborate on a track in Dana’s memory, it lifted Max and me out of the Valley of Despair. It gave us a spark of Life back…We both flew to Seattle and hooked up with the guys and met Terry Date, who was producing Around The Fur. It was exciting to be with The Deftones. Everyone had so much positive energy. Being involved in a creation from the ground floor was like being an architect constructing his masterpiece. It wasn’t long before they were all digging on some music Max had brought with him. I pulled a surprise out also. I grabbed some lyrics I had found at home that Dana had written. They were written across a flier and said “WALKING THROUGH THIS WORLD YOU HAVE TO HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH”."
- Gloria Cavalera (Max’s wife and Dana’s mother)
Max Cavalera and Chino collaborated again on Soulfly’s’s second album Primitive, on a similarly themed song: “Pain”.
Headup
Deftones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never said or got to say bye to my boy
But it's often I try I think about how I'd be screaming
And the times would be bumping
All our minds would be flowing
Taking care of shit like hey 'holmes'
What you needing sometimes life will be coming off whack
This has begun
You seen to have some doubt
I feel you next to me, feeling it
Getting spacey with the common love of music
Think of this as the sun and the mind as a tool
But we could bounce back from this one
With attitude will and some spirit
With attitude will and your spirit
We'll shove it aside
Soulfly
Fly high
Soulfly
Fly free
Shut your shit please say what you will
I can't think side step around
I'm bound to the freestyle
Push it down to the ground with a nova dash but they watch you
Now climb up, super slide
The spirit's so low it's coming over you
Soulfly
Fly High
Soulfly
Fly free
You walk into this world
Walk into this world with your head up high
Walk into this world with your head up high
Walk into this world with your head up high
Walk into this world with your head up high
(Headup)
The Deftones' song "Headup" is an emotional and empowering tribute to Max Cavalera, founder of the Brazilian heavy metal bands Sepultura and Soulfly, and the stepson of the Deftones' frontman Chino Moreno. The song is about dealing with the grief of losing a loved one and finding solace in music and the memories shared with that person. The opening lines, "Got back out back off the forefront, I never said or got to say bye to my boy," indicate that Moreno was not able to say goodbye to Cavalera before his untimely death, and the pain of that loss still lingers.
The lyrics also touch on the power of music and the importance of community in finding strength and support during difficult times. The lines "All our minds would be flowing, taking care of shit like hey 'holmes'" suggest that Cavalera and Moreno shared a strong bond through their love of music, and that their community of friends and fellow musicians helped them through their struggles. The repeated refrain of "Soulfly, fly high, Soulfly, fly free" is both a reference to Cavalera's band Soulfly and a message of hope and resilience, urging listeners to rise above their pain and find freedom and peace.
Overall, "Headup" is a moving tribute to a beloved friend and a message of hope and strength for anyone dealing with loss and adversity. The powerful lyrics and driving, heavy sound showcase the Deftones' unique blend of emotion and aggression, and the song remains a fan favorite and a powerful example of the healing power of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Got back out back off the forefront
I am stepping away from the front lines to clear my head.
I never said or got to say bye to my boy
My friend passed away before I had the chance to say goodbye.
But it's often I try I think about how I'd be screaming
I imagine myself screaming and expressing my pain if I had the chance.
And the times would be bumping
The times we spent together were great and filled with music.
All our minds would be flowing
We were able to connect and share our thoughts with each other.
Taking care of shit like hey 'holmes'
We supported and took care of each other as friends.
What you needing sometimes life will be coming off whack
Life can be unpredictable, and things can fall apart quickly.
And will open your eyes
These situations can teach us valuable lessons that we may have been blind to before.
This has begun
I am feeling a new beginning, a new start.
You seen to have some doubt
You seem to have uncertainty and hesitation about the future.
I feel you next to me, feeling it
I sense your presence and support next to me.
Getting spacey with the common love of music
We both enjoy music as an escape and a source of healing.
Think of this as the sun and the mind as a tool
Think of yourself as a powerful force, capable of great things.
But we could bounce back from this one
We have the strength and resilience to overcome this challenge.
With attitude will and some spirit
With a positive mindset and determination, we can persevere.
With attitude will and your spirit
Believing in yourself and your spirit is the key to pushing through adversity.
We'll shove it aside
We will overcome this obstacle and move forward.
Soulfly
This is a reference to the band Soulfly, who Chino Moreno (Deftones' lead singer) collaborated with.
Fly high
Encouragement to soar and aim for greatness.
Fly free
To break free from any limitations and live freely.
Shut your shit please say what you will
Ignore the negativity and criticism of others, speak your truth and stand your ground.
I can't think side step around
I cannot let distractions and obstacles deter me from my goals.
I'm bound to the freestyle
I remain true to my authentic self and unafraid to express myself freely.
Push it down to the ground with a nova dash but they watch you
Overcoming and surpassing the expectations of others who doubted you.
Now climb up, super slide
Rising above and overcoming obstacles with ease and grace.
The spirit's so low it's coming over you
The negative energy is affecting you, but you have the power to rise above it with your spirit intact.
You walk into this world
As you enter this world and encounter challenges, hold your head up high and stay strong.
Walk into this world with your head up high
Stay confident and positive in all that you do.
(Headup)
A reminder to stay strong, stay true to oneself, and persevere through any challenges that come your way.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Massimiliano A. Cavalera, Abran Carpenter, Stephen Carpenter, Chi Cheng, Camilo Chino Moreno
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nathanlawrence656
Not sure all these lyrics are 100% accurate.
"Get your slimshot, pushed on back, Just get a hold, when you knew for that, but that want you"
I have no idea what that means.
Another source says its:
"Shut your shit please say what you will ,
I can't think side step around, I'm bound to the freestyle ,
Push it down to the ground with a nova dash but they watch you"
I never see consistency in Deftones' lyrics lol
Does anyone know what they're saying?? :D
@matteoalessandrodonofrio
I can feel the pain through the words he speaks so violently .. for real!
@jerodohlsen1526
For reals dude
@IbleedINC
2:26 is the best part of the live show, by far...every fucking time they play it, every single person comes alive and joins in
@ShastaBean
Chino crowd-surfed at a 45degree angle throughout the 1st half of the song, about 50 or 70 yards over to the railing I was standing against that separates the bar area from the floor in a Denver theater...He belted out that ending while standing on it about a 1.5 foot from my face. It was like I was on center-stage for that. Incredible.
@streetcarpp
fuckkk when this part came on at dia de los deftones it was wild
@faustoehecatlmonroylopez6384
For anyone who wondered what chino says before the "soulfly" part, he is saying "how can you live with that, you fucking parasite"
@S1vx_
thank you
@AngelMartinez-ve9cu
THANK YOU MAN🙏🙏
@40yearoldgamer25
FINALLY!!!! 🙌🏿 This has been bugging me for DECADES! Thank You!!! 😎👍🏿
@alexblake-iq7vs
Rehab, relapse pull out your parasite