Jonathan Houseman Davis (born January 18, 1971) is the American vocalist for the multiplatinum nu metal band KoЯn. He was born and raised in Bakersfield, California, where he lived with his father and stepmother.
As well as being KoЯn's lead singer, he has also played bagpipes. Davis writes songs on guitar and other various instruments.
Davis was the last member to join the band. James 'Munky' Shaffer and Brian 'Head' Welch discovered him in a bar, initially intending to only stay for a few minutes. Upon seeing Davis performing with his then-band Sexart, however, they were compelled to stay for the whole set, and as soon as the set was over Brian and James approached Davis with an offer to join their then band Creep. At first he didn't accept the offer, but upon consulting a psychic, he agreed, and KoЯn was born.[citation needed] In early years, he was known for wearing a variety of normal and customized Adidas tracksuits onstage, which became a kind of "trademark" for all KoЯn fans.
KoЯn released their self-titled debut in 1994. It peaked at #72 on the billboard. To date they have released twelve studio albums, achieving Platinum certification for their first seven. Davis is the older half brother of former Adema and Midnight Panic vocalist, Mark Chavez.
Davis suffered from asthma as a child, having a near fatal attack at the age of 5 which hospitalized him. He noted in a 2004 interview that he was in and out of the hospital frequently as a child. His asthma has improved greatly and he's "...pretty much outgrown it."
Davis' earliest musical inspiration as a child was the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". It was also during his childhood that he received his first drum kit and began his interest in music, eventually leading to a life-long passion and eventually a professional career as the lead singer of KoЯn. His favorite bands as a child were Duran Duran and other New Romantic bands.
Jonathan's personal issues are a big influence in KoЯn lyrics, songs such as "Daddy" from KoЯn's self-titled album are an example how Davis puts all kinds of feelings like anger and sadness in the creation of songs. The song "Daddy" caused many to assume Rick Davis (Jonathan's father) had molested his son. It's a source of embarrassment for him, though his son has gone on the record in many interviews saying it was written about a family friend who sexually abused him. When a 12-year-old Jonathan tried to turn to his family, he said, they ignored him. (Neither Jonathan or Rick will say who the person was, though both say it was a woman.)
Davis has married twice, marrying his high school sweetheart, Renee Perez, in 1998 in a Medieval themed ceremony. Together they had a son, Nathan Houseman Davis, but were divorced in 2001. On October 5, 2004, a decade after the release of KoЯn's first album he married again in Hawaii, this time to former adult film actress Deven Davis. They were featured in the Playboy Cyber Club's "celebrity photographer" section, with Jonathan behind the camera and Deven modeling. In 2005 his second child, Pirate Houseman Davis, was born. Davis's third son, Zeppelin Houseman Davis, was born on April 28, 2007.
Davis has been sober from alcohol and other drugs since August 22, 1998.[citation needed] He has stated that he gave them up. On the band's Deuce DVD, former bandmate Brian Welch says that he is proud of him for becoming sober.
Take It Back
Jonathan Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's bullshit, things don't end like this
I'm calling
Staring into the place
Where I cease to exist
Wondering why do - things always end - up - like - this
(Fly)
(Lies)
Of promises denied by a forgiving
(God)
Who eats his young you're nothing you fucking
(Fraud)
My belief was betrayed I lost my faith in you
(Try)
To understand the sorrow and the
(Why)
Of a light that should still be burning
(Bright)
The angel in flight with a dog by his
(Side)
When you took him away I lost my faith in even you!
It's so fucked I am here doing this
It's bullshit, things don't end like this
I'm calling
Staring into the place
Where I cease to exist
Wondering why do - things always end - up - like - this
(Fly)
Take to the sky another another dream of empty
(Lies)
Of promises denied by a forgiving
(God)
Who eats his young you're nothing you fucking
(Fraud)
My belief was betrayed I lost my faith in you
(Try)
To understand the sorrow and the
(Why)
Of a light that should still be burning
(Bright)
The angel in flight with a dog by his
(Side)
When you took him away I lost my faith in even you!
As I feel emptiness growing in my heart
I can't help but scream at you, hating you
I bet you think it's funny
You give us a gift - then you - take it back
(Fly)
Take to the sky another another dream of empty
(Lies)
Of promises denied by a forgiving
(God)
Who eats his young you're nothing you fucking
(Fraud)
My belief was betrayed I lost my faith in you
(Try)
To understand the sorrow and the
(Why)
Of a light that should still be burning
(Bright)
The angel in flight with a dog by his
(Side)
When you took him away I lost my faith in even you!
As I feel emptiness growing in my heart
I can't help but scream at you, hating you
I bet you think it's funny
You give us a gift - then you - take it back
The lyrics to Jonathan Davis's song "Take It Back" reflect the pain and betrayal of losing faith in someone or something, perhaps even a higher power. The singer appears to be struggling with the concept of mortality, questioning why things always seem to end badly and why their belief and faith has been betrayed. The repeated lines of "take to the sky another dream of empty" and "of promises denied by a forgiving God who eats his young" suggest a sense of hopelessness and despair in the face of loss and disappointment.
The imagery of an angel in flight with a dog by his side highlights the theme of betrayal and loss, painting a picture of innocence and goodness being taken away. The final lines of the song, "You give us a gift - then you - take it back," further reinforce the idea of a higher power or fate cruelly deciding the singer's fate.
Overall, "Take It Back" is a powerful and emotional song that explores themes of loss, betrayal, and the struggle to reconcile faith in the face of disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
It's so fucked I am here doing this
Jonathan Davis is expressing frustration with his current situation.
It's bullshit, things don't end like this
Davis feels like the way things have turned out is unfair and unrealistic.
I'm calling
Davis is reaching out for help or support.
Staring into the place
Davis is in a state of deep contemplation or reflection.
Where I cease to exist
Davis is feeling like he has lost his sense of self or identity.
Wondering why do - things always end - up - like - this
Davis is questioning why things never seem to work out for him.
(Fly)
Take to the sky another another dream of empty
Davis is expressing his desire to escape reality and find solace in his dreams.
(Lies)
Of promises denied by a forgiving
Davis feels like he has been lied to and let down by someone who should have been forgiving.
(God)
Who eats his young you're nothing you fucking
Davis is expressing his anger towards a higher power who he feels has betrayed him.
(Fraud)
My belief was betrayed I lost my faith in you
Davis's trust has been broken and he has lost faith in someone or something he once believed in.
(Try)
To understand the sorrow and the
Davis is attempting to make sense of his pain and sadness.
(Why)
Of a light that should still be burning
Davis is questioning why something that was once bright and hopeful is now gone.
(Bright)
The angel in flight with a dog by his
(Side)
Davis is recalling a happy memory of an angel and a dog, representing a sense of innocence and purity.
When you took him away I lost my faith in even you!
Davis has lost faith in something or someone he believed to be good, possibly referring to God.
As I feel emptiness growing in my heart
Davis is experiencing a deep sense of loneliness and sadness.
I can't help but scream at you, hating you
Davis is expressing his anger and resentment towards the person or thing that has caused him pain.
I bet you think it's funny
Davis feels like the person or thing that has hurt him is mocking him.
You give us a gift - then you - take it back
Davis is expressing his belief that something he once had was taken away from him unfairly.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEREMY S. STOVER, KEITH BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Zhoniin
This song is incredible. It's a shame it's not well known, it's probably one of the best Nu Metal songs ever.
@gingerkraut11
This album is fantastic. It always makes me tear up. Very intense personal songs. I always listen when I lose someone I love, it helps.
@melissalove2463
Jonathan Davis is a total genius rock god 😍🤘🏻😍
@WhatsHappening783402
Lissa Milesy yup you're right!
@Zhoniin
He is a Dracula among vampires.
@jasonjason5325
This shit slaps
@sinistra7450
This song is soooo dope! Jonathan's voice suits so well!
@jasonjason5325
This shit slaps
@therooster4416
When I mom passed 15 years ago this is the song that came to me and truly described how I felt Hadn’t been back to the hospital where she took her last breath til today and those memories are all flooding back to me.........
@Dacheerio
this song is an actual masterpiece