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.
what it is
Jonathan Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the truth behind the way you feel
And I'd rather never know
I would do anything, anything
Not to bring who I am to meet me
This useless suffering
Ugly part of me is screwing me
As it feeds me
But it is what it is
You don't know how to live with what it is
But it is what it is
It may seem impossible
But I will embrace who I really am
If it's a son of a bitch or a terrified kid
Then that's what it is
Pretty soon you'll have to face
You're a virus called the human race
And I'll never, never know
I have done everything, everything
Not to feel what it is I'm feeling
This basement devil is kicking the ass
Of my angel on the ceiling
But it is what it is
You don't know how to live with what it is
But it is what it is
It may seem impossible
But I will embrace who I really am
If it's a son of a bitch or a terrified kid
Then that's what it is
Don't push me, don't kill me
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't play games, don't mess with
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't ask me, don't tell me
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't push me, don't kill me
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't run from where you come from
'Cause it is what it is
And I, I
But it is what it is
You don't know how to live with what it is
But it is what it is
It may seem impossible
But I will embrace who I really am
If it's a son of a bitch or a terrified kid
Then that's what it is
The lyrics of Jonathan Davis's song "What It Is" explore themes of self-acceptance and coming to terms with one's true identity. The opening lines indicate that the truth about one's feelings must eventually be faced, although the singer would prefer to avoid learning about themselves entirely. They express a desire to distance themselves from the "ugly part" of their self that is causing them suffering, but cannot escape it. The repeated refrain of "it is what it is" suggests a resigned acceptance of their true nature, even if it is difficult to live with.
Later in the song, Davis expands on this concept of embracing one's true self, despite the difficulties that come with it. He references the human race as a "virus" and acknowledges the struggle to avoid feeling one's emotions, even going so far as to call it a "basement devil" that is fighting with the "angel on the ceiling." Despite this internal conflict, the singer ultimately embraces his identity as a "son of a bitch or a terrified kid," recognizing that it is what it is and cannot be changed.
Overall, Davis's lyrics in "What It Is" encourage the listener to come to terms with who they really are, even if it is painful or difficult to do so. The repeated refrain of "it is what it is" serves as a reminder that we cannot always control our emotions or our true natures, and that sometimes the best course of action is simply to accept ourselves for who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty soon you have to deal
Soon, you will have to confront the truth of your emotions.
With the truth behind the way you feel
You will have to face the reality of how you truly feel.
And I'd rather never know
The singer would prefer to remain ignorant of the truth.
I would do anything, anything
The artist would go to great lengths to avoid this truth.
Not to bring who I am to meet me
The artist wants to avoid confronting their true self.
This useless suffering
The singer is feeling pain that serves no purpose.
Ugly part of me is screwing me
A negative aspect of the singer's personality is causing them harm.
As it feeds me
This negative characteristic is consuming the artist's thoughts and feelings.
But it is what it is
The artist acknowledges that they cannot change the reality of their situation.
You don't know how to live with what it is
The listener struggles to live with the truth of their emotions and reality.
It may seem impossible
The task of accepting the truth may appear insurmountable.
But I will embrace who I really am
The artist will accept their true self.
If it's a son of a bitch or a terrified kid
The singer accepts that their true self may be difficult or scared.
Then that's what it is
The singer accepts their true self for who they are.
Pretty soon you'll have to face
The listener will soon have to confront the fact that they are part of the flawed human race.
You're a virus called the human race
The human race is damaging and has negative consequences.
And I'll never, never know
The artist will never know the truth of someone else's emotions or reality.
I have done everything, everything
The singer has done all they can to avoid feeling certain negative emotions.
Not to feel what it is I'm feeling
The singer has tried to avoid feeling a certain emotion.
This basement devil is kicking the ass
The artist's negative inner voice is taking control.
Of my angel on the ceiling
The artist's positive inner voice is being silenced.
Don't push me, don't kill me
The artist does not want to be bothered or harmed by the truth.
What it is 'cause it is what it is
The singer realizes that the truth cannot be changed.
Don't play games, don't mess with
The artist wants the listener to take the truth seriously and not make light of it.
Don't ask me, don't tell me
The singer does not want to be questioned or interrogated about the truth.
Don't run from where you come from
The singer wants the listener to confront their past and heritage for what it is.
'Cause it is what it is
The singer believes that the listener's past cannot be changed.
And I, I
The artist is emphasizing the importance of their message.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Jonathan Davis, Lauren Christy, Gary Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fangsteur2765
Pretty soon you have to deal
With the truth behind the way you feel
And I'd rather never know
I would do anything, anything
Not to bring who I am to meet me
This useless suffering
Ugly part of me is screwing me
As it feeds me
But it is what it is
You don't know how to live with what it is
But it is what it is
It may seem impossible
But I will embrace who I really am
If it's a son of a bitch or a terrified kid
Then that's what it is
Pretty soon you'll have to face
You're a virus called the human race
And I'll never, never know
I have done everything, everything
Not to feel what it is I'm feeling
This basement devil is kicking the ass
Of my angel on the ceiling
But it is what it is
You don't know how to live with what it is
But it is what it is
It may seem impossible
But I will embrace who I really am
If it's a son of a bitch or a terrified kid
Then that's what it is
Don't push me, don't kill me
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't play games, don't mess with
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't ask me, don't tell me
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't push me, don't kill me
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't run from where you come from
'Cause it is what it is
And I, I
But it is what it is
You don't know how to live with what it is
But it is what it is
It may seem impossible
But I will embrace who I really am
If it's a son of a bitch or a terrified kid
Then that's what it is
@marvinsan_ofc
What It Is (Lyrics)
Pretty soon you have to deal
With the truth behind the way you feel
And I'd rather never know
I would do anything, anything
Not to bring who I am to meet me
This useless suffering
Ugly part of me is screwing me
As it feeds me
But it is what it is
You don't know how to live with what it is
But it is what it is
It may seem impossible
But I will embrace who I really am
If it's a son of a bitch or a terrified kid
Then that's what it is
Pretty soon you'll have to face
You're a virus called the human race
And I'll never, never know
I have done everything, everything
Not to feel what it is I'm feeling
This basement devil is kicking the ass
Of my angel on the ceiling
But it is what it is
You don't know how to live with what it is
But it is what it is
It may seem impossible
But I will embrace who I really am
If it's a son of a bitch or a terrified kid
Then that's what it is
Don't push me, don't kill me
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't play games, don't mess with
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't ask me, don't tell me
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't push me, don't kill me
What it is 'cause it is what it is
Don't run from where you come from
'Cause it is what it is
And I, I
But it is what it is
You don't know how to live with what it is
But it is what it is
It may seem impossible
But I will embrace who I really am
If it's a son of a bitch or a terrified kid
Then that's what it is
@TheJonasix
Jonathan Davis, the guy who saved my life, I remember when I first met him in 2011, I was 19 years old, the only thing I said to him was: "Thanks Jon you saved my life", He looked at me, smiled and said: "I'm glad". One of the best days of my life
@TheRealRadioShow247
Godbless you!! brother
@toby56
TheJonasix when I first met him him in 2010 I told him he was amazing, he replied with "no, you're amazing". he truly appreciates his fans.
@isogenect3288
toby56 I want to get a backstage pass so bad so I can meet him
@ameliamingura3012
He is a good guy but I was in your shoes before
@Pjdiggydog
The best celebrities are typically rock or metal leads
@romanaleister3701
Who still bumpin in 2024❤
@Ichigo718
Here
@kyethewolf
I truly hope Jonathan knows how many people his music saved and how many of us are still here because of him.
@michealstotten3741
He knows. That's why he's still here 30 years later