"Duality" was originally released as a CD single on May 4, 2004. On May 25 the single was released on 7-inch red vinyl to coincide with the release of the album. There is also a 7-inch picture disc release which includes the same track listing.
"Duality" was the band's first single to chart in the Billboard Hot 100, at number 106, and it also reached band records of number five and six in the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks and Hot Modern Rock Tracks charts. In the UK Single Chart, the song reached number 15.
The music video, directed by Tony Petrossian, was produced at a cost between $300,000 and $500,000 and was recorded on March 27, 2004. It was shot on location at a fan's house in West Des Moines, Iowa, the aftermath of which resulted in the family asking the band to replace an extensive list of objects and fittings which were damaged or destroyed during the video shoot. Roadrunner Records provided the family with roughly $50,000 as compensation. The video is available on the CD single and the DVD; Voliminal: Inside The Nine, which was released in 2006. Mid-way through shooting the video, the band and fans were asked to avoid jumping around too much, as it would have resulted in either the floor caving in or the entire house collapsing.
The video starts with a large crowd of fans running towards the camera which is clearly behind a window. As the song switches in intensity the video cuts to shots inside the house of the band performing in very close quarters with the fans. The video constantly switches between clips of the band performing and fans destroying the house and the surrounding environment. At one point in the video, when lead singer Corey Taylor sings the lyrics, "You cannot kill what you did not create", the words are seen painted on the garage door behind the crowd of fans. Near the end of the song there is a coda section where the music and singing builds up to a highly energetic section. Prior to this Corey seemingly calms the crowd with an outstretched arm, which is followed with Corey pacing through the crowd repeating the lyrics "All I've got, all I've got is insane". Then the scene cuts and an even larger crowd is situated outside watching the performance. Once the chorus begins again the crowd immediately continues to destroy their surroundings and the song suddenly ends.
Duality
Slipknot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
But it's made of all the things I have to take
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside
If the pain goes on
I have screamed until my veins collapsed
I've waited as my time's elapsed
Now, all I do is live with so much hate
I've wished for this, I've bitched at that
I've left behind this little fact
You cannot kill what you did not create
I've gotta say what I've gotta say
And then, I swear, I'll go away
But I can't promise you'll enjoy the noise
I guess I'll save the best for last
My future seems like one big past
You're left with me 'cause you left me no choice
I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
If the pain goes on
I'm not gonna make it
Put me back together
Or separate the skin from bone
Leave me all the pieces
Then you can leave me alone
Tell me the reality is better than the dream
But I found out the hard way
Nothing is what it seems
I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
But it's made of all the things I have to take
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside
If the pain goes on, I'm not gonna make it
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
But it's made of all the things I have to take
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside
If the pain goes on, I'm not gonna make it
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
The lyrics of Slipknot's song Duality are a reflection of the inner turmoil and pain that the vocalist is experiencing. The opening lines "I push my fingers into my eyes, It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache" suggest that this is a coping mechanism that the singer uses to alleviate his pain. However, the pain is persistent, and "works its way inside."
The lyrics also talk about the frustration and anger that the singer feels towards life. He has "screamed until his veins collapsed" and "waited as his time's elapsed." Despite his efforts, he is left with "so much hate," which he has to live with. Moreover, he talks about how he has been struggling to create something in his life, but he feels powerless in the face of life's adversity. "You cannot kill what you did not create" meaning that he feels impotent in many areas of his life.
In the later parts of the song, the singer makes a plea to fix him, to put him back together, but with the lyrics "Or separate the skin from bone, leave me all the pieces then you can leave me alone" it's clear that he just wants to be left in pieces. The final line, “All I’ve got, all I’ve got is insane” further emphasizes how he feels that his life is spiraling out of control.
Overall, the song is a reflection of the hardships of life and the internal struggles that individuals have to face. Through the lyrics, the singer portrays a sense of hopelessness and despair, which is a common theme in the band's music.
Line by Line Meaning
I push my fingers into my eyes
I'm hurting so much that even physical pain feels better than the emotional pain
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
Holding onto the physical pain helps distract from the emotional pain
But it's made of all the things I have to take
Enduring the physical pain is preferable to dealing with the things causing the emotional pain
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside
The pain is constant and pervasive, affecting all aspects of life
If the pain goes on
If the emotional pain persists
I have screamed until my veins collapsed
I've expressed my anguish and pain in every way possible
I've waited as my time's elapsed
I've tried to wait out the pain, but it hasn't gone away
Now, all I do is live with so much hate
The pain has turned into resentment and bitterness
I've wished for this, I've bitched at that
I've complained about every aspect of my life and wished for a way out
I've left behind this little fact
I've ignored the fact that I am responsible for my own life and choices
You cannot kill what you did not create
I can't blame others for my problems, since I am responsible for my own life
I've gotta say what I've gotta say
I need to express myself and speak my mind
And then, I swear, I'll go away
Once I've said my piece, I'll try to move on and get past the pain
But I can't promise you'll enjoy the noise
I know that my pain might be difficult for others to listen to or understand
I guess I'll save the best for last
I'll hold onto my anger and resentment until the end
My future seems like one big past
I can't see a way out of the pain and it seems like it will continue into the future
You're left with me 'cause you left me no choice
Others are stuck dealing with me and my pain because I feel like I have no other options
Put me back together
I need help to heal from my pain
Or separate the skin from bone
The pain is so intense that part of me wishes I could escape from my own body
Leave me all the pieces
I don't care if I'm left broken and shattered, as long as the pain stops
Then you can leave me alone
Once I've been broken and left behind, I don't want any more help or intervention
Tell me the reality is better than the dream
I need some hope that things will get better in the end
But I found out the hard way
Unfortunately, my experiences have taught me that things don't always get better
Nothing is what it seems
Things might look okay on the surface, but beneath the surface lies pain
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I am left with is my own madness and pain
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Crahan, Christopher Fehn, Paul Gray, Craig Jones, Nathan Jordison, James Root, Corey Taylor, Mickael Thomson, Sid Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DemonicFamily
Slipknot's music video for "Duality" is a powerful and poignant portrayal of the desperate need for validation among the youth of the 2010s. Against a backdrop of societal pressures and feelings of abandonment, the video depicts a group of young individuals finding solace and unity in the unifying banner of metal.
Through electrifying imagery and raw emotion, the video captures the essence of a generation grappling with feelings of isolation and neglect. As the band delivers their hard-hitting metal anthem, viewers are drawn into a world where music becomes a lifeline for those who feel forgotten and unloved.
The unrelenting energy of Slipknot's music serves as a rallying cry for the disenfranchised, empowering them to come together and forge their own sense of identity and community. In the face of adversity, the music becomes a source of strength and validation, offering a sense of belonging to those who have been cast aside by society.
As the video unfolds, we witness the transformation of these individuals as they embrace their true selves and find acceptance within the metal community. Through the power of music, they transcend their struggles and emerge stronger and more united than ever before.
In the end, "Duality" is more than just a music video; it's a testament to the transformative power of music and its ability to bring people together in times of need. Slipknot's hard-hitting metal anthem serves as a beacon of hope for the forgotten and unloved, reminding them that they are not alone and that their voices matter.
@sourajitbanerjee4872
LYRICS
I push my fingers into my eyes...
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache...
But it's made of all the things I have to take...
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside...
If the pain goes on...
I have screamed until my veins collapsed
I've waited as my time's elapsed
Now, all I do is live with so much fate
I've wished for this, I've bitched at that
I've left behind this little fact:
You cannot kill what you did not create
I've gotta say what I've gotta say
And then I swear I'll go away
But I can't promise you'll enjoy the noise
I guess I'll save the best for last
My future seems like one big past
You're left with me 'cause you left me no choice
I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
If the pain goes on,
I'm not gonna make it!
Put me back together
Or separate the skin from bone
Leave me all the pieces, then you can leave me alone
Tell me the reality is better than the dream
But I found out the hard way,
Nothing is what it seems!
I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
But it's made of all the things I have to take
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside
If the pain goes on,
I'm not gonna make it!
All I've got...all I've got is insane...
All I've got...all I've got is insane...
All I've got...all I've got is insane!
All I've got...all I've got is insane!
I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
But it's made of all the things I have to take
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside
If the pain goes on,
@user-to7yu9xt3i
I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
But it's made of all the things I have to take
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside
If the pain goes on
I have screamed until my veins collapsed
I've waited as my time's elapsed
Now, all I do is live with so much hate
I've wished for this, I've bitched at that
I've left behind this little fact
You cannot kill what you did not create
I've gotta say what I've gotta say
And then, I swear, I'll go away
But I can't promise you'll enjoy the noise
I guess I'll save the best for last
My future seems like one big past
You're left with me 'cause you left me no choice
I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
If the pain goes on
I'm not gonna make it
Put me back together
Or separate the skin from bone
Leave me all the pieces
Then you can leave me alone
Tell me the reality is better than the dream
But I found out the hard way
Nothing is what it seems
I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
But it's made of all the things I have to take
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside
If the pain goes on, I'm not gonna make it
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
But it's made of all the things I have to take
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside
If the pain goes on, I'm not gonna make it
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
All I've got, all I've got is insane
@slipknot
On February 5, 2009, Slipknot headlined the World’s Greatest Arena, Madison Square Garden. Pre-Order LIVE AT MSG now on double vinyl for the first time ever featuring exclusive packaging and colorways to celebrate the 15th anniversary of ‘All Hope Is Gone’: https://slipknot1.lnk.to/LiveAtMSG
@alexbutt
WOOO
@Barca4ever-nw8gx
This isn't just a "top metal song". This is easily in the top 100 greatest songs ever made.
@Ghost6969
Hi
@Mama_leopard
Y'all are my all time favorite band and I love to drum to your songs, I hope more people discover your band and make you bigger than ever, rest in peace joey you absolut legend, much love ❤️❤️
@timothyleon2190
Your adopted 😂
@cherrypopx
I love metalheads. The music is so heavy, but the people are some of the nicest and most chill folks you'll ever meet.
@spcewild
Sure am
@dannylesbile8592
The music is an outlet
@nevergonnagiveudrugs7392
EXACTLY AND THEY LOOK SO SCARY AND INTIMIDATING BUT THEY ARE SOOOO NICE AND CARING