There was a dispute over the release of this song as the band and album's first single. While deciding which track to release, guitarist Mick Thomson and percussionist Shawn Crahan were reportedly very enthusiastic about releasing "Surfacing" as the next single. However, after weeks of disputing and consideration, "Spit It Out" was chosen to be released instead. The song reached number 28 in the UK Singles Chart.
This was written in retaliation to childish mudslinging by a handful of individuals who worked at a local radio station in Des Moines, Iowa, where the band is from. These individuals worked hard to keep Slipknot off the air.
This was broadcast in fragments on Mancow's Morning Madhouse after the station threatened to pull Mancow's show from their station. It was also right after Slipknot were pulled from a slot on a live concert in Chicago hosted by Mancow; thanks to same said individuals at the aforementioned radio station.
The digi-pak of Slipknot's self-titled release includes a rough mix of this song known as the "hyper version."
The video is based on the movie The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick, but using the members of Slipknot in the main roles. Kubrick touched on themes of madness and mental breakdowns in a lot of his films, as do many Slipknot songs.
Slipknot drummer Chris Fehn (#3) talks about shooting videos: "The video that we did for 'Spit It Out,' Ice-T showed up, so it was rad, dude. We got to meet Ice-T, and he hung out on the video shoot and everything, and took pictures with us. That's the coolest thing. Otherwise, they suck, dude. It's so boring. Like, you play the song a million times, you know, and you can barely hear it through these stupid little monitors they give you. It's just such a long, drawn-out day that it's tough. So videos blow."
Whenever Slipknot play "Spit It Out" live, they do what's called the "zero bullshit" at the bridge. Corey tells all the fans in the crowd to get down on their knees and jump up when he says "jump the fuck up," at which point the crowd goes crazy. The line "Jump the fuck up" replaces the line in the recording, "Good enough, had enough."
Spit It Out
Slipknot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe it's time you had the tables turned
'Cause in the interest of all involved I got the problem solved
And the verdict is guilty
Man nearly killed me, steppin' where you fear to tread
Stop, drop and roll, you were dead from the git-go
Big mouth fucker, stupid cocksucker
Always is, and never was, foundation made of piss and vinegar
Step to me, I'll smear ya, think I fear ya? Bullshit
Just another dumb punk chompin' at this tit
Is there any way to break through the noise?
Was it something that I said that got you bent?
Gotta be that way if you want it
Sanity, literal profanity hit me
Spit it out
All you wanna do is drag me down
All I wanna do is stamp you out
Spit it out
All you wanna do is drag me down
All I wanna do is stamp you out
Maybe it's the way you gotta spread a lotta rumor fodder
Keepin' all your little spies and leaving when you realize
Step up fairy, I guess it's time to bury your ass with the chrome
Straight to the dome, you heard me right, bitch, I didn't stutter
And if you know what's good, just shut up and beg, brother
Backstab, don't you know who you're dissin'?
Side swipe, we know the ass that you're kissin'
Biggity-biggidy bitch boy, halfway houser
Don't hear shit, 'cause It keeps gettin' louder
Come on, and get a face full 'o tactic
Lipping off hard, goin' home in a basket
You got no pull, no power, no nothin'
Now you start shit? Well, ain't that something
Payoffs don't protect, and you can hide if you want
But I'll find you, comin' up behind you
Spit it out
All you wanna do is drag me down
All I wanna do is stamp you out
Spit it out
All you wanna do is drag me down
All I wanna do is stamp you out
'Bout time I set this record straight
All the needlenose punchin' is making me irate
Sick o' my bitchin' fallin' on deaf ears
Where you gonna be in the next five years?
The crew and all the fools, and all the politics
Get your lips ready, gonna gag, gonna make you sick
You got dick when they passed out that good stuff
Bam, are you sick of me? Good enough, had enough
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemas
Spit it out
All you wanna do is drag me down
All I wanna do is stamp you out
Spit it out
All you wanna do is drag me down
All I wanna do is stamp you out
Spit, spit, spit
Spit, spit it out
The lyrics to Slipknot's "Spit It Out" are a direct attack on those who try to bring the singer down. The song begins by saying that perhaps the antagonist never cared anyway and that it's time for the tables to be turned, as the singer has solved the problem and found the antagonist guilty. The following lines describe how the antagonist nearly killed the singer and how they're a big-mouthed, stupid, and cowardly person. The singer then challenges the antagonist and tells them that there's no way to break through their noise, but that it's fine because they know the truth of the situation.
Moving on, the song talks about how the antagonist spreads rumors and keeps spies around but ends up being buried by the singer with the use of violence. The singer says that the antagonist has no power and will be found if they try to hide. The final verse sees the singer setting the record straight and being frustrated that their complaints fall on deaf ears. The song ends with the repeated command to spit it out.
Overall, the song is a message to those who try to bring others down, challenging them to confront the singer face to face and reminding them that they have no power. The song is full of aggression and frustration, making it a quintessential Slipknot song.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you never gave a damn in the first place?
Were you never concerned before?
Maybe it's time you had the tables turned
Perhaps it's your turn to experience the same treatment
'Cause in the interest of all involved I got the problem solved
I have resolved the issue in the best interest of all concerned
And the verdict is guilty
The judgment is that you are guilty
Man nearly killed me, steppin' where you fear to tread
You are attempting to act in a way that almost resulted in my death
Stop, drop and roll, you were dead from the git-go
You were destined to fail no matter what you did
Big mouth fucker, stupid cocksucker
You are a loud-mouthed, foolish individual
Are you scared of me now? Then you're dumber than I thought
If you are now afraid of me, you are even more foolish than I previously thought
Always is, and never was, foundation made of piss and vinegar
Your supposed strength and foundation was actually weak from the beginning
Step to me, I'll smear ya, think I fear ya? Bullshit
If you confront me, I will defeat you, and I am not afraid of you
Just another dumb punk chompin' at this tit
You are just another foolish person trying to latch onto something
Is there any way to break through the noise?
Is there any way to cut through the distractions and commotion?
Was it something that I said that got you bent?
Did something I said cause you to become angry?
Gotta be that way if you want it
You must act in such a manner if you truly desire it
Sanity, literal profanity hit me
The harsh reality of the situation is affecting my sanity and causing me to curse
Spit it out
Express your true feelings and intentions
All you wanna do is drag me down
All you want is to harm me and bring me down
All I wanna do is stamp you out
All I want is to eliminate you and your harmful behavior
Maybe it's the way you gotta spread a lotta rumor fodder
Perhaps you spread rumors in order to achieve your goals
Keepin' all your little spies and leaving when you realize
You keep your spies around, but abandon them once they are no longer useful
Step up fairy, I guess it's time to bury your ass with the chrome
It is now time for me to confront you and defeat you with a gun
Straight to the dome, you heard me right, bitch, I didn't stutter
I will shoot you in the head, and I am not stuttering or hesitating
And if you know what's good, just shut up and beg, brother
You should stop talking and plead with me if you want to avoid further harm
Backstab, don't you know who you're dissin'?
You are insulting and disrespecting someone who will retaliate against you
Side swipe, we know the ass that you're kissin'
We are aware of the person you are trying to please and gain favor with
Biggity-biggidy bitch boy, halfway houser
You are a cowardly and indecisive person
Don't hear shit, 'cause It keeps gettin' louder
You ignore the criticism and continue down the wrong path
Come on, and get a face full 'o tactic
Prepare to face my aggressive and strategic approach
Lipping off hard, goin' home in a basket
Your bold words will lead you to your downfall
You got no pull, no power, no nothin'
You have no influence, no strength, and nothing going for you
Now you start shit? Well, ain't that something
You are initiating trouble now? How surprising
Payoffs don't protect, and you can hide if you want
Bribes and favors will not provide you with protection, and you can try to hide if you wish
But I'll find you, comin' up behind you
I will track you down and surprise you
'Bout time I set this record straight
It is time for me to express the truth and correct any misunderstandings
All the needlenose punchin' is making me irate
All the pointless arguing and fighting is making me extremely angry
Sick o' my bitchin' fallin' on deaf ears
I am tired of my complaints being ignored
Where you gonna be in the next five years?
What will your situation be like in the near future?
The crew and all the fools, and all the politics
The group and all of its foolish individuals, as well as the political issues involved
Get your lips ready, gonna gag, gonna make you sick
You will be overwhelmed and disgusted once the truth is revealed
You got dick when they passed out that good stuff
You were not given any positive characteristics or abilities
Bam, are you sick of me? Good enough, had enough
Are you tired of me? That is good, as I have had enough of you
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
I no longer have any enemies
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
I repeat, I no longer have any enemies
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
Once again, I am stating that I have no enemies
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
I have nobody left to fight or argue with
Fuck me, I'm all out of enemies
This line is repeated several times to emphasize that the artist has no enemies left
Spit, spit, spit
Repeated urging to speak out and express oneself
Spit, spit it out
Another urging to speak out and not hold back
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Crahan, Christopher Fehn, Paul Gray, Craig Jones, Nathan Jordison, Corey Taylor, Mickael Thomson, Sidney Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James Smith
on Snuff
This song helped me cope with a heartbreak and it was not until then that I felt the same pain as Corey Taylor