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Got the Life

{{about|the song|the book|Got the Life (book)}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Got the Life

| cover = Korn-gtl.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Korn

| album = Follow the Leader

| B-side = I Can Remember

| released = August 10, 1998

| recorded = April 1998

| studio = NRG (North Hollywood)

| venue =

| genre =

  • Nu metal{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/noisey-vs-metalsucks-threaten-my-family-if-you-must-but-i-still-say-korn-rules/ |title=NOISEY VS. METALSUCKS - THREATEN MY FAMILY IF YOU MUST, BUT I STILL SAY KORN RULES |publisher=Vice |last=Wiederhorn |first=Jon |date=July 1, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://music.cbc.ca/#!/blogs/2013/2/10-nu-metal-songs-that-still-hold-up |title=10 nu metal songs that still hold up on CBC music |publisher=CBC Music |last=Shumka |first=Dave |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301002442/http://music.cbc.ca/ |archive-date=2016-03-01 }} (February 14th, 2013){{cite journal |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/feature.php?ID=1220 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041009181930/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/feature.php?ID=1220 |title=Top Ten Nu-Metal Bands |journal=Stylus Magazine |date=September 10, 2004 |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |archive-date=October 9, 2004 |access-date=September 25, 2014}}
  • rap metal{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-20-greatest-korn-songs-ranked|title=The 20 greatest Korn songs – ranked - Kerrang!|work=Kerrang|access-date=May 25, 2025}}

| length = 3:45

| label = Epic

| writer =

| producer = {{hlist|Steve Thompson|Toby Wright|Korn}}

| prev_title = All in the Family

| prev_year = 1998

| next_title = Children of the Korn

| next_year = 1998

}}

"Got the Life" is a song by American nu metal band Korn. It was released in 1998, as the second single from their third album, Follow the Leader (1998). The song was recorded in April 1998 at NRG Recording Studios. The band decided they would release the song as a promotional single after each member found that there was something "special" about the song. The single had "phenomenal success", and its music video was requested more than any other video on MTV's TRL, making it the first officially "retired" music video.

"Got the Life" did not receive much attention in the music press; however, the song was rewarded a gold certification in Australia by the Australian Recording Industry Association, platinum in New Zealand by Recorded Music NZ, and silver in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry. It peaked at number one on the Canadian RPM Rock/Alternative Chart chart, as well as number fifteen on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number seventeen on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Background and release

"Got the Life" was recorded in April 1998 at NRG Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California.{{cite web|access-date=2010-03-19|url=http://www.tower.com/follow-leader-korn-cd/wapi/106695853|title=Follow The Leader (CD)|publisher=Tower Records|archive-date=2008-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914082548/http://www.tower.com/follow-leader-korn-cd/wapi/106695853|url-status=dead}} After recording the song, the group's members each felt that there was something "special" about the song.{{Harvnb|Arvizu|2009|p=116}} Lead vocalist Jonathan Davis claimed that it reminded him of "something you might hear at raves", which were very popular at the time.{{Harvnb|Arvizu|2009|p=117}} Even though they thought that many fans would not appreciate the song, they released it as a promotional single in early August 1998, before the release of Follow the Leader. "Got the Life" was said by Leah Furman to be "revolved around the mixed blessings of fame."{{Harvnb|Furman|2000|p=127}}

The single was sent to radio stations on July 24, 1998, and has been released five times.{{Harvnb|Furman|2000|p=145}} The single's first release was on August 10, 1998, where it was released with two versions in the United States. The single contains different mixes of the song, including "Deejay Punk-Roc Remix" and the instrumental "D.O.S.E.'s Woollyback Remix."{{cite AV media notes |title="Got the Life" |others=Korn |year=1998 |type=DVD |publisher=Epic }} The single also apprehends B-sides and remixes to earlier songs.{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/got-the-life-mw0001888381 |title=Got The Life- Korn |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 11, 2018}} Stephen Thomas Erlewine reviewed the single, giving it two out of five stars, and noting that "the 'Deejay Punk-Roc Remix' is pretty good, but the instrumental is of negligible worth. The second part of the single is backed with 'I Can Remember' plus 'Good God (OOMPH! vs. Such A Surge Remix)'.Stephen Thomas Erlewine [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r376500|pure_url=yes}} "Got the Life (Australia) > Overview "]. Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-06-05 The single was also released in Australia, and in the United Kingdom twice. The single was considered to have had "phenomenal success".{{Harvnb|McIver|2002|p=71}}

Composition

File:Got the Life music sheet.jpg

"Got the Life" is three minutes and forty-five seconds long.{{cite AV media notes |title="Got the Life (UK)" |others=Korn |year=1998 |type=DVD |publisher=Epic }} It is the shortest song on Follow the Leader, and like the album the single was produced by Steve Thompson and Toby Wright,{{Harvnb|Arvizu|2009|p=112}}{{cite AV media notes |title="Got the Life (UK #2)" |others=Korn |year=1998 |type=CD |publisher=Epic }} and was mixed by Brendan O'Brien. "Got the Life (Deejay Punk-Roc remix)" was mixed by DeeJay Punk-Roc (Jon Paul Davies), and was recorded at Airdog Funk Research Department and Liverpool, England. The D.O.S.E.'s Woollyback remix was mixed by D.O.S.E. in courtesy of Mercury Records.

The song starts off with a single percussion beat, leading into the refrain riff, with a triple guitar overdub. When the verses emerge, lead singer Jonathan Davis begins singing with the lyrical line "Hate, something, sometime, someway, something kicked on the front floor."{{cite book| last=Small|first=Doug|title=Korn|year=1999|edition=2|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=0-8256-1804-5|pages=32–47}} Korn performed the song with the following members: Jonathan Davis performing vocals, Brian "Head" Welch and James "Munky" Shaffer performing guitars, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, performing on the bass guitar, and David Silveria on the drum kit.

In a 2013 interview with Scuzz, Jonathan Davis revealed that "Got the Life" originally contained an audio sample at the very beginning - a piece of dialogue spoken by actor Dom DeLuise in the 1974 film Blazing Saddles. Warner Brothers would not allow its usage, however, so it was removed prior to the song's release.{{cite web|access-date=2013-12-29|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/korn-interviewed-by-u-k-s-scuzz-video/|title=Korn Interviewe by U.K.'s Scuzz|date=29 December 2013|publisher=Blabbermouth.net}}

Music video

{{Quote box |quote = "I would give my car to a bum. I thought Tre from Pharcyde could play the bum. I wanted to blow up cars and other fancy material things in the video as a way to show that we didn't care about those things. We could end the video with a shot of a big backyard party with all of [their] friends. In addition, I wanted to put two lowrider bikes in the scene and make it look like we were all down in Mexico, partying and having a good time."|source=—Reginald Arvizu|width = 30% |align = left}}

Korn decided to shoot a music video for "Got the Life" after the reception from fans and employees at NRG Recording Studios was very positive. The music video's concept was by the band's bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu. Their managers advised them to request Joseph Kahn to direct the video. Kahn also was the director for "A.D.I.D.A.S." music video in 1997.{{cite web|title=Maital Sabban |url=http://www.ms-management.com/resumes/makeup/MaitalSabban_Resume.pdf |access-date=2010-05-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714123159/http://www.ms-management.com/resumes/makeup/MaitalSabban_Resume.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-14 }} After asking Kahn to direct their video, he responded saying "That's the stupidest idea I've ever heard."{{Harvnb|Arvizu|2009|p=118}} Offended by and against his response, Korn hired McG, director of the band's music videos from their self-titled debut album — "Blind", "Shoots and Ladders", "Clown", and "Faget".[http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/Korn-Who-Then-Now/McG/e/5013929402652 Korn: Who Then Now, McG, DVD - Barnes & Noble] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606042934/http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/Korn-Who-Then-Now/McG/e/5013929402652 |date=2011-06-06 }} Retrieved 2010-06-02

On January 12, 1999, this music video was the first video that was officially co retired from MTV's daily top ten countdown as it was consistently and frequently requested, Total Request Live.{{Harvnb|Furman|2000|p=151}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=halloffame|title=Hall of Fame|access-date=2008-03-19|publisher=The TRL Archive|archive-date=2007-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071104002903/http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=halloffame|url-status=dead}} MTV's Total Request Live said the song was the most requested music video "for too long so they had to stop airing it so other artists would have a chance at the coveted number one spot." Deuce, the video album where the song's music video appears on, was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.{{cite AV media notes |title=Duece |title-link=Deuce (Korn DVD)|others=Korn |year=2002 |type=DVD |publisher=Sony/Epic }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH|title=RIAA certifications|access-date=2008-03-21|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America}} California rapper WC makes a cameo appearance in the video dancing. Jay Gordon of Orgy, Brandon Boyd of Incubus, Fred Durst, Sam Rivers, Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit, Eminem, and UFC fighter Tito Ortiz can be seen in the end of the video.{{cite web|last1=Storm|first1=Brian|title=Eminem Was In Korn's 'Got The Life' Music Video Before He Was Famous|url=http://www.rockfeed.net/2016/11/27/eminem-korns-got-life-music-video-famous/|website=Rock Feed|access-date=2017-07-25|date=2016-11-27}}{{Cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2nyZsmOcpLsC&q=tito+ortiz+got+the+life+video&pg=PA156 | title=Korn}} The music video starts with a boombox playing "It's On", the opening track from the album.

Reception

AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the single 2/5 stars, although he stated that the song "rivaled such previous masterworks as 'A.D.I.D.A.S.' and 'Shoots and Ladders'. Their fusion of metal and rap was stronger than ever, boasting their best rhythm tracks to date. Which is good, since the B-sides of the 'Got the Life' singles were devoted to remixes."

"Got the Life" is widely considered to be one of Korn's best songs. In 2019, Loudwire ranked the song number ten on their list of the 50 greatest Korn songs,{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/top-50-korn-songs-ranked/|title=The Top 50 Korn Songs, Ranked|website=Loudwire|date=September 13, 2019|accessdate=March 28, 2022}} and in 2021, Kerrang ranked the song number seven on their list of the 20 greatest Korn songs.{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-20-greatest-korn-songs-ranked|title=The 20 greatest Korn songs – ranked|first=Sam|last=Law|website=Kerrang|date=April 20, 2021|accessdate=March 28, 2022}}

"Got the Life" became Korn's first entry on Billboard{{'}}s Mainstream Rock Songs and Alternative Songs charts, peaking at number fifteen and number seventeen, respectively.{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/follow-the-leader-r372697/charts-awards/billboard-single|title=Korn > Follow the Leader > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles|access-date=2011-02-23|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation}} The song peaked at number twenty-six in Australia, and shipments of a CD single have surpassed 35,000 units.{{Cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-1999.htm|title=Accreditations - 1999 Singles|access-date=2008-03-19|publisher=ARIA}} "Got the Life"'s music video debuted at number eight on MTV's Total Request Live, on September 17, 1998.{{Cite web|url=http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=debuts|title=Debuts|access-date=2008-03-19|publisher=The TRL Archive|work=ATRL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928011304/http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=debuts|archive-date=2007-09-28|url-status=dead}}

Track listing

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;US single

class="wikitable"
#

! Title

! Length

! Ref

1."Got the Life"3:45rowspan="4"|{{center|[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r424743|pure_url=yes}} "Got the Life (US) > Overview"]. Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-06-05}}
2."Got the Life (Deejay Punk-Roc Mix)"5:16
3."Got the Life (D.O.S.E. Woollyback Remix)"5:27
4."I Can Remember"3:36

;Single remixes

class="wikitable"
#

! Title

! Length

! Ref

1."Got the Life (Remix)"3:45rowspan="1"|{{center|[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r388758|pure_url=yes}} "Got the Life (Remixes) > Overview"]. Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-06-05}}

;Australian single

class="wikitable"
#

! Title

! Length

! Ref

1."Got the Life"3:45rowspan="1"|{{center|{{cite AV media notes |title="Got the Life (Australian single)" |others=Korn |year=1998 |type=DVD |publisher=Epic }}}}

{{col-2}}

;UK single #1

class="wikitable"
#

! Title

! Length

! Ref

1."Got the Life"3:45rowspan="3"|{{center|[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r380732|pure_url=yes}} "Got the Life (UK Single #1) > Overview"]. Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-06-05}}
2."Got the Life" (Deejay Punk-Roc Mix)5:16
3."Got the Life" (D.O.S.E. Woollyback Remix)5:27

;UK single #2

class="wikitable"
#

! Title

! Length

! Ref

1."Got the Life"3:49rowspan="3"|{{center|[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r380733|pure_url=yes}} "Got the Life (UK single #2) > Overview"]. Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-06-05}}
2."I Can Remember"3:39
3."Good God" (Oomph! Vs Such a Surge Remix)4:06

{{col-end}}

Charts

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (1998)

!scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|26|artist=Korn|song=Got the Life|rowheader=true|access-date=April 19, 2021}}
scope="row"| Canada Alternative 30 (RPM)[http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.7052&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5 "Rock/Alternative - Volume 68, No. 3, October 12 1998"]. Retrieved 2010-06-11

| 1

scope="row"| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-08-29.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=16|issue=20|page=11|date=August 29, 1998|access-date=February 7, 2020}}

| 94

scope="row"| Finland Airplay (IFPI Finland){{cite web|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=6|title=Chart History|website=musiikkiarkisto.fi |access-date=October 20, 2024}}

| 30

scope="row"| Hungary (MAHASZ){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1998/MM-1998-09-05.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=15|issue=36|page=15|date=5 September 1998|access-date=8 June 2020}}

| 4

scope="row"| Iceland (Dagblaðið Vísir Top 30){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/1915668?iabr=on#page/n61/mode/2up/search/got%20the%20life%20korn|title=Íslenski Listinn (01.10. 1998)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=10|date=June 29, 2000|access-date=October 5, 2019}}

| 1

{{single chart|Scotland|21|date=19980822|rowheader=true|access-date=February 21, 2025}}
{{single chart|UK|23|date=19980822|rowheader=true|access-date=February 21, 2025}}
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|15|artist=Korn|song=Got the Life|rowheader=true|access-date=April 19, 2021}}
{{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|17|artist=Korn|song=Got the Life|rowheader=true|access-date=April 19, 2021}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Korn|title=Got the Life|relyear=1998|certyear=1999|access-date=February 21, 2025|refname="ARIA"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|artist=Korn|title=Got The Life|relyear=1998|certyear=2024|type=single|source=radioscope|refname="RMNZ"|access-date=February 21, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Korn|title=Got The Life|award=Silver|relyear=1998|certyear=2025|id=20815-241-1|access-date=February 21, 2025|refname="BPI"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

See also

References

;Literature

  • {{Cite book |last = Arvizu |first = Reginald |title = Got The Life |publisher = William Marrow |year = 2009 |isbn = 978-0-06-166249-2 |url = https://archive.org/details/gotlifemyjourney00fiel_0 }}
  • {{Cite book |last = Furman |first = Leah |title = Korn: Life in the Pit |publisher = St. Martin's Griffin |year = 2000 |isbn = 0-312-25396-6 |url = https://archive.org/details/korn00leah }}
  • {{Cite book |last = McIver |first= Joel |title = Nu-Metal: The Next Generation Of Rock |publisher = Omnibus Press |year = 2002 |isbn = 0-7119-9209-6 }}

;Cited

{{reflist|3}}

{{Korn}}

{{good article}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Korn songs

Category:1998 singles

Category:1998 songs

Category:Music videos directed by McG

Category:Songs written by Reginald Arvizu

Category:Songs written by Jonathan Davis

Category:Songs written by James Shaffer

Category:Songs written by David Silveria

Category:Songs written by Brian Welch