In the landscape of music history, 1994 marks a pivotal year, witnessing the arrival of Korn, a band whose eponymous debut album acted as a seismic shift. Drawing inspiration from the innovative sounds of Faith No More, Helmet, and Prong, Korn amplified the bass frequencies and inadvertently charted the course for nu metal. This nascent genre, spearheaded by Korn, blossomed into the dominant force in 21st-century metal. Despite the fluctuating popularity of nu metal, Korn has tenaciously held its position as a metal mainstay, boasting an impressive discography of 14 studio albums over three decades, with no signs of stopping.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of their groundbreaking debut, we turned to Korn’s most dedicated fans to curate a definitive list: the 20 most popular Korn songs of all time. Nostalgia undeniably plays a role, as tracks from Korn’s initial era heavily populate this list, underscoring the band’s enduring impact on millennial metal. Here are the songs you, the fans, have crowned as Korn’s most popular.
20. Did My Time (Take A Look In The Mirror, 2003)
Surprisingly, “Did My Time” holds the distinction of being Korn’s sole foray into the US Top 40 singles chart. What’s even more remarkable is this achievement occurred during nu metal’s perceived decline. Originally conceived for the film Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life, the song’s inclusion on the official soundtrack was thwarted by label disputes. Nevertheless, “Did My Time” graced the movie itself and spawned a music video featuring Tomb Raider icon Angelina Jolie in an intense face-off with Jonathan Davis. These were indeed memorable times for Korn and their fans.
19. Alone I Break (Untouchables, 2002)
“Alone I Break” encapsulates the quintessential Korn lyrical themes: emotional torment, alienation, and explorations of masculinity. Jonathan Davis masterfully weaves these threads throughout Korn’s early work. Lines such as “I am hoping I can find/where to leave my hurt behind” hint at a weariness with the band’s signature angst, while the song’s understated, shadowy atmosphere adds a layer of unsettling creepiness that perfectly complements its introspective content. It remains a popular track for fans who resonate with Korn’s deeper emotional explorations.
18. Daddy (Korn, 1994)
“Daddy” is arguably the most notorious track from Korn’s debut and a key reason why the band is unlikely to perform the album in its entirety live again anytime soon. This song represents Korn venturing into the darkest recesses of human experience. Inspired by Jonathan Davis’s personal trauma of sexual abuse, “Daddy” leverages Korn’s unsettling melodies and oppressive low-end to evoke profound revulsion. Davis’s audible weeping juxtaposed with a gentle, lullaby-esque musical passage creates a listening experience that remains intensely disturbing, even for seasoned Korn listeners. It is a powerful, albeit difficult, example of Korn’s unflinching lyrical honesty.
17. Thoughtless (Untouchables, 2002)
Korn’s music often finds its power in confronting inner demons and external aggressors, a theme powerfully embodied in “Thoughtless.” Partially rooted in Jonathan Davis’s experiences with bullying during his school years, the song’s music video depicted actor Aaron Paul, pre-Breaking Bad fame, enduring school abuse before enacting a dramatic revenge at a school prom.
Fueled by robust riffs and a defiant chorus, “Thoughtless” served as Jonathan Davis’s message of solidarity to those who have been abused. In a 2022 interview with Hammer, Davis reflected, “I was beat down so often in school and there was no help…It was a real failure of the school system. So I wrote from that sense of being so hurt and knowing there’s no help coming.” This resonated deeply with many fans making it a popular and impactful Korn song.
16. Make Me Bad (Issues, 1999)
While “Make Me Bad” might not possess the overt anthemic qualities of “Issues” lead single “Falling Away From Me,” it nonetheless showcases Korn at their commercial zenith. The track is undeniably Korn, seamlessly transitioning between their signature groovy stomp and unsettlingly melodic verses. Sonically, it’s a quintessential Korn track, but the visually striking, sci-fi, Alien-inspired music video reportedly stands as one of Korn’s most expensive productions. Its memorable sound and visual spectacle contribute to its popularity among Korn’s discography.
15. Twist (Life Is Peachy, 1996)
Only Korn could confidently launch an album with a 50-second burst of frenetic energy, punctuated by Jonathan Davis’s rapid-fire scatting vocals. Life Is Peachy served as a transitional album, paving the way for Korn’s subsequent mainstream success. It also provided a platform for the band to embrace their eccentricities, pushing the boundaries established in their debut and solidifying nu metal as a genre for and by the unconventional. “Twist” exemplifies this experimental and boundary-pushing spirit, making it a fan favorite.
14. Ball Tongue (Korn, 1994)
Korn is widely recognized as a catalyst for the nu metal revolution; however, their sound was built upon the foundations laid by preceding genres. The opening riff of “Ball Tongue” clearly nods to 90s alt-metal pioneers Helmet, while the interplay of high-pitched guitar tones against a dense bass foundation echoes influences like Cypress Hill and House Of Pain. Yet, Korn’s innovation lies in their seamless fusion of these disparate elements. Even three decades later, and amidst countless imitators, Korn remains the definitive embodiment of this particular nu metal style. “Ball Tongue” is a testament to their unique and enduring sound.
13. Twisted Transistor (See You On The Other Side, 2005)
Facing headwinds from nu metal’s declining mainstream appeal and the departure of guitarist Brian “Head” Welch, Korn entered 2005 with their backs against the wall as they prepared to release See You On The Other Side. Defying expectations, the band delivered some of their most compelling singles to date. Album opener “Twisted Transistor” led this charge, showcasing Korn’s embrace of hip-hop influences with a danceable beat and sing-along chorus. It became the second most commercially successful song of their career and remains a popular choice in their live performances.
12. Good God (Life Is Peachy, 1996)
“Good God” is a potent cocktail of stomping rhythms and scatting vocals, culminating in a defiant anthem. Jonathan Davis’s increasingly desperate plea, “won’t you get the fuck out of my face,” builds to a cathartic release of shrieks, tapping into a raw venom that defines “Good God”‘s enduring brilliance. It’s a visceral and intense track that resonates with fans who appreciate Korn’s raw aggression and emotional intensity.
11. Shoots And Ladders (Korn, 1994)
Korn excels at taking the innocent and twisting it into something unsettling and almost sacrilegious. This approach is evident throughout their debut album, most notably in the latter part of “Daddy.” However, “Shoots And Ladders” takes this concept further, offering a sarcastic subversion of innocence akin to Jimi Hendrix’s rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner.” Davis’s sneering, Johnny Rotten-esque delivery of “Ring A Ring O’ Roses” adds to the track’s subversive nature. Plus, the unexpected inclusion of bagpipes only adds to the song’s unique and memorable character, solidifying its place as a fan favorite.
10. Y’All Want A Single (Take A Look In The Mirror, 2003)
Nu metal and profanity? Inconceivable! Korn’s far-from-subtle response to record label pressure for a “hit single” on Take A Look In The Mirror ironically resulted in one of the band’s most memorable lyrical hooks. As Munky explained to Hammer in 2003, “That shit wasn’t flying with us at all! For the first time in our lives we were dissecting our music, and trying to analyze the structure of those songs, trying to figure out what made them huge hits. But Korn never works like that, and while we were all wondering, Jonathan came up with a line: ‘Y’all want a single? Say: FUCK THAT’ and we wrote Y’All Want a Single as a big ‘fuck you’ to them.”
Adding to the song’s rebellious spirit, the radio-friendly version somehow managed to amplify the subversive message. “Y’all want a single say ‘suck that’,” felt like an even more defiant gesture toward an industry perceived as cynically exploiting its artists. This bold stance and catchy hook made it a popular and enduring Korn anthem.
9. Faget (Korn, 1994)
“Faget” is a raw appropriation of the homophobic slurs Jonathan Davis endured during his high school years. It serves as a prime example of Korn channeling trauma into defiant angst. You can almost hear Davis’s teeth grinding as he snarls his way through the song, culminating in a powerful declaration: “you can suck my dick and fucking like it.” While not lyrically refined, for a 23-year-old Jonathan Davis, it represented a moment of reclaiming power from those who had made his adolescence a living hell. Its raw emotion and defiant message resonate strongly with fans.
8. Clown (Korn, 1994)
“Clown” sounds like a band that has been physically and emotionally battered, yet defiantly crawls its way back to the surface. It further solidifies Korn’s image as the ultimate band for misfits when they burst onto the scene in 1994. As the final single from their debut album, “Clown” played a crucial role in introducing Korn’s unique sound to a wider audience. Its unsettling rhythms and darkly humorous lyrics captured a sense of disillusionment that lay at the heart of nu metal, making it a defining track of their early sound and a popular choice for fans.
7. Coming Undone (See You On The Other Side, 2005)
Despite See You On The Other Side yielding several undeniably anthemic tracks, “Coming Undone” is the only song from the album that has remained a consistent fixture in Korn’s setlists in the two decades since its release. The reason for its longevity is clear: a central, grinding riff provides pure rhythmic satisfaction, while the chorus is immense, cutting through everything in its path. It demonstrated Korn’s continued ability to craft the kind of arena-ready bangers that had dominated metal at the turn of the millennium. Its enduring appeal in live shows speaks to its popularity and impact.
6. A.D.I.D.A.S. (Life Is Peachy, 1996)
Korn may have become the voice for outcasts and misfits, but they also embraced their sexuality. Five years after alt-rock largely purged overt sexuality from rock music, Korn boldly declared All Day I Dream About Sex, transforming a playful backronym into a lasting sing-along anthem. “A.D.I.D.A.S.” is a testament to Korn’s ability to blend raw emotion with playful and provocative themes, contributing to its enduring popularity.
5. Here To Stay (Untouchables, 2002)
“Here To Stay,” the opening track of 2002’s Untouchables, immediately asserts itself with heightened distortion and a menacing riff. It served as a powerful mission statement for Korn as nu metal began its decline. While other bands either abandoned the genre or faded away, “Here To Stay” declared Korn’s resilience and commitment to their sound. It became an anthem of defiance and a fan favorite for its raw energy and unwavering Korn identity.
4. Got The Life (Follow The Leader, 1998)
“Get your boogie on.” With Follow The Leader, Korn ascended to commercial stardom, but more importantly, they revealed a dimension beyond angst and anguish. “Got The Life” captured an uplifting energy and anthemic quality that propelled Korn to the apex of the nu metal hierarchy. While their reign at the very top was eventually challenged by bands like Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park, “Got The Life” remains a quintessential example of Korn’s ability to create infectious and broadly appealing tracks, making it one of their most popular songs.
3. Falling Away From Me (Issues, 1999)
With a beat reminiscent of a collapsing skyscraper and ethereal high-pitched guitar work, “Falling Away From Me” was Korn’s final single of the 1990s and a perfect companion piece to the unsettling “Freak On A Leash.” Unsurprisingly, “Falling Away From Me” is one of Korn’s most frequently played songs, a unifying anthem that transformed Korn’s sense of otherness into a shared strength. This communal power solidified their enduring legacy and iconic status, with “Falling Away From Me” remaining a cornerstone of their popular song catalog.
2. Freak On A Leash (Follow The Leader, 1998)
From its Todd McFarlane-directed, partially animated music video to the distinctive guitar tones and Jonathan Davis’s signature scatting, every element of “Freak On A Leash” is undeniably iconic. It’s a masterpiece that showcased Korn’s mastery of their craft and established them as a formidable creative force.
Frequently re-released, “Freak On A Leash” is arguably Korn’s most recognizable anthem, even if it isn’t statistically their most played overall. Jonathan Davis described it to Hammer in 2022 as “the song that took [Korn] off the leash” in terms of industry interference, granting them the autonomy to chart their own course and secure their lasting legacy. Its iconic status and widespread recognition firmly place it among Korn’s most popular and celebrated songs.
1. Blind (Korn, 1994)
And here it is: “Blind,” crowned by fans as the greatest Korn song of all time. Korn’s debut single served as a clarion call for a changing of the guard in metal. Jonathan Davis’s opening proclamation, “are you ready?!,” was a prescient question, as the metal world was indeed unprepared for the sonic force Korn was about to unleash.
With hip-hop-infused beats and grooves inspired by the best of alt-metal but imbued with a fresh, innovative twist, Korn arrived as an unprecedented force in 1994. They seamlessly blended diverse influences and sounds, becoming a galvanizing force for the nu metal bands that followed.
“Blind” felt fully formed from the outset. While Korn would explore various sonic territories throughout their career, “Blind” remains the foundational blueprint upon which everything else is built. Its core elements are so deeply ingrained in Korn’s DNA that any attempt by another band to replicate “Blind” would be dismissed as imitation. “Blind” is unequivocally ground zero for nu metal, and undeniably Korn’s most popular and impactful song.
