Faget by Korn - Songfacts

Album: Korn (1994)

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A glance at the title could lead you to believe that this song is bashing gay people, but it's not. It's about how lead singer Jon Davis went to school and people would make fun of him, calling him a "faggot." It's a very emotional and genuine song where Davis lashes out at his tormentors.

"That song I wrote about being picked on as a kid," Davis recalled. "In high school and junior high, I was a very feminine dude" who used to wear makeup and loved Duran Duran. I wasn't gay, but people liked to assume that I was gay and call me 'faggot.'"
A track from Korn's first album, their guitarist Brian "Head" Welch told us that it's a great example of him using "the Bungle chord," where he plays two notes that are three steps away. This was pioneered by a California band called Mr. Bungle, which was led by Mike Patton of Faith No More.
Like "Good God," a video was shot for this song, but was not released. The clip eventually surfaced on the 1997 Who Then Now? Korn video, which was sold on VHS and released on DVD in 2009. The video was directed by McG, who went on to direct several blockbuster movies, including Charlie's Angels and Terminator Salvation. He also directed Korn's videos for "Shoots And Ladders," "Blind" and "Clown."
In the US, "fag" is a derogatory term for a homosexual that is also used to degrade just about anyone who is different in some way, which is how it applied to Davis. The TV show South Park tackled the subject in their 2009 episode "The F Word," where the kids used the word to refer to biker gangs, showing how meaningless the term really is.

In England, "fag" has a completely different meaning: it's a cigarette or a bundle of sticks.
The song was written at a house on Orange Street in Huntington Beach, California just after Jonathan Davis had joined Korn. Brian "Head" Welch recalled: "[Jonathan] moved in with us, with his girlfriend, and I remember sitting in the room he rented. I had my guitar in there and I wrote the riff. We just came up with the song 'Faget' right then and there. It was the very beginning."

Comments: 22

Sirkel A from WorldLove reading the comments, even the strange ones
Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganThis site describes the "Bungle Chord" as being 2 notes played 3 steps apart, which is really just a diminished interval (part of the intro to "Blind" for example), but what Zero down there states as the Bungle Chord ("Got The Life chorus) is really an octave apart, or 6 steps apart. I'm a little confused. I like Mr. Bungle, but I never took the time to learn any of their guitar parts, but maybe I will in the future.

Anyway, I can also relate to being looked down upon because of my sexuality, only in a different way. I'm female and bisexual and into rock n roll not like the girly-girls who listen to pop and junk in my school, so actually it's the complete opposite end of the coin for me. But it's cool, I have a GF and we play in a band together and this is my favorite KoRn song. Peace!
Emilio from Pittsburgh, PaAs a pansexual man, this song really hits close to home. Being called a "fa--ot" just for existing is awful. I'm so glad Jon wrote this and sorry he had to endure ridicule.
Luke from Manchester, UkFrank from Philadelphia, Ms.
I'm glad your state-appointed carer lets you online but I'm sure there are other things you can do when your My Little Pony website goes down.
Luke from Manchester, UkActually, in the UK faggot is a bundle of sticks and fag is a cigarette, the two are not interchangeable.
Zero from The Abyss, NjThe most famous example of the Bungle Chord in a KoRn song would probably be in "Got The Life" in the chorus. By the way I seriously recommend all KoRn fans to check out Mr. Bungle. They're very offbeat but they kick ass. And try Faith No More if you haven't already. KoRn would not be what they are today if it wasn't for these two bands.
Zero from Nowhere, NjOne of my favorite KoRn songs, I can relate as I was picked on in school and called a "Faggot", among other things. I saw them live 3 times, once in 2002, once in 2010 and again in 2011. Unfortunately they never got to this song. Too, bad. They were still great shows.
Karl from Ingatestone, United KingdomKorn are a powerful band with hundreds of anger and rage in their lyrics. i have a copy of their debut album. i think there are about 2 fs in the song and Jonathan Davis calls his audience peers.
Josh from Meridain, MsPure Jon, people are just stupid and don't know what to thank when they saw Jon. Everyone is diffrent in there on way and Jon had his on way of doing things. But really, Jon knows he don't have 2 worry what people thank cause he's the top best singer in the entire world.
Alice from São Paulo, BrazilKevin, where did you read John is bi? I've NEVER read anything abt that!
Myles from Castle Creek, NyI always thought this was Jon calling the man who d/molested him as a child a "f*gg*t". This is one of KoRns best though. Especially live.
Jeff from Helena, Mtthis song is awesome i always listen to it when i ride my horse to school
Myss from Arvada, CoI like how the tables have turned for Jonathan. He used to get picked on and now...there are lots of people who practically worship him. I love Korn to death! Their music really helped me whilst I was a teen.
Frank from Philadelphia, Mskorn is the worst band ever and this is the type of person who would like this band
Kevin from Independence, MoJohn Davis is bi. Not gay.
Dylan from Yorkville, IlThis song was definatley related to school peer abuse; later re-encapsulated by the more recent release hit of 'Thoughtless'.
Kassandra from Long Island A.k.a Wrong Island, Nythe video for this song is on their dvd "deuce"
Danielle from Northumberland::sighs:: yip. Faget is one of the best pure korn insider songs ever. People seem to think that the song, somehow, is about how Jon Davis -is- gay. Wrong... he was bullied and being called a fag all through his school years. The tattoo on his arm... 'HIV' has become his nickname, (he does not have HIV) that along with 'fag' 'gay' and other homosexual terms. Now days, Davis still insists that he is not gay, but he laughs about it by making fun of himself. He makes many jokes about his sexuality... It's rather convincing.
Mishel from Madera, Cathis songs about being made fun of in high school . one of my favorite songs. shows how stupid and judgmental ppl can be. love for john
Mike from Covina, CaThis song is about Jonathan Davis being mocked in high school for being into New Wave music like Flock of Seagulls. Not like this sellout band has songs that make sense anyways.
Rory from Camden, Njhe also says.....you cant buy the gun if you aint got the money anyway
Brian from Paoli, InJon Davis has the letters "HIV" tatooed on his arm, I beleive that was one thing they used to call him in school. He has the tatoo to mock them, and remind himself of what he had to go through.

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