The Method: Snuff by Slipknot

L 1 Jacob L

Mr. Herberg

CP English III Period 5

8/17/15

The Method: “Snuff” by Slipknot

1. “Know” x2 (“If you still care don’t ever let me know” x2, “I hope I never know”) ,“Let

me (you) go” x2, “Love” x5, “Hate” x2 (“If I’m alone I cannot hate,” “You couldn’t hate

enough to love”), “Long Ago” x3

2. Cage, dark = feeling trapped; my sins, I never claimed to be a saint = knowing he isn’t

perfect; Taken, punished, banished, ran away, death of hope = abandonment; Rage, hate,

hurt = feeling of revenge

3. Let me go/ Let you go = abandonment vs. acceptance, I still press your letters to my lips/I

only wish you weren’t my friend, that I could hurt you in the end = love vs. hate,

innocence/sins = good vs. bad

4. Repetition: “Know”

Strand: Abandonment (“My smile was taken long ago,” “my love was banished long ago,”

“It took the death of hope to let you go,” “You sold me out to save yourself,” “You ran

away,” “my love was punished long ago”)

Binary: Love vs. Hate (“I still press your letters to my lips”,” “If only you weren’t my friend,

then I could hurt you in the end”) L 2

In Slipknot’s song “Snuff,” writer and singer Corey Taylor expresses his depression and rage after his loved one leaves him. The repetition of the word “know” in two similar phrases, “If

I can change I hope I never know” and “If you still care don’t ever let me know”x2, shows how

Taylor does not want to find out if he could have had another chance. If he knew he could have gotten her back after all this, it would fill him with even more regret, killing him inside. The strand of abandonment with the phrases of “my smile was taken long ago,” “my love was banished long ago,” “It took the death of hope to let you go,” “You sold me out to save yourself,” “You ran away,” and “my love was punished long ago,” portrays how the writer feels after his loved one left him. Corey feels as though he was used and then left in the dust. The binary of love vs. hate in the poem shows the emotional struggle in Taylor’s head; “I still press your letters to my lips” and “I only wish you weren’t my friend/Then I could hurt you in the end.” While Taylor wishes he could get revenge on the girl for treating him like this, he knows he can’t because he still loves her. Through the use of these repetitions, strands, and binaries,

Corey Taylor and Slipknot tell a dark, sad story of the aftermath of the separation of loved ones. 3

“Snuff” by Slipknot (lyrics)

Bury all your secrets in my skin Come away with innocence, and leave me with my sins The air around me still feels like a cage And love is just a camouflage for what resembles rage again

So if you love me, let me go. And run away before I know. My heart is just too dark to care. I can't destroy what isn't there. Deliver me into my fate, if I'm alone I cannot hate I don't deserve to have you My smile was taken long ago, if I can change I hope I never know

I still press your letters to my lips And cherish them in parts of me that savor every kiss I couldn't face a life without your light But all of that was ripped apart, when you refused to fight

So save your breath, I will not care. I think I made it very clear. You couldn't hate enough to love. Is that supposed to be enough? I only wish you weren't my friend. Then I could hurt you in the end. I never claimed to be a saint My own was banished long ago, It took the death of hope to let you go

So break yourself against my stones And spit your pity in my soul You never needed any help You sold me out to save yourself And I won't listen to your shame You ran away, you're all the same Angels lie to keep control My love was punished long ago

If you still care, don't ever let me know If you still care, don't ever let me know L 2