Sulfur
LIVING ROOM - Slipknot Lyrics

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My guilt and my shame always sell me short,
Always feel the same
And my face and my soul always wear me thin,
Always under control
But the longest hours you'll have in your life
Are the ones you sit through to know if you're right
So I'll wait, but I pray that I'm wrong
Because I think I know what's going on

So let me get this straight, the only will is my own
I do whatever I want and stay alone
All my decisions make it untouchable and tainted
I'm gonna suffer for the rest of my life
But I will always find a way to survive
I'm not a failure, but I know what it's like
I can take it or leave it, or die

Stay, you don't always know where you stand
Till you know that you won't run away
There's something inside me that feels
Like breathing in sulfur

My life is undone, and I'm a sinner to most but a sage to some
And my gods are untrue, I'm probably wrong, but I'm better than you
And the longest hours I've had in my life
Were the ones I went through to know I was right
So I'm safe, but I'm a little outside
I'm gonna laugh when I'm buried alive

Stay, you don't always know where you stand
Till you know that you won't run away
There's something inside me that feels
Like breathing in sulfur
Like breathing in sulfur

Like breathing in sulfur
Stay, you don't always know where you stand
Till you know that you won't run away
There's something inside me that feels
Like breathing in sulfur
Stay, you don't always know where you stand
Till you know that you won't run away
There's something inside me that feels
Like breathing in sulfur
Like breathing in sulfur

Like breathing in sulfur
Like breathing in sulfur

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Sulfur" by Slipknot are very introspective, detailing the inner struggle that the singer faces with their own guilt, shame, and control. The singer mentions how their guilt and shame always sell them short, and how their face and soul always wear them thin. The idea of being under control seems to be a constant presence in the singer's life. This sense of control is highlighted later in the lyrics, where the singer mentions how staying alone and doing whatever they want makes them untouchable and tainted. The singer seems to be grappling with the idea of responsibility and the consequences of their actions. The longest hours of their life, according to the singer, are the ones spent in introspection and questioning their own motives.

The refrain of "Stay, you don't always know where you stand/Till you know that you won't run away" provides a sense of hope and stability amidst the chaos of the singer's thoughts. The line "There's something inside me that feels/Like breathing in sulfur" is a powerful metaphor for the singer's inner turmoil. Sulfur has a distinctive pungent smell and can be toxic in large doses, making it an apt metaphor for the singer's inner turmoil.

Overall, "Sulfur" is a deep and thought-provoking song that delves into the complexities of the human psyche.

Line by Line Meaning

My guilt and my shame always sell me short, Always feel the same
I'm constantly burdened by my past mistakes and feel like I can never escape them.

And my face and my soul always wear me thin, Always under control
Trying to keep up an image of composure and control is exhausting and taking a toll on me.

But the longest hours you'll have in your life Are the ones you sit through to know if you're right So I'll wait, but I pray that I'm wrong Because I think I know what's going on
The moments of uncertainty are the most agonizing, but I hope that my assumptions and fears are misguided.

Stay, you don't always know where you stand Till you know that you won't run away There's something inside me that feels Like breathing in sulfur
I don't always have clarity or stability in my life, but I know that I won't give up or run away. There's a part of me that's always on edge and anxious, like inhaling toxic fumes.

My life is undone, and I'm a sinner to most but a sage to some And my gods are untrue, I'm probably wrong, but I'm better than you And the longest hours I've had in my life Were the ones I went through to know I was right So I'm safe, but I'm a little outside I'm gonna laugh when I'm buried alive
I'm living a life that's considered wrong by many, but I still have some people who see value in me. I don't believe in traditional ideals or religion, and I'm willing to withstand long bouts of uncertainty and judgement if it means I can confirm my beliefs. I'm content with my current situation, but there's still a sense of detachment from those around me. I find humor in the thought of being buried alive, as if to say I welcome even the most terrifying moments of life.

Like breathing in sulfur
This phrase is repeated throughout the song and represents the feeling of unease, anxiety, or darkness that's always present within the singer.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRIS FEHN, CHRISTOPHER FEHN, COREY TAYLOR, CRAIG JONES, JAMES ROOT, MICHAEL CRAHAN, MICKAEL THOMSON, NATHAN JORDISON, PAUL GRAY, SID WILSON, SIDNEY WILSON

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