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"Poem"
Single by Taproot
from the album Welcome
Released	October 14, 2002 (US) December 16, 2003 (UK)
Recorded	2001–2002
Genre	Nu metal alternative metal
Length	3:09
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Mike DeWolf, Stephen Richards, Phil Lipscomb, Jarrod Montague
Producer(s)	Toby Wright
Taproot singles chronology
"I" (2001) "Poem" (2002) "Mine" (2003)

"Poem" is a song by American alternative metal band Taproot and the lead single from their second major label album, Welcome. It was released in 2002 and met with the highest success of any Taproot single, reaching #5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks. The track, as well as its music video, were heavily played throughout the several months following its release.

Overview

Taproot worked with producer Toby Wright during the making of Welcome. According to frontman Stephen Richards: "We went into the sessions with thirty songs written and ready for pre-production, but Wright pared the thirty down to four. And he had us write fifteen more. But it was actually really great. He saw a lot of similarities between songs that we had written, a lot of one-dimensional writing, and just suggested that we take the best parts of each and cut them down and combine them and make them better. So we took some of the good old stuff and reworked into better songs, and some of the newer stuff is actually the material we're most excited about." "Poem" was one of the songs that was written before production of the album began. Guitarist Mike DeWolf elaborated:

"That's actually the first song we wrote for the album. . . We played it at the 2001 Ozzfest and there was a big reaction. The kids went nuts for it even more than to our other songs that they'd heard a million times before. In production we changed little things here and there to make it stronger, but it's basically the same song."

"Poem" was performed on the December 13, 2002 edition of Last Call with Carson Daly. The band was late due to weather troubles in Chicago but treated the audience to a half-hour set. A live version of the song was included on the Music as a Weapon II album in 2004. "Poem" was also featured on the soundtracks for both MVP Baseball 2003 and True Crime: Streets of L.A.

The popular single begins with a few solo guitar chords before breaking into a heavy introduction. The singing style continuously shifts back and forth between harsh and clean vocals, and its chorus lyrics reference the instructions seen on fire alarms ("In case of fire, break the glass and move on into your own").

Music video

Taproot worked with directing team Brothers Strause, whose other work includes Linkin Park and Godsmack, on the music video for "Poem." Shooting took place on August 8 and 9 in Los Angeles with broadcasts beginning in early September 2002. The "Poem" video has Taproot performing inside a crumbling old house. A young man and woman are seen intensely kissing and groping one another amidst the chaotic destruction of the building. Vocalist Stephen Richards unpleasantly bears witness to the couple as he sings, giving the impression of a bitter history between them. The video cost $225,000 to produce.

Track listing

• The songs "Transparent" and "Free (Succeed)" were recorded during the Welcome sessions but ultimately cut from the album. They were instead included as B-sides to the "Poem" single. "Free (Succeed)"'s lyrics however, still remain on the US pressing of "Welcome."

Charts

Personnel

• Stephen Richards – vocals
• Mike DeWolf – guitar
• Phil Lipscomb – bass guitar
• Jarrod Montague – drums
• Toby Wright – producer

References

1. "30 Best Nu Metal Songs, Ranked". Spin Magazine.
2. "Taproot - Poem". AllMusic.
3. TAPROOT's STEPHEN RICHARDS: New Material Is Very Different From First Album Blabbermouth.net (March 7, 2002). Retrieved on June 3, 2008.
4. Wiederhorn, Jon "Taproot's Second Album is Really Their Third ... Kind of" MTV.com (October 21, 2002). Retrieved on June 3, 2008.
5. MTV News staff "For the Record: Quick News On P. Diddy, Jay-Z, New Edition, Thursday, Taproot, Liz Phair & More" MTV.com (December 10, 2002). Retrieved on June 3, 2008.
6. MTV News staff "For the Record: Quick News On R. Kelly, Jay-Z, Taproot, Fat Joe, Blackalicious, ... Trail Of Dead & More" MTV.com (August 7, 2002). Retrieved on June 3, 2008.
7. wookubus (2016-10-13). "Taproot Drummer Penning 'True Rockstars...' Book, Shares Excerpt On 2002 Album "Welcome"". Theprp.com. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
8. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. October 20, 2002. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
9. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. October 20, 2002. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
10. "Taproot – Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
11. "Taproot – Chart History: Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
12. "Taproot – Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2021.

External links

• "Poem" Music Video

• 2002 singles
• 2002 songs
• Atlantic Records singles
• Taproot (band) songs
• Songs written by Stephen Richards (musician)