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"Shoots and Ladders"
Single by Korn
from the album Korn
Released	June 30, 1995 (1995-06-30)
Recorded	1994
Studio	Indigo Ranch Studios, Malibu, California
Genre	Nu metal
Length	5:22 (album version) 3:39 (radio edit)
Label	Epic Immortal
Songwriter(s)	Reginald Arvizu Jonathan Davis James Shaffer David Silveria Brian Welch
Producer(s)	Ross Robinson
Korn singles chronology
"Need To" (1995) "Shoots and Ladders" (1995) "Clown" (1995)

"Shoots and Ladders" is a song written and recorded by the American nu metal band Korn for their self-titled debut album. It was released as the album's third single in 1995.

Music and structure

The title is a mockery of American children's game Chutes and Ladders (also known in the United Kingdom as Snakes and Ladders), with the song's lyrics mostly consisting of nursery rhymes. It is the first Korn song to feature bagpipes. The song uses the following nursery rhymes in its lyrics:

• "Ring a Ring o' Roses"
• "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe"
• "London Bridge Is Falling Down"
• "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep"
• "This Old Man"
• "Mary Had a Little Lamb"

Concept

"It was written because all these little kids sing these nursery rhymes and they don't know what they originally meant. Everyone is so happy when singing 'Ring Around the Rosie' but it is about the Black Plague. All of them have these evil stories behind them." – Jonathan Davis

Music video

The video for "Shoots and Ladders" was directed by McG and shows clips of Korn performing in front of an energetic crowd, similar to "Blind". Korn is also seen performing in front of a fake castle-like building. Munky can be seen with duct tape over his mouth while coming out from a field of weeds. In the beginning, Jonathan can be seen tied up and hanging upside down. Head, Fieldy, and David appear in various clips as well, but is not very specific. The video premiered in June 1995. "Shoots and Ladders" was filmed at Golf N' Stuff in Norwalk, California.

Awards

The song was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1997 for Best Metal Performance. This would be Korn's first nomination in any Grammy category.

Track listing

(Source:)

US radio promo

• CD5"

1. "Shoots and Ladders" – 3:39 (radio edit)
2. "Sean Olson" – 4:45 (radio edit)

UK radio promo

• 10"

Side A:

1. "Shoots and Ladders (Hip Hop Remix)" – 4:07
2. "Shoots and Ladders (Hyper Remix)" – 2:32

Side B:

1. "Shoots and Ladders (Industrial Remix)" – 3:50
2. "Shoots and Ladders (Industrial Instrumental)" – 3:59

Credits

Korn

• Jonathan Davis – vocals, bagpipes
• Munky – guitar
• Head – guitar
• Fieldy – bass
• David Silveria – drums

Other

• Ross Robinson – production
• Eddy Schreyer – mastering
• Stephen Stickler – photography
• Jay Papke/Dante Ariola – art direction and design
• Chuck Johnson – engineering and mixing

References

1. Small 1998, p. 16. sfn error: no target: CITEREFSmall1998 (help)
2. Arvizu 2009, p. 69. sfn error: no target: CITEREFArvizu2009 (help)
3. "Indigo Ranch Studios - CDs and Vinyl at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-02-18.
4. Wiederhorn, Jon (July 1, 2013). "NOISEY VS. METALSUCKS - THREATEN MY FAMILY IF YOU MUST, BUT I STILL SAY KORN RULES". Vice.
5. Thomas, Stephen (1994-10-11). "Korn - Korn : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-02-18.
6. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Korn – Korn : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
7. Strong, Martin (2004). The Great Rock Discography (Paperback) (7th ed.). New York City: Canongate US. p. 853. ISBN 978-1-84195-615-2.
8. ^ Arvizu 2009, pp. 70–71. sfn error: no target: CITEREFArvizu2009 (help)
9. "Korn Lyrics". Korn Locker.
10. "GEAR". Kornseed.cro.net. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-02-18.
11. "Korn - Shoots and Ladders". VEVO. October 25, 2009.
12. "Korn". Rock On The Net. Retrieved 2013-02-18.
13. Shoots and Ladders (track listing). Korn. Epic Records. 1995. ESK 7116.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
14. "Shoots & Ladders US Radio Promo (ESK 7116)". Korn.simpol.net. Retrieved 2013-02-18.
15. "Shoots & Ladders 10" UK Vinyl Promo (XPR 3028)". Korn.simpol.net. Retrieved 2013-02-18.

• Korn songs
• 1994 songs
• 1995 singles
• Compositions for bagpipe
• Music videos directed by McG
• Immortal Records singles
• Epic Records singles
• Songs written by Reginald Arvizu
• Songs written by Jonathan Davis
• Songs written by James Shaffer
• Songs written by David Silveria
• Songs written by Brian Welch
• Songs based on children's songs