The Leash Curse: How Personal History Can Influence our Tendency to be Controlled

"The leash curse" refers to the phenomenon of being constantly attached or restricted by external obligations, responsibilities, or limitations. It metaphorically signifies being held back or controlled by something or someone, similar to how a leash is used to control a pet's movements. In many aspects of life, people experience the leash curse. It could be in their professional careers, where they feel confined by strict job requirements, rigid schedules, or limited opportunities for growth. The feeling of being restricted by these factors can lead to frustration, demotivation, and a sense of unfulfillment. Similarly, personal relationships can impose the leash curse.

Protection runners often desire a leash so they can dig down and bypass dark mines levels. If you have only one pet, you can dig two squares' length of corridor into rock, displace your pet into the end, and dig down. This will cause your pet to stay adjacent to you and fall down with you when you fall through the hole.

Leashes can be useful for curse-testing items with the aid of a pet, but not as useful, since leashed or whistled pets will not reliably give the moves reluctantly message for cursed items, in rare cases even if it moves by its own free will. Leashes can be useful for curse-testing items with the aid of a pet, but not as useful, since leashed or whistled pets will not reliably give the moves reluctantly message for cursed items, in rare cases even if it moves by its own free will.

Similarly, personal relationships can impose the leash curse. Whether it be a clingy partner, a possessive friend, or overbearing family members, individuals may feel suffocated or constrained by constant expectations and demands. This can hinder personal growth, independence, and the ability to pursue individual aspirations.

The leash curse

Lead singer Jon Davis wrote the lyrics about the music industry, which he compares to an owner walking a dog. While he's this freak being paraded around, corporate America is making all the money. and it's taking a part of him.

Korn's alloy of metal came into vogue in 1998, when the Follow the Leader album - the band's third - was released. "Freak on a Leash" was one of just two singles from the LP ("Got The Life" was the other). The album was released in August 1998, but the "Freak" single wasn't issued until spring, 1999. It bubbled under at #106 on the Hot 100 on May 1, which wasn't bad considering how few radio stations played Korn. The album, however, went to #1, selling over 3 million copies in America at a time when CDs were still selling for around $16.

The video, directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, won two MTV Video Music Awards, one for Best Rock Video and another for Best Editing. It features a bullet speedily traveling through scenes of children playing and in school, among other things. It was based on an old public service announcement about gun control.

Korn shares the songwriting credits, so the entire band is listed as composers. Brian "Head" Welch, who was their guitarist at the time, tells us that the song came together quickly. "Korn's biggest singles came pretty fast like that," he said in our 2013 interview. "We were just jamming and it kind of fell together."

In the UK, a "maxi single" was released with five different remixes of this song. In addition to the album version, these were:
Dante Ross Mix (by Dante Ross and John Gamble)
Freakin' Bitch Mix (by Butch Vig)
Josh A's Beast On A Leash Mix (by Josh Abraham)
Lethal Freak Mix (by DJ Lethal)

A clean version of this song was issued as the A-side of the single and distributed to radio stations. The clean edit runs 3:46, while the album version is 4:15.

The cartoon in the beginning of the video was drawn by Todd McFarlane, who also made the video for "Do The Evolution" by Pearl Jam. >>

Korn performed this on an episode of Saturday Night Live along with their newer song "Twisted Transistor." >>

Although this is the second song on the CD, on some versions it is listed as track 14. On these copies, the first 12 tracks are made up of a few seconds of silence each.

This was used in commercials for Puma after the band signed an endorsement deal with the athletic outfitter. Korn's deal with Puma lasted just a few years: they signed with Pony in 2001.

The track finds Jonathan Davis' slating the exploitive music industry:

"That's my song that rails out against the music industry. It's about how I feel like I'm a f---in' prostitute. Like I'm this freak paraded around, but I got corporate America f---in' making all the money while it's taking a part of me. It's like they stole something from me–they stole my innocence and I'm not calm anymore. I worry constantly. I'm not just talkin' about the record business. Everything's involved. I've lost something. I'm not all there anymore. I love what I do, but I wish I could have it all back. It's like the 'Peter Pan syndrome.' I wish I could still fly."

The song plays during a scene in Season 18 Episode 20 of The Simpsons when Santa's Little Helper goes on a search for Homer in the corn maze.

On October 28, 2022, Jonathan Davis launched his line of horror and rock-themed pet products. He named his new brand Freak On A Leash.

• More songs from Korn
• More songs that won Grammys
• More songs used in commercials
• More songs performed on Saturday Night Live
• More songs written in response to critics
• More songs that won MTV Video Music Awards
• More songs about the music industry
• More songs with scat singing
• More songs used on The Simpsons
• More songs from 1998
• Lyrics to Freak On A Leash
• Korn Artistfacts

Comments: 36

• Danny from New York Korn was absolutely a band that was buried by the bureaucracy of the music industry which preferred the "glamorous" looking singers and groups over grungy bands. With only a few exceptions, such as Nirvana, Korn was absolutely deserving of only 1 Grammy.
• Alex from 53925 Jon Davis is exactly right about corporate America. They have destroyed the trucking industry as well. All the b.s. politics that were implicated has ruined the industry as an whole. Look at the port in L.A. Prime example of America's finest.
• Dante from North East England My mom and I swear we’ve heard this in a high end film but can’t recall *where* we heard it. Could anyone help us out?
• Zero from Nowhere, Nj I think he's just comparing the media and his fame to a bad relationship, or saying that he made his vows to fame and rock stardom and now he's got to stay faithful to them, because they were "meant to be". Or he could be saying that even though he hates being famous sometimes, he keeps doing what he does because it gives him pleasure ("a cheap f--k for me to lay"). Just my opinion.
• Azalea from Hot Springs, Ar I think that this song could be about a relationship, where one of them is feeling used even though they feel like they should be together. The lyrics: "Something takes a part of me, something lost and never seen. Every time I start to believe, something's raped and taken from me. Something takes a part of me. You and I were meant to be. A cheap f**k for me to lay. Something takes a part of me."
  I just love the version he did with Amy Lee.
• Torque from Camden, Nj this is one of the only metal songs that has beat boxing in it
• Austin from Smallsville,new England, -- This song was also featured on Guitar Hero:World Tour. By the way I liked this song before the game came out.
• Austin from Smallsville,new England, -- In the Simpsons episode "Stop or My Dog Will Shoot", while Santa's Little Helper is searching for humor they play part of this song.
• Kane from Wytheville, Va to be honest i think the song is only
  THE GREATEST SONG EVER. FOR REAL
  JON DAVIS IS LIKE MY IDOL
  I CAN TO THE BREAKDOWN PART JUST LIKE HIM YOU KNOW THE PSYCO PART IM TALKING BOUT RIGHT
• J from Gp, Tx I first heard this song on my very first boom box back in 1998. Back when people use to tape things of the radio. The good old days of Korn. The new stuff isn't bad but Korns first four albums were the just amazing. The new material isn't quite as angry. Jon has changed his anger towards society now. Nothing wrong with the band changing though. I know i don't wanna my favorite bands to sound the same that would just get boring very, very, very fast.
• Avery from Bucksport, Me This is my faavorite song by korn cause he can beatbox. and it was the 1st song i herd by KoRn ever i was probably like in 3rd grade!!
• Taylor from Pueblo, Co THIS SONG IS GREAT.
• Austin from Smallsville, Ne I heard the cartoonist also does the Spawn comics.
• Jenna from Nova Scotia, Canada KoRn sound like frogs. but i like it!
• Rachel from Cleveland, Al Rock on!! I love the beat and the message this song gives out.
• Taylor from Boise, Id i hate the version with Amy Lee. i hate Amy Lee all together. if they woulda done that version, but put duct tape over Amy's mouth, i'd be happy. she overdoes everything. its like she has to have an orgasm everytime she makes a note. i think its stupid and annoying
• Desiree from Powers Lake, Nd this is an AMAZING song. one of my favorites. cant get enough of jon. i really liked it with amy lee. her and jon rocked this song out!!
• Amanda from Wabash, In I love the vesion wih Amy Lee. I also like the lyrics in genral. Nest to Twested Transister, thi is KoRn's best song.
  -Amada Wabsh, IN
• Jessie from Coffee County, Tn Great song, but I didn't like it too much when they did it with Amy Lee, though it sounded better than coming undone.
  
• Matt from Uxbridge, Ma Meg, the song was already a hit without Amy Lee.
• Megan from Hubert, Nc I think that Amy Lee and the band KoRn go good together to make this song a hit.
• Jemma from Dublin I loved this song.
  I have also been labelled a freak, but I am quite proud :)
• Kim from Stuart, Fl Good song. The only unfortunate thing is that it started the fad of all those mall goths wearing collars and leashes. How very original (evil eye at Daughter of Fenris and Pinky).
• Brett from Adelaide, Australia This song is my fav song from KoRn
  Da Boom Na Da Mmm Dum Na Ema!
  I love everything about it and couldn't give a sh** what it's about
• Jake from Houston, Tx Another thing, if you put in Follow The Leader into your PC and look for the artist for the silence, Thomas Kornacker is listen. Wierd, huh?
• Jake from Houston, Tx Actually, the people that directed the Here to Stay video make the comercial. KoRn did the video and claimed to have no idea about it. (I love KoRn, but they obviously ripped them off)
• Ryan from Sydney, Australia Best Video ever
• Matt from Millbrae, Ca awesome video
• Scooter from Nampa, Id this song is the reason i am a kornfreak it was the first one i ever heard in 98 and i was hooked from then on.
• Pinky from Wellington, New Zealand I likt this song too; and I'm a freak who wears a leash.
  
• Daughter Of Fenris from N/a, Wa This is one of my themesongs! I'm a true freak on a leash. seeing as I wear a leash and have been labled as a freak! ^.^
• Nick from Paramus, Nj Actually their new CD, "Take a Look in the Mirror" has 13 tracks on it so I don't know about bryan's comment.
• Brian from Mayfield Heights, Oh I think what mishel and bryan were trying to say - and would have if they could type- was that this song is about Jon's feeling that the record label was using him, raping him of his ideas and creativity for their own profit, and how he felt like he was their "freak on a leash" . kept around just to attract attention and make them moeny. Beacause let's face it. Who can attract more attention than Jonathan Davis?
• Mishel from Madera, Ca awsum song, wat is a better title and subject then freak on a leash? most ppl dnt like korn becuz there different. but wat is better than being different? jon sees things that only a few ppl can.
• Nick from Paramus, Nj The Follow the leader CD has 25 tracks in all and at the end of the last track there is a hidden track which is a cover of the Cheech and Chong song, "Earache my Eye" with Cheech Marin on vocals.
• Bryan from Woodbridge, Nj this song is about the label kindy telling him what to do so the fact freak on a leash. also the reason the first 12 tracks are empty was because the cd would have ended on track 13 and they thought it was bad luck to end on 13

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Lust For LifeIggy Pop

Iggy Pop wrote "Lust For Life" with David Bowie, who came up with the music on a ukulele.

Enter SandmanMetallica

The original "Enter Sandman" lyric was about crib death, with the "sandman" killing a baby.

End Of The RoadBoyz II Men

"End Of The Road" by Boyz II Men comes off a bit thirsty, especially when we find out the girl cheated on him. The sketch show In Living Color parodied the song, with the group as "Boyz II Wimps."

Cleveland RocksIan Hunter

"Cleveland Rocks" was written by an Englishman. Ian Hunter wrote the song after touring America in the late '70s and finding that Cleveland was by far the most receptive city to his brand of Glam Rock.

You Are Not AloneMichael Jackson

Michael Jackson's 1995 song "You Are Not Alone" was the first single in US history to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #1

Feel It StillPortugal. The Man

"Feel It Still" by Portugal. The Man deals with lead singer John Gourley becoming a "rebel just for kicks" after having a daughter and settling down. "It's hard to be a punk when you're thinking about your baby daughter at home," he says.

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To attach a leash to a pet, a pply the leash to a pet that is adjacent to you. You can have up to two pets leashed at the same time, using two separate leashes. As of NetHack 3.6.3, the pet in question cannot be unsolid and must have an extremity that the leash can actually be put on.

Financial and societal obligations are also contributing factors to the leash curse. The pressure to conform to societal norms, meet financial commitments, or fulfill familial obligations can restrict individuals from pursuing their passions or taking risks. It can create a cycle where people feel trapped in a monotonous routine, unable to break free from the leash of societal expectations. Additionally, many people experience self-imposed leashes. Perfectionism, fear of failure, or a lack of self-confidence can restrict individuals from stepping outside their comfort zone or following their dreams. These internal leashes can prevent personal development and limit one's potential. Breaking free from the leash curse requires self-awareness, courage, and proactive steps. It involves identifying the sources of confinement and making necessary changes. This could entail setting boundaries, communicating assertively, seeking support, or pursuing alternative paths that align with one's true passions and aspirations. Ultimately, the leash curse serves as a reminder for individuals to evaluate their lives, identify areas where they feel restricted, and take proactive steps towards liberation. By consciously working towards breaking free from external and internal leashes, individuals can lead more fulfilling and authentic lives..

Reviews for "The Leash Curse and Emotional Manipulation: Identifying and Overcoming Toxic Relationships"

1. Lisa - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The leash curse". The story was so predictable and cliché. The characters were flat and lacked depth, and the dialogue felt forced. I kept waiting for something interesting or exciting to happen, but it never came. The writing style was also lacking, with awkward phrasing and poor grammar. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and would not recommend it.

2. Jack - 1 star - This book was absolutely terrible. The plot was incredibly boring and I struggled to stay engaged throughout. The author failed to create any suspense or build any tension, making the story feel incredibly dull. The characters were unlikable and their actions were unrealistic. The writing style was also subpar, with repetitive descriptions and excessive use of clichés. I cannot fathom how anyone could enjoy this book.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - "The leash curse" was a major letdown for me. The concept sounded promising, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was extremely slow, and I found myself skim reading most of the book just to get through it. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, further detracting from the overall reading experience. The ending was predictable and unsatisfying. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this novel.

4. Andrew - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The leash curse", but it failed to meet my expectations. The story felt disjointed and lacked cohesion. There were too many unnecessary subplots that were never fully resolved. The characters were difficult to connect with and their motivations were unclear. The writing style was also lackluster, with overly descriptive passages that slowed down the pace even further. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it.

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