Shotgun (Limp Bizkit song) explained

Shotgun
Cover:Limp bizkit shotgun.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Limp Bizkit
Album:Gold Cobra
Genre:
Length:4:33
Label:
Producer:Fred Durst
Prev Title:Home Sweet Home/Bittersweet Symphony
Prev Year:2005
Next Title:Gold Cobra
Next Year:2011

"Shotgun" is a song by American nu metal band Limp Bizkit from their fifth studio album, Gold Cobra (2011). Notable for showcasing the guitar playing of Wes Borland and production by DJ Lethal. Written by Fred Durst, Borland, DJ Lethal, John Otto and Sam Rivers, the song describes sitting at home brandishing a shotgun.

"Shotgun" distinguishes itself from the style that the band is better known for with its heavier, guitar-driven style, as opposed to previous songs by the group, which were driven by the production of turntablist and sound designer DJ Lethal, and features a solo by Borland, something that Limp Bizkit is not generally known for. It was released as the album's first single in May 2011, and peaked at number 26 on the Canadian Rock Chart. The song was favorably received by critics, who appraised Borland's heavy guitar playing, and DJ Lethal's sound design.

Music and lyrics

Fred Durst's lyrics describe sitting at home smoking cannabis while brandishing a shotgun.

"Shotgun" prominently features the unique guitar playing of Wes Borland, as opposed to the songs on earlier albums by the band, which were driven by DJ Lethal's sound design.[1] Borland closes the song with a solo, which Limp Bizkit is not known for.

The music video shows an aggressive live performance of the band taking from a promo tour of the Gold Cobra album, interspersed with lyrics.

Reception

IGN writer Chad Grischow wrote, "Borland's achy guitar bobbing and weaving through the heavy beat of "Shotgun" delivers some of the album's best guitar work".[1] Metal Hammer writer Terry Bezer also appraised the song, writing "The fist-pumping, riot-starting chorus is a guaranteed winner".[2] PopMatters writer Josh Langhoff wrote, "Guitarist Wes Borland pulls off one huge catchy riff after another, and he and DJ Lethal add sound effects that alter ['Shotgun'] subtly and not-so-subtly."[3]

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United StatesMay 17, 2011Digital download
United KingdomMay 18, 2011Digital download

Charts

Chart (2011)Peak
position
Canada Active Rock (America's Music Charts)[4] 26
Ireland (IRMA)[5] 21
UK Rock (Official Charts Company)[6] 8
US Rock Digital Songs (Billboard)[7] 31
US Rock Songs (Billboard)[8] 34

Personnel

Limp Bizkit

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Grischow, Chad . June 27, 2011 . Limp Bizkit: Gold Cobra Review . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111222054406/http://music.ign.com/articles/117/1179339p1.html . 22 December 2011 . 6 January 2012 . IGN.
  2. Gold Cobra review. Metal Hammer. Bezer, Terry. July 6, 2011. Oct 13, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110609012224/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/limp-bizkit-gold-cobra-track-by-track/. June 9, 2011.
  3. Langhoff . Josh . Limp Bizkit: Gold Cobra . . July 6, 2011 . 2011-09-12.
  4. Web site: Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive: Active Rock - July 26, 2011. 26 July 2011. America's Music Charts. July 26, 2011.
  5. http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement Search for Irish peaks
  6. Web site: 2011-05-28 Top 40 Rock & Metal Singles Archive . . 2013-04-25.
  7. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=limp bizkit|chart=Rock Digital Songs}} Limp Bizkit Chart History ]. Billboard . 2013-04-25.
  8. Billboard Hot Rock Songs . Billboard . 2013-09-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927124759/http://creativedisc.com/2013/08/billboard-hot-rock-songs-05-aug/ . 2013-09-27 .