For an artist like Slipknot to achieve critical acclaim, strong work is needed to back it up. The songs that define a career have become a major part of the answer as to why a particular artist is so great. From David Bowie, these careers are all characterized by their extensive music catalogs. This is no different for the legendary rock band Slipknot, whose over 25-year career has comprised career-defining tunes.

Since Slipknot burst on the scene with their debut self-titled album in 1999, fans have been mesmerized not only by the unique appearance of the band, but also by how a nine-person ensemble is able to come together to create exceptional tracks. Slipknot has taken fans on a journey of catchy, hard-hitting songs, as well as some that are deeply personal. Through numerous ups and downs, including death and departures, the band has managed to remain popular and stay in the spotlight, thus proving that they are solidified in music lore.

10 Killpop

Album: .5: The Gray Chapter (2014)

After the death of bassist and backing vocalist Paul Gray in 2010 and the departure of drummer Joey Jordison in 2013, Slipknot fans didn't know what was next for the band. The idea of a new album was up in the air and the thought of what it would sound like was even more of a mystery. However, when the band finally released .5: The Gray Chapter, fans were pleased to see there wasn't a lot of change.

The song "Killpop" helped solidify this, as it not only featured assertive vocals from lead singer Corey Taylor, but also saw him tone things down at times to allow the message of the track to sink in. This also allowed the instrumentals to shine through, especially the outstanding percussion sounds Slipknot had become notorious for. Ultimately, the song provided relief that the band still possessed the charm they were known for.

9 Before I Forget

Album: Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses (2004)

In so many ways, this song has become one of the most important tracks in the history of Slipknot's career. The band became known for their signature jumpsuits and masks. They remained a mystery, but fans always wanted to see who the people were behind the garments. The music video for "Before I Forget" provided the chance to see the band without masks and in street clothes. Though their faces were never fully visible, it was one of the closest times fans had gotten at that point.

The music video for "Before I Forget" provided the chance to see the band without masks and in street clothes.

The band was nominated for a Grammy in 2005 for their song "Vermilion," also from Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses album. Though the band didn't win, they had another chance in 2006 when "Before I Forget" was nominated. This time, the notoriety the band gained from the song was enough to earn them the Grammy victory. After beating out the likes of Ministry, Mudvayne, Rammstein, and Shadows Fall, Slipknot proved they were a top act in metal.

8 Left Behind

Album: Iowa (2001)

Slipknot has helped pave the way for the next generation of nu-metal bands. Their second studio album in 2001 was a building block of the foundation they started constructing in 1999. Their sophomore album Iowa had high expectations and "Left Behind" was an anchor that gave the album the credibility it needed. In fact, the album ended up going platinum in the United States, marking another achievement in Slipknot's career.

Even though "Left Behind" didn't win its Grammy nomination in 2002, it still proved its popularity. The song placed the band in the same category as Black Sabbath, Tool, System of a Down, and Slayer, which was an honor for the up-and-coming band at that time. To this day, it remains one of the biggest hits that the band has ever released. The song has over one hundred million views on YouTube, and over one hundred million streams on Spotify.

7 Solway Firth

Album: We Are Not Your Kind (2019)

Slipknot had a lot to prove when they released We Are Not Your Kind in 2019. It came 20 years after their first album and 5 years after their 2014 release. In a world of music that was evolving, with new sounds and bands, Slipknot aimed to show they were the legends everyone knew them to be. One way they demonstrated their popularity was through the "Solway Firth" music video, which featured a cameo from Amazon's The Boys.

The song may not be as big as some of the hits that Slipknot have released, but it has still accumulated an astonishing 90-plus million views on YouTube. The song also reached the eighth spot on the Billboard "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs" chart. This undoubtedly proved that the band could still hang and helped reassure fans that the future remained bright for Slipknot, even after two decades.

6 Snuff

Album: All Hope Is Gone (2008)

Although Slipknot is widely known for an aggressive style of music, the band can tone things down and deliver a track that evokes deep emotion in listeners. This is particularly powerful given the strength of Corey Taylor's voice, and the way you can feel the emotion in the words he sings. The song was written from a raw standpoint and actually revolved around a difficult period in Taylor's life. This further connected fans with a band in a way they may have never imagined possible.

It was a song written from a raw standpoint and actually revolved around a difficult period in Taylor's life.

Snuff exploded in popularity for Slipknot, revealing a vulnerable side to the band and becoming a great metal ballad. It solidified another aspect of the group and proved that you could never fully know what they would do next. Currently, the song is nearing 400 million streams on Spotify, and 200 million views on YouTube. With a real story behind it, a song like this can't just be manufactured, but surely fans wouldn't mind more vulnerability from Slipknot.

5 The Chapeltown Rag

Album: The End, So Far (2022)

As the band had faced before, there were a lot of questions regarding the future of Slipknot prior to their 2022 album, The End, So Far. The album represented a new era for the band as, prior to it, they announced their departure from their longtime label, Roadrunner Records. As the band sought to take a "gloves off" approach to their music, fans were left unsure of what to expect from this new era. Fortunately, they discovered from "The Chapeltown Rag" that the band were still the icons they had always been.

The song had everything a Slipknot fan could desire. In fact, with its fast-paced nature and the revolving elements as a whole, it felt like a callback to the 2001 Iowa album era. Overall, a positive response from critics put to rest any doubts. It's too early to tell if the song will be regarded as a Slipknot classic, but it will be ed as one of their most important songs, as it served as a bridge to the new era of the band.

4 The Devil In I

Album: .5: The Gray Chapter (2014)

With the circumstances surrounding the 2014 album, Slipknot needed more than just a record of great tracks. They had given the world plenty of hit songs, but what was necessary at that time was an anthem. “The Devil in I” delivered those exact feelings for fans. When the chorus kicked in with the lyrics “Step inside. See the Devil in I,” it made listeners feel like they were one with the band.

Even years after the song was released, you could find merchandise featuring "The Devil in I" on it in stores like Spencer's and Hot Topic. The saying has become synonymous with the band, and the numbers back it up. According to Setlist.fm, it is one of Slipknot's 20 most played songs, which shows its importance given the catalog of music they released prior to it. It's also one of their most watched YouTube videos ever, further elevating its elite status.

3 Psychosocial

Album: All Hope Is Gone (2008)

If you go searching for Slipknot videos to watch, chances are you will quickly come across "Psychosocial." The song holds the distinct honor of being the most viewed Slipknot video on YouTube, with over 571 million views. It's incredible to see the song in this position, especially since it faced stiff competition from its own album, which features hits like "Sulfur," and "Dead Memories," not to mention the rest of Slipknot's rich history.

The song holds the distinct honor of being the most viewed Slipknot video on YouTube, with over 571 million views.

There are aspects to the song that make it particularly memorable, the first being the opening instrumental of the song, which immediately makes you want to move. The second is Corey Taylor's voice, showcasing such power in the verses, but then such grace as the chorus kicks in. The third, and arguably the most powerful part of the song, is the repetition of the word "Psychosocial" over and over in the post-chorus. Slipknot ensured fans couldn't get this song out of their heads, and it worked.

2 Duality

Album: Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses (2004)

In a world where analytics serve as a powerful tool, numbers may hold more significance now than ever before. "Duality" stands as Slipknot's most listened-to song on Spotify, as it is closing in on 900 million streams. Part of what makes the song so special is how it keeps listeners on the edge of their seats. The guitar riffs are among the strongest works Slipknot has produced; the breakdown is unforgettable, and Corey Taylor employs various vocal techniques to build tension throughout.

"Duality" stands as Slipknot's most listened-to song on Spotify, as it is closing in on 900 million streams.

The song resonated with a wide variety of listeners, so much so, it ended up in multiple video games such as Madden NFL 10, ATV Offroad Fury 3, and Guitar Hero Live. Perhaps exposure like this truly helped the song skyrocket to its current success, but either way, it remains one of the most complete tracks the band has released. A lot of music fans will know what you're talking about when you say, "I push my fingers into my eyes."

1 Wait And Bleed

Album: Slipknot (1999)

As Slipknot prepared to unveil their self-titled debut studio album, they did so with "Wait and Bleed" as one of the singles to promote the record. The song provided fans with a true taste of the band, as it's a track that wastes no time in getting started. It immediately begins with its iconic chorus, which was a genius idea. The words were easy to and flowed well, so almost instantly, fans could be in on the act.

Widely considered as one of the greatest nu-metal songs of all-time, "Wait and Bleed" not only helped put Slipknot on the map, but it also ensured that the band would never be forgotten. After all, the song was responsible for Slipknot receiving their first Grammy nomination. It went platinum in the United States and has hundreds of millions of streams across multiple platforms. For Slipknot, it has been more than just a song that they've played over a thousand times; it's a critical part of their history.