Rembert Explains the ’90s: Limp Bizkit, ‘Faith’
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Welcome to our new series, Rembert Explains the ’90s. Unlike the source material for our previous, ’80s-themed series, these videos have been seen countless times, with the result being an unparalleled, almost embarrassing level of expertise. Rembert will write down his thoughts as he’s watching the video, then we’ll post those thoughts here. This week’s installment was selected by fifth-grade Rembert: “Faith” by Limp Bizkit (1998). If you have an idea for a future episode of Rembert Explains the ’90s, e-mail us at hollywood@grantland.com.
0:02 Two seconds in, and this is already overwhelming:
The Family Values Tour. 1998.
Korn, Limp Bizkit, Rammstein, others. You know, the NU METAL movement.
0:06 There he is.
0:08 We’re only eight seconds in, and I can already feel this video tapping into a repressed part of my nostalgia cortex.
0:11 CLASSIC DURST NU METAL LIMP HANDS
0:19 It’s obnoxious, but you have to love Durst switching the lyrics from “body like you” to “body like me,” especially since George is the one with the enviable body.
CUE: GEORGE/DURST MASH-UP No. 1
0:26 Finally, our first Korn sighting:
Jonathan Davis. While I hadn’t forgotten about the hair, because some things you simply can’t unsee, his eyebrow piercing had long been forgotten. Good to see you again, Jonathan Davis’s long-forgotten eyebrow piercing.
0:28 Davis just gave Durst a kiss on the cheek.
Happy Durst.
0:29 This is probably a great time to bring up George Michael’s feelings on the Limp Bizkit “Faith” cover. According to guitarist Wes Borland, he “hates us for doing it.”
I genuinely don’t understand why. This version is angst in all its glory.
0:30 It’s amazing how angelically but horrible whiny Fred’s voice is.
0:32 Wondering what the famously face-painted and costumed guitarist Wes Borland has been up to lately? Oh, nothing major, just scoring 11-minute short films about Chris Bosh.
I’m serious.
The world is a wild place.
0:38 John Otto, drummer.
I can’t believe I remember these guys’ names. I blame every piss-poor test score I’ve received on not being able to clear brain space taken up by members of NU METAL bands.
0:50 DJ LETHAL, YOU READY FOR GEORGE/DURST MASH-UP VINE No. 2?
“Let’s do it.” —DJ Lethal
0:52 [cue elephant vomit sounds] “GOTTA HAVE FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAITH”
0:54 [cue dying dolphin sounds] “GOTTA HAVE FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAITH”
0:56 [cue elephants vomiting on dying dolphins] “GOTTA HAVE FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAITH.”
0:58 Don’t, for a second, ignore the spaceship at the back of the stage.
0:59 As time has progressed, Limp Bizkit, like the similarly late-’90s/early-’00s Ja Rule, has become increasingly less iconic and more punchline-worthy. And I don’t think that’s fair. Just look at this crowd.
LOOK AT THEM.
Long. Live. Limp.
1:03 Hey, what you doing over there, Wes?
Oh, just looking crazy and playing with a lightsaber? Oh, OK.
1:06 Zoo York Shirt Count: 1
1:07 FUBU 05 Jersey Count: 1
1:22 SAN FRANCISCO DURST
1:27 RAZR DURST
1:31 DOGGY DURST
1:36 The Fred Durst voice crack (#durstcrack) on the “de” of “devotion” is the best part of this glorious song. This isn’t a point of discussion. Just a fact.
1:38 Twice in my life I’ve seen someone attempt to spin a record with a full beer can, à la DJ Lethal.
Each time, it’s been a sad sight to watch Michelob Ultra ruin a young man’s musical hopes and dreams.
1:44 SPACESHIP
1:50 Fred Durst, on what he wants the listener to do:
GET
THE
UP
1:53 SPACESHIP
2:02 There is break-dancing and backflipping and moshing and Durst leg dancing everywhere right now.
It’s chaotic, but also high art.
2:04 Terrifying.
2:14 Related: terrifying.
2:16 There’s just a lot of noise now — heavy NU METAL noise — which is usually the time I turn it off and throw on George Michael.
I’m not proud of this. I’m just soft. Pretty much the opposite of NU METAL.
GO GEORGE, GO
DANCE GEORGE, DANCE.
YAY, GEORGE
Filed Under: Music Videos, Rembert Explains
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