| "Walking Dead" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song by DJ Z-Trip | |
| from the album Shifting Gears | |
| Recorded: | 2004-2005 |
| Released: | April 19, 2005 |
| Format: | Digital, CD, Vinyl |
| Length: | 4:33 |
| Live debut: | May 01, 2005 |
| Last performed: | May 01, 2005 |
| Writer: | Chester Bennington, Zach Sciacca |
| Producer: | Zach Sciacca, Lorrie Boula (exec.) |
| Label: | Hollywood Records |
| Shifting Gears tracklist | |
| |
Background
An April 18, 2005 interview with Artisan News Services confirmed the collaboration. "The DJ said that the song is more a less a tribute to the pair's friendship, which dates back to their days in Phoenix, and a testament to the power of the underdog."
DJ Z-Trip: "The biggest point obviously with he and I — and this is something a lot of people don't know — but with that track in particular and the collaboration, he's from Phoenix, and I'm from Phoenix. So it was sort of like the whole vibe of two Phoenix guys, like getting down on a track...not just two Phoenix guys, but two Phoenix underdogs. There was a time when he was in a band, GRADE A's, and I was in my thing with BOMBSHELTER, and it's like people were sort of... It was brewing. It could have went either way. People could have been like, 'Yeah, both of those guys suck, and they're going to fall off.' or 'They could have totally done well.' And we ended up doing well and it's sort of a testament to Phoenix guys doing good."
In an April 26, 2005 interview with PopMatters, Z-Trip talked about how he met Chester Bennington and how the song came together:
"He and I actually met each other on the road—I’d opened for them three times on three separate tours. We’ve spent quite a bit of time together. I’m friends with the band, we’re all homies. They’ve always looked out for me and I try my damnedest to look out for them. I think they’re real genuine people, and I dig where they’re coming from. It was just one of those things [where] I’d always wanted to do something with Chester, not even so much because he’s Chester from Linkin Park—that’s obvious. I wasn’t really that excited about that aspect, as much as I was about this [other] aspect, which is the bigger thing which I think is a shame because I don’t think a lot of people are going to know—but he’s from Phoenix and I’m from Phoenix. There’s a karmic element there for me with that song. You’ve got two guys who came from nothing and have made something for themselves, and that was the thing I was trying my hardest to make happen, and see happen. Just two guys making music. Z-Trip and Linkin Park aside, it was Zack and Chester. “Hey, what do you want to do? Let’s make a song.”
Basically. If I could call the song “Representing Arizona”, that’s what I would call it, but it just wouldn’t have the same ring to it. But really, that was it. It helps that he’s a recognizable name, and he’s obviously a big draw, but as much as he’s a draw into my world I hope that I’m a draw into his world. There’s a lot of people in my world that are very super-critical about music, that have written Linkin Park off as being a pop band, or whatever. Just like I got written off for being the DJ who mixed rock records. It’s the concept that I think he and I both strive to smash, which is that you may think you have us pidgeonholed or figured out, but we’ve got a lot more to offer. It’s a very dark track, it’s getting a lot of play on the radio right now.
Modern rock radio. Which is kinda cool. Think about it: I’m a hip-hop DJ and I’m getting played on modern rock radio. Obviously it’s through the help of Chester, but again, it’s more about bridging gaps, versus trying to cross-over. If he and I had sat down and tried to cross-over, it wouldn’t have come off as genuine. We sat down, literally looked at each and said, “What kind of song do you want to make? Let’s make something dark, let’s go more of a Depeche Mode or Nine Inch Nails dark song.” He and I said, “Yeah, let’s do it, cool.” It wasn’t like we had an agenda to do anything, it was real organic, and that’s why I think it works so well. It’s real."
On July 2nd, 2020, Z-Trip did a live Twitch stream to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his debut studio album Shifting Gears where he performed the album in it's entirety while playing unreleased demos and telling stories about each song. On "Walking Dead" he played a vocal demo of Chester Bennington recorded in the tour bus as a draft when he was touring with Linkin Park. He explained Chester rode with him from one show to the next and recorded the demo on the bus and revealed Mike Shinoda helped a little with the arrangement for the song. Once the album was recorded, Z-Trip's label started sending out advanced copies without his knowledge and radio stations picked up "Walking Dead" for airplay. This resulted in Warner asking more money to allow Chester to be on the album because they weren't informed the song would be a single.[1]
Remix
In March 2014, the fan site ChesterBNetwork posted the following:
"We've got some exciting news to report, Chester Bennington will contribute to the soundtrack of 'La Bare', a documentary on wait for it… male strippers. La Bare is directed by True Blood's Joe Manganiello and is scheduled for release this summer. Aside from Chester, other artists that will appear on the soundtrack are, Flaming Lips, Poliça, Active Child and Marilyn Manson. We hope for more info on what song Chester's going to contribute, whether it will be an existing song or a song exclusively for the documentary."
This was later confirmed by Joe Manganiello on May 1, 2014, when he posted a picture of him and Chester with the text "Backstage @iHeartRadio awards with #LABARE soundtrack contributor and all around badass @ChesterBe @LaBare359".
Another tweet from Manganiello, on May 7, 2014, confirmed the song on the movie to be "Walking Dead": "Song Of The Day #LaBare soundtrack edition #2 @ztrip & @ChesterBe "Walking Dead" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWSUbYfGnbY … @LaBare359 @359INC @NickManganiello"
During an interview with Z-Trip, who worked as music supervisor of "La Bare", for Main Street Films, a clip of the song was played, revealing it to be a remix instead of the studio version.
Various online stores around the world lists an out of stock 2014 soundtrack CD for the documentary under the Varèse Sarabande label. When asked about the soundtrack, Z-Trip said they ended up deciding to not release it. His management said about the remix: "Sorry, that one is just in the movie at the moment. I know there was talk about releasing it, but the label that was going to do the soundtrack ended up backing out or something like that."
Versions
Note: Only the date of the very first release of each version is listed.
Studio
| Title | Album | Length | Recorded | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking Dead (featuring Chester Bennington) | Shifting Gears | 4:33 | 2004-2005 | April 19, 2005 |
|
| Walking Dead | Promo Only Modern Rock Radio April 05 | 4:22 | 2004-2005 | April 2005 |
|
| Walking Dead w/Chester Bennington | Z Trip | 4:18 | 2004 |
| |
| Walking Dead (Feat. Chester Bennington) [Alt. Mix] | 4:23 | 2004-2005 |
|
Remix
| Title | Album | Length | Recorded | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking Dead | LaBare | 2014 |
|
Live
| Title | Album | Length | Recorded | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking Dead (KROQ 106.7) | KROQ 106.7 Set - June 2005 | 6:07 | June 2005 | November 1, 2006 |
|
Live
"Walking Dead" has only been performed once with Chester: during DJ Z-Trip's performance at the Coachella Festival in 2005. It was scheduled to be performed at the Club Tattoo 11th Anniversary show in 2006, but had to be dropped due to the fire department shutting the show down due to the show running after curfew during DJ Z-Trip's set. Chester had jumped on a table while performing with Bucket Of Weenies and damaged some equipment, resulting in a big delay for Fort Minor, which ultimately delayed DJ Z-Trip and having his set cut mid-way through.
Without Chester, DJ Z-Trip performed the song using Massive Attack's 'Teardrop' as part of the a cappella to sub in for Chester.
DJ Z-Trip performed the song to close out his opening set at the Hollywood Bowl tribute show for Chester. His live mix consisted of Chester's favorite songs. The version of "Walking Dead" was different from the album version, leaving only the synths and vocals towards the end of the song.
Personnel
- Vocals, Written-By – Chester Bennington
- Guitar – Mac Funk, Xander Smith
- Keyboards [Keys] – Isaah Ikey Owens
Production
- Executive-Producer, Management – Lorrie Boula
- Producer – DJ Z-Trip
- Written-By – Zach Sciacca (Z-Trip)
- Mixed By – Jay Baumgartner
- Mastered By – "Big Bass" Brian
- Mastered By [Assisted By] – "Midrange" Mike
Lyrics
Suppose you were to die tonight.
What would you say?
Do you believe in life after death?
In the chill of the night / I can feel my heart racing
As I run towards the light / that seems so far away (so far away)
Wandering forever / in the darkest of shadows
Wondering if I will ever see you again
Wondering if I will ever see you again
I'll take your love / (take your love) / take your hate
(Take your hate) / I'll take your desire
I'll take the world / when it turns on you
(When it turns on you) / I'll set it on fire
(The walking dead)
Digging in the dirt / I can feel you getting closer
Steadying my hands through the blistering pain
Anxiously awaiting / for the earth to reveal you
Wondering if I will ever see you again (see you again)
Wondering if I will ever see you again
I'll take your love / (take your love) / take your hate
(Take your hate) / I'll take your desire
I'll take your heart / I'll take your pain
(I'll take your pain) / I'll bring you to life
I'll bring you to life
(The walking dead) / I'll bring you to life
In the chill of the night / I can feel my heart racing
As I run towards the light / that seems so far away (so far away)
Wandering forever / in the darkest of shadows
Wondering if I will ever see you again
Wondering if I will ever see you again
I'll take your love / (take your love) / take your hate
(Take your hate) / I'll take your desire
I'll take the world / when it turns on you
(When it turns on you)
(The / The / The walking dead)
(The walking dead)
I'll take your love / (take your love) / take your hate
(Take your hate) / I'll take your desire
I'll take the world / when it turns on you
(When it turns on you)
(The walking dead)
I'll take your love / (take your love) / take your hate
(Take your hate) / I'll take your desire
I'll take your heart / I'll take your pain
(I'll take your pain) / I'll bring you to life
There is no such thing as death
There is only change, change, change
In the chill of the night / I can feel my heart racing
As I run towards the light / that seems so far away (so far away)
Wandering forever / in the darkest of shadows
Wondering if I will ever see you again
Wondering if I will ever see you again
I'll take your love / (I'll take your love) / take your hate
(Take your hate) / I'll take your desire
I'll take the world / when it turns on you
(When it turns on you) / I'll set it on fire
(The walking dead)
Digging in the dirt / I can feel you getting closer
Steadying my hands through the blistering pain
Anxiously awaiting / for the earth to reveal you
Wondering if I will ever see you again (see you again)
Wondering if I will ever see you again
I'll take your love / (I'll take your love) / take your hate
(Take your hate) / I'll take your desire
I'll take your heart / I'll take your pain
(I'll take your pain) / I'll bring you to life
I'll bring you to life
(The walking dead) / I'll bring you to life
In the chill of the night / I can feel my heart racing
As I run towards the light / that seems so far away (so far away)
Wandering forever / in the darkest of shadows
Wondering if I will ever see you again
Wondering if I will ever see you again
I'll take your love / (I'll take your love) / take your hate
(Take your hate) / I'll take your desire
I'll take the world / when it turns on you
(When it turns on you)
(The / The / The walking dead)
(The walking dead)
I'll take your love / (I'll take your love) / take your hate
(Take your hate) / I'll take your desire
I'll take the world / when it turns on you
(When it turns on you)
I'll take your love / (I'll take your love) / take your hate
(Take your hate) / I'll take your desire
I'll take your heart / I'll take your pain
(I'll take your pain) / I'll bring you to life
Gallery
-
Parental Advisory
-
Non-PA
-
Demo Album
-
Promo CD
-
Promo CD. Scan by StaticXero.
-
Chester Bennington and Z-Trip in the studio
In Other Media
- A remix of "Walking Dead" is featured in the 2014 film La Bare.
External Links
References
- https://web.archive.org/web/20070104035224/http://www.djztrip.com/
- http://www.lpassociation.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-21190.html
- http://lplive.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4289
- http://lplive.net/forum/?showtopic=4311
- http://www.lpassociation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15188
- http://web.archive.org/web/20060303205134/http://www.djztrip.com/
- http://www.popmatters.com/feature/z-trip-050426/
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdFf7bCUy-dEfR2QmVpNQCKqS7Tf4KYg3
- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3385398/
- http://lplive.net/forum/?showtopic=10690
- http://www.labarefilm.com/the-music/
- https://twitter.com/joemanganiello/status/462092633112719361/photo/1
- https://twitter.com/joemanganiello/statuses/464146740572979200
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyTSwSn0OLk
- http://www.bestbuy.com/site/labare-cd-original-soundtrack/25213202.p?id=3241429&skuId=25213202
- http://www.aceshowbiz.com/soundtrack/la_bare/
- http://www.amazon.de/Labare-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B00K3Q0RWM
- http://cdon.dk/musik/labare/labare_%5Bimport%5D-27372013
- http://www.hmv.co.jp/artist_Soundtrack_000000000000041/item_Labare_5771018
- http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/labare-mr0004179846
- http://lplive.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=12114#entry261841