Deftones | Passenger
Deftones’ “Passenger” featuring Maynard James Keenan - how writer’s block, Tibetan singing bowls, and champagne experiments led to one of White Pony’s most haunting collaborations in 2000.
Story Behind “Passenger”
The Tibetan Singing Bowls That Broke the Block
“Passenger” emerged from creative desperation during Deftones’ White Pony sessions in 2000. The band was experiencing writer’s block and internal turmoil when Maynard James Keenan, frontman of Tool, entered their Los Angeles rehearsal space. As friends with vocalist Chino Moreno, Keenan initially came to socialize, but ended up playing an unconventional role: breaking through their creative paralysis with Tibetan Singing Bowls, percussion instruments, champagne, and experiments that left guitarist Stephen Carpenter thinking, “What kind of acid-trip crap is this?”
From Almost-Executive-Producer to Featured Vocalist
Deftones had initially discussed Keenan executive-producing White Pony, a title that never materialized, but his influence permeated the sessions. Keenan had the band switch instruments, play on singing bowls, take loops and improvise—providing what he called “a mental break and temporary change of perspective”. When Deftones and producer Terry Date returned to L.A. in early 2000 for mixing and final vocals, Keenan stepped behind the mic for a wailing duet with Moreno on “Passenger”. As Keenan recalls, “I don’t recall whether I showed up with completed lyrics or not... But this visit I was able to assume the role that I’ve become accustomed to. Most pieces in place, navigate the puzzle in front of you.”
“Passenger” Recording and Production Details
Terry Date and the Dual-Vocal Architecture
Produced by Terry Date, who had worked on Deftones’ first two albums, “Passenger” features a guitar intro and vocal interplay between Maynard James Keenan and Moreno alongside piano and keyboard lines, leading to heavy guitar that introduces the choruses. Producer Terry Date noted of the pairing: “I think he and Chino’s brains work very much the same. Maynard likes to do his vocals after the music is recorded, and Chino’s the same way.” Recording sessions took place between August and December 1999 at Larrabee Sound Studios in West Hollywood and The Plant Recording Studios in Sausalito, California.
The Layered Production That Defined White Pony’s Sound
The track took several sessions to perfect due to the complexity of coordinating Moreno and Keenan’s vocal parts. White Pony was the first recording to feature Frank Delgado as a full-time member on turntables and synthesizer, adding atmospheric layers that complemented the dual vocal approach. The album was recorded on analog equipment before being mixed digitally and mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, NYC, giving “Passenger” its distinctive warmth beneath the heavy production.
Notes About “Passenger” by Deftones
Release Date: June 20, 2000
Duration: 6:08
Genre: Alternative Metal / Art Rock / Post-Hardcore
Album: White Pony (3rd studio album, track 9)
Featured Artist: Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer)
Producer: Terry Date
Label: Maverick Records
Chart Performance: 104 million Spotify streams (3rd most-played on album)
Deftones “Passenger” Era Band Details
Album Details
Album: White Pony
Release Date: June 20, 2000
Label: Maverick Records
Producer: Terry Date
Recording Studios: Larrabee Sound Studios (West Hollywood), The Plant Recording Studios (Sausalito, CA)
Album Concept: Evolution beyond nu-metal into art rock and experimental territory
Critical Reception: Won 2000 Kerrang! Award for Album of the Year, 2001 Grammy for Best Metal Performance (”Elite”)
Band Members/Personnel
Chino Moreno - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Stephen Carpenter - Lead Guitar
Chi Cheng - Bass Guitar
Abe Cunningham - Drums
Frank Delgado - Turntables, Synthesizer, Keyboards (first album as full member)
Maynard James Keenan - Featured Vocals, Co-writer
Terry Date - Producer, Mixing
Ted Jensen - Mastering (Sterling Sound, NYC)
Scott Olson - Engineer
Robert Daniels, Ted Regier - Assistant Engineers
Production Notes
Although band initially didn’t intend guest musicians, album features Maynard James Keenan on “Passenger,” Rodleen Getsic on “Knife Prty,” and uncredited Scott Weiland on “Rx Queen”
Stylistically combines alternative metal with layered atmospherics of the Cure’s Pornography era, plus influences from Tool, Faith No More, Nine Inch Nails, and Pink Floyd
Certified Platinum by RIAA (over 1 million copies sold)
Never released as single despite becoming fan favorite
Has been played live 450 times total according to setlist.fm
Interesting Facts About “Passenger”
The Hayley Williams Connection
In 2010, Deftones performed “Passenger” with Paramore vocalist Hayley Williams handling Keenan’s vocal parts, creating an unexpected crossover between alternative metal and pop-punk worlds. This collaboration demonstrated the song’s versatility and its appeal beyond metal circles. The track remained rare in setlists until Deftones played it at Lollapalooza 2024—the first time in five years, making each live performance a special event for longtime fans.
The Album That Changed Metal Forever
“Passenger” exists within White Pony, an album that critics argue “changed everything – not just for Deftones, but metal as a whole”. Pitchfork retrospectively noted that White Pony “transcended the dubious genre [of nu-metal] by fashioning a truly new form from post-hardcore, industrial, trip-hop, shoegaze, ambient electronics, and synth-pop”. Alternative Press ranked White Pony as the second best album of 2000 and placed it in their “Top 10 Most Influential Albums of 2000”. The song’s combination of Keenan and Moreno’s vocals became a blueprint for how guest collaborations could enhance rather than distract from a band’s vision, proving that creative experimentation—even involving Tibetan singing bowls and champagne—could produce genuinely transformative music.
Common Questions
Who sings on “Passenger” by Deftones?
“Passenger” features dual vocals from Deftones frontman Chino Moreno and Maynard James Keenan of Tool. Producer Terry Date noted their vocal approaches work similarly, with both preferring to record vocals after the music is complete.
What is “Passenger” by Deftones about?
The song’s meaning is intentionally ambiguous, with interpretations ranging from surrender and trust to the thrill of relinquishing control. The “passenger” metaphor represents being along for someone else’s journey, whether literally in a car or metaphorically through life’s experiences.
Was Maynard James Keenan originally supposed to produce White Pony?
Yes, Deftones had discussed Keenan executive-producing White Pony, though this never officially materialized. However, Keenan was present for much of the early recording process, helping the band overcome writer’s block through unconventional methods including Tibetan singing bowls and instrument-switching exercises.
Why is “Passenger” so popular if it was never a single?
Despite never being released as a single, “Passenger” has 104 million Spotify streams, making it the third-most listened-to track on White Pony after “Change (In The House Of Flies)” and “Digital Bath”. Its popularity stems from the unique Keenan-Moreno vocal chemistry and its role as a standout moment on a critically acclaimed album.
How often does Deftones play “Passenger” live?
“Passenger” has been played live 450 times total according to setlist.fm, but performances have become increasingly rare. Their 2024 Lollapalooza performance marked the first time they’d played it in five years, making live versions special occasions for fans.