- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Top 15 System of a Down Songs
Posted on 7/31/14 at 12:27 am
Posted on 7/31/14 at 12:27 am
Although it's been 9 years and counting since the band has recorded any new music, I find myself going back to listen to their songs every now and then. I'm generally not a big fan of heavy metal (or whatever category you would call SOAD) but I always felt like their songs were more unique, more spastic, more poetic and politically charged than other bands, while still being appealing to listen to.
I originally made this a top 10 list but felt that was leaving too many of the lesser known songs out. So I present to you, the top 15 System of a Down songs.
15. Question! (Mezmerize-2005)
Question! is classic, spastic old school System of a Down. 2005's Mezmerize was an excellent album, and was the stronger of the double album (Mezmerize/Hypnotize) in my opinion.
LINK
14. Old School Hollywood (Mezmerize-2005)
SOAD is an Armenian band from Los Angeles. Hollywood, which is wear guitarist Darin Malakian grew up, is home to a very large amount of Armenians. This song is supposedly about a celebrity baseball game he participated in. It is one of several songs that show that the band generally has a negative view of Hollywood, even though they became stars themselves.
LINK
13. Boom! (Steal This Album-2002)
Very political song asking questions about why humans kill each other. One of only 2 songs from Steal This Album to make the list.
Notable Lyrics
Why must we kill our own kind
LINK
12. Toxicity (Toxicity-2001)
The title song for the album, Toxicity was a huge hit for the band, and the album propelled SOAD to the top of the charts.
LINK
11. Hypnotize (Hypnotize-2005)
Notable lyrics
Why don't you ask the kids at Tiananmen square?
Was Fashion the reason why they were there?
They disguise it, Hypnotize it
Television made you buy it
LINK
10. Chic n Stu (Steal This Album-2002)
SOAD usually pics great songs for the first and last track and this is no exception. The frantic Chic n Stu, which has vocalist Serj screaming about the effect of advertising on people (using everyone's favorite delivery food as an example) is the the best song on Steal This Album.
Lyrics
What a splendid pie,
Pizza-pizza pie,
Every minute, every second,
Buy, buy, buy, buy, buy,
Need therapy, therapy,
Advertising causes need,
LINK
9. Lost in Hollywood (Mezmerize-2005)
Lost in Hollywood is the closing song of Mezmerize. The song is seemingly from the viewpoint of a friend who is writing to another friend who left for Hollywood to become famous. The song is about how Hollywood executives will try to exploit you for money, and if you aren't valuable, you become a "stray".
Notable Lyrics
I'll wait here,
You're crazy,
Those vicious streets are filled with strays,
You should have never gone to Hollywood.
They find you,
Two-time you,
Say you're the best they've ever seen,
You should have never trusted Hollywood.
LINK
8. Suite Pee (self titled, 1998)
The awesomely heavy opening to the band's first commercial album is heavy System of a Down at its finest.
Notable lyrics
I HAD AN OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE,
THE OTHER DAY,
HER NAME WAS JESUS,
AND FOR HER EVERYONE CRIED,
EVERYONE CRIED, EVERYONE CRIED.
LINK
7. Prison Song (Toxicity-2001)
From the multiple false starts to the political ramblings complete with statistics, Prison Song is another excellent album opener and one of the band's most popular political songs. It is about how the prison system of the US incarcerates minor drug offenders, using the revenue to pay for "secret wars around the world".
Notable lyrics
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
you don't even flinch
all our taxes paying for your wars
against the new non-rich
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
(for you and me to live in)
LINK
6. Soldier Side (Hypnotize-2005)
The morose Soldier Side is the last recorded song by System of a Down, and is the final song on Hypnotize. The song is a harsh poem about the reality young men drafted into wars face.
They were crying when their sons left
All young men must go
He's come so far to find no truth
He's never going home
Welcome to the soldier side
Where there is no one here but me
People all grow up to die
There is no one here but me
LINK
I originally made this a top 10 list but felt that was leaving too many of the lesser known songs out. So I present to you, the top 15 System of a Down songs.
15. Question! (Mezmerize-2005)
Question! is classic, spastic old school System of a Down. 2005's Mezmerize was an excellent album, and was the stronger of the double album (Mezmerize/Hypnotize) in my opinion.
LINK
14. Old School Hollywood (Mezmerize-2005)
SOAD is an Armenian band from Los Angeles. Hollywood, which is wear guitarist Darin Malakian grew up, is home to a very large amount of Armenians. This song is supposedly about a celebrity baseball game he participated in. It is one of several songs that show that the band generally has a negative view of Hollywood, even though they became stars themselves.
LINK
13. Boom! (Steal This Album-2002)
Very political song asking questions about why humans kill each other. One of only 2 songs from Steal This Album to make the list.
Notable Lyrics
Why must we kill our own kind
LINK
12. Toxicity (Toxicity-2001)
The title song for the album, Toxicity was a huge hit for the band, and the album propelled SOAD to the top of the charts.
LINK
11. Hypnotize (Hypnotize-2005)
Notable lyrics
Why don't you ask the kids at Tiananmen square?
Was Fashion the reason why they were there?
They disguise it, Hypnotize it
Television made you buy it
LINK
10. Chic n Stu (Steal This Album-2002)
SOAD usually pics great songs for the first and last track and this is no exception. The frantic Chic n Stu, which has vocalist Serj screaming about the effect of advertising on people (using everyone's favorite delivery food as an example) is the the best song on Steal This Album.
Lyrics
What a splendid pie,
Pizza-pizza pie,
Every minute, every second,
Buy, buy, buy, buy, buy,
Need therapy, therapy,
Advertising causes need,
LINK
9. Lost in Hollywood (Mezmerize-2005)
Lost in Hollywood is the closing song of Mezmerize. The song is seemingly from the viewpoint of a friend who is writing to another friend who left for Hollywood to become famous. The song is about how Hollywood executives will try to exploit you for money, and if you aren't valuable, you become a "stray".
Notable Lyrics
I'll wait here,
You're crazy,
Those vicious streets are filled with strays,
You should have never gone to Hollywood.
They find you,
Two-time you,
Say you're the best they've ever seen,
You should have never trusted Hollywood.
LINK
8. Suite Pee (self titled, 1998)
The awesomely heavy opening to the band's first commercial album is heavy System of a Down at its finest.
Notable lyrics
I HAD AN OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE,
THE OTHER DAY,
HER NAME WAS JESUS,
AND FOR HER EVERYONE CRIED,
EVERYONE CRIED, EVERYONE CRIED.
LINK
7. Prison Song (Toxicity-2001)
From the multiple false starts to the political ramblings complete with statistics, Prison Song is another excellent album opener and one of the band's most popular political songs. It is about how the prison system of the US incarcerates minor drug offenders, using the revenue to pay for "secret wars around the world".
Notable lyrics
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
you don't even flinch
all our taxes paying for your wars
against the new non-rich
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
They're trying to build a prison
(for you and me to live in)
LINK
6. Soldier Side (Hypnotize-2005)
The morose Soldier Side is the last recorded song by System of a Down, and is the final song on Hypnotize. The song is a harsh poem about the reality young men drafted into wars face.
They were crying when their sons left
All young men must go
He's come so far to find no truth
He's never going home
Welcome to the soldier side
Where there is no one here but me
People all grow up to die
There is no one here but me
LINK
10
Posted on 7/31/14 at 12:29 am to TheIndulger
15?..really?
Posted on 7/31/14 at 12:31 am to TheIndulger
5. Sugar (self titled, 1998)
Sugar is a heavy, wild, frantic and confusing, but awesome nonetheless. A song that opens up with a line about "The Kumbucha mushroom people",the cryptic lyrics and their meaning are open for debate.
Notable lyrics
The kombucha mushroom people
Sitting around all day
Who can believe you
Who can believe you
Let your mother pray
I sit, in my desolate room, no lights, no music,
Just anger
I've killed everyone
I'm away forever, but I'm feeling better
How do I feel,
What do I say,
frick you, it all goes away
LINK
4. Spiders (Self Titled Album, 1998)
Spiders is the best song on SOAD's debut album, with a beautiful melody and poetic lyrics. The common belief is that this song is about the government spying on people with small electronic devices ("spiders"). Read the lyrics and interpret yourself.
Lyrics
he piercing radiant moon
The storming of poor June
All the life running through her hair
Approaching guiding light
Our shallow years in fright
Dreams are made winding through my head
Through my head
Before you know
Your lives are open wide
The V-chip gives them sight
All the life running through her hair
The spiders all in tune
The evening of the moon
Dreams are made winding through my head
LINK
3. Violent Pornography (Mezmerize-2005)
This song is flat out awesome. Daron Malakian and Serj Tankian sing back and forth with outlandish lyrics that compare modern television to a "violent pornography". The lyrics are classic angry SOAD, culminating at the end of the song when Daron yells to "turn off the TV".
It's a violent pornography!
Choking chicks and SODOMY!
The kinda shite that's on your TV!
It's on the TV.
It's on your TV.
Turn off your TV.
LINK
2. Aerials (Toxicity-2001)
The excellent conclusion to Toxicity, Aerials' meaning has been left to debate since the song debuted. This was my personal favorite for years. Part of the fun is trying to interpret what the lyrics mean yourself.
Lyrics
Life is a waterfall
we're one in the river
and one again after the fall
Swimming through the void
we hear the word
we lose ourselves
but we find it all....
Cause we are the ones that want to play
always want to go
but you never want to stay
And we are the ones that want to choose
always want to play
but you never want to lose
Aerials, in the sky
when you lose small mind
you free your life
Aerials, so up high
when you free your eyes eternal prize
LINK
1. Chop Suey! (Toxicity-2001)
System of a Down's most popular song is also its best. Chop Suey! is about a person waking up and contemplating his/her life and the decision of committing suicide. The rapidly changing pace, easter guitar backings, and crazy lyrics make for a truly unique experience, part of the reason SOAD is such a great band, and also part of the reason this song was voted the #1 hard rock song of the 21st century. Enjoy the greatness of System of a Down.
Notable lyrics
Wake up (wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make-up
Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go create another fable
I don't think you trust
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
Father, father, father, father
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit
Father, into your hands
Why have you forsaken me?
In your eyes forsaken me
In your thoughts forsaken me
In your heart forsaken me, oh
Trust in my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
LINK
Almost-made-the-list (honorable mention): War, Sad Statue, I-E-A-I-A-I-O, Forest, Ego Brain.
That's my list. Post if there's anything you feel I left off, or if you would like to debate that Disturbed was better (
-yeah right)
Sugar is a heavy, wild, frantic and confusing, but awesome nonetheless. A song that opens up with a line about "The Kumbucha mushroom people",the cryptic lyrics and their meaning are open for debate.
Notable lyrics
The kombucha mushroom people
Sitting around all day
Who can believe you
Who can believe you
Let your mother pray
I sit, in my desolate room, no lights, no music,
Just anger
I've killed everyone
I'm away forever, but I'm feeling better
How do I feel,
What do I say,
frick you, it all goes away
LINK
4. Spiders (Self Titled Album, 1998)
Spiders is the best song on SOAD's debut album, with a beautiful melody and poetic lyrics. The common belief is that this song is about the government spying on people with small electronic devices ("spiders"). Read the lyrics and interpret yourself.
Lyrics
he piercing radiant moon
The storming of poor June
All the life running through her hair
Approaching guiding light
Our shallow years in fright
Dreams are made winding through my head
Through my head
Before you know
Your lives are open wide
The V-chip gives them sight
All the life running through her hair
The spiders all in tune
The evening of the moon
Dreams are made winding through my head
LINK
3. Violent Pornography (Mezmerize-2005)
This song is flat out awesome. Daron Malakian and Serj Tankian sing back and forth with outlandish lyrics that compare modern television to a "violent pornography". The lyrics are classic angry SOAD, culminating at the end of the song when Daron yells to "turn off the TV".
It's a violent pornography!
Choking chicks and SODOMY!
The kinda shite that's on your TV!
It's on the TV.
It's on your TV.
Turn off your TV.
LINK
2. Aerials (Toxicity-2001)
The excellent conclusion to Toxicity, Aerials' meaning has been left to debate since the song debuted. This was my personal favorite for years. Part of the fun is trying to interpret what the lyrics mean yourself.
Lyrics
Life is a waterfall
we're one in the river
and one again after the fall
Swimming through the void
we hear the word
we lose ourselves
but we find it all....
Cause we are the ones that want to play
always want to go
but you never want to stay
And we are the ones that want to choose
always want to play
but you never want to lose
Aerials, in the sky
when you lose small mind
you free your life
Aerials, so up high
when you free your eyes eternal prize
LINK
1. Chop Suey! (Toxicity-2001)
System of a Down's most popular song is also its best. Chop Suey! is about a person waking up and contemplating his/her life and the decision of committing suicide. The rapidly changing pace, easter guitar backings, and crazy lyrics make for a truly unique experience, part of the reason SOAD is such a great band, and also part of the reason this song was voted the #1 hard rock song of the 21st century. Enjoy the greatness of System of a Down.
Notable lyrics
Wake up (wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make-up
Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go create another fable
I don't think you trust
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
Father, father, father, father
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit
Father, into your hands
Why have you forsaken me?
In your eyes forsaken me
In your thoughts forsaken me
In your heart forsaken me, oh
Trust in my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
LINK
Almost-made-the-list (honorable mention): War, Sad Statue, I-E-A-I-A-I-O, Forest, Ego Brain.
That's my list. Post if there's anything you feel I left off, or if you would like to debate that Disturbed was better (
-yeah right) Posted on 7/31/14 at 12:32 am to SEClint
Damn you people are up late
Posted on 7/31/14 at 12:44 am to TheIndulger
quote:
Damn you people are up late
Posted on 7/31/14 at 8:21 am to SEClint
You are missing my two favorite songs by them
Lonely Day
Deer Dance
Not sure how you can't have these two on your list honestly.
Lonely Day
Deer Dance
Not sure how you can't have these two on your list honestly.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 9:14 am to jknoles12
If there was an "almost-made-honorable-mention-list" list, those would be on it.
Posted on 7/31/14 at 9:16 am to TheIndulger
quote:
Chop Suey!
That's their only song I remember
Posted on 7/31/14 at 9:40 am to TheIndulger
couldn't name 15 if i tried... but i like toxicity
Posted on 7/31/14 at 9:57 am to HeadyBrosevelt
aren't you a music board regular?
Posted on 7/31/14 at 11:13 am to TheIndulger
No Atwa, X, or Shimmy?
Posted on 7/31/14 at 11:57 am to Smokedawg
ATWA was considered.
Posted on 4/1/20 at 4:00 pm to TheIndulger
my cock is much bigger than yourrrrrrrrrrrrss
my cock can walk right through the door
my cock can walk right through the door
Posted on 4/1/20 at 9:18 pm to Smokedawg
quote:
No Atwa, X, or Shimmy?
I was reading to see where he ranked Shimmy. Womp
Posted on 4/2/20 at 12:12 am to TheIndulger
Just listen to the first two albums start to finish.
Posted on 4/2/20 at 9:24 am to TheIndulger
Too much Hynotize/Mesmerize
Not enough s/t
Not enough s/t
Posted on 4/2/20 at 9:31 am to TheIndulger
Never heard of any of these songs. What kind of music is this?
Posted on 4/2/20 at 9:35 am to AlxTgr
quote:
What kind of music is this?
See OP. We're not sure.
Posted on 4/2/20 at 9:59 am to El Mattadorr
Yeah, I didn't actually read it. Sorry.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News