Fun fact: The song was originally titled "Suicide" but Columbia Records forced the band to change it to avoid controversy. The song title is therefore a wordplay: "Suey" is "suicide", "chopped" in half.
" The song is about how when people die, they will be regarded differently depending on the way they pass. like, if i were to die from a drug overdose, everyone would say i deserved it because i abused drugs, hence the line 'Angels deserve to die' " - Guitarist Daron Malakian "Dude who wrote the song".
Know this comment was from a bit ago, but can you tell me where you heard this? I kinda wanna look into this myself since I just recently got into this type of music.
To this day I cannot tell you a better musical moment than Serj singing “Father into your hands I commit my spirit, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” Chills every time.
Amazing back story to that exact part. Serj had writers block for lyrics at that point. He just so happened to be sitting in Rick Rubin's library when Rick told him to go to his bookshelf and take a random book, "Open it to any page and tell me the first phrase you see", he did and that's what ended up being the high point of the song.
Chop Suey is basically a masterpiece. One of the songwriters said that the song is about how we are all judged differently depending on the circumstances of our deaths. But like Serj has said before (lead singer of the band), music is all about interpretation. So you can explain it any way you want to that makes sense to you.
The Ark-Ham Sandwich - “masterpiece” is a stretch. An incredible song though for sure. If you’re looking for a “masterpiece” of rock, or even progressive metal, then I’d refer you to “La Villa Strangiato” by Rush. Don’t get me wrong, I do love SOAD. Their style is by far the most unique in that genre. But I personally, wouldn’t consider their works to be masterpiece caliber.
I get that the meaning of the song is really deep and well thought out, but the organization/melody of the song just does not appeal to me, So I wouldn’t call this a “‘masterpiece”
You bring a good point. They were always saying their songs are always up for interpretation by those who listen to it. Some interpret the song as anti-modern day church, some say its about suicide, some say its about their style of music(Chop-Suey has a little of everything thrown in the recipe which is a lot like their music which has a little of everything in it as you noticed while listening LayedBak). This song is a masterpiece of the early 2000s
I agree. I've a wide range of.music taste and I owe that to my parents and extended family. My mum listened to dolly Parton. Shania Twain. Micheal jackson. The jackson 5 ect. My dad listen to iron maiden. Pink floyd black sabbeth. Nirvana. My aunty liked AC/DC Aerosmith and queen. My older brother listened to dr dre and eminem. My cousin liked Otis reading. Oasis and the beatles. I played violin from the age of 6 until I was 19 with lessons each week with a accomplished violin teacher. Taught myself to play guitar as I entered my teens and i got into rock and metal music. Now tho I'm 30 and listen to such a wide range now lol
You should look into their back story it’s incredible man. Most of the music is about the genocide of their people and how governments do wrong to the people
What gets me about people that are asking the question of how has anyone not heard system of a down, now in 2020, is that they are thinking the wrong thing. I'm excited that someone gets to experience System of a Down new and fresh like I did many years ago. You get to discover this wonderful band and all of the things they've created. That sense of discovery only really happens once for people and i'm excited you enjoyed your first listen.
I discovered them about 5 months ago. I'm happy to see someone listen to them for the first time, it's always interesting to see people's opinions on songs/bands like these!
I'm a metal head and so songs from System are very familiar to me, but Im not really into hip hop or Rap or Country music or a bunch of other genres, and I bet that people who are could easily point out a song that basically everyone who is a fan of said genre would have heard a thousand times before, but for me it would be brand new. Personally I can't fault this guy for not having heard of Sytem beforehand and just think it's cool that he is stepping outside his comfort zone and trying out something that is new for him.
@@tycepickett1238 absolutely. If you aren't exposed to it...you just aren't. If your parents, siblings, friends all pretty much listen to a specific genre, odds are you just aren't going to get it. Props to ANYBODY reaching outside their comfort zone to experience different kinds of music.
I had that experience. I was telling a world of warcraft buddy that I have discovered Lynard Skynard "free bird" And he goes man that's been around for years. I had to remind him he was older than me. I only learned of it from forest gump. My dad knew the song but It was brand new to me.
I'm an old white lady and love SOAD (at least several of their tracks, including this one). I LOVE the hard-driving, head-banging rhythm. And the lead singer's voice is amazing. Also love their different harmonies -- unlike any other band I've encountered. I also love their interesting lyrics (although I can't pretend I understand their meaning). This one has obviously religious overtones (Father into your hands, I commend my spirit, etc). And, although I love the head-banging parts, some of the slower parts give me chills -- those outrageous harmonies!
The song talks about how people are often judged more by the circumstances of their deaths rather than what led to it. In example, if you died from a drug overdose, no matter how good and pure you were in life, in death people are more likely to remember you as someone who got their comeuppance for their misdeeds (i cry when angels "deserve to die"), whereas someone else could live a whole life of debauchery, thievery and abuse, but because they ended it in suicide - most of the time to avoid facing the consequences of what they've done - people tend to, regardless of their status while alive, treat them in death as good people, tortured souls who ultimately were "too good for this world" (trust in my self-righteous suicide)
I genuinely think serj has an absolutely amazing voice no cap. I genuinely could imagine him in the streets of Jerusalem 2000 years ago singing or preaching. Weird I know but it's the truth
I just became a fan. I am a 58 year old white woman (with a ton of experience in all different cultures and social dynamics. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to see music bring people of all types together. Thanks for doing these reaction videos. I am enjoying them so much. Your face tells all. Music is a universal language!
Every time I hear and sing the forsaken part I start to tear up as this song came out during a sad period of my life and music was my escape and this is a song that would help me get through those days. I saw these guys live at a festival in 2015 and when they sang the forsaken part you can feel the emotion in the crowds voice
"Father, unto your hands I commend my spirit. Why have you forsaken me?" According to at least one of the gospel accounts, these were Christ's last words on the cross. "Trust in my self righteous suicide" is a critique of the basis of Christian theology - namely, that Christ willingly accepted crucifixion and death as a means of salvation. SOAD's lyrics are complex, thoughtful, and profoundly shaped by the "big questions".
When they said I dont think u trust n myself righteous suicide and when angles deserved 2 die. I thought they mean suicide bombers n the middle east. They a killer band.
Isn’t it funny that I know literally every song you react to? You need to spend time with us, my friend. Come to the rock side, we have cookies and pillows to scream into
@@zenzai727 they're not man😂 just like he said at the beginning of the video just because someone has millions of followers doesn't mean they're known by everyone on earth. I discovered SOAD last year after getting back into rock music in 2017 but before that I'd never heard of them
Mah dude. System of a down was one of the bands that helped me like harder rock and metal and respect instruments. The used also. Slipknot. Shits dope bruh.
@@tejicamdfk during an interview, Daron said this "Serj was never really a heavy metal or a rock guy,” and I read one article that basically said he almost gave up on system of a down before it even started cause he was more into classical music.
I loved this song as a teen and still do and it literally gave me chills for some reason to watch someone else be so affected by it for the first time.
Just found your channel today and I am loving it bro. Seeing you get into these songs for the first time that I listened to growing up is cool. This particular one has great harmonies and was performed with so much emotion. It is one of my favorites from this band.
@@xhysteriaahh all of which have been spoken and written by someone else not Jesus nor god, thank you for giving me shit with no REAL evidence of a holy messiah ever existing
@@jimparis5073 how is tht not real? Why is it so hard to believe a few words from a man but it’s probably so easy for you to believe in something like the Big Bang.
Glad I came across your video and now your channel! Much respect for what you stand for and what you put out there!! God bless and goodluck with all you do!
The why have you forsaken me lines are from a Bible verse. Serj Tankian (singer), went to the producer’s house, grabbed “a book,” opened it to a random page and placed his finger somewhere on the page, and where he put it was exactly on the verse that he used for that part of the song, which fit in perfectly. That book turned out to be the Bible. 🙏🏻❤️🎶👍🏻👍🏻
I remember being a little black and brown girl from the hood and then my sister and I came across this song when we'd go to this weekend event at the white school down the street. this song definitely changed my life. now I'm 30 and I can say Chop Suey is one of the main reasons I've expanded my musical pallet the way I have. especially at 2:50 when that piano comes in on the background... I use to halfway unplug my headphones to hear it better. best part of the song for me.
My heart is warm and fuzzy to see your enjoying something amazing. And the other comments are spot on as to the background of the title and the meaning of the song🥰
Thank you for doing this video I love system of a down I bought their album in 2003 called toxicity great times. I'm glad that your open to rock and country music my favorite genres
SOAD is a very anti establishment type group and their lyrics are really worth dysecting, very interesting group. I've been jamming them for YEARS and I still don't understand it all 😅
I'm constantly hearing their songs in a different way, like cigaro, never really paid alot of attention to that one, but in the age of Donald Trump, that song hits the nail on the head.
Jonathan Williams They’re trying to warn us about the cults in Hollywood and the media. They’re all up in the cult too but they can only give us subliminal messages.
@@Gregx763 During WW I Serj's grandparents escaped the Armenian genocide that was implemented by the _former_ Ottoman Empire and became refuges in Lebanon.
I'm here in 2020 and watching this man experiencing SOAD for the first time. The reaction was pure and amazing see through someone else eyes what I experienced awhile back 💯
"Jinjer - Pisces" is almost like a must react for every reaction channel that reacts to Rock/Metal it is one of the most reaction worthy songs out there, well at least in my opinion.
Glad you love our side of the fence :D I grew up into rock and metal as my dad was a fan of old rock bands like Queen and Deep Purple, and had kind of a revelation with Linkin Park that led me to also enjoy hip hop from my teen years, and just made me curious for more styles. I love when people step out of their comfort zone and - by chance - discover something they really enjoy!
"if it's good music, it's good music baby". Preach! My colleagues says I'm weird cos I have random songs in my phone. RnB, pop, metal, rock, ballads, heck I even have traditional songs lol. As long as it's quality, I'll hear it any time
bra i watch this every now and then just cause it's on my favourites. I listened to this so much as a kid and now with you reflecting on it I see that these guys are some serious musicians.
bro i have watched many of your videos, and honestly i really enjoying re experiencing songs i love with you and loving your reactions. bro you killing it
That’s exactly where he got it form. From what I’ve heard he was having writers block so his producer had his open a book to a random page and pointed to a random line and it was that verse.
First of all, I was hoping, waiting for you to do a reaction to anything by System of a Down, with Chop Suey being the song of choice no less! I am so glad you liked it and seeing your reaction to this was priceless! Thank you!! Love from Oklahoma City !
Never heard of your channel but I love your perspective on music and how open you are to hearing new things. You had me the moment you said that music has a way of crossing races, ethnicities and religions. Love that
They have so many beautiful songs, Aerials, Spiders, Lonely Day, Hypnotize. Just to name a few. Just subscribed, love how you're so positive about all kinds of music and have such an open mind. It's rare online these days.
I really love your personality, and your view on music, cause I completly agree that music brings people of all colors, religion, and nationality toghether, and thats what makes music so great. It dosent care who you are or where you come from, its there for you to enjoy no matter who you are. You gotta love music in that way. 😊
The worst part of listening to SOAD, is finding out there is no other band like em. You are confined to the albums they made... Thats it Also, references to the lyrics: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”Matthew 27:46 "And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46
