This is honestly one of the most haunting music videos ever made. The children playing cheerfully while providing a living metaphor for the horrors of war. Just brilliant
These kids are now old enough to understand and appreciate the message behind the fun they were having on that day, hell, some of them are almost old enough to serve. time flies
Hey there! I was one of the kids in the music video. I’ve recently come back to it now to cherish the memories. I turn 23 next month and it’s kinda ironic but I’m training to be a pilot right now.
Theclockworkman "dont waste youe time on coffins today" humans arent worth it. Don't you see their bodies burning ! Desolate and full of yearning? Dieing from anticipation, choking on intoxication" Hes speakin about how our world has decayes into hell, the concept of hell. Not a physical realm. the children are the people of this natio, the west. Captured and captivaed entirely within the confides of their homes, FULL OF YEARNING, DIEING OF ANTICIPATION we are all waiting for that big change that won't come until someone MAKES IT
Sheldon J. Plankton it also shows many scenes from the iraq war like the kids pulling down the teddy bear clearly thats showing the us troops pulling down saddam husein statue and also shows a kid crashing showing a car bomb and some other stuff
Can we just talk about how he was able to choreography multiple children for a music video (who did very well) but I can't get my child to remember to wipe their ass
Can we all just stop to appreciate how powerful of a message this video sends? Our soldiers are people's children, and they're dying for someone else's conflict. This shit is just art honestly
This is why I love Serj so much. The message the video conveys along with the song. Playing uncle Sam, he is happy seeing the children fighting. Playing into the fears engrained into children to fight the war that never ends. The chorus speaks on many different situations. 9/11 victims and the victims of the war, both soldier and civilian. "Dont waste your time on coffins today" speaks on how the Bush administration didnt want US military caskets spoken of or filmed. Also how the 9/11 victims were buried in the rubble. "I want you to see from behind those empty walls" yet again 9/11 victims and also the American public that doesnt see the horrors of the war. "I loved you yesterday before you killed my family" is a great representation of the relationship between the US and the middle east. In the music video Serj's grin becomes wider the more the video progresses and he becomes far more excited. His smile fades as the children who were enjoying the idea of war finally sees through the window (empty wall) exactly what the war leads to and they no longer want to play war. 10/10 Serj. You can see so many points of views in the lyrics and the video helps further convey the message.
My take on it is that's It's about seeing past your empty walls aka walls that are empty aka one's ideology and willful ignorance. The kids are metaphors for nations sending their youth to war while ignoring their suffering because they can't see past their cause and ideology.
I couldnt find anyone posting a comment of the full lyrics so here they are Your empty walls Your empty walls Pretentious attention Dismissive apprehension Don't waste your time, on coffins today When we decline, from the confines of our mind Don't waste your time, on coffins today Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication I want you to be Left behind those empty walls Taunt you see From behind those empty walls Those empty walls When we decline, from the confines of our mind Don't waste your time, on coffins today Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication I want you to be Left behind those empty walls Taunt you see From behind those empty walls I want you to be Left behind those empty walls I taunt you to see from behind those empty walls From behind those empty walls From behind those empty walls The walls From behind those empty walls I loved you (From behind those empty walls) Yesterday, before (From behind those empty walls) You killed my family (The walls) Don't you see their bodies burning Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication? Don't you see their bodies burning (I want you) Desolate and full of yearning (to be) Dying of anticipation (left behind) Choking from intoxication? (those empty walls) I want you to be left behind those empty walls Taunt you to see from behind those empty walls I want you to be left behind those empty walls Taunt you to see from behind those empty walls From behind those empty walls From behind those fucking walls From behind those goddamn walls Those walls, those walls
I think there are those who never read descriptions and would appreciate this.... Then there's those like me, who listened to this obsessively ten years ago and as such still have this memorized XD
Still one of the most emotionally charged videos I’ve ever seen. Knowing what the children’s play scenes (unbeknownst to them) represent is a more powerful visual tool than even a depiction of a real war scene could ever evoke.
@@gotrekgurnisson9934 There are much more austere consequences if one of the worlds top 40 economies decides to invade another major economy. Much different that the smaller conflicts we have saw the past 20 years.
It’s almost like music that’s truly good is timeless and ageless. Most of the crap out nowadays won’t be remembered in 5 years. There’s a reason why people still listen to old music.
Yes solo serj brings me back to my highschool days and system of a down brings me back to my middle school days lol I'm almost 30 now and I remember jamming this song while I was being dropped off of school with my grandma LMFAO
If I ever work at a Daycare again, I want Serj to come be a special guest. I can hear the parents/child conversation now. Mom: So, what did you learn at preschool today? Child: We learned about war...genocide...death... Mom: .... Child: And how to make the color purple.
Yep. And the occupation is right there. Right at the start. It makes more sense after reading bin laden’s letter to America in 2002 explaining sept. 11
Maybe it's cause we show we are all equal and all one. I believe in it and hiding our faces is the only way to get through. Open up your eyes all of you.
@@herr498 realizing your life was used to cause harm to people who didnt deserve to be harmed for the sake of expanding the wealth and power of european monarchs at the expense of all life on earths well being.
Your Empty walls, Your Empty walls, Pretentious attention, Dismissive apprehension, Don't waste your time, On coffins today, When we decline, From the confines of our mind, Don't waste your time, On coffins today... Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning, Dying of anticipation, Choking from intoxication, Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning, Dying of anticipation, Choking from intoxication, I want you to be left behind those empty walls, Taunt you to see from behind those empty walls... Those empty walls, When we decline, From the confines of our mind, Don't waste your time, On coffins today... Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning, Dying of anticipation, Choking from intoxication, Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning, Dying of anticipation, Choking from intoxication, I want you to be left behind those empty walls, Taunt you to see from behind those empty walls, Want you to be left behind those empty walls, I taunt you to see from behind those empty walls, From behind those empty walls, From behind those empty walls, The walls! From behind those empty walls... I loved you yesterday, (From behind those empty walls...) Before you killed my family, (From behind those empty walls, the walls...) Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning, Dying of anticipation, Choking from intoxication, Don't you see their bodies burning, Desolate and full of yearning, (I want you...) Dying of anticipation, Choking from intoxication, (To be left behind those empty...) I want you to be left behind those empty walls, Taunt you to see from behind those empty walls, (Desolate and full of yearning, Dying of anticipation, Choking from intoxication...) Want you to be left behind those empty walls, (Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning, Dying of anticipation, Choking from intoxication...) I taunt you to see from behind those empty walls, (Trust your empty walls, trust your empty walls) From behind those empty walls, (Trust your empty walls, trust your empty walls) From behind those empty walls, (Trust your empty walls, trust your empty walls) From behind those empty walls, Those walls! Those walls!
I was 19 when the 9/11 attacks took place. People grew up with went and fought the initial resulting war. I also watched this when the video first premiered (may have been on MTV2 at the time..) My initial reaction was chills,but when those final bells toll at the end, and the children get up to wotness the soldiers being brought back in coffins broke me. It still does. Sobbing while I am writing this. Brilliant masterpiece.
As a Marine that served through 2006-2012...this video holds a private message to me. Serj was able to see the manipulation where as many of us were not. Don't ever mistake that American veterans are criminal though, we do what we are taught as does anyone that is subjective to a mandatory agenda to succeed. Just the same as anyone who may have a different viewpoint, we all think we are fighting for the best of interests, until we become better informed.
You don't need to be. I'm an American and served in the Navy. To me, this is about more than the events of the last 20 years. It's the violence inherent in the human psychology and the exploitation of it by those who view themselves as better than the rest of us. They trade lives for money, but it's never their own life at risk and it's never just one side. The same people funding and supplying the allies in WWII were funding and supplying the axis as well. Their methods have changed, but their motive is still the same.
~ LYRICS ~ Empty Walls Serj Tankian Your empty walls Your empty walls Pretentious attention Dismissive apprehension Don't waste your time, on coffins today When we decline, from the confines of our mind Don't waste your time, on coffins today Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication I want you To be Left behind those empty walls Don't You see From behind those empty walls Those empty walls When we decline, from the confines of our mind Don't waste your time, on coffins today Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication I want you To be Left behind those empty walls Don't You see From behind those empty walls Want you to be Left behind those empty walls Don't You see From behind those empty walls From behind those empty walls From behind those empty walls The walls From behind those empty walls I left you yesterday before you killed my family Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication I want you To be Left behind those empty walls Told you To see From behind those empty walls Want you to be, left behind those empty walls Told you To see From behind those empty walls From behind those empty walls From behind those fucking walls From behind those goddamn walls Those walls Those walls
Serj really spreads awareness about what is happening in the world, if you get the message. Pray for Armenia, as they are unrightfully under attack again, right now, by Azerbaijan and Turkey.
i live in turkey and i really hate seeing people hating each other about this nonsense war. each side wants other side's people to be dead but they are forgetting the fact that both sides are in great pain and so much people are suffering. no one should stick to that made up borders and realize whole world is actually everyone's land. nobody should even have the right to be happy about death of others. i think this song really sums it all up.
@@pasolinifangirling7314 I agree very much!! As an Armenian I’m really sick and tired of this hate each side are spreading I just want both side to recognize that at the end we all are just normal human beings and fighting against each other’s just brings more pain to the citizens of them both countries
Azerbaijan has signed a seise fire with Armenia in exchange for a piece of Azerbaija occupied by mostly Armenians.. sadly the Armenians were forced to burn their homes and leave town .
Rice gum posts a video titled " my firs kiss ??" And it gets a million views in a day this only has half a million and it has way more meaning more thought put into it then more than half of this shit on RU-vid.
Thats sad and i dont even know who/what rice gum is..probably some weird youtuber my teenagers know of lmao and no im not an old grandma or anything im only 30
This almost brought me to tears. I've been a fan since self titled and its been almost 20 years. I have heard this song many times but not in a long time and wow. So powerful and moving.
Yes! Its been 21 years ago when system of a down had their first mainstream hit. I didn't discover them until 16 years ago and I remember in 8th grade computer class I would go to their website and they had their songs on there System and serj brings back many great memories
[Chorus] Don’t you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning, Dying of anticipation, Choking from intoxication, Don’t you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning, Dying of anticipation, Choking from intoxication, I want you to be left behind those empty walls, Taunt you to see from behind those empty walls......
This is possibly my favorite song from Serj. And I think the fact that the video for it has all the subtlety of a brick to the head actually plays in its favor.
Politics are tough and complicated. Being a great artist doesn't necessarily mean that he'd be an amazingly good politician. Pointing out mistakes isn't of the same difficulty as solving them.
to quote one of the comments that was here before they all got removed, "serj tankian is the only man who can play in the middle of a kindergarten class while wearing a top hat and look cool doing it"
Yah this video shows pretty much how we are conditioned to war and violence at such a young age and taught that it's okay..and the symbolism is pretty clear ( cool video)
Budsmokee So you'd rather a bunch of young people to be killed off when war comes because they had no idea how to be efficient in combat. That is what I gather from your comment.
Your empty walls... Your empty walls... Pretentious attention Dismissive apprehension Don't waste your time, on coffins today When we decline, from the confines of our mind Don't waste your time, on coffins today Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication I want you To be Left behind those empty walls Taunt you To see From behind those empty walls Those empty walls When we decline, from the confines of our mind Don't waste your time, on coffins today Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication I want you To be Left behind those empty walls Taunt you To see From behind those empty walls Want you to be Left behind those empty walls I taunt you To see From behind those empty walls From behind those empty walls From behind those empty walls The walls From behind those empty walls I loved you yesterday, (From behind those empty walls..) Before you killed my family. (From behind those empty walls,the walls...) Don't you see their bodies burning? Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation Choking from intoxication Don't you see their bodies burning? (I want you...) Desolate and full of yearning Dying of anticipation (To be left behind those empty...) Choking from intoxication I want you To be Left behind those empty walls Taunt you (Desolate and full of yearning) To see (Dying of anticipation) From behind those empty walls (Choking from intoxication...) Want you to be, left behind those empty walls Taunt you To see From behind those empty walls (Trust your empty walls, trust your empty walls) From behind those empty walls (Trust your empty walls, trust your empty walls) From behind those fucking walls (Trust your empty walls, trust your empty walls) From behind those goddamn walls Those walls... Those walls... Х
Beyond relevant in 2021. The sheer amount of accuracy in four minutes of describing 20 years of war is unreal. From the precursor influence of the Cold War (Stalin's statue being ripped down), to the destruction of the Twin Towers, to the invasion of Afghanistan and resulting decade+ of war. What an excellent song and video to capture just a fraction of the pain and destruction in the 21'st century.
@@fidgetyrock4420 Ah, you must be the imbecile. that must be why secular nations have the lowest crime rates, and religious nations have the highest crime rates. ooh i like how religion has historically been used to justify wars, stratification, sexism, slavery, and child abuse. ooh i also like how secular nations have the highest quality of life, the most social support systems. sorry bitch but you are wrong.
My favorite part of the video was always the beginning with the girl and the two block towers. First the plane hits and the towers topple and shes suprised and confused, then a cut scene, then back to her devastated and mourning looking down at the blocks, another cut scene, then u see her look up with anger in her eyes. That perfectly showed what it felt like to live during that time.
i didnt feel like that. but i already had a good understanding that europe had full control of my country at that time from studying eugenics and all the torturous conditions thrust onto the people here which europeans received the most benefit from.
the toy plane into the block towers was pretty obvious what that was referring to, but he also has a scene pulling a statue down. This was made 13 years ago.....
Because no one sees true art and the patriotic message to this song and video like we do. I completely agree with you it's one of my favorites also and his best solo career song!! 🤘🏻😎
