Chop Suey! is a popular song by the American heavy metal band System of a Down that was released in 2001 as the first single of its second album Toxicity. The song became a cultural phenomenon, garnering critical acclaim for its energetic tone, unique rhythm, and time changes, as well as its challenging and oblique lyrics. Lyrically, Chop Suey! explores themes such as self-reflection, mortality, and societal hypocrisy.
The title is an ironic play on words: Chop suey being a dish made up of all kinds of stuff; go to city hall and ask them what you have to do to open up your own gazebo or things like that. Lyrically, the song contains religious references (like ‘Father into your hands, I commend my spirit’), poetic metaphoric language (‘Why don’t we use it/try to abuse it?’ can be literally interpreted), and fractured commentary about suicide in America at present (and is more determined than ever before). Also in reference to the fact that they were going to call this single suicide, but when they found out when it would be (at September 4th with videos already made), they changed it. The song had been originally titled Suicide but was changed due to potential controversy surrounding the lead-up to the September 11 attacks.
Chop Suey Lyrics By Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian
Category | Details |
---|---|
Song Title | Chop Suey! |
Band/Artist | System of a Down |
Album | Toxicity |
Release Date | August 13, 2001 |
Genre | Alternative Metal, Nu-Metal |
Primary Lyricists | Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian |
Producer | Rick Rubin, Daron Malakian, Serj Tankian |
Themes | Mortality, Sacrifice, Self-Reflection, Societal Judgment |
Original Title | Suicide (later changed to Chop Suey! for sensitivity reasons) |
Famous Lyric Line | “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” |
Awards/Nominations | Nominated for Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2002 |
Cultural Impact | Became a defining track of the 2000s rock era, frequently referenced in pop culture |
Chop Suey Lyrics
Wake up (Wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little makeup
Hide your scars to fade away the shakeup (Hide the scars to fade away the shakeup)
Why’d you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go, create another fable, you wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little makeup, you wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shakeup, you wanted to
Why’d you leave the keys upon the table? You wanted to
I don’t think you trust
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
Ah! Wake up (Wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little makeup (A little bit)
Hide the scars to fade away the (Hide the scars to fade away the shakeup)
Why’d you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go, create another fable, you wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little makeup, you wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shakeup, you wanted to
Why’d you leave the keys upon the table? You wanted to
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, 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
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