Classical Composer Reacts to Chop Suey (System of a Down) | The Daily Doug (Episode 417)

#systemofadown #chopsuey #soad #soadreaction

In this episode of #thedailydoug, I'm reacting to Chop Suey by System of a Down. This is a first time listen for me, and I'm apparently late to this tune because it's official video has over one billion views! I was struck by the multi-layered interpretive meanings of this song and its lyrics...as well with the intensity of their performance. I hope you enjoy!

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[TheSavvynicole]

Their song Aerials is another good demonstration of Serj’s great vocals.

[ryanclark]

"Y'all wanna listen to it again?"
The greatest musical composition of the last two decades? Sure, Doug, I'm in.

[ItsKrispyKev]

The System Of A Down rabbit hole is one of the most life changing experiences anyone can go through. They are an absolutely incredible, thought provoking, critically thinking band that were way ahead of their time pushing for these important subjects to be heard through the power of music and they have defiantly been the most successful band at doing so.

[metallicoustic]

Appropriate facial expression when the last chorus starts, Douglas. Haunting, epic, hard as hell to sing properly, that chorus hits me every time, still, 20 years later.

[SirenaWomanWarrior]

When I was in high school, I thought their music was awesome and fun, and now I’m listening at thirty, and I’ve been just been a big cry baby and coming to tears. Their music can certainly bring you to tears understanding how deep their songs truly are.

[jotaefpel]

I lived in an apartment on the second floor and I had a neighbor on the third floor, who played this record several times a day very loud. Years later, I bought the cd, when this neighbor left the building.

[michaelmiller]

My best friend died in 1999 and even two years later I wept for him when I first listened to this song. Riding in the back of my parents' van, grey knock off Walkman cd player, Chop Suey on repeat for an hour. There are only so many events where I can say I know where I was and what I was doing when they happened; that song has stuck in my grey matter decades later. That breakdown chorus still gets me from time to time.

[kriijan]

I think this is the best analysis of this song I've ever heard. SOAD's music is steeped with politics, spirituality, and mental health and you got all three of these aspects almost immediately. I would love to hear your opinion of any of their other songs.

[NickSBailey]

That made me feel like the first time I heard it, me and my brother talking away with music on in the background then this played, and we both went quiet and listened to the whole thing. Not many songs make you speechless like that they only come along every few years.

[GuiAntonioli]

You know the song is good when it's 3'29'' and has like 8 sentences and still takes 15 minutes for Doug to assimilate it properly. Awesome.

[PeterWasted]

I think it needs pointing out that Serj Tankian is / was an exceptional vocalist. His ability to do both the shouty and melodic emotional stuff really made SOAD stand out. For reasons I don't really understand, listening to them always cheers me up!

[disabledgrandma]

Chop Suey is actually one of the most vocally and emotionally impressive songs I've ever listened to.

[lul.t.]

You hit the nail on the head with the religious connotations. A short documentary on this song mentions how Serj was a bit stuck with lyrics and the song was almost not making it into their album, but he sat in Rubins’ library and happened to pull out a bible and opened it on the passage where Jesus calls out to his father. I think that shaped the rest of the song as well. Thanks for the breakdown and your thoughts. Always on point

[UncensoredScion]

oh bro instant sub at you not only getting the meaning through thinking about it but wanting to listen a second time round, that's NEVER done.

I like you bro, you're a rare one in reactions.

[el-violador]

This is by far the best lyrical analysis I've watched for this song. And I've watched a number of them... Thank you sir

[jasonbetancourt]

Chop Suey is one of the songs that got me into metal. Love it!

[HughManatea]

I remember reading an article in the 2000's where Daron Malakian talked about putting as much stuff as you can into song in a short span of time to make almost a small opera.
It is cool to see a classic composer analyze this years after he said it.

[jonathancapps]

"This is almost political speech."

It is exactly political speech, as so many of their songs are. Serj is a passionate and vocal social justice activist.

[BREAKocean]

I like how you name all the members in the band. a lot of people that react don't frame bands like that and only focus on the vocals but your classicalness shines through

[jordanforbes]

Serj is actually an orchestral composer as well, I highly recommend his first solo album. It's like SOAD with an orchestra.

Edit: I recommend the song which is actually titled “Beethoven’s Cunt”