Like all System, this song SAYS so much more than it actually SAYS. And like all System, the key lies in the lyrics alongside the sound of the song.
This song is split into two VERY distinct segments, and the words remain the same, but how those words are sung changes.
The first is characterized by vocals that are upfront, confident-sounding, and even sung in a sort of silly way. To me, it seems very deliberate that you would hear this and think this song is just meant to be ridiculous - I think you were intended to think this at first - that it's about a guy and a girl (at least) involved in the drug/whoring scene, put in the form of a song that you can blast at full volume.
After the little 'lalala' part in the middle, however. a drastic change occurs, and all of the sudden there is a very strong sense of desperation in the music and the lyrics. I mean, just listen to it again - the words in the two parts are the same, but they couldn't sound any more different. To me, this is where you are supposed to suddenly realize that something is seriosuly wrong - that it's not just a metal song about a herion addict and a whore anymore, but that suddenly these two people are given some depth, and some feeling is put into the song.
The last line cements this for me - throughout the whole song it's been "I need someone to save her ass", and then, all of the sudden, it's "I need someone to save MY ass."
Let me just sum it up this way: Anyone seen Requiem for a Dream? Things start out fairly neutral, and then there is a quick and deadly degeneration. The last line is where he finally realizes he's in over his head.
One last comment: Although I admit I prefer System's more melodic stuff, I think the repetition of 'ass', silly though it is (I mean, come on, 40% of the chorus, such as it is, is the word 'ass') serves a very functional purpose in drawing the contrast between the first part, and the more emotionally involved second part, where it only appears 3 times (as opposed to 17 in the first).
Basically, I just want to throw out a little tribute to System of a Down here: 1.) I don't like politically charged music and 2.) I'm not a huge fan of metal...
...and yet I still think these guys are incredible.
Like all System, this song SAYS so much more than it actually SAYS. And like all System, the key lies in the lyrics alongside the sound of the song.
This song is split into two VERY distinct segments, and the words remain the same, but how those words are sung changes.
The first is characterized by vocals that are upfront, confident-sounding, and even sung in a sort of silly way. To me, it seems very deliberate that you would hear this and think this song is just meant to be ridiculous - I think you were intended to think this at first - that it's about a guy and a girl (at least) involved in the drug/whoring scene, put in the form of a song that you can blast at full volume.
After the little 'lalala' part in the middle, however. a drastic change occurs, and all of the sudden there is a very strong sense of desperation in the music and the lyrics. I mean, just listen to it again - the words in the two parts are the same, but they couldn't sound any more different. To me, this is where you are supposed to suddenly realize that something is seriosuly wrong - that it's not just a metal song about a herion addict and a whore anymore, but that suddenly these two people are given some depth, and some feeling is put into the song.
The last line cements this for me - throughout the whole song it's been "I need someone to save her ass", and then, all of the sudden, it's "I need someone to save MY ass."
Let me just sum it up this way: Anyone seen Requiem for a Dream? Things start out fairly neutral, and then there is a quick and deadly degeneration. The last line is where he finally realizes he's in over his head.
One last comment: Although I admit I prefer System's more melodic stuff, I think the repetition of 'ass', silly though it is (I mean, come on, 40% of the chorus, such as it is, is the word 'ass') serves a very functional purpose in drawing the contrast between the first part, and the more emotionally involved second part, where it only appears 3 times (as opposed to 17 in the first).
Basically, I just want to throw out a little tribute to System of a Down here: 1.) I don't like politically charged music and 2.) I'm not a huge fan of metal...
...and yet I still think these guys are incredible.
Thanks for your insight!
Thanks for your insight!