First Time Hearing System of a Down - Chop Suey! Reaction Video - A FUSION OF JAZZ & ROCK?!

For any reaction requests & suggestions - drop them in the comments!
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You can find the version of System of a Down - Chop Suey! on KZbin at the link below:
• System Of A Down - Cho...
You can find System of a Down - Chop Suey! on Spotify and Apple Music at the links below:
music.apple.com/us/album/chop...
open.spotify.com/track/5JktV0...

[@timmycollins7665]

You were right on with your first analysis. The song is about how people are viewed in society according to the way they have died (especially when it comes to overdosing or taking your own life). That subject hits hard in the music world. The original name of this song was Suicide but they were forced to change that name by the label. The song was produced by Rick Ruben...in the middle of recording it Serj hit a wall with the lyrics..he didn't like what he had written. Rick sent him to his Library and told him to pick up what ever book caught his attention for some inspiration. Serj's eye was caught by a very old and beautiful copy of the Bible which lead to the crying out to the "Father" part of this song.

[@whyRnamesSoHard]

Why is your comment not pinned? You were spot on! 🙌🏼❤️❤️❤️

[@brettg274]

I live in Glendale, CA where these guys are from, a suburb of LA, I’ve seen all of them around except Serj, the singer. They are all Armenian, there’s a large Armenian community in Glendale, my wife and in-laws included. This music video was shot on a rooftop of a building here. They put out word they were going to do it to fans in the area the day of the video, like a secret concert. So these are all real hometown fans rocking out on a rooftop to their favorite band playing live.

[@johnnyfallen87]

Wow..interesting, but where's serj live?

[@brettg274]

@@johnnyfallen87 he does live around here, but North Hollywood or Hollywood I think.

[@colleenhardin230]

@@johnnyfallen87 If I’m not mistaken Serj lives in 6 months in New Zealand and after in USA .

[@jennifersangma8766]

I think what singer meant was that even angels would die if they see what is happening in CA 😂😂

[@blackerthanafrica445]

I'm glad u knew that information, I was wondering where this video was flimed.

[@bruno3778]

The song was originally called Suicide but I believe that was already taken or they weren’t able to use that name for whatever reason so the cut the name Suicide in half = Chop (cut in half) Suey (Suicide abbreviated)

[@proclaimed75]

Afaik they weren't allowed to use Suicide as title. So they changed it to Chop Suey. But suicide was indeed the original song title they had in mind. Ik still don't get why they couldn't use this as a title cause suicide already is mentioned in the track multiple times. And that was clearly no problem....

[@louofm1]

Another interesting factoid is that this song was released just before 9/11. So, it was immediately pulled from the airwaves due to the sensitivity of the events from that traject day. Eventually, it began gaining more.airplay after more than 6 months

[@Maxwellish]

from Rick Ruben, it was originally titled ‘Self-Righteous Suicide’ not just ‘Suicide’ hence the chop making a bit more sense, “Self-right-Chop Suey-cide”

[@bruno3778]

@@Maxwellish aahh, you’re absolutely correct! Thanks for the info!

[@emmagevorgyan3881]

​@@Maxwellishchop suey դա չինական կերակուր է ։)

[@paulfadeley3496]

Nailed it great reaction!!!! Most people miss how deep this song really is!!!!!

[@losthope9909]

He got it totally, think she didn't have much of a clue tbh.

[@Maxwellish]

such a classic song, with a meaning that still holds up today. i wish as people, we didn’t judge so much.

[@Smido83]

I still know when I first heared this song... in one of the OG KZbin viral videos. 2 young guys sitting in a room doing nothing during the intro... but as soon as the the hook starts they went completely bonkers! Damn... good old youtube days!

[@supertrucker99]

It's a natural process for the brain to seek order its called judgement

[@dennisandretuestaflores448]

@@supertrucker99 yeah but there's a difference between judgment without love, and judgment because of love, wanting the best for the other one, even if it means to make them aware of their mistakes. The first one destroys you because it's just destructive criticism and attacks the person, the 2nd one makes you a better person because it judges our wrong ideas or bad actions to help us, but it never attacks the person him/herself.

[@Brandi6666]

Serj has a great voice and stage presence,the band is killer

[@hatch7482]

The story I heard was that they wanted to call the song “Suicide” but the label or producer wouldn’t let them. So they ‘chopped’ the word suicide in half and got ‘sui’. Thus: “Chop Suey”.

[@gfbumble]

Serj has solo songs called “Sky is Over” and “Empty Walls” that are amazing, but my SOAD fave is “Aerials”

[@HyperBali]

Lovely couple with natural reactions. You guys are my new favourite reactor.. ❤

[@rawgaentertainment]

One of my favorite songs from them.. "Ariels" is good to

[@metalmark1214]

Hard to caterize SOAD. A combination of rock and metal. Guitarist Daron Malakian, who wrote it with lead singer Serj Tankian, explained: "The song is about how when people die, they will be regarded differently depending on the way they die. Other songs - Toxicity, Aerials, B.Y.O.B.

[@andre.gorley]

Glad you discovered SOAD. The are an Armenian-American band that are very political and social activists. Serj Tankian the lead singer is also a writer, podcast host, etc... very interesting band.

[@Jam1022]

I recommend "Spiders", "B.Y.O.B", "Toxicity" for your next System of a Down reaction. Can't go wrong with any of those 3.

[@gegart01]

Yes! And Question!

[@JoseDiaz-bk9mh]

And hypnotize

[@JoseDiaz-bk9mh]

@@gegart01love that song

[@SPG-lv7wk]

Yes to question. Fantastic both musically and vocally

[@KristianSchamber]

Byob for sure or deer dance

[@neonknight821]

The original working title for this song was "Suicide". They had to change it and they went with "Chop Suey!". The song title is a wordplay: "Suey" is "suicide", "chopped" in half. If you listen to the song on the album Toxicity you can faintly hear the lead singer Serj Tankian say "we're rolling 'Suicide' " before the song starts while drummer John Dolmayan is counting the band in.

[@Maxwellish]

from Rick Rubin, it was originally titled ‘Self-Righteous Suicide’ not just ‘Suicide’ hence the chop making more sense, “Self-right-Chop Suey-cide.”

[@stimannzz]

This is an absolute masterpiece!

[@10thmountainmax70]

Love how everyone lives under a rock of sorts. How he never heard them before, didn’t know the time period etc is just like WoW. 😮

[@natecloe8535]

I was so impressed when I learned this news and immediately it made absolute perfect sense. Apparently the lead singer of this group is a classically trained opera singer. And you can definitely hear It.

[@mono36]

Toxicity, Spiders and Aerials are a must!!

[@heewangphempu6751]

BYOB too

[@user-gx3cf2ot2q]

You can tell why they blew up. It really sounded fresh, new, and unique. Didn't feel like they were just another version of band/sound that was already popular.

[@redrum567]

Always enjoy SOAD's creativity & musicianship. Honestly threw me for a loop when they first hit the scene. "Who the heck are these guys?!" Lol Another fan was born \m/

[@meemnamsubba6389]

The song itself is fire and so are the guys. This band is one of the most important pillars of Alternate rock. Keep rocking guys.

[@Nate9-9]

This is probably their most well known song, but no where near their best, imo. Toxicity, Aerials, Lonely Day, and Prison Song stand out more to me.

[@diegorojo87x]

Mmm i think this is their best song. I love every song of them but Chop Suey was their absolute prime.

[@KingArthur7777xbox]

Just a heads up, they were basically on a hiatus since 2004, but they are back to playing shows again! They started a few months ago so if you’ve never seen them live, absolutely go and grab tickets. To any and all that missed out on seeing them in the early 2000’s.

[@L.A.Tex_Norway]

Only one word for System Of A Down - UNIQUE 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@zmk8587]

i really dont believe you never heard this song before 😮😮😮😮

[@RudivanZyl]

SOAD is such a classic great band, loved them since forever. They call out a lot of real world issues in their songs about society, politics, etc. Interesting fact they wanted to put "suicide" in the song title but they were told they are not allowed to, so they changed it to Chop Suey, like chop (cutting yourself) and suey (suicide), a bit of word play. Hope you do more of their songs

[@deenomeeno]

Love your channel…new subscriber. Thank you

[@lucasbenzano6021]

Awesome.

[@RubenRodriguez-qh2dx]

🤘🏼😂😂😂🤘🏼 love your channel guys, you always have good content!! A little FYI the original name of the song was supposed to be self-righteous suicide, but the record label would not let them use that title, so they ended up calling it chop Suey,, or something very similar to that effect Lol keep it up.

[@laupstad]

Back in 2001 when this first came out I was a fan immediately. A few of my friends were huge Metallica fans and I introduced to this band by saying these guys and this song will go down in history as one of the greatest rock songs and bands of all time on par with anything Metallica ever did. They all blew me off. "This is a one hit wonder that'll be forgotten tomorrow" Almost 25 years later feel vindicated. This song hasn't lost anything. It's a legend. SOAD are legends.

[@gesundheit602]

Producer Rick Rubin said that singer Serj Tankian was having trouble With a lyric so Rick suggested that he grab a book from a nearby bookshelf and turn to any page. Serj grabbed and opened a book to a page and immediately saw the quote “Father into Your hands I commend my spirit. Why have you forsaken me?” This ended up being one of the high parts of the song. 🙂

[@natoskull2]

Sadfully, I read somewhere that it was a myth I think.

[@gesundheit602]

@@natoskull2 It was in a video interview that Rick gave

[@natoskull2]

@@gesundheit602 Serious? I didn't know.. would love to see the interview

[@gesundheit602]

@@natoskull2 Ask and you shall receive 🙂 --> kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4HCkKSgi6dsisUsi=DhSoo0X0oF3SDbdm

[@darngj]

One of the best bands in the world 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻😍

[@proclaimed75]

If u wanna go safe, I recommend tracks like Aerials, Toxicity and Lonely Day. Some have heavy parts also but not the whole song. Enjoy!

[@abbyedsall6619]

I’m only halfway through your reaction, but that you’re recognizing it’s intent as a song about the suffering of their culture is very intuitive. Props to you. I came as a fan of the vocals and learned their cause along the way which I respect 100%. Serg, if you read this hit me up. I don’t sound hot but I am tho.

[@n.johanness7451]

The ”Father why have you forsaken me” part is a Bible quote, quoting Jesus at his death.

[@Berghius]

The original title was "Suicide", but they had problem with the advertising of the single, so they "chop" the word "suicide".

[@Maxwellish]

from Rick Ruben, it was originally titled ‘Self-Righteous Suicide’ not just ‘Suicide’ hence the chop making a bit more sense, “Self-right-Chop Suey-cide”

[@arnoldcox9128]

Man you guys are smart it took me 5 listens as a kid to understand the meaning, good reaction

[@mikeconway9849]

Great reaction guys! Definitely an acquired taste.

[@BioDestiny]

Love this song and the reaction, i think god sometimes forgotten us, but we need to going forward.

[@catsara9114]

What a voice!

[@TanyaQueen182]

such a banger of a song!!!

[@brettg274]

There’s probably multiple layers of meaning, but no doubt the lyrics are a reference to the sacrifice of Jesus, whether directly or as analogy for the writer. Jesus last words at crucifixion were, “Father, why have you forsaken me? Into your hands I commend my spirit.” Also makes sense with the reference to angels deserving to die and characterization as a self-righteous suicide.

[@Maxwellish]

pretty interesting actually, but they didn’t actually have lyrics for the bridge of the song, Serj picked up a random book and scrolled to a random page, it happened to be the bible and he used those lyrics. the song is about how people are treated differently depending on the way they die, and how people judge those who pass in self-harming ways, so it’s pretty cool how well it lined up.

[@gonzalez-thecrow4989]

The reason the song is called "chop suey" is because it is a play on words trying to say suicide cut in half "sui" chop "cide"

[@jenniferclick1238]

Glad you have found SOAD! They are unusual in the way they compose lyrics. Which makes them interesting. Someone said they are Armenian and they are and they have always been vocal and have fought for recognition of the Armenian genocide which took place in during WW1. The Ottoman Empire (now Turkey) expelled between 800,000 and 1.2 million Armenians from their homeland on a series of death marches to the Syrian desert. An estimated 600,000 were thought to have died as they were subjected to cruel conditions such as water and food deprivations, mass killings and rape. To date only 31 countries have recognized the atrocities committed on the Armenians by the Ottomans. President Biden finally recognized the Armenian atrocity in 2021.

[@bryanforis1839]

Great live band song is great song great music

[@scotthatcher5043]

EXACTLY WTF !!!! Hard to take...good job guys

[@Charsept]

The drumming is really nice on this one. The album that this song is a great one by the way. All good songs the whole way through. Rare in my experience.

[@jgilbertify]

Love the initial scowls.. like your face hurt... :D

[@timneale5657]

Guys, from a quality stand point.... under $200 for a green screen (to hide the Foam) and a bit of sound foam, or sound dampening pics then it's just wall art and no need for a green screen. You're quality of audio would be exponentially improved! There is a strong echo when you guys are talking... it sounds like you're talking in a empty room (which is cold, go for a warmer sound to be more appealing). I like your reactions as a team.

[@rian202003]

Thus song always makes me cry at the end

[@ahmadhusaini522]

NEXT VOB-WHAT THE HOLY NOBEL TODAY,NICE MUSIC AND LYRIC

[@ashwin.unlead]

Time to check out Bloodywood :D

[@2legit2quitNow]

One other song that not many remember and was one of their earlier hits was 'sugar'. Check that one out for sure!!

[@anthonylama21]

The story behind the song name...originally, the song was simply titled "Suicide". But do to the fact the song was set to release less than a week after 9/11 and add in the way that they look, and their Armenian roots, the record label was worried about the reaction in that moment. So SOAD cut the title in half and represents that in the new title, Chop Sui or Suey

[@Sheitan9214]

Good reaction ❤❤❤ soad i love🥰

[@scottclark3761]

I think you nailed it. Why do we see people differently when they die from drugs or suicide as opposed to be sickness or accident? We all have a burden to carry, so how do we judge?

[@krugger82]

Bonjour, Have you heard "Purple rain" Prince to Syracuse 1985? Its very well performance. For SOTD you have BYOB, Prison Song, Toxicity, Aerials, etc. Your video are cool.

[@soadfanbg]

Well, this last part, kinda the Universe made it happen. This is from a Rick Rubin interview: ""My experience is, when you are open and looking for clues in the world, they're happening all the time," Rubin told Rogan. "And they're happening, often right when you need them." He continued: "This System of a Down song called 'Chop Suey!' ... You know that song? It has this big bridge section in it where Serj, lyric writer - the singer - didn't have words for this one part of the song." Rubin explained: We're sitting in the library in my old house and he said, "I don't have words for this," and we were finishing and it's like, okay. "Any ideas?" He didn't have any ideas. So I said, "Okay, pick a book off the wall." He picked a book randomly off the wall. I said, "Open it to any page [and] tell me the first phrase you see." He opened it. First phrase he sees, that's what's in the song and it's a highpoint in the song. It's incredible, like magic." Anyway, now you know why the song has ~1.3B views on YT alone

[@coreywickramasekera9968]

B.Y.O.B. BRING YOUR OWN BOMBS 💣 is one of my favorites, they took awhile to grow on me but they are very intelligent in their messages, etc Very original, and different/ UNIQUE

[@kungfury6410]

The part where he says "father why have you forsaken me" it was the first thing he picked out of a book. He couldn't think of the final verse and Rick Rubin (producer) told him to use the first thing he found in a book he had, and that was the line. LOL.

[@daver18qc]

Question! or Spiders would be great for next reactions. 🔥

[@dekuscrub7423]

The meaning is pretty spot on to watch you've said, but geared towards how suicide is viewed in society. The name "Chop Suey" is a play on suicide, cut in half. Fun fact, Serj (the singer) couldn't think of lyrics for the second half of the song, so the producer, Rick Ruben, told him to pick up a book, open it, and the first line he saw is what they'd use in the song. That just happened to be "Father into your hands, I command my spirit". Funny how that worked out so well!

[@newpersonatuni]

I like you guys because you don't talk too much like the others do.

[@KLEORIE]

ive never seen dom torreto have hair until i saw you

[@haroldshaffer6647]

I enjoy listening to the songs you pick .I have a suggestion for you all i haven't seen anyone reacting to this group."Santa esmeralda" Don't let me be understand. Thanks.

[@vampirstudmuffin]

I was caught up on the name too, but they originally wanted to call the song suicide. Labels said no, so they cut it in half. Hence Chopped Suey.

[@JustSaying99]

Anyone here remember trying to sing this song on Rock band? 🤣

[@EuphoriaDeep]

They wanted to call the song Suicide, but the label didn't like it. So they chopped suicide in half, Chop Suey. It's about drug overdose deaths and how people say they deserved it without ever really knowing the person or the hell they were going through. Not from my mouth, but from the mouth of the lead singer.

[@tithannisk7470]

This song was originally called «suicide» but the label wanted them to change the name so they cut the word suicide in 2 and kept the first half «sui»... And then since they «chopped» that word it became «Chop Suey»

[@seanstark5948]

You both got stank face at the same time!! Lol

[@johncullen9298]

The original title included suicide and the label wasn't down so the halved it Chop Suey

[@coreywickramasekera9968]

Did yall catch the part in the video of Serg eating CHINESE FOOD/ CHOP SUEY? 😂😂

[@paulworby-ryan640]

New subscriber. The song is about suicide bombers. Going to check out your Radiohead reaction next :-)

[@rodrigocabrera1905]

System of a Down as a band is amazing, for other reactions also from SOAD I recommend Suit - Pee, P.L.U.C.K , Spyders, Hypnotize and Aerials. But it would also be worth listening to Serj Tankian as a solo artist, he has excellent songs; I would recommend Empty Wall and Harakiri for a video reaction; also Serj has a concert with The Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra.... It's just spectacular.

[@frankdeutan]

I recommend Spiders or Aerials, really great songs for starters in SOAD

[@mattjackson3097]

Perhaps he is the angel?

[@Brandi6666]

Enjoying your channel. How about tupelo honey album cut by van morrison 🤘❤️

[@mrator]

😢 3:50 When you die 😢You're not human

[@Justin-nq6kf]

SOAD is in a category and genre of their own

[@williamarmstrong7721]

Here's a suggestion I don't think anyone has ever reacted to; a hit in 1967 mostly in the Northeast (the group's from Connecticut): The Wildweeds with "No Good To Cry". BTW most of the live versions are from cellphones so I'd chose the record version!

[@Dad_Thunder]

Please do “Toxicity” and “Sugar”

[@barrakade9909]

Commending the hands to the father was written with Serj randomly picking spot in the bible. The verse lyrics were rewritten from the guitarist lyrics to serjs, the vocalist, lyrics. I have my own personal thoughts that go many places lol. Reply I'll share some ideas over the years about the song. So happy y'all found system. Look into more. Question is a good one. Find the meaning and the connection. Hopefully one day youre listening to my heart in song.

[@gara9165]

FUN FACT: in an interview SOAD was having a mental block with their upcoming album - so Serj, main singer, randomly picks up a book (the Bible) from the shelf and open a a random page where those lyrics came from .. it’s actually a verse from the Bible

[@supertrucker99]

I freakin luv soad

[@leimerthe]

Gotta do toxicity next

[@johnnyfallen87]

Interesting comments over here...

[@JASONSABBATH123]

A reaction I would like to see is Loch Lomond by Runrig.

[@RoRo-vr6wx]

My good reactors, you need to listen to beyond the realms of death by Judas Priest, it's a different vibe and feel from the last two you did, Glenn does shit that will send chills down your spine, the lyrics are also very well written and thought provoking. See ya Neighbors, Rock On! 🤘

[@BbYyTtOo]

!

[@Justin-nq6kf]

After hearing your interpretation of the song makes me feel like you looked up the songs meaning.

[@thomasyoung6337]

Chevelle or Staind or poets of the fall carnival of rust be something new that I haven't seen yet on your channel be nice to hear your thoughts

[@ruserious9577]

Demon-Rock! (That's mine but ya'll can use it. :)

[@navitogamer0735]

No puedo creer siendo ingleses recién escuchan estas canciónes épicas en que mundo viven o es para el video 🤔🤔🤔 toxi City 😢😢

[@12xthrue]

I like how they trying to Interpret it in your own way. But as I understand it, they have their own understanding of music. And i think they don't get it, they don't get of SOAD.

[@chadatwell5643]

It was called suicide but the label balked, so they chopped it, lol chop suey

[@phimusic5351]

System of a Down wanted to call the song "Suicide", but the record company forbade the band from calling it that way. They then felt that their desire to call the song "Suicide" had been "chopped". Then, appealing to a play on words, S.O.A.D called the song "Chop Suey".

[@troyjohnson4071]

It was first called Suicide but they chopped it in half chop suey

[@user-jh4hs9tf9v]

Its time for estepario siberiano ❤🎉😮.....

[@TheNewRevolution]

You're on the right track with the meaning of the song. The song was originally called Suicide I think, but the recotlrd label said no, you can't call it that. It is about how people are viewed differently depending on how they died or the circumstances. I love SOAD but a lot of their lyrics don't make a lot of sense. You'll give yourself a headache trying to figure out some of their songs.

[@seanpatton7406]

*I'm not sure, so if anyone can help out, PLEASE DO??? I HATE FAKE RUMORS regarding AWESOME Bands!!!* I heard a story about when the band was recording this song in the studio, they found a Bible and randomly picked a page and verse from it. It became the "final verse" of this song when the guys are screaming..... *"Father, father, father, father into my hands 🤲, I commend my spirit....... Why have you forsaken me? In your eyes 👀 forsaken me, in your thoughts 💬 forsaken me, in your heart ❤️ forsaken me? Trust in my self righteous suicide. I cry 😢 when angels 😇 🪽 deserve to die*