I'm part of the problem? System Of A Down's "Hypnotize" being vocally analyzed by Opera Singer

It's no secret that I love Serj Tankian's incredible vocals. I'm on this journey to experience as much System of a Down as I possibly can, and next up on the list is "Hypnotize". It leads me to the question - am I part of the problem? Let me know in the comments, as well as your next SOAD analysis for me!
Join professional opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff, as she listens to System Of A Down performing "Hypnotize" for the first time.
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Written aned Performed by System Of A Down
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I definitely recommend watching the original video without interruptions. Here's the link: • System Of A Down - Hyp...
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Elizabeth Zharoff is an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She's performed in 18 languages throughout major venues in Europe, America, and Asia. Currently based somewhere between Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth spends her days researching voice, singing, teaching, writing music, and recording TONS. She also plays Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.
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We have a sister channel: THE SINGING HOLE. Join us there to examine how ordinary creatures create extraordinary sounds. / @thesinginghole
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
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#systemofadown #Reaction #TheCharismaticVoice
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[@chriskasowski4743]

"Lost in Hollywood" is probably the best example of how well Serj & Darren harmonize together

[@fabtech0771]

and Soldier Side

[@ProbolStudio]

Yes, Lost in Hollywood deff

[@mateusoliveira6913]

Deff a must react

[@Tekid0x]

Yes!

[@talesofacrookedmouth]

Radio video more

[@S14N9LS]

Every song on Hypnotize (and Mezmerize to a lesser degree) features dual vocals and a metric ton of delicious harmonies. Their entire catalog does this at times but the final two crank it up to 11.

[@joshuaguerra2651]

They harmonize a shit load in steal this album too!

[@S14N9LS]

@@joshuaguerra2651 For sure. Ego Brain, Mr. Jack, Innervision...basically all of them. Some of their best stuff. Totally underrated album.

[@happaflapp7212]

Yes, I love the entire collection from SOAD. Their music has been in my playlist since the first time I heard Chop Suey (22 years ago). It's hard to fathom that Serge (reportedly) said he wasn't "in to" Hypnotize and Mesmerize.

[@OmegaSoypreme]

Yeah, for those albums Daron basically went from back up singer to co-singer. Which to be honest I really didn't like when I was younger. It felt wrong for Daron to be stepping on Serj's toes like that. Very silly, young me. It wasn't until a few years later when I listened to Scars on Broadway that I learned to appreciate Daron's voice in its own right, and how well these two compliment each other.

[@bvierasan]

​@@S14N9LSEgo Brain is such an underrated song. Glad to see it mentioned here!

[@PlyrMava.]

I'm surprised Elizabeth hasn't reacted to "Roulette" or "U-Fig". When I first listened to SOAD as a kid, I didn't realize how profound their lyrics were. Then I listened to the song "Tentative" and I looked up the meaning to the song because the lyrics made no sense to me. After that, I had to listen back to their other songs and the messages hit my middle school brain like a truck. I was now aware of just how much bigger the world was than just what I could see, and how much more difficult and painful life was for so many people and how lucky I was, in a way, to just be a poor American. Ever since then, SOAD have been one of my favorites, and the music I listen to are artists with similar talents in writing strong messages. I can't get enough of the journeys great writers take us on in just a few minutes.

[@MF-de6jh]

Pink Floyd did that for me as a kid in the 70s, nobody else did that for me really until Tool and then SOAD, and then perhaps to a lesser and darker extent Meshugga.

[@PlyrMava.]

@@MF-de6jh At this point in my life, my #1 band is RUSH. Peart was just an amazing lyricist.

[@nunyabusiness3150]

Love Roulette.

[@takeyourheart1]

“Streamline” for sure. The second verse in that song is actual vocal magic.

[@BertZedic]

Always loved the harmonies in all of System of a Down songs. Elizabeth if you ever want to hear another band with tremendous harmony structures, check out a Canadian band called Harem Scarem. Melodic rock harmonies at it's finest!

[@ohhimarg]

The art at the end is the cover art for their album Hypnotize. But if you really want to nerd out the vocal harmonies of both Serj and Darren you should check out Old School Hollywood and Radio/Video. There are more songs but those are the two I always think of first.

[@JG12101994]

I have never heard a System fan say they like Old School Hollywood. Personally I think it's their weakest song out of an amazing discography. I won't skip it when it comes on, but I've never gone out of my way to listen to it.

[@christinadocouto8627]

I think the next System Of A Down song should be ATWA. Though similar sounding to Hypnotize, it has some surprising turns. It is beautiful ❤️

[@mraustinworking]

LOVE this song, and great analysis! Bragging moment; I was at the show this was filmed at, Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan

[@rachelzwicker8731]

That must have been absolutely incredible

[@ricknesar1627]

A cup of tea with Serj would be epic!

[@Majarumpel]

The SOAD song that really gets me every time ist "forest". It's meaning is just so deep 🤯

[@nintendork9207]

I don't think it's really right to say the meaning of any SOAD song is "deep", more so that it's heavy and maybe even profound, even accurate to now, but "deep" is so vague and non-specific that it kinda does the songs a big disservice, y'know?

[@jsl1271]

I take it as "we're sat here doing whatever we do whilst all along the world is falling apart for so many"

[@twotrackjack2260]

"Simple minded propaganda leaves us blinded" is still one of my favorite lines in all of music. Loved this breakdown.

[@azealia573]

This is my fav system of a down song ever! Makes me emotional every time i listen to it

[@Cam-mo7gq]

Holy Mountains, Serj at his zenith. Genius band with zero dump tracks on any album.

[@ClintEatswood]

I've been waiting for you to do this song. Prob their best harmonized song.

[@scheddytheyetti]

“Kill Rock and Roll “ has a very good mix of Daron and Serj , and is definitely worth the listen.

[@annabellgrey7657]

And you are an absolutely incredible person. I think you are so awesomely multi dementional. You would be someone I would invite over to sit outback in the courtyard where there is a fire ….and my frog pond…….love to just hang out and talk….and I never say this to anyone. I love your brain waves and energy. You are super empathetic……if I had to guess. You speak not with just your mouth but your entire essence. Peace be with you. ⭕️☮️💫

[@shadowscone4690]

I had both of these albums when it was released in nz as a double album. still slaps today

[@DockMephisto]

Hej Elizabeth, fantastic video as always! I'd like to recommend to you Flummox's 'A Bundle of Styx' from their live performance of the e.p. 'In Hindsight'. Cheers!

[@creamworks8798]

Radio/ Video has incredible harmonizing.

[@funnyfather771]

Finally someone who fully appreciates the metal genius that is SOAD.

[@t7a7c7o]

You should check out Lethean Tears by Solution .45!!! Christian is such an amazing vocalist. This is not an advertisement! :P Love the channel, keep up the great work!

[@daraelds3047]

Hey, I always enjoy your analysis and love how much you feel the music. Maybe you'll take a look at the Rammstein song - Zeit, I wonder if it touches you the same way? 🙂

[@emendozaification]

Holy mountains is another haunting song and sound very deep

[@catmanduu66]

Mezmerize and Hypnotize are my two favorite System albums. Technically one album in two parts that where released a few months apart. I suggest Violent Pornography, Kill Rock 'n Roll, She's Like Heroin or Soldier Side to check out next.

[@tomsmith1754]

Not sure if you've seen it, but T-Pain sang war pigs live... And it's soooooo good!

[@TheViktorofgilead]

I’d suggest “War?” given the current conflicts developing. The song was released on their self titled album in 1998 and speaks the timeless truth.

[@goodtimegreg9434]

Loves "in the end it's just magic..." 🙂

[@dadlikeskpop]

I've recently fell in love with The Tenors - Who Wants to Live Forever featuring Lindsey Stirling. I would love to see you cover that version

[@connorvoelz7144]

“Genocidal Humanoidz” would be a cool one to see since so much time passed before they released any new music and this is one of the two that they recorded in 2020.

[@Poieur]

You should react to dreaming from the hypnotize album. Maybe one of the most beautifull song they made. Thank you for your work you're amazing. Sorry if i made mistakes, frenxh is my first language. And happy new year to all!!!

[@susiejo143]

I love this song so much

[@freedomofmotion]

I have always taken it to be that the person in the car is waiting for someone who was protesting. But the authorities don't believe them so they are pleading with them. I think its a song to highlight that standing by doesnt mean you are safe from oppression.

[@JacopoBasanisi]

My take on the ending of the sing is: they (we) surrendered to the (advertising) system, so we stopped asking questions and started enjoying this "beautiful" life

[@jazzophis]

I always took it as they are just going through life and doing something as simple as sitting in the car waiting for someone they are being hounded by the media.

[@alexo407]

My interpretation of the "waiting for my girl" line, and really the whole song is: He (whoever "he" is) is sitting outside of his girlfriend's house waiting to pick her up and while he is waiting outside in his car for her, he is day dreaming about all of these super deep subjects like propaganda, consumerism, war, and so on. How they affect his girlfriend, her home country, his world view, and how messed up and lost the world is. But when the line comes "i'm just sitting in my car and waiting for my girl", he's sorta snaps out of the daydream and realizes how small HIS world is, and how maybe in that present moment, it all doesn't matter too much, but sorta in a stoic yet hopeless way (?). He is just gonna pick his girl up, get dinner, and all the issues he was just worried about will be a problem for another day.

[@shaundotson6551]

I think I'm just sitting in my car waiting is just the reality that in the moment of the T Square incident somebody, somewhere was just doing what they were doing and had absolutely no clue what was going on in China. It could be just a realization that at any given moment in our lives there is something tragic happening somewhere in the world. Just the same as there maybe something tragic happening in our lives but something simple and wonderful is happening elsewhere simultaneously.

[@sleepydragonzarinthal3533]

I love SOADs penchant for juxtaposition, often absurdity laced into seriousness, or in this case, lighthearted melodies over bombs dropping, an almost lilting intro with the calm tones, then opening lyrics cracking open a can of Tienanmen Square. I hesitate to call it clever, but it is just so damn well done. If you aren't sitting there pondering Tienanmen Square and almost miss the switch to "wait, 'her'? who is she? What about China, what did I just miss?" so of course, you now want to discuss, look up and delve into the possible meaning of the song, bringing new attention to a major uprising in a country now seen as a stoic monolith of ideology just over 30 years ago, an old crack in the facade that makes us wonder if we don't have too simple of a view of the world, what really is China and the CCP, and how it could possibly affect us when we're just some regular ass human "sitting in my car and waiting for my girl". Meh, maybe I'll just watch reruns of The Office and not think about it, that should enrich my life and prevent me from being a victim if my local social structures come crashing down overnight

[@paulchambers686]

Got to see them live weird but awesome

[@robstatton804]

I just found your feed and been watching so many videos. It's also my first time commenting. I was wondering if you've heard of Mudvayne? I'd suggest the song death blooms or silenced amazing band and his vocals are amazing

[@kylekirby5405]

I have been down a complete rabbit hole of videos Elizabeth does in the last week after one popped up in my suggested… love the analysis. Does anyone know if there has ever been a discussion about Jeff Buckley and if there’s a reason she hasn’t reacted to any of his stuff yet? I NEED to see her reaction to anything of his other than Hallelujah😅

[@Blackmage169]

I hope you do "holy mountains" one day!

[@waynedonovan9491]

This was a great reaction. This is out of left field but you should react to Godsmack Touché live I don’t know what it is but the vocals on that song are amazing.

[@bobbygrey1102]

The song was written after the Tienanmen Square protest, but, in general, it talks about how governments and TV manipulate people, essentially placating them and keeping them focused on propaganda. Add to it a person waiting in a car my girl over and over basically is police asking what are you doing here while his girl just at the protest

[@gorseletimoloji]

I think "I'm just sitting in my car and waiting for my girl", is about staying passive when something you should step in is happening right in front of your eyes but you have been so blinded by propaganda or you have been so pacified by learned helplessness, while someone is being ripped off of their rights just right in front of you and if some authority asks you if you are involved in this, you say "no I'm just sitting in my car and waiting for my girl", and most people will do the same when your freedom is being taken from you too.

[@nagarion]

My interpretation. There is a demonstration. His girlfriend felt she needed to go cause of importance (propaganda dishused in the media and the special reason they why they where there). He did not want to go(she's more scared than him. But needs to go). But he drove her there but wait in the car. But the demonstration turned bad (tinnamen square) people died. The phrase he's repeating is to the police (or concered people) Who's there to investigate. But his girlfriend wont be able to come back. (She was one who died/caught) He's in shock. It dosent go in. The police keep telling him. But he can just repeat "i'm just sitting in car and waiting for my girl".... I also interpertent to accelerating drums him getting stressed. And also their voices seems more pleading towards the end of the song.

[@deviousraul]

I swear if you ever reacted to Ego Brain by System of a down, that would be the happiest day of my life

[@Tonypurcell421]

Soldier side would be an awesome one to see you react to

[@syn7f0ld60]

"Drag the Lake"- Amity Affliction

[@gregaybar8547]

It’s a commentary on how bad things continue around the world but we are oblivious,wrapped up in our lives.

[@refragerator]

To me "the girl" they're waiting for in their car is the one in front of the television, eating up propaganda. The car and the ability to drive away and leave things behind as symbol of freedom (in itself a bit iffy in my opinion but that's besides the point), the eagerness to get away from the dazzling, blinding promises and statements made in all media but you're waiting for someone to come with you. A loved one, a friend, your partner, doesn't matter. They're all glued to TV & Co, they're all scared to leave the dreams and thoughts whispered into their minds by the media (see: "She's scared that I will take her away from there" in my mind means taking her out of the warm comfort of what she knows, which is what she is told). I love SOAD and I'm sad that the genius that were their songs will most likely never ever be surpassed in my heart and mind. I'm trying to look for bands and songs to do that and I find music everywhere and in many genres that I legitimately love but... SOAD is so special. :(

[@charlessykes6753]

The cover of the hypothesized album

[@nightrocker1343]

Yes! The Minor key makes it all twisty and bad! Thank you! I've been wondering why that part would just give me a terrible feeling for years!

[@thefizz85]

I think she would find a lot of the same opinions with "So Long and Thanks For all the Fish" from A Perfect Circle.

[@andreipsen7028]

Odd choice, but I'm down for it

[@williamreynolds3487]

Love the opening lyrics. I’ve always took it as asking if Tiananmen Square was just a publicity stunt (a fashion statement, like a lot of activists) or if the protesters actually cared about what they were standing up for (obviously, the latter).

[@feraltrafficcone4483]

You gotta try Tentative, Attack!, and a whole lot more

[@andrewcatania7425]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@sharadmohip6536]

you have only heard serj tamer vocals..... listen to suggestions , pluck, war, soil , this is just some hits

[@nicksteiner4747]

Maybe i missed it... but i swear i looked thru the intire catalogue and didnt find Scars on Broadway. For someone who clearly appreciates SoaD this is criminal 😔

[@Man-vs-Metal]

Liz: Am I part of the problem Serj: WHY DON'T YOU ASK THE KIDS IN TIANANMEN SQUARE

[@REHEHEHEHEHEHp]

LMAOOO

[@KoRnTwIsT1000]

imagine playing this in PRC country 😆

[@YeetForTheStars]

Soldier Side is a harmony the whole way through and its beautiful. Honestly I could watch you do SoaD videos exclusively and never get tired of it.

[@uhbier]

Soldier Side is for sure my absolute favorite song!

[@QuestionableQueefs]

💯

[@danny-d0rito]

it's not the popular one, but I listened to it and actually cried. there was so much emotion I felt in it.

[@Kenshi9000GamingChannel]

@@uhbier I love playing that on piano

[@jacobsternig3580]

@@YeetForTheStars absolutely a fan of some Soldier Side. Enjoy the intro in the Mezmerise Album, and enjoy the full ending song in Hypnotize as well! Hope it bid listened to!

[@Corvid-w3b]

She heard about the protests on the radio asking for peace and wanted to go with him. He was busy at work and this was his day off, instead of resting he decided he would drive her there tomorrow. She was excited and kept him up all night preparing for the next day. He was happy, but tired. The morning came and she was ready. Outfit, makeup, sign, supplies she was ready. They loaded up the car and he drove her there. Being grumpy about no sleep and a big work shift later that night he got into an argument with her. And when they got there she left alone to walk to the protest a few blocks away. He stayed with the car. After a while there is a bomb detonation at the protest and people are fleeing. There is gunfire in the not so distant distance. And the police show up. They walk up to this random dude in his car near the scene and all he can repeat over and over is "I'm just sitting in my car and waiting for my girl." As the song and the hours go on you can hear him realize... She's never coming back. "I'm just sitting in my car and... Waiting for my girl."

[@plasticjeon8177]

omg best interpretation i`ve seen so far

[@joseph10ize]

Fuuuck. Good interpretation damn

[@Corvid-w3b]

@@joseph10ize let me know if you have a better one :)

[@Wildebeest7]

This is why I don't read comments. Now I'm a bawling mess over this hypothetical scenario (the dude in the car, not the awful, and very real, events of 4th June 1989). So thanks for that! 😂😭

[@williammoore1980]

Ok… The line “waiting for my girl” was just bc Daron was literally sitting in his car waiting for his girl to do some errands when he wrote the song, calm down buddy.

[@Badmeets3VIL7]

RADIO/VIDEO is the best Harmonization between Serj & Daron. I will continue to scream this from the mountain tops 🏔️ until you are able to sit down and bless yourself with this beautiful tune. Thank you for reawakening the love us SOAD fans have had for years, we hope these videos help the new generation find this beautiful band. There will never be another SYSTEM OF A DOWN 🙏🏾

[@Scoobay]

Agreed. But maybe the lack of music video is a problem for reactions.

[@izabellazombori-benczur7847]

Yes, yes, Elizabeth, you must to listen RADIO/VIDEO!!! You would enjoy it sooo much! It's so much fun to listen, very playful song with the two very different but also "well passing" singers :)

[@Badmeets3VIL7]

@@Scoobay I don't believe a music video is necessary to enjoy a reaction. Music in itself is enough IMO

[@IndigoGnosis]

I am here to say that I can't wait for her to analyze this song!

[@physchy945]

Yes I totally agree. However idk if enough happens in this song to make it a great candidate for a reaction video

[@devilmaggot44]

While it may not be their best song I think “Holy Mountain” is great representation of System of a Down as a whole, from their musical direction, lyrics, and Serj’s vocal abilities. All are captured perfectly in that song.

[@Chacharson]

I love this song, it's one of my favorites

[@briumphbimbles]

Its one of their best songs its about the Armenian Genocide its one of their songs that always makes me near tears you can hear the anger and pain in that one.

[@s3dog]

I was about to recommend this song. The range of serjs vocals on this song is out of this world

[@_luftwaffel_]

YES! very underrated song. I hope it makes it on the next one

[@samueljackson1164]

Fuckin love this song! So much emotion behind the delivery. It’s one of my favorites alongside Radio/Video because it’s just a really fun song

[@0097205]

"I've tried to explain it... in the end it's just magic" is probably the most accurate explanation of Serj's tone. As kids, one of my best friends was obsessed with SOAD and ingrained the love of them in my mind. For one class we did an interpretive project on this song, I thought at the time we missed the point but somehow it worked in a very Dadaistic way.

[@nefail5000]

"Dreaming" is undoubtedly a must. Powerful, chaotic,it encorporates complex musical interchanges yet the simplicity is still there and of course there's also the beautiful harmonies and vocals. It definitely does something to me every time i hear it

[@Robisquick]

EXCELLENT underrated song. It feels like the same degree of transformative as songs like Toxicity, BYOB, etc. It's for sure in my top 7 SOAD songs.

[@xsystem1]

yes please! the "dreaming of screaming" part of daron and serj singing together is sooo beautiful and remarkable

[@victorgeary1783]

Yes do dreaming!

[@Seebeejeebees]

​@@xsystem1That part always sends chills down my spine. Damnit I love this band so much.

[@griner65]

Mr. Jack is in my opinion super underrated, and that is purely because it is on an album of high intensity gold stars. Mr. Jack is a slower song, but the use of high and lows in the melody give it one of the most powerful goosebump riddled sounds that SOAD has to offer. It is my favourite song by them by far, and the message has withstood the test of time.

[@virtuallyextreme]

My favorite SOAD song forever. I saw them when I was 14 in 2005. They had lights above that flashed "fuck you pig" over and over and it is forever engraved in my brain.

[@guitarzero1901]

It's one of my favorites as well!

[@derekdbc]

Mr. Jack is by far one of my favorites, could't agree more with you

[@eRodriguez1990]

Literally just made this comment then seen yours… she will crazy love that song… they harmonize way too well in that one 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@ballz2thawall695]

Fantastic fucking song!

[@grfxman09]

I've always felt that the line in this song was about being in one of those life moments where you are witnessing something, but doing all you can to stay out of it... someone comes up to you and you are parked in front of a building - somewhere you are not really supposed to be... I am just sitting in my car waiting for my girl. I am here, an innocent bystander, just chilling - passive, allowing life and conflict to pass us by as we are passively about, observing... but not engaged. That is how I have always interpreted this lyric. But I also know that Daron was sitting in his car waiting on his girl when he wrote this song... something a bit more literal.

[@Weather_Nerd]

Same

[@noggintube]

I took it slightly darker, that it's about someone who's girlfriend has gone to the demonstration, and he's waiting for her to come back, but of course she won't due to the massacre that happened. I had since heard that he wrote it sitting in his car, so I'm probably wrong on that, but I think it's an interpretation that is quite poignant.

[@grfxman09]

@@noggintubewow - that is deep. I had not thought of that before ... you could absolutely see it that way.

[@TheDreamhulk]

The reason why they resonate in me that much as well because in society there are so many non spoken thoughts and feelings which either leave us blinden or we have no control over it. You see its tragedy but you don't do anything, like siting at either edge of the abyss and looking down in the deep. I'm 34 now, when I was 17 this band was the shoulder I needed when no-one else was there for me. This is not music this is art in its purest form of existence.

[@willpina]

​@@noggintube I think that's the same sentiment as the original comment.

[@jakecantu8396]

I used to be so disappointed at the lack of SOAD new music in the last 20 yrs. Now, I'm just happy that it happened for a magical period. SOAD just hits in some unexplainable way. So many unique tunes but still heavy.

[@creamworks8798]

Have you listened to Serj Tankian's stuff. It's incredible.

[@trentlomelino]

SOAD is the pinnacle of not judging a heavy rock band before you listen to them. They both have super unique voices and can sing so well. True unicorn of a band.

[@asoggyflipflop]

100% AGREE. I’ve never been really into heavy rock, but System of a Down is one of my FAVORITE bands. The melodies are amazing as well, shit sends shivers down my spine. Then, on top of that, the lyrics are (and I feel edgy here but I can’t think of another word to use) very deep. Love them so much

[@KUROHiTO88]

​@asoggyflipflop Yo, same! I'm into very little music that could be called "heavy" or "metal", but SOAD and Maximum the Hormone are 2 of my all time favourites. I'm also not really a bluegrass fan, but I LOVE Billy Strings. Just goes to show that good is good, and you like what you like.

[@DarenMiller-qj7bu]

I feel the same about Primus and obviously TOOL. I've heard Primus is just TOOL but for hillbillies, and fair enough. However the more you break it all down is when it all shines.

[@chriskasowski4743]

"I've tried to explain why Serj's tone hits my heart so many times"... Yeah I feel that too

[@jesseredwards]

Yup

[@codydaigle4354]

Same

[@chilehenge8142]

"Tentative" is one of my favorite SOAD songs. I love the harmonies, and the lyrics are devastating.

[@OmegaSoypreme]

Yeah, same. My favourite from Mezmerize/Hynotize. Well, maybe a tie with Soldier Side. Another one with devastating lyrics! 😅

[@HermanThePlanetSmasher]

Underrated song for sure

[@Slaughter0tter]

This was the one I was thinking, it's topical too with everything going on.

[@uncluckable6535]

If she reacts to/analyzes a song that powerful, she needs to balance it out with something nonsensical like Vicinity Of Obscenity maybe

[@Slaughter0tter]

@@uncluckable6535 One of the times where its not daron singing the majority of a weird one. She's like heroin is my go to wtf SOAD song.

[@dariathelazy]

I've always thought that Serj and Daron's voices sound like they were _made_ to sing and harmonize with one another... they just go along so _perfectly._ 🤌

[@markkohler5797]

And yet, Serj isn't that into it. Really sucks for the rest of us. They are perfect together, but neither can seem to find a way to relinquish their egos enough to make it happen.

[@TobyDillman]

She has the kinds of reactions I wish my friends had when I told them about a song. Love these videos.

[@Donanzador]

I always thought that the line "I'm just sitting in my car and waiting for my girl" was spoken from the perspective of western person hearing from the events through radio and reacting lethargically to it. Like they don't care, they just turned on the radio while they wait for their partner to come and that's what happened to be on. The news is just going in from one ear and going right out from the other. @17:06 That is just the album cover of Hypnotize. Would love to see your reaction to "I‐E‐A‐I‐A‐I‐O" simply because of the obscure lyrics. "Holy Mountains" is also a brilliant piece of music, and "Rumi" from Serj's solo work is great as well.

[@FragileMachine]

This is how I interpret it too. To me it's the standard "I am just sitting in my car waiting for my girl. Why are you trying to make me depressed by talking about these sad things that are happening elsewhere that doesn't directly affect me?"

[@shaunagendi3416]

This is exactly how I take it as well.

[@ana7icia]

ooohh i always just thought that lyric was a funny filler and didn't dwell on it but that's a very good take

[@DACatface]

I think you nailed it, as a teenager I thought it was about someone who was about to become a victim of a reigeme

[@teagwo]

Ego Brain is an underrated gem and where all the harmonization shenanigans started. A true work of art.

[@codycooper5768]

egobrain has been my favorite system tune for over 20 years, THANK YOU! most people seem to ignore it...

[@hombreguesa2200]

I usually refrain from commenting in open spaces like this, but this reaction compelled me to break that rule. I was at this show in '05 when they filmed this music video. I was 16, System was (and still is) my favorite band, and it was my first concert. No words can verbalize how impactful this show and night was for me. This was System at their peak, and seeing your reaction to the instrumental break gave me goosebumps while listening to them for the first time in a very long time. Thank you so much for that. As for which System song you should do next, I vote Holy Mountains.

[@shaunagendi3416]

Definitely one of the best shows I have ever seen.

[@amandakennedy6348]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lukemason5243]

Holy Mountains is an absolute must ❤

[@semaj_5022]

Holy Mountains is amazing, probably my favorite System song and a great showcase of the vocals and emotion of the band.

[@ClaireBevan-gm3vf]

Adore holy mountains

[@metalmark1214]

With 8 SOAD under her belt that she has analyzed and this the ninth, Is Elizabeth "Hypnotized" by SOAD I'm thinking, yes.

[@ArielZarza09]

Y cual seria el problema?? 😂

[@sykoteddy]

Yes, so let's get her mesmerized next :)

[@dmitryowens]

That's way too many songs from S.O.A.D. They're good, but not THAT good. She needs to do more Zeppelin, Judas Priest, Soundgarden, Danzig, and Faith No More, just to name a few.

[@metalmark1214]

@@dmitryowens Good list of bands. I'm wanting to see more of my favorite band Lovebites, the Metal Queens 🤘

[@deinemutter7472]

I will check out every single one

[@swallowgum2284]

for me the repeated part of the lyrics give me the feeling of someone who is living his peaceful life doing normal daily things while all these horrible things happen in the world. Maybe hearing about them in the news on radio or televison but not feeling affected by them because it's just a peaceful day for him/her. The repeat of the same line also gives me the image of someone listening to horrible news but trying to tell himself "hey this doesn't affect me. I'm just sitting in my car and waiting for my girl, this is happening far, far away" to not get pushed out of his peacefull happy bubble media and politicians keep us in. (sorry for grammar errors, not a native english speaker)

[@finsternis1986]

That's exactly how I always interpreted it too. Like, I'm just trying to do my own thing, and make it through *my* day. But everyday all over the world, people are dealing with their own various situations, good and bad. And the world just keeps turning. Also, "Was fashion the reason, why they were there?" making a comment on how shallow people can be over superficial things, when a lot of people have extremely real and serious problems to deal with.

[@nika.5223]

Yeah this is my interpretation as well. The beginning of the song starts with a few allusions to terrible events, talks about propaganda and how it’s sort of weaponized to hypnotize the population. Ending with repeated “I’m just sitting in my car” makes it seem like the person is trying to convince themselves it is okay, but they know it’s not.

[@aqsw57]

yes, this is what Ialways thought too. We dont care and just go on with our life ignoring all the shit happening

[@bbyklee_8873]

with the different tone to each repetition of "im just sitting...." I thought it was the different stages of grief with the final repetitions being acceptance

[@finsternis1986]

@@bbyklee_8873 I love the descending resolve from Serj at the end , too. There is a sense of finality, completion. Relief?

[@christineg8151]

This is probably one of my favorite SOAD songs. It's so mesmerizing! And the contrast between the simplicity of the music and the complexity of the meaning is so perfect.

[@leighannenight]

Love SOAD so much!! Such a formative band for me and still always pops back I to my life when I didn't know I needed them. Thanks for helping to make that happen 💙. I think of that last line as a metaphor for apathy. Like, "don't look at me I'm just sitting here in my car waiting for my girl". It can also be a double entendre in that "I'm waiting for my girl... But she is not going to come, and I don't want to acknowledge that fact". I always take their general messaging to be " wake up, be aware, face the things you don't want to face and do something to change what isn't right". ✊✊✊

[@tmannet]

Yes it could very well be a metaphor for apathy... I just noticed the lines after the first time they say the "I'm just sitting..." ---> "She's scared that I will take her away from there/dreams that her country left with no one there" Is it fear of leaving one's political reality, no matter how repressive it is? I don't know, but it's so interesting

[@Schnoobi]

You were able to put into words exactly what i was thinking with regards to apathy. Love the comment!

[@stevenscharmer1765]

While this song was germinating in Daron's mind, he was on his cell with another band member, while he sat in his car waiting on his girl. When his pal asked what he was doing, he told him, and he liked the sound of it. So, he incorporated it into these lyrics. But, with his sad, plaintive outro vocal, I think it's clear he wants you to think of someone near Tianenmen Square, who was waiting for his girl, and she never came. For a different side of them, they sometimes have a very playful and zany side to them, so I request Bounce. What Serj does with his vocals on it is so fun.

[@katytackleson535]

Agreed like someone was waiting to pick up their significant other after the massacre and now he will never 100% know what happened due to the cover-up

[@Calumbo]

I love Science by SOAD. That song just hits right in every regard for me. A band that are vocally, musically and lyrically divisive. Perhaps victims of the their own commercial success in the MTV age with toxicity and chop suey. A band i always go back to when i need to perk up as they have this wonderful frenzied energy in their songs. I think the repeating line in this song is about just generally ignoring the horror of modern life. It’s best to try let it happen around you and go on as normal? That’s my take anyway.

[@OmegaSoypreme]

Gonna say it again; you really should listen to Serj singing Gate 21 live at his Elect the Dead Symphony concert. Awesome song, and an awesome performace. I think you'll love it.

[@kordell_Sorensen]

It’s so good. Almost sounds fake how good he is there!

[@jacobsobelman3923]

I second this!!

[@SICKYPOPP]

there are only a few bands out there which touch me the way SOAD does. i heard this song so often, that after you stop right after the intro, i knew how the song is going to continue and i heard it in my head and my eyes immediately started watering of joy ...so crazy that music can do this

[@vogelvrouw]

My dad often listened to SOAD and I wasn't really a fan, I never disliked them. But over the years I've grown to absolutely love them and every now and then I get a huge SOAD phase, they are so fucking good, the songs hit so hard you can almost feel the music, lyrics and voices it's just so unique

[@dcalcoda]

I like to think of “I’m just sitting in my car, waiting for my girl” as a response to police officer questioning a man in his car on the side of the road. The officer continues to question the man as he replies, “I’m just sitting in my car, waiting for my giiiiirrrlll” over and over until the officer leaves him be.

[@michaelmcdermott209]

Please please please review the song Lost in Hollywood. You will fall in love all over again. 🥰

[@Cursedsama]

If you do more SOAD I would love to hear your thoughts on Holy Mountain, it's incredibly impactful to me

[@_maodealface]

It was my 3rd most played this song in 2023. Love it so much

[@AtomicZn]

You should give Holy Mountains a listen. It's a gorgeous, haunting, song about refugees escaping the Armenian Genocide and fleeing to one of their most culturaly significant landmarks in the region to hide.

[@enzopiatti1844]

Daron is one of the geniuses of our generation. He makes so simple songs but yet absolutely powerful and deep.

[@ironpaper55]

The way I always interpreted this song was that, yes there are so many things wrong with the world and we are being lied to about them all. Having shallow and to a degree worthless things always shoved down our throats to hypnotize us into whatever is wanted of us. And in all of this it doesn’t matter because he’s, to a degree, tuning it out because he’s outside waiting for his girl, the more/most important thing he has.

[@ComradeKoopa]

It's funny how people acknowledge how we're being lied to about the many "things" that happen but then uncritically swallow the Western narrative that the Chinese state just mowed down loads of citizens. No capacity for analysis.

[@tonydeluna8095]

Love The Charismatic Voices experience with different types of music genres. Whether it’s pop, rock, or metal, the feeling for music is breathtaking! Been a fan since their first album back in 99’ with their single, Spiders which was on the soundtrack to SCREAM 3

[@Man-vs-Metal]

There is a less well known band called Snot that was a real contender for nu-metal greatness until the lead singer died in a car accident in the late 90's. Anyway, the question you posed in the title here made me think of a song of theirs called "The Box". I'm sure you get a thousand recommendations a day but if you have a chance to listen to it I think you may like it. Incredible energy and projection from Lynn Strait. It's a shame more people arent familiar with them.

[@fuksmidlagdmen]

HARD AGREE ! snot is amazing and i really wish they got more recognition

[@Man-vs-Metal]

@@fuksmidlagdmen When I think about bands like SOAD and Deftones and how their sound matured and evolved over the years it makes me sad that we never got to see that out of Lynn.

[@nickdanger108]

Snot! Great first album

[@ninja4kgaming790]

I want too listen more songs system of down ❤😂

[@danielledavenport9907]

Thanks for the introduction :)

[@MmmmGoodBoy]

I appreciate seeing her nerd out on these songs I’ve known and loved for so long, her in-depth analysis helps someone with zero musical background like me.

[@kinledenop]

I think their extremely underrated song "Streamline" is a great example of 2001 Serj's great vocals. But if you want a calm song with both Serj and Daron's beautiful vocals, you NEED to hear "Roulette"

[@briumphbimbles]

Great songs

[@9livesMtb]

Fully agree,ive suggested this track here before..its impressive...Streamline next please 😈

[@dawson8139]

Now that you've heard some of Yes, I think King Crimson would be another great way to learn about Prog Rock's early days! Yes was in many ways directly inspired by their sound. Their song "21st Century Schizoid Man" from their debut album is a great showcase of how experimental they could get. But if you want to hear Greg Lake's haunting and grand vocals I'd recommend Epitaph or In The Wake of Poseidon!

[@jonlate4581]

Starless.👍

[@stefanomaccheo]

I would love it but it will never happen. KC is a video blocker.

[@stoneysdead689]

@@stefanomaccheo No- the ppl who own the rights to their music are video blockers. The actual band probably has nothing whatsoever to do with it. 9 times out of 10 this is the case- the musicians themselves don't block or sue anyone- it's the ppl who own the rights to the song or album in question- which usually isn't the band. That's not always the case- Don Henley is a great example- he viciously goes after anyone who dares play an Eagle's lick without paying up first. But that's rare, most of the time the musicians don't even know someone has posted one of their songs or something. But the ppl who own the rights to the music do- because they actively search the internet daily for instances of it.

[@shegocrazy]

​@stefanomaccheo there are plenty of KC reactions on YT.

[@stefanomaccheo]

@@shegocrazy Yes, not monetized. There are many others that have tried and failed when it comes to KC reactions and monetization.

[@ThielKlenner]

Thank you again for your great analysis :-) The "Symbol" you could not identify is just the album artwork - Both albums Mesmerize and Hypnotize have an unique artwork and you could stick both CDs together and get another picture - it's just like their music: mindblowing and thought provoking.

[@ruthfitzpatrick4726]

The artwork was done by Daron's father, Vartan

[@esd357]

So much of their style shifts from album to album. Their first album has some of Serj's more wild and idiosyncratic vocal decisions, on songs like "Suggestions" or "Ddevil". Would love to see the first album explored here!

[@andrewross3750]

With how the albums flow together, would love to see a full album full discography listen from her

React to Roulette and ATWA next. Both songs are such beautiful and emotinal songs. Underrated masterpieces.