DDevil by System of a Down Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Chaotic Critique of Modern Society
Lyrics
Among the writers of the word
Shake your spear at Shakespeare
Shake your spear at Shakespeare
Loud and noisy
Strong refrigerators
Gaining independence
Gaining independence
Stupid people do stupid things
Smart people outsmart each other
Then themselves, then themselves
Then themselves, then themselves
Take me down there
Photographic relapse
People feeding frenzy
The devil is so lovely
The devil is so lovely
The devil is so lovely
So lovely
So lovely
My blue moon rivets in exits
Forewarned customary spirits
By myself, by myself
By myself, by myself
Take me down there
Photographic relapse
People feeding frenzy
The devil is so lovely
Take me down there
Photographic relapse
People feeding frenzy
The devil is so lovely
Beneath the chaotic surface of System of a Down’s ‘DDevil’ lies a labyrinth of social and existential critique. This song, a frenetic composition from their 1998 self-titled debut album, blazes with the band’s distinctive amalgamation of metal, punk, and Armenian musical influences.
Yet, those willing to look past the high-energy instrumentals and Serj Tankian’s distinctive vocals will find a nuanced dissection of society’s follies and the human condition. In the following exploration, we delve into the complex layers of ‘DDevil’, decrypting its allegorical and, at times, enigmatic lyrics.
A Spear at Conventionalism: Decoding the Shakespeare Reference
The opening lines of ‘DDevil’ suggest a bold confrontation with traditionalism and authority. By invoking the act of brandishing a spear at Shakespeare, System of a Down propels the listener into a world where cultural giants are not beyond reproach. It’s a call to arms against complacency in art and thought—challenging the very icons that have been eternally revered in Western literature.
This poetic rebellion resonates with a band known for its aversion to societal norms and political machinations. By shaking the spear at such an esteemed figure, the band beckons its audience to question the status quo and create new paradigms of expression, away from the shadows of established dogmas.
The Discord of Progress: Strong Refrigerators and Gained Independence
In an unexpected twist, System of a Down transfers us from literary revolt to the cacophony of modern innovation. The powerful refrigerators represent the might of contemporary technology, possibly veering into the realm where convenience trumps necessity. This metaphor illustrates how progress has become a noisy background, an imposing force that distances humans from their essence.
Yet, it’s the counterintuitive notion of these appliances ‘gaining independence’ that compels us to ponder our relationship with technology. As our creations become increasingly self-sufficient, System of a Down challenges the notion of human autonomy in the age of the machine.
The Irony of Intelligence: A Dance of Outsmarting
Intelligence, one would think, is humanity’s saving grace, yet ‘DDevil’ casts a skeptical eye on this supposition. ‘Stupid people do stupid things, smart people outsmart each other,’ the song asserts, implying that intellect begets competition, which in turn perpetuates cyclical self-defeat.
System of a Down strips down the glorification of human intelligence to reveal a twisted game of one-upmanship. The real tragedy, according to the lyrics, isn’t lack of intelligence but the fact that those who have it often use it to their own detriment, spiraling into a loop of overthinking and manipulation.
The Siren’s Call: The Devil’s Enigmatic Beauty
There’s a seductive undercurrent that guides us through ‘DDevil’, embodied by the recurring motif of temptation personified—the ‘lovely devil.’ It symbolizes the allure of societal sins and the way they captivate and ensnare. System of a Down presents this temptation not as overtly menacing, but dangerously beguiling.
Whether it’s wealth, power, or hedonistic pleasures, the song poses these as traps set with velvet ropes—a warning that perhaps our greatest threat is not hostility, but charm. The devil’s loveliness serves as a metaphor for the deceptive appeal of the very forces that may lead to our downfall.
‘My Blue Moon Rivets’: Extracting the Hidden Meaning
A cryptic fragment appears in the third verse—’My blue moon rivets in exits’—which propels the narrative into a personal realm. The blue moon, a rarity, could be read as a moment of clarity or perhaps a fleeting glimpse into one’s true self amid life’s pandemonium.
The act of riveting in exits suggests a finality, a closing off of escape routes. In the context of ‘DDevil’, it points to a conscious choice of the speaker to confront rather than flee from the overwhelming absurdities of life—systemic, technological, or otherwise. This line serves as a turning point in the song, where acknowledgment of societal devilry precariously coexists with individuation.
