Dreaming by System of a Down Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Wake-Up Call in Music
Lyrics
And put them on the wall
For treated indigenously, digenously
Human right is private blue chip, pry
For treated indigenously (we’re the prophetic generation)
Digenously (of bottled water, bottled water)
Human right is private blue chip, pry (causing poor populations to die)
You, you went beyond and you lost it all
Why did you go there?
From beyond, you saw it all
Why did you?
For treated indigenously, digenously (we lost consumer confidence)
Human right is private blue chip, pry (We lost consumer confidence in casual karma)
(Confetti, camouflage, camouflage, the flage, the flage)
For treated indigenously, digenously (We’re the prophetic generation)
Human right is private blue chip, pry (of bottled water, bottled water)
(Causing poor populations to die, to die, to die)
You, you went beyond and you lost it all
Why did you go there?
From beyond, you saw it all
Why did you go there?
She lost her mind
Someone kicked her into the back of the line
She lost her head
When they called and said that they thought he was dead
Dreaming of screaming
Someone kick me out of my mind, I hate these thoughts I can’t deny
Dreaming of screaming
Someone kick me out of my mind, I hate these thoughts I can’t deny
For treated indigenously, digenously we lost consumer confidence
Human right is private blue chip, pry (in casual karma, casual karma))
For treated indigenously, digenously (Confetti, camouflage)
(We’re the prophetic generation of bottled water, bottled water)
Human right is private blue chip, pry (camouflage, the flage, the flage))
(Causing poor populations to die, to die, to die)
You, you went beyond and you lost it all
Why did you go there
From beyond, you saw it all
Why did you?
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na, na-na, na-na-na
Ah, ah, ah-ah
Dreamin’ of screamin’
Someone kick me out of my mind
I hate these thoughts I can’t deny
Dreamin’ of screamin’
Someone kick me out of my mind
I hate these thoughts I can’t deny
You will take the body parts and put them on the wall
And bring the dark disaster
Amid pulsating rhythms and a barrage of frenetic guitar licks, System of a Down’s ‘Dreaming’ interlaces a tapestry of political commentary with the inner turmoil of the individual. This track, nestled within the pantheon of System’s aggressive and enigmatic library, beckons a deep dive into the realms of societal critique and personal conflict.
What at first blush may seem as an unbridled outpour of angst is, upon closer inspection, a poignant critique of modernity’s grip on human rights, environmental issues, and the psyche of the masses. ‘Dreaming’ is a song that demands an exploration beneath its roaring exterior to uncover the profound messages System of a Down embeds within their sonic upheaval.
A Wall of Woes: The Dystopian Imagery
The introductory lines of ‘Dreaming’ conjure images of disparity, an eerie scattering of human parts displayed as both a war prize and a somber trophy of modern exploitation. This visceral picture sets a stark tone, painting a world where dignity is dismembered and objectified, akin to the dehumanization that permeates through issues like human trafficking, labor exploitation, and war.
System of a Down doesn’t shy away from the grotesque; they wield their lyrics like a paintbrush dipped in the darkest hues. The wall is a symbol, a horrifying mosaic representative of the fragmented state of human rights in the face of corporate greed and political disregard.
Bottled Water Blues: The Environmental Cry
The repetition of ‘treated indigenously, digenously’ alongside the ‘prophetic generation of bottled water’ serves dual purposes. It is a scornful jab at the commodification of natural resources and a lament over the disregard for indigenous communities directly impacted by environmental degradation and capitalism’s thirst.
In brilliant lyrical brevity, the band tackles complex issues of unequal access to clean water, the resultant health crises facing impoverished populations, and the broader theme of consumerism’s role in the deterioration of our planet. The bottled water becomes a motif, symbolic of how even our most basic needs have been ensnared by profit margins.
The Invisible Threads of Consumer Confidence
System of a Down links the decline of ‘consumer confidence’ with the seemingly unrelated façade of ‘camouflage.’ Such juxtaposition highlights the manipulation of public perception by market forces and media, suggesting that the true casualties of business maneuvers are often kept out of sight, out of mind.
This theme resonates with today’s era of instant gratification and surface-level activism where social issues are reduced to trends and hashtags, often burying the gravity of the underlying problems. The band deftly implies that our ‘confidence’ is misplaced, ephemeral, and crafted by unseen architects.
Lyrical Labyrinth: Delving into the Song’s Hidden Meaning
Plunging beyond the surface level, ‘Dreaming’ can be interpreted as a call to wake up from the sedation of modern life. The ‘somber parade’ – a procession of the status quo – is depicted as unworthy of trust. The reality of those in power ‘going beyond and losing it all’ is a scathing admonition of leadership disconnected from the common good.
There lies an admonishment in the song’s questioning – ‘Why did you go there?’ – that may be as much an interrogation of our leaders as it is a reflection of ourselves. The lyrics compel the listener to confront their own complicity in the issues addressed, cohorted by the imagery that continues to haunt long after the song ends.
Memorable Lines as a Memento Mori
‘Dreaming of screaming / Someone kick me out of my mind, I hate these thoughts I can’t deny’ – this evocative, repeated line serves as both an anchor and a lifeline within ‘Dreaming.’ It encapsulates the essence of disassociation, an intrinsic yearning to break free from the mental shackles imposed by an incessant barrage of societal and self-inflicted issues.
This haunting refrain also acts as a memento mori, a reminder of mortality amidst the chaos and as a warning signal that, if unaddressed, the toxic cycle of exploitation, consumerism, and environmental disregard will certainly lead to disaster. Through these poignant words, the band ignites a spark of introspection, urging the listener to grapple with the unease and act before it’s too late.
