Metro by System of a Down Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Emotional Odyssey on Rails
Lyrics
My four walls follow me through my past
I was on a Paris train, I emerged in London rain
And you waiting there swimming through apologies
I remember searching for the perfect words
I was hoping you might change your mind
I remember the soldier standing next to me
Riding on the metro
I was smiling as you took my hand
Saw the moon we spoke in France
You were past the shallow words
Years have passed and still I hurt
You were past the shallow words
Years have passed and still I hurt
I can see you now, smiling as I pulled away
Sorry
I remember the letter wrinkled in my hand
“I love you always” filled my eyes
I remember the night we walked along the Seine
Riding on the metro
I remember a feeling coming over me
The soldier turned, then walked away
Fuck you for loving me
Riding on the metro
System of a Down has never been a band to shy away from the profound or the provocative, and their song ‘Metro’ is no exception. Framed against the backdrop of the clattering subway trains, ‘Metro’ is a journey through time, an emotional ride with stops at regret, remembrance, and the raw nature of love lost.
While the song may seem straightforward on the surface, ‘Metro’ is layered with metaphor and meaning, serving as a vessel for some of System of a Down’s most introspective and heartfelt storytelling. Below, we explore not just the allure and imagery of one of their more enigmatic tracks, but also the poignant messages sewn into its verses.
A Tale of Two Cities: The Geographic and Emotional Journey
The lyrics of ‘Metro’ paint a picture of a narrator wrestling with the ghosts of a past relationship, set against the physical journey between Paris and London. The play on locations is not just a narrative device; it suggests a deeper connection between the heartache and the cities themselves, each famous for their own romantic allure but also for the possibility of love lost among their bustling streets.
The mention of rain in London juxtaposed with the swimming through apologies in Paris alludes to the ever-present rain being akin to a deluge of regret. It’s a multifaceted metaphor: the physical world reflecting the internal storm of the narrator.
The Emotionally Charged Metro: A Symbol of Escapism
The song’s refrain, ‘Riding on the metro,’ not only sets the scene but serves as a metaphor for the narrator’s attempt to escape the memories that haunt them. Like the passengers on the train, memories come and go, but some linger, refusing to be left behind at the next station. The metro is the constant in the narrative, the throughline that connects each disparate emotional thread.
On a deeper level, the metro represents life’s relentless forward motion, indifferent to the personal turmoil within its carriages. The soldier’s presence—a stoic figure standing in contrast to the emotionally wrought narrator—embodies the idea of moving on, a stark reminder of the personal battles everyone faces in silence.
Breaking the Silence: The Song’s Hidden Meaning
Delving into the song’s hidden meaning, ‘Metro’ can be seen as a chronicle of a love that was significant yet unsustainable, addressing the universal theme of how memories, both bitter and sweet, can prove to be an inescapable labyrinth. The fragmented narrative structure mirrors the often disjointed and non-linear way we recall our past experiences and emotions.
The soldier’s abrupt departure and the sharp expletive ‘Fuck you for loving me’ can be interpreted as an internal battle between the longing for what was and the resentment for its ending. It’s a raw expression of the complexity of love and the self-blame that sometimes accompanies its loss.
‘I Remember’—The Power of Nostalgia in Retrospect
A standout feature of ‘Metro’ is the repetitive use of ‘I remember,’ a phrase that underscores the inevitability of our past experiences shaping our present selves. Each recollection is a thread in the tapestry of the narrator’s identity, painting a picture of moments that have left an indelible impact.
Repetition in music can be a powerful tool, creating an incantation-like effect that draws the listener deeper into the emotional world of the narrator. In ‘Metro,’ it’s used to build an atmosphere of yearning and reflection, each memory a snapshot fading even as it’s recalled.
Memorable Lines and Lingering Effects: The Echo of ‘Metro’
Among the song’s beautiful and sorrow-filled lyrics, the line ‘I love you always’ filled my eyes’ carries a particularly poignant weight. It encapsulates the paradox of loving someone despite knowing it leads to pain, with the narrator’s eyes filling, whether with tears or with the overwhelming love of that memory, being left for the listener’s interpretation.
‘Sorry’—a single word delivered with a mix of regret and resignation—is another one of the song’s most memorable lines. It’s an apology that seems to bear the weight of all the apologies that came before and after, a one-word encapsulation of brokenness and the desire for atonement.
