Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Chop Suey!
System of a Down Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(We're rolling suicide)

Wake up (wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make up
Hide the scars to fade away the shake up (hide the scars to fade away the)
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go, create another fable, you wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little makeup, you wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shake up, you wanted to
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table? You wanted to

I don't think you trust
In my
Self-righteous suicide
I cry
When angels deserve to die

Ah
Wake up (wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make up
Hide the scars to fade away the (hide the scars to fade away the)
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
(Here you go) create another fable, you wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little makeup, you wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shake up, you wanted to
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table? You wanted to

I don't think you trust
In my
Self-righteous suicide
I cry
When angels deserve to die
In my
Self-righteous suicide
I cry
When angels deserve to die

Father (father), father (father)
Father (father), father (father)
Father, into your hands
I commend my spirit
Father, into your hands
Why have you forsaken me?
In your eyes forsaken me
In your thoughts forsaken me
In your heart forsaken me, oh

Trust in my
Self-righteous suicide
I cry
When angels deserve to die
In my
Self-righteous suicide
I cry
When angels deserve to die

Overall Meaning

The song “Chop Suey!” by System of a Down is a complex and layered criticism of both societal and individual hypocrisy. The opening lines are a reference to suicide, with the lyrics “We’re rolling suicide,” which sets the tone for the song's message of self-destruction. The first verse is sung in the second person, with lyrics like “Grab a brush and put a little makeup, hide the scars to fade away the shake-up.” This can be interpreted as societal pressure to hide one's true self and present a flawless exterior. The question, "Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?" can be seen as a direct challenge to the singer's hypocritical behavior. By leaving the keys on the table, the singer has given someone else control over their life.


The chorus is where the message of the song becomes clearer, with the lyrics “I don't think you trust in my self-righteous suicide, I cry when angels deserve to die.” The singer is lamenting the fact that their voice is not being heard and that their actions could ultimately lead to their own ruin. The second verse can be seen as a criticism of the capitalistic society, with lyrics like “Here you go, create another fable, you wanted to.” The singer is criticizing the cycle of lies, deception, and greed perpetuated by those in power.


Line by Line Meaning

Wake up (wake up)
Start paying attention because something important is happening.


Grab a brush and put a little make up
Try to cover up or distract from the truth of a situation, making it look better than it is.


Hide the scars to fade away the shake up (hide the scars to fade away the)
Conceal the evidence of past trauma in order to avoid feeling or appearing vulnerable.


Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Questioning why someone would knowingly leave something important within reach of someone else who might misuse or exploit it.


Here you go, create another fable, you wanted to
Asserting that the person who left the keys on the table is lying about their intentions and values, and likely has ulterior motives for doing so.


You wanted to
Emphasizing the idea that the other person had full control over their actions and was not a victim of circumstances or manipulation.


I don't think you trust
Expressing the singer's doubts about the level of trust and honesty in the other person's relationship with them.


In my
Referring to the artist's sense of self, beliefs, or emotions.


Self-righteous suicide
Suggesting that the artist's willingness to engage in self-destructive behavior stems from a sense of moral superiority or desire to prove something to others.


I cry
Acknowledging the emotional toll that destructive behavior takes on the artist.


When angels deserve to die
Using the metaphor of angels dying to express the idea that innocent or good things are being lost or corrupted as a result of the situation.


Father (father), father (father)
Addressing a higher power or authority figure who is perceived to have control over the situation.


Father, into your hands I commend my spirit
Surrendering control or responsibility to a higher power or authority figure.


Why have you forsaken me?
Expressing feelings of abandonment, betrayal, or injustice towards a higher power or authority figure.


In your eyes forsaken me In your thoughts forsaken me In your heart forsaken me, oh
Asserting that the higher power or authority figure has failed the singer across all aspects of their relationship.


Trust in my
Asserting that the artist has confidence in their own values, beliefs, or actions.


Self-righteous suicide
Repeating the earlier phrase to emphasize the theme of self-destructive behavior as a way of expressing moral superiority or asserting control.


I cry
Repeating the earlier phrase to reinforce the idea that destructive behavior comes at an emotional cost.


When angels deserve to die
Repeating the earlier metaphor to underscore the idea that innocent or good things are being lost or corrupted as a result of the situation.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Serj Tankian, Daron V. Malakian, Shavo Odajian, John Dolmayan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@fadhilatulfajri4276

Lyric :
Wake up
(Wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make-up
Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up
(Hide the scars to fade away the...)
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go create another fable

You wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little makeup
You wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up
You wanted to
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
You wanted to

I don't think you trust
In... My... Self-righteous suicide
I... Cry... When angels deserve to die

Wake up
(Wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make-up
Hide the scars to fade away the
(Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up)
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go create another fable

You wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little make-up
You wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up
You wanted to
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
You wanted to

I don't think you trust
In... My... Self-righteous suicide
I... Cry... When angels deserve to die
In, my, Self-righteous suicide
I, cry, when angels deserve to die

Father (father)
Father (father)
Father (father)
Father (father)
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit
Father, into your hands
Why have you forsaken me?
In your eyes forsaken me
In your thoughts forsaken me
In your heart forsaken me, oh

Trust in my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die



@nasanoor

Lyrics...

Wake up (wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make-up
Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up (hide the scars to fade away the-)
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go create another fable, you wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little make-up, you wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up, you wanted to
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table? You wanted to

I don't think you trust
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die

Wake up (wake up)
Grab a brush and put a little make-up
Hide the scars to fade away the (hide the scars to fade away the shake-up)
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
Here you go create another fable, you wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little make-up, you wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shake-up, you wanted to
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table? You wanted to

I don't think you trust
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die

Father (father)
Father (father)
Father (father)
Father (father)

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit
Father, into your hands
Why have you forsaken me?
In your eyes forsaken me
In your thoughts forsaken me
In your heart forsaken me, oh

Trust in my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die
In my self-righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die



All comments from YouTube:

@Im_Guitarist

I DON'T CARE WHAT YEAR IT IS, STOP ASKING

We're all still listening.

@kennedylemon5837

Now hear me out now...





Who's listening in 2024?

@Opt1musPr1meK

Their songs are timeless, I would rather hear these masterpieces than whatever they’re playing on the radio today

@Im_Guitarist

@@Opt1musPr1meK Yeah definitely, modern radio music sucks

@WannabeGamer2218

​@Im_Guitarist the station i listen to still plays this song. Thats the only reason i know about system of a down

@Im_Guitarist

@@WannabeGamer2218 what station?

55 More Replies...

@Nathan-le4gn

Alarm clock : WAKE UP
Me : Whyyyyy now ?
Alarm clock : YOU WANTED TO

@MegaTornado-u9m

Nathan How would you want to wake up if it’s a school day

Thx for 23 likes

@MegaTornado-u9m

Unholy Mystery Same but I’m in 5th grade and 1st 3rd 5th 7th 9th 11th and college are the hardest grades

@biged7415

@@MegaTornado-u9m Depends on where you live, really.

More Comments

More Versions