Needles
Syste.m Of A Down Lyrics
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All the stomach pains
And the walking of the canes
When you, do come out
And you whisper up to me
In your life of tragedy
But I cannot grow
Oh when will I be free
And you, a parasite
Just find another host
Just another fool to roast
Cause you
My tapeworm tells me what to do
You
My tapeworm tells me where to go
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, Hey
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, Hey
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, Hey
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, Hey
I cannot deny
All the evil traits
And the filling of the crates
When you, do come out
And you slither up to me
In your pimpin' majesty
But I cannot grow
Till you eat the last of me
Oh when will I be free
And you, a parasite
Just find another host
Just another stool to post
Cause you
My tapeworm tells me what to do
You
My tapeworm tells me where to go
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, Hey
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, Hey
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, Hey
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, Hey
Pull the tapeworm out of me?
I'm just sitting in my room
With a needle in my hand
Just waiting for the tomb
Of some old dying man
Sitting in my room
With a needle in my hand
Just waiting for the tomb
Of some old dying man?
Cause you
My tapeworm tells me what to do
You
My tapeworm tells me where to go
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, hey
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, hey
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, Hey
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, Hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey
The lyrics in "Needles" by System of a Down are loaded with metaphors and symbolism that explore themes of control, manipulation, and addiction. Lead singer Serj Tankian uses the metaphor of a tapeworm to describe a controlling force in the singer's life that dictates their actions and movements. The tapeworm is an internal parasite that feeds off the host's energy and resources, much like the unseen force that controls the singer's life. The singer is desperate to rid themselves of this controlling force, represented by the repeated call to "pull the tapeworm out."
The first verse describes physical pain and dependence, symbolized by "stomach pains" and "walking with canes." The singer is trapped in a life of tragedy, unable to grow or break free from the controlling force until it consumes them entirely. The second verse builds on this theme of dependence, with the image of "filling crates" and the metaphor of the controlling force as a pimp. The repeated call to "pull the tapeworm out" becomes increasingly urgent, as the singer feels trapped and suffocated by the force they cannot escape.
The chorus is the most memorable part of the song, with the repeated phrase "My tapeworm tells me what to do, my tapeworm tells me where to go." The tapeworm symbolizes an addiction or other controlling force that is so powerful, it becomes an internal voice directing the singer's actions. The repeated call to "pull the tapeworm out" is a cry for freedom from this voice, and the only way the singer can imagine breaking free from the force that controls them.
Overall, "Needles" is a powerful exploration of addiction, control, and dependence, expressed through metaphor and intense imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
I cannot disguise
I am unable to conceal
All the stomach pains
The intense physical discomforts
And the walking of the canes
The need I have to support myself with a walking stick due to my physical ailments
When you, do come out
When you emerge from your concealed state
And you whisper up to me
And you speak softly to me
In your life of tragedy
About the many unfortunate events in your life
But I cannot grow
But I am unable to mature or progress
Till you eat the last of me
Until you consume all that I have to offer
Oh when will I be free
When will I be liberated from your hold?
And you, a parasite
And you, someone who feeds off of others with no regard for their well-being
Just find another host
Only to latch onto another individual
Just another fool to roast
To subject them to the same hurt and suffering
Cause you
Because of you
My tapeworm tells me what to do
I am controlled by my innermost demons
My tapeworm tells me where to go
I am directed by my innermost demons
Pull the tapeworm out of your ass, Hey
Get rid of the negative influence causing harm
I cannot deny
I am unable to refuse
All the evil traits
The villainous qualities
And the filling of the crates
And the accumulation of illicit goods
When you, do come out
When you reveal yourself
And you slither up to me
And you approach me in a sneaky, underhanded way
In your pimpin' majesty
Wearing your powerful aura like a badge of honor
Just find another stool to post
Just move on to torture someone else
I'm just sitting in my room
I am alone, brooding
With a needle in my hand
Holding on to a destructive habit
Just waiting for the tomb
Simply anticipating death
Of some old dying man
Of someone who is about to pass away
Pull the tapeworm out of me?
Free me from my inner struggles
Hey, hey, hey, hey
An interjection to emphasize the urgency and importance of the message
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DARON MALAKIAN, SHAVO ODADJIAN, JOHN DOLMAYAN, SERJ TANKIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind