"B.Y.O.B." was released as downloadable content in the video game Rock Band as well as it being featured in Guitar Hero World Tour.
B.Y.O.B.
System of a Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do they always send the poor?
Barbarisms by Barbaras
With pointed heels
Victorious Victorias kneel
For brand new spanking deals
Marching forward, hypocritic
You depend on our protection
Yet you feed us lies from the tablecloth
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, ooh
Everybody's going to the party
Have a real good time
Dancin' in the desert
Blowin' up the sunshine
Kneeling roses disappearing
Into Moses' dry mouth
Breaking into Fort Knox
Stealing our intentions
Hangers sitting, dripped in oil
Crying, "freedom"
Handed to obsoletion
Still you feed us lies from the tablecloth
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, ooh
Everybody's going to the party
Have a real good time
Dancin' in the desert
Blowing up the sunshine
Everybody's going to the party
Have a real good time
Dancin' in the desert
Blowin' up the sunshine
Blast off, it's party time
And we don't live in a fascist nation
Blast off, it's party time
And where the fuck are you?
Where the fuck are you?
Where the fuck are you?
Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Kneeling roses disappearing
Into Moses' dry mouth
Breaking into Fort Knox
Stealing our intentions
Hangers sitting dripped in oil
Crying, "freedom"
Handed to obsoletion
Still you feed us lies from the tablecloth
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, ooh
Everybody's going to the party
Have a real good time
Dancin' in the desert
Blowing up the sunshine
Everybody's going to the party
Have a real good time
Dancin' in the desert
Blowin' up the sun
Where the fuck are you?
Where the fuck are you?
Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
They always send the poor
They always send the poor
The lyrics of the song "B.Y.O.B." by System of a Down is a political commentary on war and the greed of politicians. The song begins by questioning why the poor are always the ones sent to fight in wars while the rich stay in power. The lyrics use imagery of barbarians with pointed heels, who are victorious but still depend on the protection of the poor. The politicians are described as hypocritical and hypnotic, feeding the people lies while they benefit from the chaos they create. The chorus refers to everyone going to a party in the desert, dancing and blowing up the sunshine - a metaphor for how society celebrates the violence and destruction caused by war.
The second verse of the song continues to criticize those in power. The imagery of kneeling roses disappearing into Moses' dry mouth refers to the manipulation of religion for political gain. The line "Stealing our intentions" suggests that the government has ulterior motives for their actions. The hangers sitting dripped in oil may refer to the suffering caused by wars over resources such as oil. The people cry freedom, but the leaders are handing them obsoletion, another way of saying that they are replacing their freedom with something that is no longer useful.
Overall, the song is a scathing critique of the political system and how it perpetuates war and inequality. The lyrics ask important questions and challenge listeners to examine society's celebration of war and the dynamics of power that allow it to continue.
Line by Line Meaning
You
System of a Down is addressing the listeners directly and asking a critical question.
Why do they always send the poor?
The band is questioning why the impoverished are the ones who are sent to war and used to fight battles for the wealthy.
Barbarisms by Barbaras
The band is using wordplay to comment on the brutal acts committed by those in power against the innocent.
With pointed heels
Those in power have sharpened weapons that enable them to crush the weak with little effort.
Victorious Victorias kneel
The wealthy and powerful are able to maintain their power and continue their brutal practices due to the subservience of the masses.
For brand new spanking deals
Those in power are always looking for the next big opportunity to profit from the suffering of others.
Marching forward, hypocritic
Those in power claim to have the people's interests at heart, but their actions tell a different story.
And hypnotic computers
The media and other propaganda machines have the power to sway the masses and make them believe in a false reality.
You depend on our protection
The powerful use the guise of protecting the people as a cover for their own interests and to maintain their hold on power.
Yet you feed us lies from the tablecloth
Despite benefiting from the people's support and loyalty, those in power continue to deceive and manipulate them.
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, ooh
This line acts as a sarcastic refrain, mocking those who choose to ignore the harsh realities of the world.
Everybody's going to the party
This line suggests that people are more concerned with entertainment and distraction than they are with addressing the world's problems.
Have a real good time
The band is being sarcastic, pointing out the absurdity of reveling in the midst of so much suffering and violence.
Dancin' in the desert
This is a reference to the Middle East conflict and the idea that people are able to dance and celebrate while others are dying in the desert.
Blowin' up the sunshine
This line uses wordplay to suggest that the idea of 'blowing up the sunshine' is just as absurd as the idea of reveling in the midst of violence, and that both are equally impossible.
Kneeling roses disappearing
This is a metaphor for the innocent victims of war who are silenced and forgotten.
Into Moses' dry mouth
This is a reference to the biblical story of the parting of the Red Sea, where Moses led the Israelites to safety. The metaphor here compares the victims of war to the Israelites, and the world's indifference to their plight to God's silence in the face of their suffering.
Breaking into Fort Knox
This line symbolizes the idea of taking back what was stolen from the people by those in power.
Stealing our intentions
The intentions of the people are often used against them and used to manipulate them for the benefit of those in power.
Hangers sitting, dripped in oil
This is a metaphor for the wealthy elite who have benefited from the exploitation of the poor.
Crying, 'freedom'
The powerful use the notion of 'freedom' as a means of justifying their actions and fooling the people into thinking they are acting on their behalf.
Handed to obsoletion
Those who are not wealthy or powerful are often discarded and made irrelevant by those in power.
Still you feed us lies from the tablecloth
The band is driving home the point that despite all this suffering and exploitation, those in power continue to deceive and manipulate others to maintain their hold on power.
Blast off, it's party time
This line suggests that people can no longer ignore the harsh realities of the world, and that it's time to take action.
And we don't live in a fascist nation
This is a reminder that the people have the power to enact change and fight back against oppression.
Where the fuck are you?
The band is exasperated by the apathy and indifference of many people in the face of so much suffering.
Why don't presidents fight the war?
System of a Down is again questioning the motives of those in power and suggesting that they are not acting in the best interests of the people.
Why do they always send the poor?
The band is calling attention to the exploitation of the poor and questioning the morality of sending them to fight and die in wars that benefit only the wealthy elite.
They always send the poor
This line drives home the point that the same pattern of exploitation and disregard for the poor and vulnerable repeats itself time and time again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Daron V. Malakian, Serj Tankian
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kumis 1607
ave a real good time
Dancin' in the desert
Blowin' up the sunshine
Kneeling roses disappearing
Into Moses' dry mouth
Breaking into Fort Knox
Stealing our intentions
Hangers sitting, dripped in oil
Crying, "freedom"
Handed to obsoletion
Still you feed us lies from the tablecloth
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, ooh
Everybody's going to the party
Have a real good time
Dancin' in the desert
Blowing up the sunshine
Everybody's going to the party
Have a real good time
Dancin' in the desert
Blowin' up the sunshine
Blast off, it's party time
And we don't live in a fascist nation
Blast off, it's party time
And where the fuck are you?
Where the fuck are you?
Where the fuck are you?
Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Kneeling roses disappearing
Into Moses' dry mouth
Breaking into Fort Knox
Stealing our intentions
Hangers sitting dripped in oil
Crying, "freedom"
Handed to obsoletion
Still you feed us lies from the tablecloth
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, ooh
Everybody's going to the party
Have a real good time
Dancin' in the desert
Blowing up the sunshine
Everybody's going to the party
Have a real good time
Dancin' in the desert
Blowin' up the sun
Where the fuck are you?
Where the fuck are you?
Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
They always send the poor
They always send the poor
DaFuq!?Boom!
This clip is materpiece. From the beginning till end it has message.
You can't really see what's the date i post this
Aey didn't expect you to be here
Théo Paumard
DaFuq!?Boom! CERTES
Sebastian
why do they always send the poor?
Sweeper1209
And here I thought you were only into mainstream meme music.
rosanne lobaton
DaFuq!?Boom! Holy Crap! What a coincidence I just subbed your channel just now!
Broly's Eyelash
Honestly, this song is timeless. No matter what decade this song relates to something
Slayer
George Washington:🤘🤵🏻
EmTee20
yes sir 🤘
🗿moaiiiiii🗿
Im in 2045 and this slaps🤘🪨👨🎤