System Of A Down - Toxicity

System Of A Down - Toxicity - Meaning of the song

This is the title track from System Of A Down's second album, which like their self-titled 1998 debut, was produced by Rick Rubin. After building a following in Los Angeles, the band signed to Rubin's label, American Recordings. They took their time with Toxicity, recording over 30 songs for it before winnowing it down to 15. It was issued on September 4, 2001, just a week before 9/11.

The word "Toxicity" means the level of toxins in an item. There is lots of room for interpretation in the lyrics, as the toxins could refer to the city of Los Angeles (a "toxic city") and the Hollywood lifestyle, but could also be a commentary on the music industry, religion, corruption, drugs or any number of things that the band feels is poisoning people.

During a performance at the 2005 Download Festival, Daron Malakian said that the song was about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), a condition that causes a person to have trouble concentrating.

Toxicity - Lyrics

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Looking at life through the eyes of a tire hub

Eating seeds as a pastime activity

The toxicity of our city, of our city

New, what do you own the world?

How do you own disorder, disorder

Now, somewhere between the sacred silence, sacred silence and sleep

Somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep

Disorder, disorder, disorder

More wood for their fires, loud neighbours

Flashlight reveries caught in the headlights of a truck

Eating seeds as a pastime activity

The toxicity of our city, of our city

New, what do you own the world?

How do you own disorder, disorder

Now, somewhere between the sacred silence, sacred silence and sleep

Somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep

Disorder, disorder, disorder

New, what do you own the world?

How do you own disorder

Now, somewhere between the sacred silence, sacred silence and sleep

Somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep

Disorder, disorder, disorder

When I became the sun

I shone life into the man's hearts

When I became the sun

I shone life into the man's hearts

System Of A Down - Toxicity - Live