Aerials

The song "Aerials" by System of a Down is a profound and multi-layered exploration of human existence, identity, and consciousness. The overarching theme revolves around the idea of breaking free from the constraints of a narrow, individualistic perspective to achieve a higher state of awareness. The title itself, "Aerials," can be interpreted as achieving a 'bird's-eye view' of life, seeing the bigger picture beyond the ego and societal conditioning.

A central metaphor in the song is "Life is a waterfall." This imagery suggests that life is a continuous, often tumultuous, and ultimately unifying force. We are "one in the river" before birth and become "one again after the fall" in death, highlighting a cyclical nature of existence and a shared origin and destiny for all humanity. The journey through life is described as "swimming through the void," a metaphor for navigating the confusion and meaninglessness that can characterize the human experience. In this void, we are influenced by external voices and may "lose ourselves," but paradoxically, it is in this loss that we can "find it all," suggesting a spiritual awakening or enlightenment that comes from shedding the ego.

The lyrics also critique human behavior, particularly our insatiable desire for more experiences ("always want to go, but you never want to stay") and our aversion to failure ("always wanna play, but you never wanna lose"). This reflects a restless and competitive nature that keeps us from finding peace. The line "we drink from the river then we turn around and put up our walls" points to a tendency to take from the collective experience of life and then isolate ourselves out of greed or fear.

The ultimate message of the song is encapsulated in the chorus: "Aerials in the sky, when you lose small mind, you free your life." This is a direct call to transcend the "small mind"—the ego-driven, conditioned self—in order to achieve true freedom and a higher perspective. By doing so, one can attain the "eternal prize" of enlightenment and a deeper connection to the universe.

The song begins with a powerful metaphor, portraying life as a waterfall. We are all part of the same river, unified in our essence, and we become one again after the 'fall,' which can be interpreted as death or a significant life-changing event. This cyclical nature of existence is a central theme.

We navigate through a 'void,' a state of uncertainty and confusion, where we are bombarded with words, advice, and societal expectations. In this process, it's easy to lose our true selves, to become disconnected from our core identity. However, the lyrics suggest that it is through this very process of losing ourselves that we ultimately find a deeper understanding of everything. There's a paradoxical relationship between losing one's identity and gaining a more profound sense of self and the universe.

The song then delves into the human condition, describing us as beings who constantly desire to 'play' and seek new experiences ('always want to go'). Yet, there's a reluctance to commit or remain in one place ('but you never want to stay'). This reflects a perpetual restlessness and a fear of being tied down. Similarly, we want the freedom to 'choose' our path and to engage in life's games, but we are averse to the possibility of losing. This highlights a desire for control and a fear of failure and vulnerability.

The chorus introduces the concept of 'aerials in the sky.' This imagery suggests a higher perspective, a way of seeing beyond the trivialities of our 'small mind.' When we let go of our narrow, ego-driven worldview, we achieve a sense of liberation and freedom in our lives. The lyrics reiterate this idea, emphasizing that when we 'free our eyes,' we are rewarded with an 'eternal prize'— a state of enlightenment or true understanding.

The second verse revisits the waterfall metaphor but with a crucial addition. We 'drink from the river,' taking from life and its experiences, but then we 'turn around and put up our walls.' This speaks to a tendency towards selfishness and isolation. After benefiting from the collective stream of life, we often close ourselves off, becoming insular and defensive.

The song concludes by powerfully repeating the message of the chorus, reinforcing the idea that transcendence and true freedom are found by shedding our limited perspectives and embracing a broader, more enlightened view of existence, like an 'aerial' seeing the world from above.

"Aerials" is a song by the American rock band System of a Down, released as the third single from their highly successful second album, Toxicity, in 2002. The album itself was released on September 4, 2001, just a week before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an event that significantly impacted the American cultural landscape and the music industry. The lyrics for "Aerials" were co-written by the band's lead vocalist, Serj Tankian, and guitarist, Daron Malakian, while Malakian composed the music. The song was produced by Rick Rubin, along with Malakian and Tankian. Drummer John Dolmayan described the song's creation as something that "came together real fast, like it was meant to be put together that day." He also noted the song's duality, calling it "a gentle song, but at the same time, it has a lot of angst coming out." The music video was a collaborative effort between the band's bassist, Shavo Odadjian, and director David Slade. The album Toxicity was recorded in 2001, and "Aerials" quickly became a standout track, eventually hitting number one on both the Billboard Mainstream Rock and Alternative Songs charts.

The rhyme scheme in "Aerials" is relatively simple and direct, which allows the focus to remain on the lyrical content and meaning. The verses follow an AABB rhyme scheme (e.g., "stay"/"play", "lose"/"choose"), which gives them a structured and memorable quality. The chorus utilizes a more free-form structure but contains the key rhyme of "sky" and "life," and later "high" and "prize," emphasizing the central message of the song. The rhythm of the song is one of its most defining features. The verses are characterized by a gentle, flowing rhythm, driven by an arpeggiated guitar pattern that creates a sense of calm and introspection. This contrasts sharply with the chorus, which explodes into a powerful, driving rock rhythm with heavy drums and distorted guitars. This rhythmic shift creates a dynamic tension that mirrors the lyrical themes of moving from a state of quiet contemplation to one of cathartic release and realization. The vocal rhythm often follows the instrumental rhythm closely, but Serj Tankian's phrasing is also expressive and flexible, adding to the emotional weight of the lyrics. The interplay between the calm, almost hypnotic rhythm of the verses and the anthemic, powerful rhythm of the chorus is a key element of the song's enduring appeal.

"Aerials" showcases System of a Down's signature blend of literary and musical techniques that create its unique and powerful impact.

• Literary Techniques: The lyrics are built around a central extended metaphor of life as a waterfall, which is explored throughout the song. The use of paradoxical statements like "we lose ourselves, but we find it all" creates a sense of philosophical depth and encourages introspection. The lyrics also employ direct address and universal statements (e.g., "we are the ones that wanna play") to create a sense of shared human experience.
• Musical Techniques: The song is notable for its dynamic contrast, shifting between a gentle, arpeggiated guitar riff in the verses and a powerful, distorted, and anthemic chorus. This dynamic shift mirrors the lyrical themes of introspection versus cathartic release. Serj Tankian's vocal delivery is a key stylistic element, moving from a soft, melodic tone in the verses to a soaring, emotive, and powerful belt in the chorus. The song is written in the key of C minor and features a unique harmonic progression that creates a sense of ambiguity and tension, particularly in the opening verse. The use of Middle Eastern-influenced melodies, a hallmark of the band's sound, can be heard in the vocal lines and guitar riffs. The song's structure is also noteworthy, building in intensity and layering instruments to create a rich and atmospheric soundscape. The outro features a heavy, driving version of the main riff, providing a powerful and climactic end to the song.

"Aerials" has had a significant cultural impact since its release, solidifying System of a Down's status as one of the most innovative and important rock bands of the early 21st century. The song was a major commercial success, reaching number one on both the Billboard Mainstream Rock and Alternative Songs charts in the United States, a first for the band. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2003. The song's popularity exposed a wide audience to System of a Down's unique blend of alternative metal, hard rock, and Armenian folk influences, as well as their politically and philosophically charged lyrics. "Aerials" is widely regarded by critics and fans as one of the band's best songs. The track's themes of spiritual awakening and questioning societal norms have resonated deeply with listeners, making it an anthem for those seeking a more meaningful and authentic existence. The song's music video, co-directed by bassist Shavo Odadjian, also received significant airplay and contributed to the song's iconic status. Its surreal and thought-provoking imagery of a boy with facial deformities who becomes a celebrity has been interpreted as a critique of fame, exploitation, and the media's obsession with image. Over the years, "Aerials" has been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in various forms of media, cementing its place as an enduring classic of modern rock. Its legacy lies in its ability to combine musical innovation, emotional depth, and philosophical inquiry in a way that continues to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.

"Aerials" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that explore profound philosophical and existential themes.

• The Waterfall and River: The central metaphor of the song, "Life is a waterfall, we're one in the river, one again after the fall," symbolizes the cycle of life and death. The river represents a state of unity and collective consciousness, perhaps before birth or in a spiritual sense. The waterfall is the tumultuous and individual journey of life itself, with its inherent struggles and descent. After the "fall," which signifies death, we return to that state of oneness.
• The Void: "Swimming through the void" represents the confusion, uncertainty, and often-perceived meaninglessness of the human experience. It's a space where we are bombarded with external influences ("we hear the words") and risk losing our true identity.
• Aerials: The title itself is a powerful symbol. "Aerials" suggests a higher perspective, a view from above that transcends the petty concerns and limitations of the individual ego. It represents a state of enlightenment or heightened consciousness where one can see the interconnectedness of all things.
• Small Mind: The phrase "when you lose small mind, you free your life" is a direct call to shed the ego-driven, narrow perspective that confines us. The "small mind" symbolizes our fears, prejudices, and materialistic desires that prevent us from achieving true freedom.
• Walls: The line "we drink from the river then we turn around and put up our walls" symbolizes human selfishness and isolation. After taking from the collective stream of life and experience, we build barriers to protect ourselves, hoard resources, and cut ourselves off from others.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "Aerials" is the chorus itself: "Aerials, in the sky, when you lose small mind, you free your life." This line is repeated multiple times throughout the song, serving as its central thesis and most memorable hook. Its repetition drills home the song's core message about transcending the ego to achieve enlightenment. Another key recurring motif is the metaphor of "life is a waterfall," which appears in both verses. While the first part of the line remains the same, the second part changes, showing a progression of thought. In the first verse, it's "we're one in the river, and one again after the fall," emphasizing a cyclical and unified existence. In the second verse, it becomes "we drink from the river then we turn around and put up our walls," which introduces a more critical perspective on human behavior. The phrase "swimming through the void" also acts as a recurring motif, appearing in the verses to describe the human condition of searching for meaning in a state of confusion. Musically, the main arpeggiated guitar riff of the verses is a recurring motif that provides the song's signature atmospheric and introspective sound.