System of a Down – B.Y.O.B.

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Why do they always send the poor?

Barbarisms by barbaras
With pointed heels
Victorious victorious kneel
For brand new spankin' deals

Marching forward hypocritic and
Hypnotic computers
You depend on our protection
Yet you feed us lies from the tablecloth

Everybody's going to the party, have a real good time
Dancing in the desert, blowing 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

Everybody's going to the party, have a real good time
Dancing in the desert, blowing up the sunshine

Everybody's going to the party, have a real good time
Dancing in the desert, blowing 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

Everybody's going to the party, have a real good time
Dancing in the desert, blowing up the sunshine

Everybody's going to the party, have a real good time
Dancing in the desert, blowing 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?
They always send the poor!
They always send the poor!

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Lyrics submitted by muzac, edited by ToxicBetty

Track duration: 04:17

"B.Y.O.B." as written by Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Casey Chmielinski

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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B.Y.O.B. song meanings
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469 Comments

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  • +1
    Song Meaning:"B.Y.O.B." originally means "Bring your own Beverage" in party terms, but in this song it is supposed to mean "Bring your own Bombs." And when they say "party" they mean war.

    This song is not about partying at all, because if you read the lyrics it's obvious.

    Generally, it is just an anti-war song. Also, it's about how they send the poor into war.
    Flagged skelemeon March 24, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I thought that this song was about Burning Man...but I could be wrong. I generally like to think of this song being about partying and such. But hey to each his own right?
    Flag Das70sKidon January 16, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I thought that this song was about Burning Man...but I could be wrong. I generally like to think of this song being about partying and such. But hey to each his own right?
    Flag Das70sKidon January 16, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think the president part is right but the "dancing in the desert blowing up the sunshine" is the war and "Blast off! It's party time..." is the big battle like d-day or gettysburg
    Flag odea0527on June 27, 2012   Link
  • -4
    General Comment:all of u are WRONG! its about how they would go to parties and no one brought their own beer
    Flagged SonOfHendrixon June 26, 2012   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I'd like to point out that this song isn't based on the American government, or American wars. It has nothing to do with America. Serj's songs involve Armenian issues, not American. Learn about System of a Down before you make your silly guesses.
    Flagged boodude186on May 23, 2012   Link
    • 4 Replies
  • +5
    Song Meaning:The first thing I note about the song is there are three distinct sections. The verses, the chorus, and the bridge all have very different musical feels. I interpret the verses as the truth, the message that they are trying to get out to people. The chorus is the media and the propaganda. The bridge is the desperate wake up call. With that framework in mind, let's look at the words.

    The first four lines conjure the thought of a smiling, well dressed woman responsible for crimes against humanity, while the people are oblivious because they are enveloped in popular culture and marketing. (When we amplify everything, we hear nothing). The next four lines harken the same obliviousness, while espousing the idea that those who lie and propagandize to us depend on us. If we do not remain as unquestioning "hypnotic computers," we would no longer protect them.

    The chorus is laid back, and Orwellian. Everything is fine. We're all having a good time. War is fun.

    The second verse took some looking around and thinking. My best guess is that it has to do with the US's support of Israel. The lines about Fort Knox strike me as economical. The gold standard in an economy impedes a government from creating money out of thin air, and devaluing the currency thereby making its people poorer. With that in mind, they have taken the gold from us and stolen our future "intentions," or goals; aspirations. The next line is about the clamor for foreign oil and the unjust means by which western nations have acquired it (this goes back at least to Iran in the 50s). Again, the atrocities are masked in "cries of freedom," while in reality we march to inevitable doom.

    Chorus again. Don't worry. Everything's fine. Keep on consuming. Think nothing of the future because it's all going to be okay.

    WAKE UP. HELLO? We are NOT A FASCIST NATION. We should not be supporting these foreign wars. We should not be allowing the few in power (that's in corporations AND government; governments and corporations working together for their own benefit is Fascism) lie to us. Control us. Weaken us. Rob us of our individualism, and leave us divided and ignorant. WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!?

    After this, the lyrics all repeat. But the most notable part is that when the "wake up" section comes back, it is very sudden. I think it is meant to be an even bigger calling. It should surprise people in the song when it comes. It should wake them up.

    So.

    Where the fuck are YOU?
    Flagged Chidsueyon April 19, 2012   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:yeah too bad we don't live in a perfect country.. I wonder where that exist? Maybe there is a magical place where everything is perfectly fine and everyone lives freely and doesn't break the law and the economy is outstanding and everyone just lives a good old happy life being who they want to be... WAKE UP PEOPLE. I'm all for speaking out, but there are just some things you can't control learn to live with that fact, and if you think something is wrong then stop commenting and making judgments on every single political thing get off your butt go to school and get in the government yourself.
    Flag TheHumanFace_Divineon December 13, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:so many comments for a song that is straight forward lol
    Flag zappazpoton November 24, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning:it stand for BRING YOUR OWN BOMB(S). sounds like a fuckin' anti war song to me
    Flag AwesomeLexon November 13, 2011   Link

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