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System of a Down<\/a> frontman Serj Tankian<\/a> is known for writing deeply personal and\/or political lyrics that \u2013 at times \u2013 can be quite perplexing. In a new interview with Metal Hammer<\/em>, bassist\/backing vocalist Shavo Odadjian<\/a> revealed which System of a Down song has the most \u201cwhat the fuck?\u201d lyrics.<\/p>\n In the latest issue of Metal Hammer<\/a><\/em>, Odadjian is asked by System of a Down fan Ariel Colton if any Tankian lyrics made Odadjian say, \u201cWTF?\u201d Almost immediately, he gives his answer: \u201cBounce<\/a>\u201d (from the band\u2019s 2001 breakthrough LP, Toxicity<\/a><\/em>).<\/p>\n Odadjian reflects:<\/p>\n I wrote that song musically and Serj wrote the vocals, and it was called \u201cPJs\u201d. Instead of \u201cJump! Pogo pogo pogo pogo…!\u201d<\/em>, it was like, \u201cDa! Pisha pisha pisha pisha…!\u201d<\/em> I was like, \u201cWhat the fuck are you saying, bro?!\u201d Actually, every album has shit where I say, \u201cWhat the fuck is he talking about?!\u201d Ha ha ha! But that\u2019s part of the beauty of Serj. He does that but there\u2019s always something there for everyone to read into.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The seventh song on Toxicity<\/em>, the characteristically abrasive \u201cBounce\u201d is famously about group sex<\/a>. To Odadjian\u2019s point, the track’s metaphorical mentions of pogo sticks (\u201cUnannounced twister games \/ All players with no names \/ They lined up double quick \/ But just one pogo stick \/ Everyone gets to play \/ Runaway, expose’ \/ It was so exotic \/ But just one pogo stick\u201d<\/em>) are eyebrow-raising, to say the least.<\/p>\n Metal Hammer<\/em> also point out that several years ago, Tankian \u201cdescribed his approach to [writing] lyrics\u201d on his Patreon page<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI usually start with the music first, and then I’ll look for inspirations,\u201d Tankian stated (per Metal Hammer<\/em>). \u201cWhat is this music saying to me? What is it talking about? Is it talking about a bird? Is it talking about the Earth? Is it talking about a love? Is it talking about politics?…Once you’ve figured that out, then you have your theme. Your theme’s important because it gives you focus.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Massive Nu-Metal Album Has Mysteriously Vanished From Spotify + Fans Are Distraught<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Given its adult nature, it\u2019s surprising to learn that \u201cBounce\u201d was actually used in a trailer<\/a> for 2015 animated kids movie The Secret Life of Pets<\/a><\/em>. Per setlist.fm<\/a>, it\u2019s currently System of a Down\u2019s 12th most frequently played song in concert, with 275 performances (including the most recent one on May 14, 2025 in Brazil).<\/p>\n Looking at Toxicity<\/em> in its entirety, it released on Sept. 4, 2001 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200<\/em> album chart<\/a>. With standout singles such as \u201cAerials<\/a>,\u201d \u201cToxicity<\/a>\u201d and \u201cChop Suey!<\/a>\u201d it\u2019s no wonder why, and in addition to advancing the quartet\u2019s stylistic variety and musicianship, it saw them fleshing out their sociopolitical songwriting (amidst continuing their risqu\u00e9 humor).<\/p>\n Today, Toxicity<\/em> remains System of a Down\u2019s signature LP.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, System of a Down vowed to \u201cdrastically\u201d alter their setlists for various stadium concerts<\/a>, and so far, they absolutely have. Specifically, and as Loudwire<\/a> reported back in April, some recent shows found them barreling through extensive setlists that featured songs from virtually every studio record which hadn\u2019t played in over 10 years (such as \u201cArto<\/a>,\u201d \u201cMarmalade<\/a>,\u201d \u201cStreamline<\/a>,\u201d \u201cMind<\/a>\u201d and \u201cAttack<\/a>\u201d).<\/p>\n Around the same time, Odadjian set the record straight regarding what actually happened<\/a> between himself and ex-Mastodon<\/a> guitarist\/singer Brent Hinds<\/a> after the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. Per Loudwire, the night in question ended with \u201cHinds in the hospital with a broken nose, two black eyes and a brain hemorrhage,\u201d and initial reports (or at least rumors) stated that Odadjian was partially \u2013 or totally \u2013 responsible for the damage.<\/p>\n \u201cI never knocked out Brent Hinds,\u201d Odadjian clarified. \u201cThat\u2019s something that Brent was told by I-don\u2019t-know-who.\u201d On the contrary, Odadjian claimed, an inebriated and overly intense Hinds threw a punch of Odadjian\u2019s friend \u2013 rapper Reverend William Burk \u2013 after which Burk landed a \u201cself-defense\u201d punch that resulted in Hinds falling to the ground and being \u201cknocked out.\u201d<\/p>\n In the years since the incident, Hinds and other members of Mastodon similarly agreed that Odadjian wasn’t responsible for Hinds’ injuries.<\/p>\n Here are the all-time best rock and metal albums released for each day in May.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat Odadjian Said<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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More About \u201cBounce\u201d + Toxicity<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
System of a Down in 2025<\/h3>\n
Every Big Rock + Metal Album Released Each Day in May History<\/h2>\n