The iconic frontman of System of a Down, Serj Tankian, is widely recognized for crafting lyrics that delve into deeply personal themes and political commentary, often leaving listeners in a state of contemplation. Recently, in an engaging interview with Metal Hammer, bassist and backing vocalist Shavo Odadjian shared insights about which particular System of a Down track features the most bewildering lyrics, prompting fans to reflect on the complexity of the band’s lyricism.

Shavo Odadjian Shares His Insights on Confounding Lyrics

In a recent edition of Metal Hammer, Odadjian was posed a question by devoted System of a Down fan Ariel Colton, inquiring whether any of Tankian’s lyrics ever left him exclaiming, “WTF?” Without hesitation, he pinpointed the song “Bounce” from the band’s groundbreaking 2001 album, Toxicity, as his top choice.

Reflecting on the creative process, Odadjian remarked:

I composed the music for that track while Serj penned the vocals, initially titling it “PJs”. Instead of the energetic “Jump! Pogo pogo pogo pogo…!”, it was more like, “Da! Pisha pisha pisha pisha…!” I was left thinking, “What the heck are you saying, bro?!” In fact, every album has moments where I find myself saying, “What the heck is he talking about?!” Ha ha ha! Yet, that’s what makes Serj so captivating. He presents challenges in his lyrics, but there’s always a deeper meaning waiting for listeners to explore.

The seventh track on Toxicity, the provocatively intense “Bounce,” explores themes of group sex. To Odadjian’s observation, the song’s playful references to pogo sticks (“Unannounced 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”) certainly raise eyebrows and spark curiosity among listeners.

Additionally, Metal Hammer highlighted that years ago, Tankian shared his unique approach to crafting lyrics on his Patreon page, providing insight into his creative mindset.

“I typically begin with the music, seeking out inspirations,” Tankian explained (as noted by Metal Hammer). “What does this music communicate to me? Is it about a bird? The Earth? Romantic love? Political themes?… Once I discern that, I establish my theme. That theme is crucial as it provides clarity and direction.”

READ MORE: A Massive Nu-Metal Album Mysteriously Disappears from Spotify, Leaving Fans Devastated

Deep Dive into the Themes of “Bounce” and the Impact of Toxicity

Considering the song’s adult themes, it is quite surprising that “Bounce” was actually featured in a trailer for the animated children’s film The Secret Life of Pets released in 2015. According to setlist.fm, it stands as System of a Down’s twelfth most performed song live, with a total of 275 performances, the latest being on May 14, 2025, in Brazil.

When analyzing Toxicity as a whole, it was released on September 4, 2001, and made an impressive debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. With hit singles like “Aerials,” “Toxicity,” and “Chop Suey!,” the album not only showcased the band’s diverse musical style and exceptional musicianship but also marked a significant evolution in their sociopolitical songwriting, all while maintaining their trademark edgy humor.

Today, Toxicity remains a defining album for System of a Down, solidifying their legacy in the rock and metal scene.

Anticipating System of a Down’s Evolution in 2025

Earlier this year, System of a Down announced their intention to significantly revamp their concert setlists for various stadium tours, and they are following through on that promise. As reported by Loudwire in April, some recent performances featured extensive setlists that included tracks from nearly every studio album, many of which hadn’t been played in over a decade, such as “Arto,” “Marmalade,” “Streamline,” “Mind,” and “Attack.”

In conjunction with these changes, Odadjian clarified the circumstances surrounding his interaction with former Mastodon guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds during the infamous 2007 MTV Video Music Awards. According to Loudwire, that night concluded with “Hinds in the hospital with a broken nose, two black eyes, and a brain hemorrhage,” leading to initial rumors suggesting that Odadjian was either partially or entirely to blame for the injuries.

“I did not knock out Brent Hinds,” Odadjian insisted. “That’s something Brent was told by someone, but I don’t know who.” Instead, Odadjian recounted that an intoxicated and overly aggressive Hinds struck his friend, rapper Reverend William Burk, which led to Burk delivering a “self-defense” punch that caused Hinds to fall and become “knocked out.”

In the years following the incident, Hinds and other members of Mastodon have publicly acknowledged that Odadjian was not responsible for Hinds’ injuries, further clarifying the situation.