- "System of a Down would like to dedicate this song to the memory of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide, perpetrated by the Turkish Government in 1915."
- ―A note from the self-titled album's booklet
"P.L.U.C.K." (Politically Lying, Unholy, Cowardly Killers) is the thirteenth and final track in the original 1998 eponymous first album by System of a Down. The music was composed by guitarist Daron Malakian and the lyrics were written by lead vocalist Serj Tankian. It originally appeared on their Demo Tape 1 cassette, with slightly different lyrics and a much heavier sound.
Meaning[]
All of the members of System of a Down are of Armenian descent. This song is dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide; especially targeting the modern Turkish government and its continuous denial of the event when most other countries of the world believe it as fact. Many System of a Down songs, e.g., "Holy Mountains", are, or are believed to be, directly referencing the Armenian Genocide. The band itself has fought for the official U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide[1]. On April 24, 2021, the US recognized the Armenian genocide per a statement by Joe Biden.
Lyrics:[]
[Intro: Serj Tankian]
Elimination
Elimination
Elimination
Die!
Why?
Walk down! (Walk down!)
[Verse 1: Serj Tankian & Daron Malakian]
A whole race, genocide
Taken away, all of our pride
A whole race, genocide
Taken away, watch them all fall down!
[Chorus: Serj Tankian]
Revolution, the only solution
The armed response of an entire nation
Revolution, the only solution
We've taken all their shit, now it's time for restitution
[Verse 2: Serj Tankian & Daron Malakian]
Recognition, restoration, reparation
Recognition, restoration, reparation, watch them all fall down!
[Chorus: Serj Tankian]
Revolution, the only solution
The armed response of an entire nation
Revolution, the only solution
We've taken all their shit, now it's time for restitution
[Post-Chorus: Serj Tankian & Daron Malakian]
The plan was mastered and called genocide
(Never want to see you 'round)
You took all the children and they died
(Never want to see you 'round)
The few that remained were never found
(Never want to see you 'round)
All in a system
[Breakdown: Serj Tankian & Daron Malakian]
Down! Down! Down!
Walk down! Walk down! Walk down!
Watch them all fall down!
[Chorus: Serj Tankian]
Revolution, the only solution
The armed response of an entire nation
Revolution, the only solution
We've taken all their shit, now it's time for restitution!
[Post-Chorus: Serj Tankian & Daron Malakian]
The plan was mastered and called genocide
(Never want to see you 'round)
You took all the children and they died
(Never want to see you 'round)
The few that remained were never found
(Never want to see you 'round)
All in a system, down
Aftermath:[]
During the years 2000, 2004, 2005, and 2015, System had performed at a Souls Benefit and/or did a tour to honor the Armenian genocide, all having the song P.L.U.C.K usually being either the first or last on the setlist. In 2015, 100 years since the Armenian genocide, the band decided to start a tour called "Wake Up The Souls" to honor the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. In 2021, Joe Biden was the first US president to recognize the Armenian genocide, causing a rift in relations with Turkey. As of 2022, 31 out of 196 countries, or 15% of all countries, have recognized the Armenian genocide. These include France, the aforementioned United States, Brazil, Canada, Germany, and Russia.