Prison Song (song)

song infobox
Name = Prison Song
Artist = System of a Down
Album = Toxicity
Released = September 4, 2001
Format = CD, Airplay
Recorded = February - March 2001
Cello Studios
Hollywood, California
Genre = Alternative metal, Nu metal
Length = 3:21
Label = American
Writer = Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian
Producer = Rick Rubin, Daron Malakian, Serj Tankian


Caption = Cover of the demo version promo single of Prison Song.
next = "Needles"
track_no = 1
next_no = 2 "Prison Song" is the opening track to System of a Down's 2001 album "Toxicity". The song was released as an unofficial airplay-only single, and a promotional live video of the song was released.

Written by Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian, the lyrics are about the United States prison system, the world's largest. The song expresses the belief that the government is partially responsible for the spread of the use of illegal drugs and thus somewhat responsible for the fact that more than half of the inmates in American federal prisons are there for drug-related charges [http://www.drugwarfacts.org/prison.htm] . Though the song is mostly sung by lead vocalist, Tankian, a few lines preceding the chorus are sung by Malakian, who mocks, "I buy my crack, my smack, my bitch, right here in Hollywood", a reference to the fact that celebrities easily get away with crimes that poorer people are punished for. The "...right here in Hollywood" verse has been changed in concerts depending where it is performed, such as Vancouver, L.A., Chicago. Some lines that stand out are: "All research and successful drug policies show that treatment should be increased/ And law enforcement decreased/ while abolishing mandatory minimum sentences," "Utilizing drugs to pay for secret wars around the world/ Drugs are now your global policy now you police the globe... drug money is used to rig elections/ And train brutal corporate sponsored dictators/ Around the world" "Minor drug offenders fill your prisons/You don't even flinch..."

There was a CD with the demo version of the song released by System of a Down called "Beno's Copy".

The song was featured in the , Underskin Promo, Kerrang! Life Is Loud - Noise Annoys Vol. 1, Oorgasm Vol. 6 and Metal Hammer 2001 compilations.

References