System of a Down cover art

  Studio Album · No. 1

System of a Down Songwriting Credits by System of a Down

1998 American Recordings 13 tracks 40 min

Produced by Rick Rubin, System of a Down  ·  Engineered by Sylvia Massy, Greg Fidelman, Nick Raskulinecz, D. Sardy

American Recordings Nu MetalAlternative Metal
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 13 of 13 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 13 / 13 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether System of a Down carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
13 trackswritten by System of a Down 0 tracksoutside writers
System of a Down's roles on this album

Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

13
Tracks
2
Lyricists
2
Producers
1998
Released
Data Insight

Rick Rubin produced the debut with the band co-producing, beginning a partnership that ran across every System of a Down studio album. Daron Malakian composed most of the music while Serj Tankian wrote nearly all the lyrics, the lone shared exception being 'CUBErt.' The arrangement of duties was already firm here: Malakian as principal music composer (sharing music credit with Shavo Odadjian on 'Sugar'), Tankian as lyricist and lead vocalist. The record set the template of compressed, lurching alt/nu-metal that later albums would expand.

Track Listing & Credits 13 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Suite-Pee
Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
2
Know
Serj Tankian Shavo OdadjianDaron MalakianSerj Tankian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
3
Sugar #31
Serj Tankian Shavo OdadjianDaron Malakian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
4
Suggestions
Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
5
Spiders #25
Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
6
DDevil
Serj Tankian Shavo OdadjianDaron Malakian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
7
Soil
Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
8
War?
Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
9
Mind
Serj Tankian Shavo OdadjianDaron MalakianSerj Tankian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
10
Peephole
Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
11
CUBErt
Serj TankianDaron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
12
Darts
Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
13
P.L.U.C.K.
Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinSystem of a Down Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 5 contributors

DM
Daron Malakian
Writer · Vocals
On this album13 written
ST
Serj Tankian
Writer · Vocals
On this album13 written
SO
Shavo Odadjian
Writer
On this album4 written
RR
Rick Rubin
Producer
On this album13 produced
SO
System of a Down
Producer
On this album13 produced

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Frequently Asked Questions System of a Down

Who produced the debut System of a Down album?
Rick Rubin produced the 1998 self-titled debut, with the band co-producing. It began a long collaboration that would continue across all of System of a Down's studio albums, with Daron Malakian later joining Rubin as co-producer from Toxicity onward.
Who wrote the songs on System of a Down's debut?
Daron Malakian composed most of the music, while Serj Tankian wrote nearly all of the lyrics. The lone exception on lyrics was 'CUBErt,' which Tankian co-wrote with Malakian. On 'Sugar,' the music is credited to Malakian and bassist Shavo Odadjian.
Was the debut album a commercial success?
The album was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA in the United States, representing two million units. It also reached Platinum in the United Kingdom and Brazil and Gold in Canada, a strong showing for a heavy debut that produced no Billboard Hot 100 single.
What was System of a Down's first single?
'Sugar' was the band's debut single, released in May 1998. It reached number 31 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart and number 28 on Mainstream Rock, and its music video saw heavy MTV rotation.
What is the song Spiders about and where did it appear?
'Spiders,' with music by Daron Malakian and lyrics by Serj Tankian, was the album's second single, peaking at number 25 on Mainstream Rock. It later appeared on the Scream 3 soundtrack and was added as downloadable content to the video game Rock Band 4.
What does the album cover come from?
The cover art is adapted from a 1928 anti-fascist photomontage poster by German artist John Heartfield. The imagery fits the album's politically charged material, including 'P.L.U.C.K.,' which addresses the Armenian genocide tied to the band members' heritage.
Did the debut album win any awards?
No. The 1998 self-titled debut received no Grammy nominations or major awards. The band's first Grammy recognition came later with 'Chop Suey!' from Toxicity, nominated for Best Metal Performance in 2002.

Sources

Wikipedia: System of a Down (album) Wikipedia: Sugar (System of a Down song) Wikipedia: Spiders (System of a Down song) MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: System of a Down by System of a Down