The video “SYSTEM OF A DOWN 'Old School Hollywood' | Song Meanings Explained” by MANBEARCOWTV delves into the inspiration and themes behind the song "Old School Hollywood" from System of a Down's 2005 album Mezmerize.
🎬 Inspiration Behind the Song
Guitarist Daron Malakian wrote "Old School Hollywood" after participating in the 45th Annual Hollywood Stars Baseball Game at Dodger Stadium in August 2003. Initially excited to play baseball at a major league stadium, Malakian found the experience disillusioning. He described feeling uncomfortable among the other celebrities, who were more focused on their status than the game itself. Malakian noted, “I just wanted to get a shot at hitting the ball... but everyone else there were wearing cups and they were all in uniform and there was a coach on the team. I was really uncomfortable that day” soadvillage.proboards.com
🎶 Themes and Lyrics
The song critiques the superficiality and pretentiousness of Hollywood's celebrity culture. It mentions figures like Tony Danza and Frankie Avalon, highlighting the contrast between their past fame and present obscurity. The lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment with the industry's obsession with status and appearance, as well as a yearning for authenticity
🎶 Celebrities Mentioned
- Tony Danza (cuts in line), popular 80's sitcom actor from Who's The Boss.
- Frankie Avalon, singer and actor, supporting role in the movie Grease.
- Jack Gilardi (is 10 feet tall), casting director and actor, actual height was 6 feet.
🎧 Musical Style
"Old School Hollywood" features a blend of electronic elements and heavy riffs, showcasing System of a Down's signature style. The song's structure includes a vocoder intro and dynamic shifts, reflecting the band's ability to merge various musical influences
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