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"Sugar"
Single by System of a Down
from the album System of a Down
Released	September 27, 1998 and May 24, 1999
Format	CD, Airplay, 7"
Recorded	November 1997 - March 1998 Sound City Van Nuys, CA Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research Hollywood, CA
Genre	Alternative metal
Length	2:34
Label	American
Writer(s)	Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian
Producer	Rick Rubin, System of a Down
System of a Down singles chronology
"Sugar" (1998) "Spiders" (1999)
Single The Japanese edition cover of "Sugar".

"Sugar" is a song by the American alternative metal band System of a Down. It was released as a single and EP in 1998 and was taken from their self-titled debut album. The track's intense sound and edgy lyrics typify the group's style.

"Sugar" is one of System of a Down's first songs, having initially appeared on their first official demo tape. This song has been played at most System of a Down concerts.

Also on the album version, it is very similar to its predecessor "Know" in music, time signature, and loosely related lyrics.

The song is featured in the game Madden 10

Contents 1 Music video 2 Track listing 2.1 Sugar (Single) 2.2 Sugar (7" Single) 2.3 Sugar (7" Promo Single) 2.4 Sugar (EP.) 3 External links

[edit] Music video

The music video for Sugar shows the band playing on a stage, with an American flag (which, throughout the song, burns away), intercut with images of public violence, hangings, armies, nuclear footage of the Upshot-Knothole Grable and footage from the German film Metropolis.

The video begins with a reenactment from the movie Network of a newsreporter saying:

"Good evening, I'm Eric Olas. NATO forces bomb Serbia and Kosovo. An unidentified man is being held for questioning by the FBI for suspected links to last month's biological virus deaths. In local news, a dog named Hero takes the grand prize at the annual- I wish I could tell you more pertinent news, but we're in a rating system here, and the key factor is 'sensationalism'. They've got you running in circles, 9 to 5, *static, then TV image resets* and 5 to 9... you're mine! I tell you what they want you to know, and you consider it the truth. Nobody is opening their eyes! Our global economy is depleting the world of our lives and natural resources! AND ARE YOU HAPPY?! COME ON! I WORK FOR THE SYSTEM!"

It then cuts to the band. The band are dressed oddly. Tankian and Malakian are seen with their faces painted throughout the entire video, drummer John Dolmayan is seen, though very briefly, wearing a gas mask, and bassist Odadjian is seen with a red braided beard and face paint also.

Also, when you hear the newsreporter say, "I'm Eric Olas," it sounds like he is saying "America Lost", which is believed to be a possible message in the song.

It is also noticed that a television screen is shown flickering with the words 'Aspartame Kills!', possibly referring to the song's name.

Due to the controversial nature of the video, it received little airplay. Channels such as Kerrang!TV were restricted to showing the video after the 10pm watershed.

[edit] Track listing

All live tracks featured on this release were recorded on January 19, 1999 at Irving Plaza in New York City, NY.

[edit] Sugar (Single)

All lyrics written by Serj Tankian. 

[edit] Sugar (7" Single)

All lyrics written by Serj Tankian. 

[edit] Sugar (7" Promo Single)

All lyrics written by Serj Tankian. 

[edit] Sugar (EP.)

All lyrics written by Serj Tankian. 

[edit] External links

v • d • e System of a Down Serj Tankian • Shavo Odadjian • Daron Malakian • John Dolmayan Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian Studio albums System of a Down • Toxicity • Steal This Album! • Mezmerize • Hypnotize Singles "Sugar" • "Spiders" • "Chop Suey!" • "Toxicity" • "Aerials" • "Innervision" • "B.Y.O.B." • "Question!" • "Hypnotize" • "Lonely Day"  • "Kill Rock 'n Roll" Other songs "Boom!" • "Chic 'n' Stu" • "I-E-A-I-A-I-O" • "P.L.U.C.K." • "Prison Song" • "War?" Related artists Achozen • Buckethead & Friends • The F.C.C. • Mt. Helium • Scars on Broadway • VoKee Related articles Discography • American Recordings • Axis of Justice • Columbia Records • Cool Gardens • Elect the Dead • Rick Rubin • Screamers • Serart • Serjical Strike Records • Velvet Hammer Music and Management Group Categories System of a Down • Members • Albums • Songs