Empty Walls

Serj Tankian

About Empty Walls

"Empty Walls" is a song by musician Serj Tankian. It is Tankian's debut solo single and the opening track off of his first solo album, Elect the Dead. The song has been described as a "traditionally pummeling rocker"."Empty Walls" was released on September 10, 2007 as a digital download and September 25 as a CD single. It can also be found on a 2 track Reprise promo issue dated September 4, 2007 as well as in edited form on promotional copies that have been sent out to radio stations. An acoustic version of the song also appears on the limited edition of Elect the Dead. The "Victorious Club Mix", as featured on the single, was produced by DJ LethalRush. The music video for the single was released onto Serj Tankian's official YouTube link on October 26, 2009. The video, which shows activity in a children's playroom that echoes the events of the September 11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent war in Iraq, contains an amended version of the last verse where it repeats "empty walls" instead of "fucking walls" and "goddamn walls". 


Year:
2009
3:49
110 
#1

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Your empty walls
Your empty walls
Pretentious attention
Dismissive apprehension
Don't waste your time, on coffins today
When we decline, from the confines of our mind
Don't waste your time, on coffins today

Don't you see their bodies burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying of anticipation
Choking from intoxication

Don't you see their bodies burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying of anticipation
Choking from intoxication

I want you
To be
Left behind those empty walls
Don't
You see
From behind those empty walls

Those empty walls
When we decline, from the confines of our mind
Don't waste your time, on coffins today

Don't you see their bodies burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying of anticipation
Choking from intoxication

Don't you see their bodies burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying of anticipation
Choking from intoxication

I want you
To be
Left behind those empty walls

Don't
You see
From behind those empty walls
Want you to be
Left behind those empty walls
Don't
You see
From behind those empty walls
From behind those empty walls
From behind those empty walls
The walls
From behind those empty walls

I left you
yesterday before
you killed my family

Don't you see their bodies burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying of anticipation
Choking from intoxication

Don't you see their bodies burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying of anticipation
Choking from intoxication

I want you
To be
Left behind those empty walls
Told you
To see
From behind those empty walls
Want you to be, left behind those empty walls
Told you
To see
From behind those empty walls
From behind those empty walls
From behind those fucking walls
From behind those goddamn walls
Those walls
Those walls

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Serj Tankian

Serj Tankian (Armenian: Սերժ Թանգեան [ˈsɛɾʒ tʰɑnˈkʰjɑn]; born August 21, 1967) is an Armenian-American singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, poet, and political activist. He is best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, keyboardist, and occasional live rhythm guitarist of the rock band System of a Down. During his musical career, Tankian has released five albums with System of a Down, one with Arto Tunçboyacıyan (Serart), as well as three solo albums Elect the Dead, Imperfect Harmonies and Harakiri. A live orchestral version of Elect the Dead incorporating the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra named Elect the Dead Symphony was released. In 2002, Tankian and Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello co-founded a n… more »

2 fans

Written by: Serj Tankian

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Empty Walls" is a song by Serj Tankian, the lead singer of the popular heavy metal band, System of a Down.
Album Debut
The song was the debut single released from his first solo album, "Elect the Dead" in 2007.
Chart Performance
"Empty Walls" reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Music Genre
This song is generally considered as alternative rock and experimental rock, showcasing Tankian’s versatility as a musician.
Music Video
The music video for "Empty Walls" is deeply symbolic and reflects the bitter realities of war. It portrays children reenacting war scenarios in a daycare setting.
Political Statement
Tankian is known for his politically charged lyrics. "Empty Walls" is interpreted by many to be an anti-war statement, addressing the trauma of war.
Director Involvement
The music video for "Empty Walls" was directed by Tony Petrossian, a well known name in rock and heavy metal music videos.
Live Performances
Tankian often plays "Empty Walls" at his concerts, and the song has also featured in major music festivals around the world.
Acoustic Version
In 2009, an alternate version of "Empty Walls" was presented in the form of an orchestrial performance during his "Elect the Dead Symphony" concert in New Zealand.
Lyrics Interpretation
The song's lyrics – "Empty walls, pretentious adventures" – are thought to be allusions to the empty promises and false justifications often provided by nations for engaging in war.
Critical Acclaim
The song and its music video have been generally well received by critics, with praise often given to Tankian's distinct vocals and the track's powerful political message.
Celebrity Endorsement
The well-known drummer, Thomas Lang, endorsed "Empty Walls" during an interview and praised Tankian’s sensitivity and musical complexity.

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    Empty Walls

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2007

    Billboard #97


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