Spiders (System of a Down song)

"Spiders"
Single by System of a Down
from the album System of a Down
Released February 1999
Format CD
Recorded November 1997 - March 1998
Sound City
Van Nuys, CA
Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research
Hollywood, CA
Genre Heavy metal
Length 3:35
Label American
Writer(s) Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian
Producer Rick Rubin, System of a Down
System of a Down singles chronology
"Sugar"
(1998)
"Spiders"
(1999)
"Chop Suey!"
(2001)
Music video
"Spiders" on YouTube

"Spiders" is a song by System of a Down from their first album, also named System of a Down. The song was featured on the Scream 3 soundtrack.

Contents

Music

"Spiders", like many of System of a Down's songs, is written in the key of C minor. The song relies heavily on the Cm, Bb, and Eb chords, as well as Fm, Gm, Ab, B, and Db. "Spiders" uses 4/4 time at a slow tempo, and employs drum-rolls and syncopation in the verses. The music can be described as haunting, ominous, dark, frightening, and depressing with its dark melody and echoing vocal overdubs. Serj Tankian's vocals, while low and melodic in the verses, become more energetic and dissonant in the refrains. The song's minor-key intro serves as a musical motif for the rest of the song; it repeats throughout the song in its normal and raised third forms. After the second refrain, Daron Malakian delivers a solo bridge that creates harmonic tension with its B and Db (non-key) chords. The song ends with a soft vocal version of the intro motif.

Music video

A music video was shot in 1999 and was directed by Charlie Deaux. Recently, a second version of the video has surfaced on video sharing websites such as YouTube, featuring a more coherent timeline and more footage of the band compared to the other actors.

Actress Joline Towers appears in the video clip.

Track listing

No. Title Lyrics Music Length
1. "Spiders"   Tankian Malakian 3:35

External links