Aerials (song)

"Aerials" is the second single off of American rock band System of a Down's second studio album Toxicity. The song was released on June 11, 2002.

The song was able to make it to #1 on the Alternative Airplay, #1 on the Mainstream Rock, and #55 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.[1][2][3] The song was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) was also certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[4][5] The song was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 45th Grammy Awards but lost to Foo Fighters' "All My Life".[6] Loudwire ranked the song #14 on their list of the 10 Best System of a Down Songs.[7] Kerrang! Ranked the song #3 on their list of The 20 greatest System Of A Down songs.[8]

The song is about how a person can end up changing, losing their individuality and conforming to be like everybody else. During an interview with MTV, drummer John Dolmayan said: "It's a gentle song, but at the same time, it has a lot of angst coming out. It was one of those things where it was just instant. We all felt it. It came together real fast, like it was meant to be put together that day."[9]

A music video for the song was released. It was directed by David Slade and Shavo Odadjian. The video begins on a empty, dusty planet. Inside a tent is a family with a deformed young boy. In th next scene, the boy seems to be a celebrity with his face on billboards and hanging out with women and lowriders. He talks to the paparazzi and goes to a photo shoot.[10]