Systematic

Album: High Noon (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The closing track on High Noon was one of the last songs written for the record and ended where the first song, "Fake Money," began. It discusses smart people in power who can make their ideas fit whatever situation that suits them best. The tune explains the need to call those people out when it causes inequality.
  • The song started out as a '70s groove reminiscent of the Rolling Stones song, "Miss You." Arkells frontman, Max Kerman, asked their keyboardist, Anthony Carone, to write a strings arrangement for the tune. Carone came up with something that sounded a lot like "Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai, so "Systematic" ended up being a melding of the '90s soul-pop and the '70s sound of The Rolling Stones.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Harold Brown of War

Harold Brown of WarSongwriter Interviews

A founding member of the band War, Harold gives a first-person account of one of the most important periods in music history.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Actors With Hit Songs

Actors With Hit SongsMusic Quiz

Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.