overthinkingtwentyonepilots

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

Also I think it's really funny we have been interpreting the Vultures as a call back to "flightless birds" since trench when.... No? Vultures fly. We're just associating bird with bird lol

I'm guilty of that. But yeah, "island of flightless birds" is metaphorical. "All WE ARE is a isle of flightless bird, we find our worth on giving birth and stuff".

Flying for Tyler has always been metaphor for liberty, self expression and being free from pain. Each of us being our own isle of flightless bird mean we all have potential that gets wasted.

Finding our worth on giving birth, when giving birth is to a modern human society more of a tradition and means of control than a means to survival is one of the things that traps us on our isles.

Like, Tyler is talking about entire different things through metaphor in this song, it's not to be taken literally.

It wasn't written to be part of dema, but of course it resonates with the dema storyline because the dema storyline is just a way Tyler found to make sense of things he's been saying since self titled. And also it's the same author.

I think I just find it silly for us to be always forcing self titled into dema, But when Tyler does things like this, how can we not, right? With these songs being played live after a decade specifically in this era, he is retconing it into the story.

And well, he's the author. And very much implying it's canon. So it is.

I gotta say I'm pissed that he's making Isle of Flightless Birds canon to the Dema storyline. I don't know why but I'm pissed.

For what we sall of the video so far, it's more of a literal representation of the lyrics. Unless I wws mistaken, there are some vultures plummeting near the tower, aren't there?

Like, IOFB is not a narrative. It's not literal, it's poetry about suicidal ideation. The video, tho...

The video is taking the song as descriptions of literal scenes. Which is okay!! Love me some call backs!

But unnecessary I think. However let's wait for the whole thing later today.

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

I gotta say I'm pissed that he's making Isle of Flightless Birds canon to the Dema storyline. I don't know why but I'm pissed.

For what we sall of the video so far, it's more of a literal representation of the lyrics. Unless I wws mistaken, there are some vultures plummeting near the tower, aren't there?

Like, IOFB is not a narrative. It's not literal, it's poetry about suicidal ideation. The video, tho...

The video is taking the song as descriptions of literal scenes. Which is okay!! Love me some call backs!

But unnecessary I think. However let's wait for the whole thing later today.

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

This.

Think we need to stop acting like Tyler is a genius of planing and everything. They do cool stuff and sometimes they do cool stuff AFTER they see the Clique overthinking every detail.

However, yeah, I did expect AT LEAST a puzzle for this album, you know? You can't ARG us for two entire eras for it to end on just a lore dump.

the general consensus on clikkietwt seems to be that the digital remains "puzzle" wasn't actually meant to be a puzzle but the band saw us stressing ourselves tf out over them so decided to make it into a neat puzzle for us to "solve" and i think that if that's really the case it's somewhat sweet and endearing :')

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Josh’s portrayal of the Torchbearer? From the very beginning he’s been there, right beside Tyler/Clancy. He’s seen all the pain, all the fear, and all the trauma and through it all he has been a steady, guiding light. He’s supported his friend unconditionally, never once even needing to say a word. And then… THEN he’s forced to watch this friend, this person he loves, this person he’s carried at times when he was too weak to walk, this person he pulled out of hell on countless occasions, go and face down his demons alone because he can’t go with him this time. And THAT LOOK on Joshua William Dun’s face says EVERYTHING. Because mental illness or addiction or fear or whatever is not a solo venture. It affects everyone that person loves. And it’s hard when you’re someone’s rock and you have to let them slip into the water and hope the current doesn’t carry them away.

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

how dare Tyler put Air Catcher, Trapdoor, and A Car A Torch A Death right after each other I don't have time to piece my heart back together

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

Also The Craving is 100% about Jenna what the fuck are you talking about

btw SAI was a wonderful, joyous, colorful and fun era and you're all stupid and mean for hating on her like that. SAI didnt do anything wrong, just admit you're full of nothing but hate and edginess. SAI brought us REDECORATE. SAI brought us SO much fun content, amazing tour pics, the backing band, pink haired tyler, the livestream, awesome merch and so so so much more. it's like so weird how so many people hate SAI.. it ties into the storyline, it sounds good as fuck, and sure its different from what they usually do but no artist, regardless of their medium, should feel like they need to stick to one thing all the time. yes, we're used to the usual sad tunes, but isnt it so refreshing to listen to the same man who wrote 'drown' and 'falling too' sing about some happy shit? like. he just wanted to be whimsical and full of joy.. it's not really that deep?? like hating on a FULL album and era is insane to me. could not be me!! SAI haters need to stand in the corner n think about what they did bc nobody's gonna disrespect my baby like that. shes just full of wonder and love, leave her alone.

and the fact that the craving (single) is ... let's be real here .. definitely about SAI era.. like the delivery is just astounding to me. they made it VERY clear that they put so much work and effort into making SAI happen, and they got soooo much backlash about it. causing them to think it was a "miss". it's just so unfortunate to me. I'm not super far up tyler and joshs asses, but damn, I'd feel that way too if most of my fanbase didnt like something I put a lot of effort into for them. thatd hurt me to my core.

moral of the story, ur all dumb and I hate u

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

Redecorate, the famously happy and fun and not edgy at all song.

Shut up, kid.

You're allowed to like SAI and we're allowed to recognize that an album that was supposed to be bad, bland and propagandistic is bad, bland and propagandistic.

"it ties into the story" yes, and? You kids are focusing WAY too much on "story" as if it means "narrative", and spend your days trying to take the most sentimental and complex lyrics and shoehorn them as literal narrative pieces.

Trench is a representation of Tyler mental state and how he deals with his struggles and you turn it into some fanfic bullshit.

The problem with SAI is not the story, the lore, whatever. The problem with SAI is that it's bland. It's not "different", TØP never had a defined style. The problem is that SAI is pop garbage, made to be pop garbage, and so it is. There are some good moments in some songs but the only good song on it is redecorate, the only one with actual soul and something to say.

You're free to like it

But don't come spewing this shit on the fans that have enough critical thinking to accept that yeah, this album was a bad, and that's okay

btw SAI was a wonderful, joyous, colorful and fun era and you're all stupid and mean for hating on her like that. SAI didnt do anything wrong, just admit you're full of nothing but hate and edginess. SAI brought us REDECORATE. SAI brought us SO much fun content, amazing tour pics, the backing band, pink haired tyler, the livestream, awesome merch and so so so much more. it's like so weird how so many people hate SAI.. it ties into the storyline, it sounds good as fuck, and sure its different from what they usually do but no artist, regardless of their medium, should feel like they need to stick to one thing all the time. yes, we're used to the usual sad tunes, but isnt it so refreshing to listen to the same man who wrote 'drown' and 'falling too' sing about some happy shit? like. he just wanted to be whimsical and full of joy.. it's not really that deep?? like hating on a FULL album and era is insane to me. could not be me!! SAI haters need to stand in the corner n think about what they did bc nobody's gonna disrespect my baby like that. shes just full of wonder and love, leave her alone.

and the fact that the craving (single) is ... let's be real here .. definitely about SAI era.. like the delivery is just astounding to me. they made it VERY clear that they put so much work and effort into making SAI happen, and they got soooo much backlash about it. causing them to think it was a "miss". it's just so unfortunate to me. I'm not super far up tyler and joshs asses, but damn, I'd feel that way too if most of my fanbase didnt like something I put a lot of effort into for them. thatd hurt me to my core.

moral of the story, ur all dumb and I hate u

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

Fall Away

Twenty One Pilots - Self titled (2008)

Image taken from Pinterest here: https://pin.it/3VJWhn7sJ

This song, the second of the album and their second ever, is the first in a couple of pleads to not lose the battle against yourself - and to be helped in said battle.

"I don't wanna fall, fall away

I don't wanna fall, fall away

I'll keep the lights on in this place

'Cause I don't wanna fall, fall away

La, da, da, da, da

(I don't wanna fall, fall away)

La, da, da, da, da

(I don't, I don't wanna fall away)

La, da, da, da, da

(I'll keep the lights on in this place)

('Cause I don't wanna fall, fall away)"

The themes of literal lights and literal darkness, sleep and bedrooms are recurring whenever Tyler describes the physicality of the mental struggle. To keep the lights of a room on is to be aware, to be protected, to be able to fight the inner demons that hide in the dark. To be awake is to conscious, and being conscious is to have the ability to rationalize and control, to the best of your abilities, you trauma, your fears, your addictions and you bad behaviour.

Completely losing that control is to fall away, to sink in the trappings of your mind. As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety and social phobia, I understand this better than I can put into words. Loosing control of your thoughts quickly leads to overthinking, and overthinking specifically the details of your traumas, your bad behaviours, your failures. Weeks of therapy can melt away with one simples thought that refuses to leave your mind.

And you're the most vulnerable when you're falling asleep and in your dreams

"I disguise

And I will lie

And I will take my precious time

As the days melt away

As I stand in line

And I die as I wait, as I wait on my crime

And I'll try to delay what you make of my life

But I don't want your way, I want mine

I'm dying and trying

But believe me, I'm fine

But I'm lying, I'm so very far from fine"

At first, the two first verses of this section are relatable on itself. Isn't it amazing how Tyler can express so much of our mental struggles with just one line? How many of us disguise a whole array of different struggles? Be it depression, anxiety, autism, a phobia, addiction or trauma, disguising it and lying about it to everyone around us is the universal survival response mechanism. But these are just a part of a whole that Tyler is telling us.

In full, Tyler is rebelling against the mandates of some figure of authority in his life. Be it his parents, be it a teacher, be it his friends, be it the bishops and Nico, the who doesn't really matter here, what's matter is that Tyler knows exactly what he wants for himself, even if it's best described as NOT what THEY want for him.

But outright rebellion doesn't seem feasible yet, so a quiet complacency is chosen. So Tyler takes his time in fulfilling whatever it is this figure wants from him, and he lies about his discontent.

And isn't this ANOTHER universal experience for teenagers and young adults? From his specific experience, that he never actually reveals in his songs, Tyler manages to touch all of ours. And he does it in a way that is universal, but not generic, because it comes from a true place, not a attempt at a catch-all.

"And I, I can feel the pull begin

Feel my conscience wearing thin

And my skin, it will start

To break up and fall apart"

Living a lie is never easy. You can be successful in it, but it's never easy. It eats you away from the inside, and pressures you from outside, and sooner or later something is got to give. But the pressure to be your true self is always stronger. And in the case of those of us who struggle with mental health, the feeling is described precisely by these verses.

Think of your example. In my case, my mother was always supportive of me, so she wasn't the figure who had plans for me that I didn't want to follow. That was life itself, capitalism itself. I worked many jobs that made me feel exactly like this: pulled from all sides, mind wearing thin, my very flesh cracking open on an explosion of anxiety, fear and rage.

The next section is complex.

"Every time I feel selfish ambition

Is taking my vision

And my crime is my sentence

Repentance is taking commision

It's taking a toll on my soul

I'm screaming submission and

I don't know if I am dying or living"

Let's divide it here. What is Tyler talking about? Throughout Twenty One Pilots body of work, Tyler makes multiple references to crimes he supposedly committed. Well, Tyler was at this point a Christian bucket of anxiety and musical talent. I highly doubt Tyler has killed or assaulted someone (as some lyrics state), and this is simply a metaphor, analogy, a classic case of lyric self. The most common meaning for "crimes" in this case is that of hurting someone emotionally, maybe mentally, in a context that, for those looking outside-in, may even seem rather tame or unserious.

Here, the hint is that Tyler sees selfishness as a crime or sin, and maybe even his definition of selfishness is warped into something more grave than it actually is. The weight of it is for Tyler and anyone involved to decide - and it may all be fictional. Musicians are allowed to do that, you know. Make up situations and emotions.

Either way, be it a true experience of Tyler or just a way to relay the emotion to us, what he is saying is that he regrets a selfish behavior so much, that regret has become repentance, in a very christian way, and that this constant repentance, this overbearing guilt is taking such a tool on his soul, that it doesn't feel like living. It's a living death that keeps repeating itself.

Have you ever felt such a guilty? I have. I still feel a deep shame and guilty for emotionally hurting people from middle school, let alone the people in serious relationships I had as an teenager and young adult.

Feeling guilty, tho, doesn't do anything. I've been forgiven by the people I hurt in middle school but I'm still feeling like shit because of it. And it's all about getting addicted to feeling bad about and against yourself. The act of repenting itself is much like that: you're shaming yourself, you're whipping yourself and begging the lord for forgiveness over stuff that is small. Anything more serious and you're either getting excommunicated from the church or arrested. Repenting is for bad thoughts, crisis of faith, unchristian acts. So it's a useless self inflicted mental torture meant to keep you in line, keep you obedient to the church.

And in the case of feeling eternally guilty, it's meant to chain yourself to your own destructive behavior.

"'Cause I will save face for name's sake

Abuse grace, take aim to obtain a new name

And a newer place

But my name is lame

I can't walk and I ain't the same

And my name became

A new destiny to the grave"

I have to be honest here, I don't understand what this part is about entirely. At face value, it's about maintaining a reputation. It goes back around to the feeling of having to abide by a figure of authority's plan for you, cause there's no other choice. And you chose to follow that plan to maintain said reputation. And that, to find freedom, building a new reputation is necessary.

But that doesn't seem right, does it? It's not the full picture. And its at these moments that not having been raised in the faith makes me unable to relate to Tyler at this specific point - Christianity.

I'm not a christian. Neither was my mom, even if she did believe in God. I do believe in a higher power, but I don't follow Christianity. So I can only assume there's context here I just cannot comprehend, and that's okay.

What do you think of it?

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

Skeleton Clique, I love yall, but you're dumb as hell

It's honestly a bit infuriating to see how you freak yourselves out over the dumbest of conections while missing the most obvious details tyler throws at you.

No, the fucking forest fic is not fucking canon. Don't you think it's a bit disrespectful to drag around that thing, that the boys already shown disconfort over, and make a cool detail of the story all about it?

Tyler was very specific about the fact that the Torchbearer IS REAL, Josh IS REAL, he just have the ability to always be there. "Josh is always there to guide tyler" is THE core thing about every mention or nod to Josh in songs ever, and it's now worked into the canon of the lore of trench, and all you can do is ignore, not listen or missunderstand it so badly that you bring back a (stupid) fanfic that half of you already hate.

what the hell.

Stop seeking for literal narratives in the songs and focus on the fucking feelings being laid bare in front of you, please?

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

In Voldsoy the banditos eat rocks seasoned with sand and tears

I think the biggest mistake made by Tyler and encouraged by the Clique is to take the Trench storyline as a narrative.

Trench should have always stayed as actual lore* and vibes only. It started as a headspace, a fictional world where Tyler could make sense of his mind and reality, and it works best as that.

It got lost when it tried to be a linear narrative, with a defined timeline, explanations for everything and the need for a big climatic confrontation. We don't need to know what Clancy ate for breakfast, we need to know how Clancy feels about where he's at and where he wants to be.

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

In this sense, a lot of things get interpreted as literal, and weird or dumb connections are made, but emotional verses and songs are discarded from the "canon lore" because they don't relay narrative about trench.

A lot of bits from Self Titled could easily fit on the Trench Lore just because they absolutely match the vibes and ideas. They aren't part of it because it all started at blurryface, but they could, as it's all the same artist, the same ideas, the same struggles.

I think the biggest mistake made by Tyler and encouraged by the Clique is to take the Trench storyline as a narrative.

Trench should have always stayed as actual lore* and vibes only. It started as a headspace, a fictional world where Tyler could make sense of his mind and reality, and it works best as that.

It got lost when it tried to be a linear narrative, with a defined timeline, explanations for everything and the need for a big climatic confrontation. We don't need to know what Clancy ate for breakfast, we need to know how Clancy feels about where he's at and where he wants to be.

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

I think the biggest mistake made by Tyler and encouraged by the Clique is to take the Trench storyline as a narrative.

Trench should have always stayed as actual lore* and vibes only. It started as a headspace, a fictional world where Tyler could make sense of his mind and reality, and it works best as that.

It got lost when it tried to be a linear narrative, with a defined timeline, explanations for everything and the need for a big climatic confrontation. We don't need to know what Clancy ate for breakfast, we need to know how Clancy feels about where he's at and where he wants to be.

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

Implicit Demand For Proof

From the album Twenty One Pilots (2009)

Image by writeyourart on redbubble

The early days of twenty one pilots had a much more stronger presence of religious themes than most recent albums like Trench or Clancy. In fact, in this album it is concurrent with the themes of mental health struggles. I argue that, in fact, this struggle with his own faith was one of the things that most affected Tyler's mental health before and during this era.

That is because by the time of Trench, the crisis of faith is still going, but Tyler hasn't figured out yet what he even feel, let alone what he wants to say about it.

But this is the start of this conversation for Tyler. Let's begin?

"I know you're not a liar

And I know you could set fire

This day

Go ahead and make me look away

Strike me down

I am calling your lightening

Down from your dark hiding place

Go ahead and show me

Your face"

Immediately, Tyler begins his conversation with God in a bold, even if cliché move: blasphemy to provoke a demonstration of existence. Or, as the title say, an demand for proof. Nothing implicit about it, tho.

However, this demand is still full of respect. "I KNOW you're not a liar". Tyler demands proof, not as an atheistic challenge, but as a plead. "Please, show ME that you exist. You wouldn't lie about existing in the way I believe you do". More on this after the chorus.

"Rain down

And destroy me

Rain down

And destroy me

Rain down"

Challenging god to strike you down with lightning is a big cliche for atheist. There's a famous vine where some guy challenges Zeus to strike him down, saying he doesn't have the balls to, only to immediately get zapped. Here, however, it's a offering of sacrifice from Tyler. In his search for proof, Tyler would humbly accept having his life violently ended by the God he desperately defied. The calling for rain here is more than a literal requirement for lightning, it is a Flood reference.

This is, after all, sacrilege. To speak in this manner of and with God is absolutely sinful and, even if not met with immediate destruction, will probably land your soul in hell. So, to get to the point where one would dare God to show himself, one would also accept the consequences of the proof.

"I mean no disrespect

I am simply very perplexed

By your ways

Why won't you let us

Use your name?"

This last verse is a very direct example of the questions Tyler has of his own Faith, but it's only one example. And it's enough, because it questions the authoritarian nature of the Christian god on a fundamental level: you're not really supposed to say "God" all over the place and in throwaway phrases like "Oh my God" or "I swear to God". The very distinction between capital G God and lowercase g god is based on this.

And this is based on the same principle as why you are not supposed to make images of the prophet Muhammad: to not dilute their holyness, to not usurp his power. Of course, that's the lore explanation. Christianity openly demands that you fear god, that you fear upsetting him, that you live his word as your guide to life. But "his" word came to us by the hands of man, and is guarded by the church. This is, in the end, all tools of control. And so Tyler asks, why does God, the God of eternal love, not let his children use his name?

Tyler is still a Christian. And that's great for him. But we can understand, through his songs, that he feels an intense internal conflict between his faith in God and his obedience to the church.

"Rain down

And destroy me

Rain down

And destroy me

Rain down"

This is, by virtue of being the first song, also the first suicidal twenty one pilots song. Even though it's all related to his crisis of faith, a suicidal desire is a suicidal desire. And clamoring to be stroken down by God himself is maybe the most suicidal behavior ever from the point of view of a christian.

So, what do you think?

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

Implicit Demand For Proof

From the album Twenty One Pilots (2009)

Image by writeyourart on redbubble

The early days of twenty one pilots had a much more stronger presence of religious themes than most recent albums like Trench or Clancy. In fact, in this album it is concurrent with the themes of mental health struggles. I argue that, in fact, this struggle with his own faith was one of the things that most affected Tyler's mental health before and during this era.

That is because by the time of Trench, the crisis of faith is still going, but Tyler hasn't figured out yet what he even feel, let alone what he wants to say about it.

But this is the start of this conversation for Tyler. Let's begin?

"I know you're not a liar

And I know you could set fire

This day

Go ahead and make me look away

Strike me down

I am calling your lightening

Down from your dark hiding place

Go ahead and show me

Your face"

Immediately, Tyler begins his conversation with God in a bold, even if cliché move: blasphemy to provoke a demonstration of existence. Or, as the title say, an demand for proof. Nothing implicit about it, tho.

However, this demand is still full of respect. "I KNOW you're not a liar". Tyler demands proof, not as an atheistic challenge, but as a plead. "Please, show ME that you exist. You wouldn't lie about existing in the way I believe you do". More on this after the chorus.

"Rain down

And destroy me

Rain down

And destroy me

Rain down"

Challenging god to strike you down with lightning is a big cliche for atheist. There's a famous vine where some guy challenges Zeus to strike him down, saying he doesn't have the balls to, only to immediately get zapped. Here, however, it's a offering of sacrifice from Tyler. In his search for proof, Tyler would humbly accept having his life violently ended by the God he desperately defied. The calling for rain here is more than a literal requirement for lightning, it is a Flood reference.

This is, after all, sacrilege. To speak in this manner of and with God is absolutely sinful and, even if not met with immediate destruction, will probably land your soul in hell. So, to get to the point where one would dare God to show himself, one would also accept the consequences of the proof.

"I mean no disrespect

I am simply very perplexed

By your ways

Why won't you let us

Use your name?"

This last verse is a very direct example of the questions Tyler has of his own Faith, but it's only one example. And it's enough, because it questions the authoritarian nature of the Christian god on a fundamental level: you're not really supposed to say "God" all over the place and in throwaway phrases like "Oh my God" or "I swear to God". The very distinction between capital G God and lowercase g god is based on this.

And this is based on the same principle as why you are not supposed to make images of the prophet Muhammad: to not dilute their holyness, to not usurp his power. Of course, that's the lore explanation. Christianity openly demands that you fear god, that you fear upsetting him, that you live his word as your guide to life. But "his" word came to us by the hands of man, and is guarded by the church. This is, in the end, all tools of control. And so Tyler asks, why does God, the God of eternal love, not let his children use his name?

Tyler is still a Christian. And that's great for him. But we can understand, through his songs, that he feels an intense internal conflict between his faith in God and his obedience to the church.

"Rain down

And destroy me

Rain down

And destroy me

Rain down"

This is, by virtue of being the first song, also the first suicidal twenty one pilots song. Even though it's all related to his crisis of faith, a suicidal desire is a suicidal desire. And clamoring to be stroken down by God himself is maybe the most suicidal behavior ever from the point of view of a christian.

So, what do you think?

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

With the release of the new album, it's about time we start overthinking these lyrics, right?

In order, from the self titled to Clancy.

Let's go

[overthinkingtwentyonepilots]

Helo, world. Will start soon.