When I was in college, I got really into Twenty One Pilots. One of my friends was really into them and that was what initially caused me to explore their music. The first two years of college was a bit of a rough go for me and I went through a lot. I was really struggling with anxiety and depression. I was coping by smoking, drinking, and many other bad decisions. I was doing anything just to feel numb.
One thing that really helped me was music. Music and lyrics both really helped me in so many ways. I would listen to some lyrics and just be like YES, SOMEBODY ELSE GETS IT. I was a commuter all through college so I would blast my music on my 40 minute commute and just scream sing my heart out. The music made me feel seen and honestly it made me feel alive. It made feeling my heavy emotions bearable because the lyrics reminded me that I was not alone in my feelings.
Twenty One Pilots songs were heavy on my rotation throughout those years. Somehow I had completely forgotten all about my love for those songs until yesterday. Yesterday I suddenly remembered their album Vessel existed. It has been on repeat in the car and during my work day ever since. I still know all of the words and you bet your ass I am still scream singing them almost 6 years later. Below are some of the lyrics that really spoke to me when I was really, really struggling.
Goner – Twenty One Pilots
Some Lyrics That I Connected With:
I’m a goner, somebody catch my breath
I’m a goner, somebody catch my breath
I wanna be known by you
I wanna be known by you
[Chorus]
Though I’m weak and beaten down
I’ll slip away into the sound
The ghost of you is close to me
I’m inside out, you’re underneath
Heavydirtysoul – Twenty One Pilots
Some Lyrics That I Connected With:
[Verse 1]
There’s an infestation in my mind’s imagination
I hope that they choke on smoke
‘Cause I’m smokin’ them out the basement
This is not rap, this is not hip-hop
Just another attempt to make the voices stop
Rappin’ to prove nothin’, just writin’ to say somethin’
‘Cause I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t rushin’ to sayin’ nothin’
This doesn’t mean I lost my dream
It’s just right now I got a really crazy mind to clean
[Pre-Chorus]
Gangsters don’t cry, therefore, therefore I’m
Mr. Misty-eyed, therefore I’m (I’m)
[Chorus]
Can you save, can you save my
Can you save my heavydirtysoul?
Can you save, can you save my
Can you save my heavydirtysoul?
For me, for me
Migraine – Twenty One Pilots
Some Lyrics That I Connected With:
My mind ship-wrecked, this is the only land my mind could find
I did not know it was such a violent island
Full of tidal waves, suicidal crazed lions
They’re trying to eat me, blood running down their chin
And I know that I can fight, or I can let the lion win
I begin to assemble what weapons I can find
‘Cause sometimes to stay alive, you gotta kill your mind
[Chorus]
Am I the only one I know
Waging my wars behind my face and above my throat?
Shadows will scream that I’m alone
But I know, we’ve made it this far… kid
Car Radio – Twenty One Pilots
Some Lyrics That I Connected With
Sometimes quiet is violent
I find it hard to hide it
My pride is no longer inside
It’s on my sleeve
My skin will scream
Reminding me of
Who I killed inside my dream
I hate this car that I’m driving
There’s no hiding for me
I’m forced to deal with what I feel
There is no distraction to mask what is real
I could pull the steering wheel
[Chorus]
I have these thoughts
So often I ought
To replace that slot
With what I once bought
‘Cause somebody stole
My car radio
And now I just sit in silence
The Run And Go – Twenty One Pilots
Some Lyrics That I Connected With
[Chorus]
Don’t wanna call you in the nighttime
Don’t wanna give you all my pieces
Don’t wanna give you all my trouble
Don’t wanna give you all my demons
You’ll have to watch me struggle
From several rooms away
But tonight, I’ll need you to stay
Truce – Twenty One Pilots
Some Lyrics That I Connected With:
[Verse 1]
Now the night is coming to an end, ooh
The sun will rise and we will try again, ooh
[Chorus]
Stay alive, stay alive for me
You will die, but now your life is free
Take pride in what is sure to die
[Verse 2]
I will fear the night again, ooh
I hope I’m not my only friend, ooh
[Chorus]
Stay alive, stay alive for me
You will die, but now your life is free
Take pride in what is sure to die
Friend, Please – Twenty One Pilots
Some Lyrics That I Connected With
Living like a ghost, you walk by everyone you know
You say that you’re fine, but you have lost your sway and glow
So I stopped by to let you know
[Chorus]
Friend, please remove your hands
From over your eyes for me
I know you want to leave
But friend, please don’t take your life away from me
Oh Ms Believer – Twenty One Pilots
Some Lyrics That I Connected With
Oh, Ms. Believer, my pretty sleeper
Your twisted mind is like snow on the road
Your shaking shoulders prove that it’s colder
Inside your head than the winter of dead
I will tell you I love you
But the muffs on your ears will cater your fears
My nose and feet are running as we start
To travel through snow, together, we go
Together, we go