They take off masks when they feel safe or secure... Josh takes his off when he's drumming and Tyler when he's singing because that's when they feel most comfortable :)
That's what Tyler said about this song. "Guns for Hands is talking about I wanna tell you that I know you have the ability to hurt yourself. You do. You have that ability. I feel like a lot of the older generation when they hear about someone struggling with it, their first reaction is like, “No, you’re not, you’re not struggling with that. Don’t think about that, you know, think about something else, you know, you’re just trying to get attention.” But this song was really trying to say like; “Listen, I know you have the ability to hurt yourself. I recognize that, but let’s take that energy and let’s point it at something else, let’s divert that, let’s kind of shift that momentum and look at something like art, or something like this music specifically, or even point it at me, you know, just point it anywhere, but don’t point it at yourself.” And so that’s what that song’s saying and that song will always be important to me. And I’m not a professional when it comes to this topic, but I write songs, and I feel like someone should say something about it"
Tyler says Josh can take the mask off when he's ready. Josh took it off when he's playing the drums, and Tyler when he started to sing. Tyler has said that he wrote this song because of what fans told him that they struggle with. He is such a great person 💙❤
This was one of their very first music videos- you nailed the meaning He shakes his head to stop himself from getting emotional- you see it in a lot of live performances
that is a common misconception, its actually the exact opposite. tyler himself has described the shaking to be an expression of emotion, he is just losing himself in the music man.
From Not Today- "Listen I know, this song's a contradiction because of how happy it sounds, but the lyrics are so down. t's okay though , because it represents, wait, better yet it is, who I feel I am right now"
The video has been allowed for the time being but the almighty powers at YT could take it down at any time so it has also been uploaded on Instagram just in case. Hope you all enjoy :)
The analogy you alluded to is emphasized in this song, in the line 'this confused music is'. The earlier music from the duo is almost entirely happy sounding songs, with the dichotomy of serious, sad, or however you want to put it lyrics. Sad songs with happy sounds, that's the confusion. But the combination is intended to show that even when there's despair, there's hope. Some of the happiest sounding songs like Screen or Forest, are intended to epitomize that hopeful undertone.
It is said that Tyler tends to shake when he gets emotional and wants to avoid breaking down. It is also said that this is him letting the music flow through him when he is performing. I must confess that the message of this song went over my head the first time I heard it (I was still new to the band at that point, and the sound distracted me a lot too), but once I did, I was blown away. Hopefully "Tear in my Heart" is also on that shortlist.
Good job! Great reaction. This is one of my favorites, mostly because of when I heard it in the beginning. When my son was a junior in High School, the school called me and told me that he had gone to the nurse with plans (I don't want to trigger anyone). They had to send him to the hospital as protocol. While we sat waiting to be admitted, I kept asking him how I didn't know he had these problems. He said, "mom, you can hide a lot behind a smile." It was that admittance into the hospital that I found out he had been self-harming and had depression. I thought he was just a moody teenager. I knew nothing about self-harming. I drove him to a day program for two weeks after he was let out. An hour drive each way, we listened to "his" music. Some of it was not really my thing (Suicide Silence, Sleeping with Sirens, Of Mice and Men, to name a few. Some did grow on me over time, though) but one was TOP. They didn't swear and the screaming was at a minimum, comparatively. This song was one that caught my attention. But it wasn't until I took him to a TOP concert that I really heard the first verse and recognized it as something I heard from him. The promises. After 4 stints in the hospital in 1 calendar year, I was at my wit's end. My ex-husband said that I was going to lose my mind if we didn't try something else, so my son moved in with him. He graduated. He's not a 100% happy goofy person, but he's much better. I don't know how long he has not self-harmed for. But I did need that break. My "mom guilt" was crazy, that I wasn't able to "fix" him, but I had done everything I could. Therapy, medication, attention, sympathy, and empathy. But we are good now. He is living with me again and is 21. But this song has always had a special place in my heart because I get it.
Happy to hear that your son is doing well. Hope he continues to have more good days and is open with you on days when he’s not. Thanks for sharing. 💛||-//
Wow, thank you for sharing all of that. I am most impressed with your care and concern to help him as best you could. Specifically illustrated by allowing him to play his music. I am sure that meant a lot to him and he probably felt that music expressed his feelings better than he ever could. So you taking that time to listen to someone else explaining his emotions probably meant the world to him. I am very glad to hear he is doing better. As well as you.
Oh and Tyler moving/dancing the way he does is him letting go. He said that one of his first performances he was reserved and didn't show a lot of emotion. He said that the people liked it but didn't seem to connect. So he said the next time he would show all the emotion and let go. Of course that next time everyone loved them and commected right away even though his Mom asked if he was ok afterwards lol.
The masks at first was just a way to get people's attention when they first started playing at bars and college campuses. Plus they both suffer from anxiety especially Josh who as you saw took his mask off as soon as he got behind his drums. He's always said that being behind his drums he has no fear, no anxiety.
I love this song. It can play in the background and you can bebop to it without really paying attention to the deep lyrics, or you can listen to it and say wow, that’s deep! I think you brought up a very good point that we can see people and not realize what is really going on in their minds. They can act and pretend happy when inside they are just miserable. 5 years ago I wish I had paid more attention to what was going on with my son who passed away in 2017. I guess I will always have that “what if” question in the back of my mind.
I wish I had spent more time sitting and talking with my husband five years ago, because now he's dead and I could have so much more insight into him and myself and everything else. He was such a brilliant man and I miss him more than I realized
Wow I know I'm about 5 months late but I just read your comment and I had to say something. First I'm so so deeply sorry for your loss I can't even begin to imagine what you are and what you have gone through. I think that even if you don't realize it you having the courage to speak about something so personal so painful puts you in a very vulnerable place but someone has probably seen your comment and been helped through what they're going through being able to see that through your pain and suffering you have a strength about you and I think that's just absolutely incredible. I hope you're doing ok and I do hope you'll see my comment and maybe reply to it. I truly think that you're a beautiful person with so much strength and so much courage and I pray that you will be able to see how incredibly amazing you are for putting your pain out there as hard as it probably was and is to do. Just know that I truly believe you are an absolute hero, an angel and please please stay strong. God bless you my friend 🙏🙏🙏
Hands down the best reaction/breakdown I have seen yet. I love this track definitely one of my favorites. I wish I would have spent more time enjoying being a husband and father instead of stressing over everything especially the things I had no control over because now I live alone and still have the stress. 💯🔥🙏
Thank you! And thank you for such an honest answer. It can be either just a question or a real reflection to some. Always interesting to ask and think about.
things i enjoyed during this video, that made me subscribe. -I loved the little head bops when the music started playing, -you were respectful, even on this touchy subject of a song -you quickly understood the song -you seem like a genuine fan (to say the least) -i loved your reaction
Glad you got around to this one. Great reaction and breakdown. The beat def grows on you w a strong message. I tell my kid the second time they come around to “ and you all have guns.... and you never put the safety on...”turn it up w AirPods on or volume to really hear it come thru. There is almost an echo or repeat of the lyrics coming thru. Good luck in school and finish the up. I should have invested more in my retirement 5 yrs ago. Oh yeah I always thought the tape or masks were security blankets. They won’t see you w them in. Read below the foreign language in beginning of song
i wish you could have seen this song live cause when we say "turn the guns into fist" we all stick our hands up and turn our guns into a fist. its so powerful to see everyone do it live. anyways i love love LOVE your reactions and i love hearing you talk about the song and its meaning :)
I love you reactions, it's really nice see a different point of view. Twenty one pilots are so amazing in their songs, the lyrics are so deep and there's so many interpretations for everyone. Josh took off his mask when he started playing drums and Tyler when he started singing, I think it means that music wash away all their insecurities. You should react Massage Man Love from Brazil 🇧🇷
I love this song so much!!! and everytime a hear it and see the music video I kinda discover new things from it, like when I first saw the part when he starts twiching and shaking I felt a good kind of weird (? because when I feel anxious or a very raw emotion just want to come out I tend to do it, mostly with my hands, and I took that part of the video with that meaning (idk if thats was what they were looking for to represent). I think you can take this song from a lot of points of view and that's what make this guys amazing because they make it feel very personal but at the same time that you are not alone in this. *Aaaand (super long comment sorry) to answer your question I wish I had spent more time thinking about what I would like to do in the future, literally 5-year-younger me made ONE plan for the future and said "yeah that's totally how it's going to come off, exactly like I say so" and I knew better than that, but I learned a lot from that 😅
I agree, being able to find new things upon new listens as well as relate the words to so many different situations, makes his music incredible, not just good. Haha, life rarely (if ever) goes according to plan. I learned that the hard way as well.
Yes yes yes thank you love this song great reaction finally and glad it came up. Also this song means alot to me personally along with there song Truce so thanks. Ps. He shakes his head like that when he's trying not to tear up it happens a lot in live stuff. Glad you like it
when I grew up, you might get in a fist fight with a person if they did you really wrong, but you never thought about shooting them. This song is about having moral and spiritual respect for everyone’s life. Respect life and everyone’s entitlement to their life. Don’t put their blood on your hands.
I interpreted it in a completely different way (at first). I assumed it was about how frustrating it is to live with people that are so trigger-happy/have such short tempers, how stressful it is and how it drives you to self harm when you see people you love tear each other apart. I now know this was not the intent. It's 100% about self harm, not just partially. But it helped me a lot to express these feelings, having grown up in an extremely dysfunctional household.
Great job, Danny (?). (Sorry so long) I love this song, and right away you picked up on the what promising you’re parents it’ll never happen again means. I’m glad you did, because idt people without mental illness understand how much we think about harming ourselves or are having constant ideations. Since recently beginning to listen to NF, I’ve begun to truly understand and appreciate the upbeat music put with lyrics. When I listen to NF (a lot now), the same messages are there but the upbeat music isn’t. Same messages, different delivery. Five years ago? I used to draw and paint, but life happens and I stopped. I wish I would have begun again, but I do now…some inspiration has come from the boys.
Thank you :) I thought that was a very important line that probably resonated with a lot of people. It is very sad to. All that just that one line encompasses. I am so glad you have been enjoying NF! Like you said, very similar messages, just entirely different delivery. Though without sacrificing any talent. Glad to hear you have picked it back up again!
Five years ago was a difficult year. I wish I had enjoyed my life a bit more and not worried so much about things that in the big picture, weren’t so important.
Yes. That seems to be a recurring theme "I wish I had enjoyed life more". There are so many beauties in life that pass us by each day because of the hustle and bustle just to keep food on the table or to keep things running as they should. I think we all could use a frequent reminder to enjoy the day or moment or life.
You should listen to before you start your day because it’s a really good song!! And Tyler sings it beautifully I mean he sings all of his songs beautifully but before you start your day was the first song I ever heard from them and since then I’ve loved their music. Their music has helped me through the darkest times of my life just like it has so many other people
I wish I would’ve appreciated the time I had playing soccer in high school even more now, because I definitely miss it being in college. I still have rec soccer in college though, which is nice! Great vid as always!
I can relate to that haha I miss how fit sports like that kept me. Now I don't have a group or time to play games like that any more (or even the fitness to keep up). Thank you :)
Five years ago I was trying, for the second time, to start my own business. It didn't happen, for various reasons, but I wish I had truly listened to myself and not what I thought others wanted for me, and I would have saved myself from the time and money I had spent trying to start up a business I knew in my heart of hearts, I didn't truly want.
The tape is binding i believe they showing not to let yourself be stuck in that mindset. You had great reaction to this most of the things you call out took me quite a while to catch on
you should react to Guns For Hands (iHeartRadio Music Festival 2013 - The Village, Las Vegas) in the live performance I feel like Tyler shows a lot of what the song is about with some of his actions aswell
In the beginning when Tyler gives Josh his mask, he says “they won’t know its you. You can take it off when you’re ready.” But that ties into, like people are saying, when they feel comfortable. Josh has said many times that his drums are his shield. He feels safe behind them. So he takes off the mask as soon as he gets behind it. Tyler though, I see his as his mask comes off through his music. He can act as tough as he wants, but as soon as he starts singing, he hands us a piece of him and says “I know what you’re going through, let me help”. Also, the beginning lyrics are, in my mind, about SH and trying to unalive yourself. Because for those of us who have gone through those, when someone finds out, that’s exactly what we do! We tell them that we will never do it again, but Tyler knows that we wont and it keeps him up knowing that his fans are hurting themselves. We’ve weaponized ourselves against ourselves. As for the end of the little “rap” bit, “it’s obviously best for them to turn their tuns to a fist” I’ve always heard as him telling us not to hurt and kill, but to fight to stay alive. (Addition: when they had their heads taped, Josh had a panic attack... ALSO! The fan base was almost called Mutant Kids, but no, we are stuck with the Skeleton Clique...)
I always took the line, "...to take it, to take it, DON'T take it, (but also) TAKE IT! TAKE IT! is the way peer pressure can be. Don't take "it" whatever "it" is such as being bullied, drug pressure, self harm, anger towards other, etc." It is contradicting just as the mind is. You can tell yourself all day long "don't take it (such as pills) then at the end of the day you convince yourself to "just take it take it take it." And get it over with. It is a constant fight within your own mind. That is how I interpret that line. Again with the example of "don't take the pressure, don't take those pills, don't take the pain, etc." and then telling yourself TO TAKE IT. Take it. Don't take it. Take it. Don't take it. and then you scream "WTF?!?!" and go crazy. Anyway, I know I have watched all these reactions but this popped up on my algorithm again so I figured to comment on it.
Ngl, I “bop” to many Twenty One Pilots songs with sad lyrics. I love that their songs have meaningful messages or cover serious topics without depressing you with sad rhythm/slow beats. They have a song about growing old, losing your mind and being the last of your friends to die, that I love to dance to. Maybe that means that I’ve already lost my mind, but it’s so good! 😂
You should react to "Not Today." He literally talks about the relationship between the lyrics and how the music sounds in the first verse! As for five years ago, I wish I had been better prepared with the application for my Italian passport while I was living in Europe, so that I could have stayed over there. (I was actually in Germany, but there was an Italian Consulate right downtown!) Then I wouldn't have to be here as the country burns to the ground.
i barely remember five years ago. 2015 was such a blur of a year. i do remember that i took a piano class though, so i wish i spent more time actually practicing it. also saving money. because i spent so much money on nonsense that i did not need. in the beginning of the video when tyler says you can take it (the mask) off when you're ready i took that as the mask being a way for them to hide. to feel safe. they have a mask on/up to hide their insecurities. josh keeps the mask on only for a little bit, taking it off immediately as he gets to his drum kit because that's where he feels safe. when he's at his drums he's doesn't have to worry. he can just play. tyler takes a bit longer, he plays the piano but it isn't until he is about to sing that he takes it off because that's when he feels most secure. like he doesn't need to have a mask on while he's expressing himself through his lyrics. i'm not too sure about the tape but i felt like it was another type of mask but rather than a way to hide it's a way to hold yourself together. because at that part of the song he's singing about how those that self harm, rather than harming themselves they should take those feelings, that energy and direct it elsewhere, "i simply tell them they should shoot at this, simply suggest my chest and this confused music" i feel like that line in particular says so much, because right after that, after saying they should direct their feelings at him he sings "it's obviously best for them to turn their guns to a fist." in one way he could be saying to fight it. fight those feelings that are causing you to want to self harm, but also he's allowing himself to become a target. like, instead of hurting yourself, you can hurt me instead. like hold yourself together, fight those feelings, and if you can't fully get rid of them, try to point them at something else like music or even himself if you need to; as long as you keep holding yourself together and stop harming yourself. i love your take on the video though. the fact that you picked up on the meaning immediately is great. the first time i heard it, it took me a few listens to fully grasp the meaning of the lyrics.
I can definitely relate to that. The tape symbolizing "Holding yourself together" is very interesting and unique. Would have taken me a while to pick up on that
I like your keyboard analogy from this, hadn’t thought of that, given what’s happening with Tyler at the moment it’s very applicable. I always felt it could be taken quite literally given gun culture in America (sorry I try to not be judgemental but it is very hard) 5yrs ago I don’t think I’d change too much but maybe try to be careful about the mental health situation I was heading into in my job though hadn’t realised at the time, only really realised how badly it affected me after leaving recently.
Yes that was another point I meant to mention but then forgot about it as I listed the other points. But taking the analogy literally as "people have access to all kinds of guns" Well glad to hear you aren't there any more. No job should affect a person to such a degree. If it does it is definitely time to leave. Glad you did.
All of their songs are catchy and meaningful. It makes it easier to listen to those dark lyrics through more upbeat meaning. IMO... and I like how you were bouncing to this one.
5 years ago? hmmm I would say that i shoud've thought about what do i really want to do with my life and what i want to do as a job, because i didnt think enough about that.
Because at first, when they started touring outside US, it was in Japan / Asia I think? They feel confident on stage. (the mask thing) Some say Tyler shakes his head to avoid crying?
5y ago I wished I had the courage to speak up to my boss ,who no longer is a boss by the way because psycho, but ruined it for me to the point that I got anxiety attacks when being in public like on the subway.
@@SuffiReax He can be seen wearing a rubber band as a teenager and an adult before taking his wrist tattoo. He also has some visible marks. That is the reason why I feel like he understands this topic so well, and the fact that he can bring so much comfort to those who struggle with it as well, while fighting the stigma that comes with it. I also think of Fairly Local, and how much comfort it brings to us to know that we are not alone, he is also Fairly Local here in these struggles.
Are you okay suffi? You seem sleep deprived you don’t have to upload every day if you need to take a break to catch up on some sleep, everyone will except you taking a day off
Lol I wish the complete opposite. I wish I had focused less on school and spent more time meeting people. I just graduated and have a job now but I have no social life and corona made it hard to change that. Also totally with you on the saving. If you’re looking to get better with personal finances I recommend reading “I will teach you to be rich” by Ramit Sethi. That was a great book that helped me a lot with learning how to better manage my money for the future
How very interesting. We always desire that which we don't have and here we are each on one side of the coin wishing for the other (in a sense). I guess that is just life. But thank you for that recommendation!!
This might be a little dark, but I’ve always felt like the tape around the heads was sort of saying use this music as a shield against the gun you are thinking of putting to your head. The red and blue colors which were the colors that denoted the Vessel record made me feel like he is suggesting that these kids use this music to sort of protect themselves from their thoughts of self-harm.
Oh wow, that is a very interesting take on the tape. No one has mentioned a take quite like that. Thanks for adding yours! Thanks man! I am glad to hear it :)
Question to the fans. So when i look at top lyrics on websites there are differences on certain lines (for example like trapdoor- some say bloody some say blatant) So I'm going to buy top albums or cds. I'm not buying the mp3's because I'm hoping the cd will come with lyrics book. (Cause there seems to be confusion on particular lines in their songs). So my question is-- do the cds come with lyrics books? If not is there a place i can get lyrics per top because lyric websites don't have them correct. I wish the top website would have them. Anyway, so do the cds come with lyrics?
Tyler writes the songs for each clique to interpret in his own way, but if you feel better watch videos on RU-vid on channel the clique to understand the lyrics. ( sorry my bad english)
I'm learning Japanese and it's understandable confusing Chinese and Japanese writing but it hurt my soul when he thought it was Chinese. Its Japanese..anyways great reaction and analysis
Pursuing music, honestly. Sounds possibly generic or unrealistic. I was gifted a little recording set up while I was in high school. Was lucky enough to have a sound recording class in high school as well and was really into making music and writing at that point and just never pushed myself as hard as I could have. Huge regret.
Do you think it is still something you might pursue? Or is it not as big of an interest anymore? Cause if it is still an interest, don't let it stay a regret, better late than never! Go for it. Don't look back in another five years wishing you had. Do it now. And if it doesn't pan out well then at least you know you tried and you can close that chapter and move on. Just my two cents :)
Suffi Reax thanks man, I appreciate you. It’s something I still do daily. I’ve been inspired to drum a lot more because of Josh’s skills, some of his drumming sounds really simple until you watch him play and then you’re like “oh man I was way off” haha. It’s not, I guess a ship that’s sailed? But it’s become more of a hobby now than a priority. I still appreciate the encouragement and kind words, means a lot. Stay well man.
Suffi Reax mmhmmm. At the beginning, he handed Josh a ski mask and said, “Take it off whenever you’re ready.” And he took it off as soon as he sat behind his kit. With the tape, they can’t take it off as easy. It’s more like, “Take it off when we’re done.” My interpretation: Masks have always been about “being anybody” with these two. So I think the tape masks here could represent a message. The fact that it’s harder to take off seems to say, “I relate to you more in this song than I ever have.” Let your mind wander on that one for a while.
