What does "Morph" by Twenty One Pilots mean? | Trench Explained
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- Опубліковано 26 вер 2024
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I never really thought so much into every single lyric ... this is amazing!!!!!!
Hi
Every word means something the symbolism is incredibly intricate
JOSH DUN
It’s about there friendship for many years now. When Tyler says Joshes name, he shows he cares for Josh.
Ahh i got so happy bc of those last two words
😂😂😂😂😂
Josh is never the forefront, (except for his guest appearance in Chlorine, I guess...) Although he is integral to the duo, this is one of the few examples where Tyler recognises that (I guess?) And feels like he's a much better person to morph into ( in what way though? I have no clue.)
i also saw a tweet from tyler where he said in the judge at some point (i’m not 100% sure when in the song) apparently if you listen closely you can hear tyler yell “JOSH DUN!!” in the background, from the other side of the glass when josh was recording it. not sure if that why they put it in this one but still a fun little factoid.
I’d like to give my thoughts on the story of Trench here to maybe get feedback:
It starts with Leave The City (hear me out); he knows that DEMA is a horrible place for him to be and the consistent repeats of “one day, I will leave the city.”
Then comes Jumpsuit and Levitate; first contact with the Bandito ideology (not them exactly yet); he knows that the Jumpsuit can metaphorically protect him from his demons, due to being yellow, one of the more positive colors that, oddly enough, is very disliked by many many people. Levitate is about him and his process of letting out your feelings through writing or talking to people or through art.
Then, we get to Morph. I think it starts out with him being a sort of regular person in the DEMA story, kind of context to Leave The City almost, and his feeling of how he wants to change who he as a person is to be truly happy instead of just accepting himself.
My Blood doesn’t focus too heavily on the storyline, but I’d like to point out how it could be him and his brother helping each other through mental struggles, and how your family is key.
Chlorine is a heavy hitter, talking about he relies on a chemical that, in it’s purest form, is yellow to get him through the days. This could be a symbol for the Banditos themselves and how “sippin on straight chlorine” is him basking in the idea that wearing yellow is him being a rebel and that he can be happy as himself.
Smithereens is unrelated, I’d say, but a beautiful song nonetheless.
Neon Gravestones focuses on those who ended up committing suicide and being filled with the neon lights of Vialism (seen in the NatN music video) but also focuses on the real world very heavily.
The Hype... hard to explain, but he talks about “some new friends and a warmer shirt (jumpsuit)” but how you’ll be fine as long as you focus on bettering yourself and not on changing yourself, or Morphing.
NatN explains the bishops themselves, and how as long as you focus on East (where the sun rises) you can live carefree and do as you want without fear of depression, however it always comes back. The bishops are guardians of you from escaping the mental health struggles, and are only there to weigh you down the higher you ascend in DEMA.
Cut My Lip focuses on Tyler’s specific struggles and how the clique helped him. “I keep on going back” is referencing how he always ends up back in DEMA at some point, yet he leans on us to help support him.
Bandito tells how the banditos ideology is, how you will try to take the high road but you need to go low, to be lighter, to get away. It shows how you must accept you have to do bad things to better yourself through the mental health struggle.
Pet Cheetah is embodying the catalyst of Tyler letting out his mentally poor thoughts through music. My pet cheetah may be storywriting, yours could be anything. Almost like a baseball player and his bat, his bat is his Pet Cheetah.It also talks about the vultures and how he is still trapped in DEMA at this point.
Legend is similar to Smithereens, focusing on honoring his grandfather.
I believe the timeline goes as follows:
Leave The City -> Jumpsuit -> Levitate -> Morph -> My Blood (briefly) -> Chlorine -> Neon Gravestones (end goal of bishops) -> The Hype -> NatN -> Bandito -> Cut My Lip -> Pet Cheetah -> Leave The City and how it is an endless cycle.
If you made it here, thank you for reading, love ya Uncle PopSong.
jakku spends too much time on this site thank you
That was what I was kind of thinking I''m glad I'm not the only one.
Wow that's a great theory! I hope he sees this!
Sorry too long
Nah that aint it
Morph is my favorite song on the album besides Bandito. I had my therapist listen to it and she was slightly taken aback by the intricate lyrics and beauty but also the instrumental. It touched her in a different way it touched me and it was definitely a unique experience
That's so awesome omg. I played neon gravestones for my therapist today and we had a whole conversation about how society deals with suicide and loss. It's amazing how their lyrics resonate so strongly with different people
lol 69 likes
Wow that’s really cool!!!
@@virdixxii8341 lol!!!!!!
@@virdixxii8341 is that the 2live crew song? I like it! I like it! I love it! I love it! I need it! I need it! Lol!
Morph is my favorite song from Trench. Here's some of my interpretation...
“There’s no above, below, or around it
For above is blind belief and under is sword to sleeve
And around is scientific miracle, let's pick above and see
For if and when we go above, the question still remains”
If you go above, you’re pretending you’re better than your doubt and it’ll lead to blind belief. You'll be like the people in Dema who believe whatever they're told.
If you go below your doubt, it’ll conquer you. You can't get past it. Doubt will tear you up and start to define your every thought.
If you go around doubt, you compromise what you believe and pull the extraordinary down to earth, to make it more digestible. The hope you had from faith loses its purpose.
The only way to face doubt is to accept it and grow through it- to morph into someone else.
I like this interpretation from a more agnostic perspective
I see this very accurate, gj!
Jeepers that's some good analysis right there 10/10 ty.
i like the in depth thought but these lines are really talking about the walls that surround dema
When a computers has hidden ghost files in them they are just a bunch of ones and zeros. You can’t open them because they’re not real. But they are there. Just a bunch of 1s and 0s
Oh wow! Never thought about that I relation to the song!
Binary Code, my guy
I think the above/under/around line has to do with Nicolas Bourbaki. The 'scientific miracle' is supposed to be their trying to prove God's existence with science/math, which is not a good approach to faith, but instead Tyler chooses blind belief. I also think the 1s and 0s relate to the Nico's math and all. So mostly it's a testimony to faith and God.
Just my theory have a nice day
Hmmm I didn't think about 1's and 0's being a reference to his math.... good point. I just keep thining about binary. Guess that's the computer scientist in me taking over 😂
James Foley yea like ones and zeros trying to show him or explain God around him. Transmitting things to me is anybody listening
Love this!!
James Foley I agree with this interpretation ^ I think Tyler’s escape from Dema is probably about this as well (on some level). I think Tyler leaves it open so you can name your own demon/bishop, but the fact that Tyler’s bishop is named Nico / Nicolas Bourbaki is a direct reference to his inner battle and choice (between false light/math/worshipping success and true light/spirituality/fellowship).
James Foley Also, the world tells us we’re all just “copies.” We’re just randomly evolved chemicals. But faith tells us we’re each individually created by God with a purpose. So I think Nico telling Tyler that he’s a “copy” is also a reference to this battle.
The above, below and around makes me think of Dema’s walls. You can try and go above the walls, but you can’t see the other side and you just have to believe. You can try and go under the walls, but you got to be stealthy and sheathe your sword. And if you go around the perimeter walls, that’s some sort of scientific miracle because you can’t go around a circle wall to get out of the circle. I think this song heavily links to Dema and Dema is a metaphor for what you discussed in this song.
The no secret door could link to this and the no above line could be Tyler learning you can’t go above the walls.
The blinking lights could be the Banditos trying to help Tyler by giving information in morse code, in “ones and zeroes”, from afar and tell him what to do to escape. He then decides from this he needs to use his music, “ergo this symphony”. But then, no one’s listening and the information can “count to infinity” because it’s no good and he’s still looking for a decisive answer.
I don’t know, that’s just my crazy theorising.
I really like your "above, below, around it" theory and I think it works in both cases of actual death and the depression of thinking about the "if and when" of death (or the walls of Dema)
Nice theory. Clifford should see this.
Wow this is really gud
The blinking lights, ones and zeroes thing also made me think of morse code!
I think this song is about Tyler doubting his faith and trying to prove God’s existence within his own mind; similar to in Implicit Demand for Proof and in Nicolas Bourbaki’s attempt to prove God’s existence mathematically.
He can’t help seeing himself in the nine mathematicians who make up Nicolas Bourbaki (Nico and the Niners) but he knows that trying to find proof is holding him back in his life, as he sees them as his jailers. Escaping DEMA is about his struggle to be freed by his faith rather than being held back by his doubts.
telos I’m thinking the exact same thing!! I had to listen to the album about five times before I got there.
Having true faith and surrender is what the Banditos try to help him do, but his mind gets pulled back. He just can’t get fully “above,” can’t take the “high road,” but keeps trying - keeps heading east with each new morning, seeking the sun/son.
yeah this is what i was trying to say in my comment but couldnt quite word it right. good shit 👍 😎
So... Have you already asked Tyler If you could Interview him? Just waiting for it!
😍😍😘😘
Stefan Müller I believe he has tweeted at Tyler asking for it
@@mahraba874 when???
Stefan Müller That would be great to see, but I think Tyler doesn't really like explaining his lyrics. I saw an interview where he was explaining every song from Vessel, and he looked so awkward and uncomfortable. He said that he feels like he explains his thoughts and feelings in the song, and it's hard for him to explain it another way.
It would be great.
I think the "ones and zeros" part of the bridge maybe refers to having to pick a side, like in binary, its either a one or a zero.
and it may be going back to the part about going above/below?
This raises the question of when he says "lights they blink to me, transmitting things to me" then proceeds to talk about 1s and 0s like Morse code, and when he says ergo the symphony, he may be talking about its hard to know exactly what people want from given he has to decipher the Morse code of constant ones and zeros. Maybe, i dont have a clue but its makes sense of the two lines that no ones talked about.
I thought “I’ll morph to someone else” was changing to avoid thoughts about death, trying to avoid it by changing himself so he has no time to think about it
You know, the goal that the Bourbaki group tried to accomplish failed (proving God's existence with mathematics), so maybe Tyler's biggest fear is doubt in his own faith. And, and... In Doubt on Blurryface, the song mentions bishops! Mind Blown!
BTW, I'm not implying God isn't real, I'm simply saying the way they went about proving God's existence failed.
I think you’re onto something!! Maybe what Tyler is actually trying to escape is his own doubt, and when he’s with the Banditos, he is happy and filled with faith
dude you nailed it
I'm in the discord clique which contains a lot of correct stuff and you're right
For me, the “no above or a secret door, what are we here for” line is them questioning their faith about what will happen after they die. Since this comes after the Nicolas Bourbaki verse, maybe Nico is affecting Tyler’s faith in God?
theodorable Yes! I think Nico takes Tyler further from God!
+theodorable Totally makes sense! It really gives Tyler more depth as a song writer, having Clancy changing his mind in the middle of a song. A lot of songs are single-minded, but this shows how we can be affected multiple times a day by Nico about God and His existence.
@@joshstarr6400 Wich makes sense since he's morphing into someone else
This is sort of unrelated, but I think Cut My Lip is about how fame has changed the way in which Tyler writes songs. He takes whatever opportunities he can get for exposure (drinks from the cup), but finds that they may not always benefit him (it's not what he wants), and so the pressure of fame has made him adapt his songwriting to reflect that; the fame has bled into his songs (blood is on my tongue, his vehicle for expression). But, no matter which direction he takes his career, he knows the clique/banditos (his lion pride) will always be there for him to rely upon. Just an interpretation. =)
||-//
I like this interpretation, it makes a lot of sense due to this song being written after blurryface
Wow really good theory!
I think the bridge is talking about digital tech and social media (Lights they blink to me) and how it's difficult to express true fillings over technology (Transmitting things to me, Ones and Zeros). Tyler is however able to say everything he needs and express his feeling through his music (Ergo this Symphony), and he's not sure if anybody will listen either because they're all too immersed into the digital culture or he's fighting with insecurities about the his feelings or the quality of his music (Anybody listening?) but either way he will continue to write and wait for a human connection (Count to infinity)
I was thinking along these lines, as well...very well said!
That's a great interpretation. I struggled with the count to infinity line. That makes sense.
Wow - great analysis of these lines!
Ønes and zerøs represents his feelings of shutting down
ones and zeroes is also binary code, it makes up everything. its like the atoms of the digital world. its as broken down as a code can possibly be, when its only made up of ones and zeroes
@@luckyspaceman to add on and correct. Binary Code is how technology understands the alphabet. If it used more than 1's and 0's, the computer won't be smart enough to understand let alone process the information it contains. There are very few computers in the world (Quantum Computers)that can handle a more complex code than binary and these Computers need to be kept as close to 0° Kelvin(temperature where all molecules of a matter stop moving(Absolute zero)) as possible. That way, you just have the energy needed to be processed, processed without molecule interference.
I think that when he sings “we’re surrounded and we’re hounded there is no above or under or around it” he is talking about Dema and the wall surrounding the city because they can’t go above it and Tyler says in “Leave the city” that he will not leave through the tunnels under the city and you can’t walk around a circle. What do you guys think?
I reckon a lot of lyrics from trench have 2 meanings. 1 in the fictional context of DEMA, and the other a real life context. So I think you're right for the DEMA context.
I think for the real context it's talking about death. Above is blind belief ie Religion with no facts. around is scientific miracle, ie not dying and just using science to live forever, but that would be a miracle. The below one is hard to explain but I think this guys pretty spot on
you are 100% right
I think it’s amazing how Tyler actually used the DEMA narrative in this album, especially in this song.
It’s like an alternative way to interpret his lyrics, to better comprehend them.
There are the walls of DEMA, that you can’t possibly go under or around.
He could be surrounded and hounded by the bishops that might actually represent his fear of death.
Ones and zeroes might be how the banditos is are trying to contact him from the outside of DEMA, which could be interpreted as us, the fans, contacting Tyler through the internet giving him hope.
It’s so cool, you can explore these lyrics literally or with the DEMA lore in mind, and it both works.
Would you be willing to revisit some of these songs in the future as we learn more or your thoughts change? I think that would be really interesting.
Morph is my favorite song so far from the 2010's.
Morph is so beautiful. I haven't watched this video yet, but I've been wondering what on earth this one's about, so thanks!😁😊
Edit: Oh my gosh, this all makes soooooo much sense! I figured a lot of it was about God, but I was still so confused.😂
Oh yes, finally one of the best
Coconut coconut sharks in the water frens 🎶
something something something something something
This is gonna be a really long comment but here's my take on this line and how it plays into the rest of the song:
"Above is blind belief, and under is sword to sleeve, and around is scientific miracle for us to see. If and when we go above, the question still remains: are we still in love, and is it possible we feel the same?"
I'm almost 100% sure this line is talking about the afterlife.
The song starts off with Tyler saying that he can't stop thinking about if/when he'd die, so naturally, it's logical to progress from thinking about if/when to what would happen next. If we go above (to heaven) when we die, we need blind belief, and we could also go under (to hell). I believe "around is scientific miracle" is referencing the Earth, and how it's scientific proof of God's creation, and that it's here for us to see so that we can believe, and go above. But, when Tyler's train of thought continues logically towards what would it be like above, he starts to think about if we'll still be in love in heaven, which could mean either:
a) Will we still love the idea of heaven once we begin eternity in it, or if it's lure is only temporary while we're here on Earth? Will a perfect world ultimately become boring?
b) The Bible says that there won't be pain in heaven, so will our other emotions transfer, and will we still feel the same about each other? Is it worth living in a world where there are no emotions?
Once he asks himself these questions, he starts to be curious about what it would be like to "go under" (to hell), but he knows that isn't something that's necessarily the best to contemplate, so he morphs.
Overall, I think Morph is about Tyler fighting the rational/logical side of his brain. Nicolas Bourbaki was a group of mathematicians/logicians who demanded logical proof for the existence of God. Tyler knows that when he starts asking himself these questions, ultimately it leads to doubt, and in order to avoid that doubt, he tries to pretend like he's a different person. Somebody who doesn't need logical proof in order to believe in something.
Song Theory I think the whole album has shades of this - certainly “can you build my house with pieces; I’m just a chemical” is a reference to this idea.
Also, getting closer to “above” is referenced a few times in other songs - it’s called “so high” and “levitate” and “the high road.”
Very well put.
I like this interpretation. Makes the most sense
this is an amazing interpretation👏👏
@@brooke7750 If you enjoy this interpretation, I have a much more detailed theory on it coming soon! ;)
I’ve been waiting for this since Trench came out!
Could the “secret door” be the trapdoor?
I don't think so, but it's possible
*gasp* i mean its possible they have tied this album to older songs like doubt the mention of the bishops and things
Oh my gosh! I didn’t even think about that! And trapdoor is a song! In there album twenty one pilots!!! 😱
Guys but no, Nicolas Bourbaki was a group mostly located in Dema, France. I'm not even joking, it's on their wikipedia lol
Ones and zeros could be a reference to the fact that Nicolas Bourbaki was a group of mathematicians
Kylie Paniagua I think you’re right. And they tried to prove the existence of God with math & science. Considering this song is about blind faith, I think it all ties together
Nicholas bourbaki is actually blurryface as said by Tyler in an interview by musicfeed
Above is having faith, below is a nihilistic acceptance of death and no meaning, around is a human attempts to delay the inevitability of death. Nico Bourbaki is trying to add reason to faith because he's uncomfortable with blind belief, but it's when he looses his faith, that nihilism takes in and death seems like a way out.
As for "there's no above or a secret door, what are we here for?" is kind of an if-then question, I think. IF there's no above, what are we here for? Just to run through all our tormentors and sing this song (and ask these existential questions). And it's a little pointless, if you ask me.
The bridge seems like a reference to the allure of fame, even a foreshadow of Neon Gravestones "lights they blink to me" aka the neon gravestones are calling. "Ones and Zeroes" aka looking for proof and having doubt. Asking "is anyone listening?" is like trying to count to infinity. You can't really do it. Hence, he's writing this song to help him get some perspective and go over his options.
ohifonlyx33 I love this ^^^ and totally agree.
I also thought the “there’s no above” felt like it had an implied “if”
Love you pop song professor .. from Syria
Great thoughts! My thoughts on the "above" situation:I don't think that going above is necessarily about faith, but more about rising above the thought of death, not letting it cloud our lives, blinding believing that it's not a big deal. In doing so we disconnect from reality, and if we do that how can we still feel anything? Can we actually love something or someone if we try to not think about the finality of life? I think this could also make sense of the lines, "There's no above or a secret door What are we here for If not to run straight through all our tormentors?" The only way to carry the tension to going through these dark thoughts, not suppressing them (going above), or being overwhelmed by them (going under), but through them. Thanks for making this videos!
About the verse:
"There is no above or a secret door, what are we here for?
If not to run straight all our tormentors..."
I definitely think this is a doubt moment. He's doubting if there is no above (God) or a secret meaning to life then why are we here? Just to run through torments and suffering and then that's it?
I think "Morph" is alot more about dema then you would think. I think the song sort of describes the banditos escape strategy. "Above" refers to going over the walls of dema to escape. "Under" refers to escaping under the walls through the tunnels. And "around" is a scientific miracle; "around" the walls is impossible. "If I keep moving THEY won't know, I'll morph to someone else" the "They" refers to the bishops, if he "keeps moving" maybe they won't notice him escaping. Him "morphing to someone else" is him resisting the bishops, mind control? Not quite as sure about the "morph to someone else" part. Anyway, that's what I thought about it. Thanks for reading :D
i bet the 1s and 0s are referencing back to Nicolas bourbaki
21 Pilots is one of the only music artists I know that make lyrics with sentimental meaning.
I think the line "there's no above" is saying that no one really knows if God or whatever u believe in even exist, so in a way we make our own "above" and some people truly don't have an "above"
I have been waiting for the explanation of Morph almost since I heard it!!! Morph is one of my favorites from Trench!!
My favourite song on the album now makes a little bit of sense! Yaayyy
just wanted to say that you are crushing this going through trench. Great job dude. Keep doing what you do!
airship prodigy He’s amazing 😊
Last thing, I think you mixed up the if and the when with the line, "and one invades today while the other spies tomorrow." I think he kept the if/when format fit the three previous lines to let us know that panic about dying invades today. Sorrow about death happens after someone died.
Hey also to mention this, when they said it was a collective of NINE MEN and we know there are NINE bishops!!!!!!!
I wonder what it’s like to just sit back and watch people make all these theories when you know they’re so close but you know exactly what it’s about
Morph was one of my favorites songs from the album because I like the sound of it, and now I love it even more when I started to understand its lyrical meaning
I can't believe that you actually manage to explain so many so complex songs in such a short amount of time! That is what I call dedication to music, tøp and above all to your community!
When Tyler sings "there's no above or a secret door; what are we here for if not to run straight through all our tormentors?" I believe rather than saying that a higher power doesn't exist, he's saying that can't always rely on it to let you avoid your problems. This line (as well as the rest of the song) sounds like it's about facing your problems head on instead of running from them which is very clear because of the lyric "what are we here for if not to run straight through all our tormentors?". He's saying you need to face your problems head-on by running through them instead of away from them and that you can't just expect above (a higher power) or a secret door (any other way out) to give you a way to not face them everytime.
'One invades today, while the other spies tomorrow'
I've interpreted that line the same way that you did. 'If' comes along like a screeching halt, and it hits you with a lot of fear for your life, invading and ruining your day. Yet 'when' collects information about your future and forces you to contemplate the real possibility of that future abruptly ending.
'If' feels like suddenly being smacked, and 'when' feels like slowly being poisoned.
DUDE!!! YOU ARE ON A ROLL WITH THESE TRENCH EXPLAINATIONS! XD
The if and when I die part was so relatable to me because I have anxiety over death and dying.
So glad I could help out! Love your vids!
I love this explanation, You are the best
That Nicolas Bourbaki part had me stumped! Thanks for the food for thought!
Here's my interpretation of the 1s and 0s in the bridge:
In electronics, 1 represents high and 0 represents low. It could be about the highs and lows in life
to the one person who disliked.......
how could u
?
My interpretation of the end "1s and 0s" was that it's about computers, with a screen (lights). This entire album came to life in an invite string of ones and zeros on his computer, I think he's singing about that.
YES I HOPE YOU EXPLAIN THE SWORD TO SLEEVE THING
in the part when he is saying “no above or below or around it” he is speaking ab death. here is no avoiding death like he struggles with the thought that no matter what we do, in the end we die. so he asks “what are we here for” bc like why am i hear if im gonna die. its a struggle for many
Morph kinds connects with Cut My Lip.
“If I keep moving they won’t know.”
“Though I am bruised, face of contusions, know I’ll keep moving.”
Morph is one of my favorite songs on the album
Hey Cliff, nice explanation (loving all the trench rn). So, I watched your video, and here are some of my interpretations that differ. Would love to discuss w/ you!
Initially I was confused, but figured that it had to have a DEMA element to it, with Nico and all. So I concluded that the above/around/under are double entendres.
(i) Above for blind belief, but not only in a real world sense (higher beings and such) but also for the higher being within DEMA, which is Nico; the above option to survive would be to cast away the 'existential' thoughts that inevitably come your way (like w/ clancy) and just accept Nico's way, which is, needless to say, a very difficult path to follow (especially for a philosophical person like Tyler).
(ii) You have given the explanation for both sides of 'under' yourself - both the real world giving up/suicide aspect, and also the tunnels under DEMA, which, at least in my perception, are dark, and very difficult to navigate.
(iii) The scientific miracle here, I think, is one of the deepest parts of the song (in conjunction w/ the chorus and bridge); it is saying that as of right now, the only way other than above or under is 'around', i.e circumventing DEMA's walls, and it impossible to him right now, ergo "scientific miracle".
To end off the 1st verse, he says that going under is starting to take his wonder. Here, I have two theories:
1 (I'm leaning toward this) is that 'going under' is not really fully giving up, but only sheathing your sword and retreating into "Trench" which is, by definition, a refuge from fire that is *under*. This is stopping to fight a useless stalemate, but retreating to a refuge where "in Trench, I'm not alone" (Leave This City).
2 (less likely) is that he is becoming suicidal, but is just hanging on by his music.
Now, the chorus. "Until that time, I'll try to sing this" is saying that until he can get out, either navigating his way out of Trench, or by finding a scientific miracle to break down the walls (i.e gain the ability to overcome these feelings). The entire rest of the chorus is about morphing as a "defense mechanism" to cope. And I am inclined to believe that it is referring to the "I'll sing this", and saying that he uses his music as a power; this power, while not allowing him to completely fly out of DEMA, allows him to become a ghost that can dodge Nico's blows for the time being. Also, the change in modulation of the vocals is genius to depict this :D.
Second Verse time. So, by my research, Nicolas Bourbaki invented the Ø, but also was influential in cementing the philosophy behind generalized/abstracted curriculum a lot of places use to teach math. They essentially wanted to take math, and abstract it out into its most generalized form to create rigid set theories to put into textbooks. I think Tyler is likening what Nico does to him and his thought flow, to what Nicolas Bourbaki did to math.
The next few lines are pretty similar to the last few of the first verse, except introducing another option of 'straight through' which is, unsurprisingly, impossible too.
[the chorus is the same again]
Now we come to my favorite part of the song. I don't know why, but the bridge was never confusing to me. It was like it just clicked immediately. For me, it is Tyler down in the depths of Trench looking up and seeing the blinking lights of the outside. In computer programming, ones and zeros are often referred to/used as an on off switch (one signifying on/TRUE, and zero signifying off/FALSE). This is so clever, because often times, at sea, a lost boat's only way-point is a wavering, blinking lighthouse in the distance. But this is all the boat needs to set it's course, however long it takes to tame the waves in between. Next, the "anybody out there" is him noticing and latching onto the hope of the proof of an outside. The "ergo this symphony" is literally talking about this song as a response to the ones and zeroes that he is getting from the outside. Latching on to this shred of hope, he creates a 'symphony' around it to stay alive. Now, lastly, and arguably most importantly, he says "count to infinity, ones and zeroes". This is probably the biggest difference b/w your's and my interpretations. I think that this is actually the hopeful ending to the song that completes it. Ones and zeroes are only two digits, but you can still use the binary system to count to infinity (01, 10, 11, 100, 101, 110, etc). He is saying not that he is weary of waiting, but that he has the hope to wait at all, and with just a little but, he can hold out to infinity.
[the last chorus is also the same as the rest]
Soooooo, that was my dissertation, I think I deserve a PhD. now, what do you think Mr. Stumme?
Lol, joking aside, this is what I pulled, and I noted the differences, I would appreciate it immensely if you could reply with a few thoughts, about these possibilities.
p.s. I would just like to note that I started writing this when the vid first dropped, but it took me this long to articulate myself clearly :P
Cheers and Sahlo Folina!
I like that you acknowledged that the lyrics are simultaneously about more than one thing. They always are with twenty one pilot songs.
I was shook when I was listening for the first time and heard the name Nicholas Bourbaki. 😱
“He told me I’m a copy” Tyler is always afraid of making music that isn’t good enough and I just want to give him a hug and tell him he is literally the most unique person ever and his music is absolutely the best.
Can’t wait to hear what your top Trench songs are!!
My theory is that Nico is the bishop that represents tyler questioning his own faith. The bourbaki group sought to prove the existence of God through mathematics rather than accepting faith blindly, like he talks about earlier in the song.
All About Anonymity I agree. I am starting to think the whole Dema thing is about this.
Notice the bishops in the video for Nico & the Niners worship man-made light/scientifically made light. They also have statues celebrating human achievement.
In contrast, the Banditos celebrate within God’s creation, with God-created light. And Tyler follows Josh, who’s wearing a huge cross on his chest.
It all kind of fits together. Ones and zeroes are human-made information. Blind faith is “above” - it’s “so high,” it’s “levitated,” it’s the “high road.”
I noticed the thing with the lights, too. In pre-Trench TOP music, light + day = {good, hope, positive} and dark + night = {bad, sad, depression}. But in Trench, they make a distinction between artificial light and natural light. And I also think that's partly a religious thing. Have you noticed how much the NATN video looks like underground preaching? Tyler does an old-time revival jig and the same statue is in the background of the bandito basement scenes as the statue that the bishops worship in the church. And there's the same colored lights in Tyler's apartment as there is in the bishop church scenes. And if you pay attention, Tyler is mimicking the same hand and arm movements in his apartment as what the bishops are doing in their church scenes. I think the NATN video is Tyler privately worshipping in his apartment before performing an underground preaching/rebellion "concert." He's trying to spread the word and motivate people. Or inspire people, if you will. Tyler and the Banditos just have a lot of energy when they worship. The Bishops' congregation seems so lack luster and the bishops move so mechanically. Like there is no passion within the bishops church. The faith isn't there, but the idea of the faith is. As always, with TOP's music and videos, there is more than one meaning. They leave everything just open enough for you to have your own interpretation. You can see NATN as a video about DEMA or a video about religion. They tie things nicely usually, where one idea doesn't exclude the other. Kind of like believing in science and believing in God. One idea doesn't exclude the other.
I see what you’re saying. It’s as if both are a type of worship - they just have different “gods” or goals.
So...I think one worship service (the bishops) is about human achievement as a goal (the false light) and fame (the statues) and acceptance of death (the vulture associated with Nico).
But the other worship service (the Banditos) is about renewal (haircut and burning car) and creation (fire/torches/nature) and faith (Josh’s cross) and life (flowers).
The Morph lyrics seem to echo that distinction, between ones and zeroes and the “blind faith” that’s necessary to go “above.”
Buuuut....I feel like there’s so much more here. It’s amazing to delve into it!!
@@moonbeam3362 I agree with your thoughts on it, too. And I agree, it is very interesting.
Yes!!! I have been waiting for this breakdown!! I LOVE THIS SONG! It has been on reply for days! This is a great song and this is a great review on the song thank you!
When it talks about nico calling him a copy, that could be saying he is a simulacra, or a copy with no original. An example of the word simulacra could be how we chose to present ourselves online, we often don't show everything that really is happening in our life. In that sense our 'personas' are simulacrums of ourselves.
I have always felt that in this song he is talking to someone he loves, telling him/her he cant stop thinking about death, so when he says "are we still in love and is it possible we feel the same" i always felt like he told that special person that whatever the desition they make, to either believe o surrender and live "eternally", it doesnt mean they will feel the same way forever, unchanged or frozen in the persons they are now, that they will keep morphing into something new, so to ponder on the desition or on death is both meaning less and meaningfull. He cant stop thinking about it, and thinking about it is important, but he knows he could spend all that time on something he loves more.
PS: Excuse my english, its my second language
You guys better put his notifications on👏👏👏
He recently had an interview about his faith. This interview helps a lot with the interpretation of this song. And especially Leave the City
I also wonder if it’s referencing escaping Trench. Above- over the walls, it would take blind belief to believe that you’ll make it without the bishops stopping you. Under- with the banditos. Around- attempting to just get on with it and deny it. This would explain the line “there’s no above.”
Okay so:
The first verses are very important to the rest of the song because there the problems are created: fear and sorrow, (which is also considered negatively!) which yeah are created by death. So, how to deal with it?
Tyler tries two things:
first he tries out these options (ABOVE, UNDER, AROUND) as a way out, but maybe only as a way to come to better terms with his FEELINGS and not DEATH itself. Which means for him thinking a lot and slowly coming to the conclusion that around is hopeless, above possibly also not real, or even when it is, the emotions are still there, and under...
Whenever! He catches himself thinking about UNDER to much, he'll jump into his defense mechanism mode, guys. He is not done yet, he morphs, maybe even into "Josh Tyler" as he cries it out.... and it helps, but he is still just a ghost. And he will start thinking about it again....
So yeah, when we start thinking about it: He is always changing. Like between ones and zeroes and ones and zeroes and...
Well, I think I get his messege. "Anybody listing?"
It's so beautiful how you Love the lyrics and the band, you are a true fan and I think that clique really appreciate you work and effort to help us understand these lyrics.
One possible interpretation of the chorus could be that he's struggling mentally with the doubts about death and afterlife, and it's causing some issues with mental health. He wants to keep moving so that "they" don't know about his struggles and he wants to morph in to someone else who doesn't have these issues. What "they" throw at him to try to reveal his struggles and "true self" is too slow. Saying that he's just a ghost is referring to feeling like he's just the shadow of a person.
I love all his thumbnails 😂😂 They crack me up.
Love your videos man!
I feel like that bridge (the one with ones and zeroes) depict him shutting down and feeling alone in his own mental battle against Blurryface/ the bishops, as he says “is anybody listening?” it makes sense because then it transitions to “we’re sorrounded and hounded” which could also be in part a reference to the bishops.
I always thought the 1s and 0s line was talking about binary code
Great vid, Prof.!!
Well Tyler has said that we (the fans) have played a big role in helping create this album and he connects and listens us a good amount through social media and technology so that could be what he means with the ones and zeroes part
Maybe when saying "there's no above or a secret door what are we here for" is asking why we would be here if there was no above/God...?
Queen Awesome Leo Yes! I agree fren 😊👍🏻
I'm interpreting "no above" as what Nico tells Tyler. "Well, we're surrounded" sounds like a response- "well" is something you say in response to what someone else says. I think this is Nico telling Tyler what he should think.
Thanks for making so many Trench explanations lol- PP
Binary code is full of ones and zeros
I'm brazilian and the '' ergo this symphony '' line caught my attention , because in portuguese this word '' ergo '' means '' I raise/ I lift ... '' , so it kinda makes sense for it to mean '' I raise this symphony ''. I wonder if this is actually what they meant ...
Could be. In the reversed lyrics he says, "I raised this note." Three times. I'm working on a video about those to post tomorrow.
In Latin " ergo" means "therefore"
I think in the bridge, lights they blink to me is the lightbulbs the bishops made for the people of dema to worship. In the bridge it says they're talking to him but its just ones and zeros to him i think because the fake gods provide no warmth in the fire, no substance. Count to infinity, counting is monotonous and unproductive. Also the Ø or null thingy made by the French mathematical secret society nicolas bourbaki means emptyness and lack of actual value. This mirrors the group as their math often went against logic and they tried to write the rules to serve themselves.
aaron caselli I think you got it ^ I think Tyler’s saying there’s more to life than this - there is true light/life
This is my favorite song along with 'Cut My Lip', from "Trench." Great video and explanation, Clifford.
Finally! My favorite song on the album
Thank you for this! I have to write a presentation on a song and I chose Morph. Little did I know it was going to be this hard.
I think for the prechorus when he says “and that’s when going under starts to take my wonder” he means that he’s starting to think a little more about giving up and suicide because above and around don’t seem to make any sense to him and he’s just getting scared but when the chorus hits I think he starts to think like wow thinking about all this stuff every day is ruining my life, from now on I’m just gonna ignore all that kind of stuff and run away from it “what they throw at me is too slow, I’ll morph to someone else” he’s saying that he’s going to avoid thinking about death and by “morphing” into someone else he means he’ll evade the bad thoughts chasing him
I was hoping you'd upload a video explaining Morph soon! It's my favorite on the album so I was excited. I had a lot of ideas on what Morph could mean after watching your explanation, I feel a lot better about my ideas. Can't wait for the next video!
i am watching your videos to study for my english test tomorrow...I have no regrets.
Re 8:42, "there's no above or a secret door" - I think that's referring to the fact that although you might believe in a higher power you still have to live this life til it's over (kind of like in March to the Sea). If we can't go over, under, or around it, then we have to go through - "straight through all our tormentors." There's no magic escape from suffering.
Ones and zeroes to me is a question of his own humanity. As if he’s becoming a robot run by code
After your done with Twenty Øne Pilots, you should do some Switchfoot!!!!! They have something coming out on the 19th, or you could just look at all the songs from Beautiful Letdown like everyone else does lol
i reckon the chorus could be about him changing personalities, putting on a smile and trying to hide from his dark thoughts and putting on his safety jumpsuit or whatever and surrounding himself with certain people as a defence mechanism
YAS!! FINALLY! This was my favorite so far.
My favourite song of Trench. I loved the Moby vibe
Yess! I have been waiting for this!
I'm sure it's probably too late for anyone to read this comment but I'm pretty sure about what the bridge means when it's talking about ones and zeros, I mean obviously, it's talking about binary code but I think it's pointing to social media and phones, and how we are kind of just all stuck and in a "symphony" and hiding behind screens. I would love to explain it more but I am absolutely awful at communicating thoughts into words.
I hope this makes sense.
I'm probably WAY off base but oh well :)
Honestly this is my favorite song in the album
Awesome video! It really helped me understand some things and clear up my thoughts. To me, the line, "we're surrounded and we're hounded," reminds me of Heavy Dirty Soul when Tyler says, "Death inspires me like a dog inspires a rabbit." It makes me think of the horseback hunts people would do where the dogs would chase a rabbit (and the horseback hunts remind me of the Jumpsuit video).
The "ones and zeros" part makes me think of Morse code. I imagine Tyler watching the horizon out his window at night and seeing the Banditos send messages by Morse Code. That would explain how he would know when the Banditos were coming to help him out of DEMA. The "symphony" could be the rhythm of the message, and when Tyler asks, "Anybody listening?" I imagine him looking around in DEMA trying to see if anybody else is watching the code at night, waiting to break out and join the Banditos.
Thanks again for this video! I really enjoyed it! :D
One and zeros are basically decisions he makes to whatever it is and it is never ending as he says count to infinity.
I've been waiting for this videoooo