Backslide: the return of Blurryface - Twenty One Pilots theory/analysis

BABE WAKE UP DEMA JUST DROPPED A NEW VID

i also think "wishing that i never did Saturday" could be CLANCY talking, wishing he never caved into the bishops' control and wishing he never created that album to entertain the bishops and stood up to them.

I can’t imagine the vulnerability artists experience by sharing their personal lives via music or other arts. And to be an insecure person, and still share? And then to make money on your vulnerabilities? It must be so much to handle on many levels. Thank you, Tyler, never give up. We won’t . ❤

Hearing Tyler singing about how he "wished he never did saturday" makes me sad, because SAI is what brought me back to the fandom, SAI is what kept me in the fandom, and SAI is what I'm stlll fighting for till today. All the hate people are spreading about SAI not fitting the band clearly hurts Tyler..

Of course I notice the Grandson Music being used in the back within the first 2 minutes

I definitely like the interpretation of “I should have loved you better, do you think that now’s the time, you should let go?” coming from encouragement from a friend. It definitely also links with Josh directing this music video specifically, and that Josh has so much love for it. Of course, he directed the music video so ofc he’s going to have love for it - but truly connecting it with the “encouragement from a friend” take makes that connection even stronger to me.

Wow… it wasn’t until listening to your video that i reconsidered the lines of the song “I’ll take anything you have, if you could throw me a line” I was already convinced Tyler is speaking with himself, and having dialogue with BlurryFace. But I hadn’t thought about these lyrics quite with this slant. I think he’s talking to BlurryFace, and asking HIM for help, and it’s actually a double-entendre asking for a “line” of lyrics for a new song. 😮 he’s doubling down on these insecurities… Or at least that’s another interpretation. One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Tyler’s writing and its brilliance is how it can be interpreted by the listener in so many different ways.

I worry one of the many meanings of "I'll take anything you have if you could throw me a line. I should have loved you better. Do you think that now's the time you should let go?" is directed to a certain section of the Clique, the ones who in the last few years have constantly criticised the music and him personally. Like he's saying 'maybe I should have done the music/said the things you wanted me to (loved you better), but throw me a line here guys I'm doing my best. Maybe it's time you move on (you should let go). He looks at the camera and points to the viewer, us, when he says this in the video. Probably reading too much in, but I do wonder.

I expected you to mention something about Ned’s bread being a reference to how what Tyler creates from inspiration (Ned) producing bread (money) that he can just toss about when it tastes blah (not satisfying his real hunger). There are so many meanings that Tyler can cram into one song and one video!

I also feel like backslide is a conversation Tyler is having with God. saying that Tyler should've loved God better and that he doesn't care if loving God is going to leave him lonely or things not be fair. He wants God to lead him. The word backslide also sometimes refers to one backsliding from their faith. This is just my opinion I also love your interpretation of this song :)

ME ENTERING YT ME LOOKIN FOR WHAT TO VIEW ME SEE DEMA UPLOAD ME HAPPY 🗣️🔥

I feel as if every time I watch your video analysis on a twenty one pilots song I always leave with more appreciation for that song and the band.

Amazing analysis, as always! I love your videos 💜 And I love Eulogy as background music 😀 Again, it's incredible how we can find yet another meaning and reference everytime we go back to see music video and listen to the track. With lore expanding with every song, the whole thing becomes so complex that you can make an infinite amount of throwbacks and references with most of the tøp songs and definitely with every album. It's just amazing

btw the dangerous bend symbol is painted on the trash bin, which could be a throw back to that fact you mentioned on the overcompensate analysis that clancy, or tyler, in this context, is ignoring it and going through something that could end up badly

I’m also partial to the idea of some of these meanings in a way applying to josh’s storyline within the mental health allegory. while he may not be the one featured he did say that this music video meant a lot to him. josh in a way also follows a cycle of being insecure about music, using the burger he’s grilling he’s only grilling that one. he’s fixated on his one aspect and repeating that over and over and finding his own solace hiding behind that. as josh has admitted to with his drums. also the idea of him also struggling while waiting for tyler and being worried for his friend who is taking far too long and being trapped with that insecurity but not taking that step to in a way reach out to tyler. idk i’m bias towards josh and always like seeing things from his angle within the story too. great video :3

AMAZING video as always Dema, i love how you can cleanly connect all the points you make back to that one thing, being insecurities overwheling tyler, (if i remember right lol) but its very impressive, and great to have you as a valued member of the community and clique.

I was stood in the que to the London show last week talking to a lot of cliqquies about you DEMA we all love you. We were all saying how we can’t wait from a video like this from you. Keep it up, but at the same time prioritise what’s important 🥰

Absolutely amazing video as always! Another thing I have noticed about Backslide, specifically with the lyrics referring to a shoe with no lace, and a seat with a crease, is how it relates to the greater concept on which the band is established. Reaching back to Arthur Miller's work, the play portrays the struggle of making the right decision, even if it is much harder than taking an easy way out. In the play, the character took the easy path, which resulted in tragedy. Tyler has often said this concept inspires him to make these difficult choices, but in Backslide he falls back on the familiarity of insecurity, despite it being detrimental to his wellbeing. Oh, and the first time I heard the lyrics "I used to be a champion of a world you can't see, now I'm drowning in logistics" immediately reminded me of "I am supposed to be king of a kingdom, swinging on a swing something happened to my imagination this situation's becoming dire" from Forest. To me, this represents how when we feel insecure, we often look at the past and see it as much better than our current situation, thinking that we should feel a different way, we should be better than we are now, and yet we're falling short of it.

Such a great analysis! I have been thinking about this song since it came out and this helped put a lot of things into perspective. Your efforts are much appreciated. Thank you.

"I don't wanna.. backslide." This is so tough... fighting against your own issues to not be able to make it through and to the moments that are to be enjoyed.. the ride.. the music.. the bread.. the end of it all. What do you do when you have to keep "cycling"...? The poor man is reaching out so hard now. 😢