Twenty One Pilots' "Car Radio" Lyrics Meaning - Song Meanings and Facts (2024)

“Car Radio” is a song based on a real-life experience whereas Tyler Joseph, the leader of Twenty One Pilots, had his car radio stolen.At that particular juncture in his life he was not as financially successful as he is today.Thus instantly replacing it was not an option.And as a result he had to deal with considerable periods of silence while driving, whereas before he would normally be listening to his radio.But he had actually come to relish this experience, as incoming to the realizationthat “music can act as a distraction” and is a diversion from “where your mind wants to go”.

');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//srv.tunefindforfans.com/fruits/apricots.js";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)};})();

So that is the general storyline and idea which “Car Radio” operates on. That being said, it is important to point out as TØP has a tendency to use very heavy-handed lyrics. Owing to this, it’s easy to get carried away by one of their powerful metaphors.

Deeper Meaning of “Car Radio”

So in regards to actually understanding the meaning of this song, it is the third verse which is most-enlightening.By this time it has already been established that Tyler’s car radio has been stolen.And then we discover that he has a tendency to hide from his own thoughts and as such preferred it when his “car had sound”, as the noise served as a viable distraction from his inner voice.

But then he presents our world as one which is dominated by two opposing realities, “peace” and “fear”.And peace of course is the preferable road.But in order to achieve such a state, “faith” is necessary.Andfaithis characterized as being “awake”.And beingawakeis tantamount to mental activity, i.e. ‘thinking’.

And the implication is that the most-effective way to initiate thinking is via silence.Indeed if he is ‘sitting in silence’, the vocalist is able to “ponder… something great” and feels more compelled to maximize the time he’s been allotted on Earth.

Conclusion

So this song is inconspicuously deep.It uses the premise of the singer’s “car radio” being swiped – and the discomfort he experiences as a result – to espouse an ideology of silence, from a mental standpoint, being preferable to constant external sounds.

Twenty One Pilots' "Car Radio" Lyrics Meaning - Song Meanings and Facts (1)

Interpretation of “Car Radio”: By Another Hand

The lyrics of the song Car Radio don’t set you looking for hidden meanings.

It is the true story of how Tyler Joseph, the vocalist of the band Twenty One Pilots had his radio, GPS and CDs stolen from his car when he forgot to lock it because he was running so late for a college exam. He was so late that he left his car unlocked, only to return to find that the car had been burgled.

The lyrics allude to the feeling of discontent and frustration one feels due to a loss.

Frustrated and out of sorts, he has to drive in silence. And without the distraction of his car radio his thoughts get the better of him.

There are people who don’t handle solitude well because it is quite impossible to avoid the frank brutality of thoughts from crowding one’s mind, thus causing a lot of frustration.But then on the other hand, it is in times like these that the greatest and sometimes most successful ideas are born and implemented, or otherwise, discarded.

One can easily say that the lyrics of this song speak about the uncontrollable occurrences in our lives, and how well or badly we handle them depending on our character and the circ*mstances that present themselves.

Facts about “Car Radio”

The original release date for this song was 8 July 2011.That’s when it was featured on TØP’s second album, “Regional at Best”.

The track was then re-released on 18 March 2014, this time being featured on (and serving as a single from) their third album, “Vessel”. On “Vessel” also appeared the hits “Heathens“, “Stressed Out” and “Chlorine”

The second time around appeared to be the charm, as “Car Radio” appeared on four different Billboard charts including Hot Rock Songs.

Moreover it has been certified double-Platinum by the RIAA in the United States and also achieved Silver certification in the United Kingdom.

The director of the music video to “Car Radio”, Mark C. Eshleman, used a concert setting for the visual.

“Car Radio” was written exclusively by Tyler Joseph. Tyler also served as the co-producer of the track alongside Greg Wells.

Twenty One Pilots' "Car Radio" Lyrics Meaning - Song Meanings and Facts (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning of twenty one pilots? ›

Joseph came up with the band's name while studying "All My Sons" by Arthur Miller; a play about a man who commits suicide after causing the death of twenty one pilots during World War II because he knowingly sent them faulty parts for the good of his business.

What was 21 pilots biggest hit? ›

1. Car Radio (Vessel, 2013)

What is the story behind Twenty One Pilots chlorine? ›

Chlorine is a purifying chemical and Tyler is drinking it to cleanse himself from the black thoughts inside him. During the third verse, Tyler talks about how while his songwriting is very cathartic for him, if he over-relies on it, making music can be harmful to his mental health.

Where was car radio filmed Twenty One Pilots? ›

This was recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, CA. A live performance of “Car Radio” at the Newport Music Hall was uploaded to twenty one pilots' Youtube channel on January 12, 2012.

Why does Tyler paint his neck black? ›

Their fourth album name, 'Blurryface', is based on a persona of the same name created by vocalist Tyler Joseph. He said that the character represents both his and other people's insecurities. He uses blank ink on his neck and hands to represent this character, as seen in the 'Stressed Out' music video.

What is the meaning of Scaled and Icy? ›

Fans have also discovered that “Scaled and Icy” is an anagram for “Clancy is dead.” If Clancy was the foil to Blurryface and an ally to Joseph, then it appears that Joseph has finally been defeated by Nico.

What is the longest Twenty One Pilots song? ›

This is the longest music video of all time – and it would take you more than 4,200 hours to watch. The music video for Twenty One Pilots' "Level of Concern" ran for just over 117 days, smashing the previous record.

What are the most popular Twenty One Pilots songs? ›

twenty one pilots

Are 21 pilots emo? ›

The band's musical style has been described as alternative hip hop, electropop, indie pop, pop rock, rap rock, alternative rock, rock, synth-pop, pop, electronica, electronic rock, indie rock, hip hop, and indietronica with reggae, folk, psychedelic, new wave, and funk influences.

Why does Tyler shave his head in Car Radio? ›

In it the creator says that he thinks that Tyler shaving his head in Car Radio could symbolize him becoming more vulnerable and open to the people in his life and fans. He also noted that when Tyler is in Dema his hair is grown out.

What key is Car Radio in? ›

"Car Radio" is composed in the key of A minor, while Tyler Joseph's vocal range spans one octave, from a low of C4 to a high of C5.

What year did Car Radio come out? ›

1930: First Commercial In-Car Radio

The Galvin brothers' expensive $130 unit (a Model A Deluxe coupe cost $540) was the first commercially successful car radio, and the first product to wear the Motorola name.

What is the creature in Chlorine? ›

Ned is a fictional character of Twenty One Pilots that was created by lead singer Tyler Joseph. He resembles a furry creature with antlers, big black eyes, and a fat belly. As stated in an interview, Ned represents Tyler's creativity.

What are Rebel Reds? ›

The Rebel is an exceptionally crafted Irish ale that adds colour to any conversation. Launched in 1998 Rebel Red was the top selling Exceptional Irish Red Ale in the market after 4 months in outlet activity delivering a huge sales uplift and winning a Gold Medal at the world beer award for Europe's Best Amber 2013.

What key is Chlorine in? ›

The song is composed in the key of B♭ minor, with Joseph's vocals ranging between the notes of F3 and D♭5.

What are 21 pilots fans called? ›

The Skeleton Clique is the official name of the fanbase of Twenty One Pilots. The Clique officially started during Regional at Best, with the introduction of Tyler and Josh's signature skeleton hoodies.

Why do 21 pilots wear masks? ›

A fighter pilot's mask is primarily used to prevent the pilot from getting hypoxic, which is the lack of oxygen to the brain. As part of our training, we'll go into an altitude chamber where the atmosphere is reduced to one-third of what it is at sea level.

What Blurryface means? ›

Last record, Blurryface was a character that represented insecurity, and the more you learn about those insecurities and the more you learn about that character, the more control that you can have over things like that in your mental game of war.

What does the dragon symbolize in Scaled and Icy? ›

Trash the dragon on the cover for “Scaled and Icy”. “This dragon represents that imagination; to me, it was flying around the room while I was making these songs.”

What is the Scaled and Icy dragon called? ›

Trash the Dragon is a fictional character of Twenty One Pilots created by lead singer Tyler Joseph. He's a blue fire-breathing dragon figure and is featured in the cover art of band's sixth studio album, Scaled and Icy, and the music videos for Shy Away and Choker (as a minifigure).

What is the twenty one pilots symbol? ›

The |-/ symbol (also stylized this way and this way) very literally just means "Twenty One Pilots." It has significance to both Tyler and Josh, but for the most part it's up to you to interpret what the logo means to you and why it means twenty one pilots.

What is the connection between 21 pilots and all my sons? ›

All My Sons in particular had a profound impact on him, so he decided to name his new creative project after one of the show's key plot details. In All My Sons, Joe Keller's factory produces faulty airplane parts whose defects result in the deaths of 21 pilots in World War II.

Why does Twenty One Pilots use Ø? ›

The usage of the Danish "ø" on Blurryface's album cover is most likely a reference to Søren Kierkegaard, the father of existentialism. Themes of Christian existentialism and of what in philosophy is known as "the Absurd" are frequently present throughout Tyler's music.

What does Ned represent in chlorine? ›

Ned is a fictional character of Twenty One Pilots that was created by lead singer Tyler Joseph. He resembles a furry creature with antlers, big black eyes, and a fat belly. As stated in an interview, Ned represents Tyler's creativity.

What are 21 pilots fans called? ›

The Skeleton Clique is the official name of the fanbase of Twenty One Pilots. The Clique officially started during Regional at Best, with the introduction of Tyler and Josh's signature skeleton hoodies.

What is the significance of money in the play All My Sons? ›

Answer and Explanation: Money is significant in All My Sons because Joe Keller, the play's protagonist, is guilty of knowingly sending defective airplane parts to the military during World War II which resulted in the senseless deaths of numerous pilots.

Why is All My Sons considered a tragedy? ›

All Sons is considered a modern tragedy because of the creation of the chief cliaracter as tragic and how his actions lead to several tragic consequences. Sons is primarily called a tragedy. 1. How does George's arrival to the Keller household help in the development of the plot in Act II?

What does the title All My Sons mean? ›

The play All My Sons takes its title from the last words of Joe Keller who is the tragic character in the play. His sense of guilt leads him to commit suicide and before taking his life, he quotes the words of his dead son Larry who made penance for the death of twenty-one pilots.

What does the trench logo mean? ›

To begin with, Tyler explains that the logo is a representation of some of Trench's lyrics, and the feeling of protection: "The feeling of being surrounded by something that's protecting you... I knew I wanted that logo to have those extra layer of protection," he explains, discussing the extra slashes on either side.

What does the Pitchfork mean in 21 pilots? ›

Compass E Pitchfork

It references “Nico” lyrics reading: “Symbolizing the overturning of the false compass of DEMA, the Bandito Underground recognize the flipped E as an insignia of truth being revealed. We utter the code 'East Is Up' as a message of unity, truth and rebellion against the oppressive forces of DEMA.”

Why do 21 pilots wear yellow tape? ›

Yellow, traditionally, is considered to be the most positive color of the lot, representing happiness and motivation as well as a sense of renewal.

What does Ned stand for? ›

NED is an acronym that stands for “no evidence of disease.” Doctors use the term NED when all signs and symptoms of your cancer are gone. NED is also referred to as complete remission. Achieving NED is a promising sign.

What is Ned Bayou? ›

Ned's Bayou was a pop up shop located in Columbus, Ohio the sold merchandise dedicated to the Twenty One Pilots furry mascot, Ned. This shop was only open for three days and sold Ned shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, posters, and more. Not long after the closing a Ned's Bayou website popped up selling more Ned merchandise.

Are 21 pilots emo? ›

The band's musical style has been described as alternative hip hop, electropop, indie pop, pop rock, rap rock, alternative rock, rock, synth-pop, pop, electronica, electronic rock, indie rock, hip hop, and indietronica with reggae, folk, psychedelic, new wave, and funk influences.

Why do 21 pilots wear masks? ›

A fighter pilot's mask is primarily used to prevent the pilot from getting hypoxic, which is the lack of oxygen to the brain. As part of our training, we'll go into an altitude chamber where the atmosphere is reduced to one-third of what it is at sea level.

What do you call Panic at the Disco fans? ›

Panic! At The Disco's fandom are called the 'Sinners'. Brendon Urie sometimes calls his fans his "fellow sinners". [

Why are TØP fans called The Clique? ›

The Skeleton Clique, often referred to as just 'the clique,' is what members of the Twenty One Pilots fandom have dubbed themselves. The clique enjoys the band because their songs typically have a deeper meaning and are easy to connect to.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6435

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Birthday: 1996-12-09

Address: Apt. 141 1406 Mitch Summit, New Teganshire, UT 82655-0699

Phone: +2296092334654

Job: Technology Architect

Hobby: Snowboarding, Scouting, Foreign language learning, Dowsing, Baton twirling, Sculpting, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.