Sabrina Carpenter – Twenty One Pilots "Heathens" Cover
Saturday, July 14, 2018
“Heathens” premiered in June 2016 and was the first new single from twenty one pilots following the success of their 2015 album, Blurryface, and its singles. Billboard hinted toward “Heathens'” impending release in an April feature of the band:
Tyler Joseph, 27, the two-man crew’s singer-songwriter, has just been Dropbox-ed a new mix of a tune that’s in contention for the soundtrack of a major summer blockbuster, and he’s eager to give it a spin. When the song – a moody, downtempo banger that could almost be a Rihanna track – explodes from the PA at full concert volume, it’s like a switch is flipped in some deep, primitive part of the singer’s brain.
The “blockbuster” would end up being DC film, Suicide Squad and it appears on the movie’s original soundtrack.
On Instagram, Tyler has occasionally referred to himself, and phones, and the amalgamation of self-and-phone, as “heathen” and “heathen machines.” This perhaps connects to TØP’s relationship towards mental health struggles—everyone is a heathen in their own judgmental eyes. Social media culture holds a mirror up to that otherness while also helping us connect to fellow “heathens” who are also searching for acceptance. This song in particular warns against placing judgment upon others, as we are all hiding our pain in one way or another.
“Heathens” may be an explicit warning to the Clique, TØP’s dedicated fanbase. With the group’s recent rise to fame, the band has seen an influx of new fans. The Clique is now infamous for shaming “fake fans” for not being as dedicated as them, or not really understanding the songs. Tyler is asking the Clique to be empathetic towards their new fans and not to be so quick to call them “fake,” as they may very well have hidden psychological issues.
Of course, the lyrics are open to interpretation, and it’s possible to find themes related to the Suicide Squad characters—not necessarily the Clique.
Fun fact: the music video for Heathens was filmed in a real-life prison and the prisoners shown in it are actual prisoners.
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