Twenty One Pilots does not release two songs from the same genre. Therefore, the song is part R&B and pop with elements of grunge. Furthermore, it is also a part of the official soundtrack for the Suicide Squad movie. If you are a fan of ill-perceived personalities, Heathens is for you.
How to Download Twenty One Pilots – Heathens
To download the song from a digital store, click on the Download button located at the end of this review. Check out also another hit by the band – Stressed Out.
The Song Review
Heathens by Twenty One Pilots lyrical interpretation
The song starts with the leader of the band singing. He almost leans to whisper with the lyrics All my friends are heathens; take it slow. The word “Heathen” could mean numerous things. However, in the lyrical context, it means friends.
The singer invites people outside of their fan base to understand their music. Looking at the song from a different perspective, it could mean Tyler is addressing their loyal fans to be more accepting of people unaware of their music. The advice is evident with the lyrics – Wait for them to ask you who you know / Please don’t make any sudden moves.
The band welcomes the new music lovers with the lyrics – Welcome to the room of people / Who have rooms of people that they loved one day / Docked away. The line intends to build empathy with the fans that have lost someone dear to them due to mental illness or health deterioration.
The song continues with, Never know the psychopath [or] murderer sitting next to you. The term “murder” references the Bible that claims hatred and envy for others as a sin.
The second verse builds compassion by admitting that not every fan base accepts new admittances. The loyal followers find it threatening that the Twenty-one pilot’s music will be taken lightly when it has powerful meaning. The original fan base wishes everyone to join the music by learning the subtext and genuinely understanding what the band is saying.
The outro is a reconciliation. Tyler asks the newer fans and old fans to converse sanely and build a civilized fan base. The newer fans are aware Twenty one pilot’s music is original and cannot be turned away as the band sings; it looks like you might be one of us.
The Video
Heathens was written for Suicide Squad. Therefore, it makes sense we elaborate its playtime in the movie. The clip begins with the secure facility that has been barricaded with cement walls. There is security on the marina with military aircraft flying overhead.
The frames switch from inside the facility to the camera room, where a prisoner is escorted through the hallway. We see Harley Quinn swinging upside down in her age, are we surprised? Not really.
The prisoner is led to a narrow hallway with flickering lighting. His cell is at the end of the hallway to the left. The cell door slides and the prisoner enters his new home for an unforeseen future.
We are introduced to the usual prison environment. Prisoners in their cells, staring at small windows, dreaming about outside. Police officers and guards roaming the hallways. We also see prisoners screaming aggressively into the security cameras installed in their prison cells.
As the video progresses, it is revealed Tyler was the original prisoner with Joshua on the drum set. The band plays the song in a common area surrounded by prisoners. The video concludes with fading frame as the last lyric is sung.
Heathens Is More Profound Than You Think
The song addresses the outcast and the normal. It challenges us to think about how society perceives each personality and builds social relationships. The song points out there will always be a clique based on genes, interests, or geography. However, we must become more accepting if we wish to progress as a unified race.
