'The Outside' Music Video by Twenty One Pilots Deeper Meaning

If you like what I do, check out my other projects!

Let's get to know each other!

The team

[FearlessConcern]

Thanks for the shout out! I've been a big fan of your TØP videos for a while! |-/

[GanelOnid_]

I think one of the connections missing in this excellent review is that the lyrics/theme of the song could also play out with the neds. Ned was originally an embodiment of Tyler's creativity that grew stronger (bigger antlers) in Chlorine. The Outside has a running theme of wondering if these other younger musicians stole his style and/or are overtaking him in some way musically. I believe that the other neds are the embodiment of these other artists' creativity. He can hang with them, and sip what they're sipping, but ultimately his Ned is different, on the outside, more evolved. This is why the other neds have smaller antlers. They haven't created and fought enough yet to control their own bishops/demons. Just a thought more about the song than the lore.

[daysleeper]

I love how relaxed and happy Tyler/Clancy looked in that moment with the Neds before he got up to continue the fight.

[johnmurray]

Really really love the breakdown Cliff. Consider doing a dema for dummies part 4 with this whole new update on things with the new record and music videos??

[megaascension]

I found a lot of similarities with "Kitchen Sink". Especially the lines
"Are you searching for purpose?
Then write something it might be worthless
Then paint something it might be wordless
Pointless curses
Nonsense verses
You'll see purpose start to surface
No one else is dealing with your demons
Meaning maybe defeating them could be the beginning of your meaning, friend"
Defeating your demons (the bishops) with creativity (Ned).

[ohifonlyx]

This whole story feel closely tied to spiritual warfare to me. He was taking a backseat in his life while the car was on fire, until he cried out to be saved. Meanwhile, like some kind of demons, the bishops make a poor imitation of Light, entice people to their deaths, use them to further their message, and control more people's minds. But no matter how many times he gets captured, Tyler can't be killed, and therefore he can't be controlled, he has a True Fire that keeps leading him to escape and spread his message.

[danielwalker]

In the outside I think the lyrics are more about Dema then we realize. "I'm already bored, I'm pretty sure I've seen this one before" and going into "Up and down" could be a reference to the cycle of going in and out of Dema. When he asks "Or am I on the outside?" is a referencing a feeling he could already be out of Dema. When he is controlling the Bishop lyrics include "I'm on the outside" saying I made it out, I just needed to get out of my head and realize I am out. "Little did they know that they can't touch me, " saying the bishops don't realize they don't have power over him anymore.

[athanasiospapadopoulos]

I think that Keons was killed after he went rogue and sunk the ship that was carrying/transporting everyone in the Saturday music video. Keons and Trash's eyes were both glowing but after Keons was killed, Trash's eyes faded. Seeing as there were nine Neds I don't see why that wouldn't be a connection to the nine bishops, so perhaps there is a Ned for each of the bishops. Regardless, this Ned gave Tyler the ability to fight back against his demons through using Keons as a *vessel*. I'm not sure what connection or link there is between the Neds and the bishops but it's clear that the Neds have the power to control the bishops in some way and the bishops will stop at nothing to prevent the Neds from using this power, even going as far as killing any creativity within the minds of the DEMA inhabitants (vialism). Scaled and Icy seems to be furthering the narrative through line all the way back to Vessel (Voldsoy is translated to 'violent island'; using Keons as a vessel; Migraine in The Outside music video) and this makes me think that the next album will be the end of the Trench storyline whether it be after the Banditos successfully destroy DEMA and the bishops or the events leading up to DEMA's demise.

[inaldojunior]

Also! "I begin to assemble what weapons I can find (ned's horns)
'Cause sometimes to stay alive you gotta kill your mind (Tyler crushing the neon light in the video, the bishop dying, the fire in DEMA we can say that he is killing something in his mind!!)
The Outside music video have SO MUCH links with Migraine lyrics!!!

[Poketoa]

I have been waiting for this one. But also this is gonna get rambly.
Turning the bishops, these things you were fighting inside yourself, into something that works for you instead, mirrors a comment I made last year about some of this being about "taking what you can from Dema" and making it work for you.
Migraine's appearance is no accident. The Torchbearer may have pulled Clancy out of the water, but only Clancy could make a bishop dance for him.
In other words, "Tie a noose around your mind, loose enough to breathe fine, and tie it to a tree, tell it you belong to me, this ain't a noose, this is a leash, and I have news for you, you must obey me."
And what do antlers look like? Tree branches.
Keons is no longer living. For all we're able to gather, it's very likely he betrayed the other bishops. Heavydirtysoul, his song, is a song that's trying to get people to wake up from their sleep, trying to get people to take action, but also about trying to "smoke out the infestation" in Tyler's mind (with reference to his basement, where he makes music). At this point, Keons no longer wants people to sleep. Heck, this is a stretch, but I have to wonder whether Choker, as part of this album, wasn't a song "by" Keons, and perhaps the very song referenced in The Judge. Those under him were described as "always proud to serve, " and it makes me think whether he's the very "leader of the bad guys" we heard about. Perhaps through talking to Clancy, he realized the faults of Vialism, the truth that it's heatless, and decided to try and help in his escape. And "a secret hideaway" sounds very much like the island Voldsoy. "His four walls, " or those around him, "declared him insane" and killed him, realizing that he was no longer contributing to the bishops' cause, but not before he was able to come to Clancy's aid. In a different sense, this is also killing a part of your mind to let it grow, just in a roundabout way that is complicated as heck (and I personally am just a little familiar with myself since like... 2008 or so? Long story. Sometimes I feel like Tyler's been watching me with this sort of thing, lolol), but possibly for reasons of pride or stubbornness to talk about them directly. Now, Keons is merely a vessel for Clancy to pilot, part of his mind that used to plague him that's now come over to his side. In doing so, Keons no longer exists AS a bishop, effectively killing him. Tyler is now willing to speak, through his music, through creativity, through Ned's antlers, as a farcical dancing version of Keons, in a way that communicates the messages he was trying to convey, whether that be telling us of his inner world "in there, " or giving us a way of looking at our own world "out here" in a way that keeps us going, that gives us a new way to look at life, one that makes us stay alive even if it's just for the next episode.

[jeffbriggs]

Hell yeah I was more looking forward to this video than then actual video.

[BeeKnown]

great summary of lots of theories! Sent this video to my sister who was super confused about the video and I didn't do a good job of explaining it to her, she said it was super helpful!

[MikhailYT]

This video goes so in depth, great job!

[monkey]

I have been waiting for this video to come out!

[sarahainsworth]

Great video professor, best one so far

[mariyas.]

THANK YOU!! :) congrats on having a new person in your family

[keirblank]

I have been eagerly awaiting your breakdown

[hmorris]

holy crap. this analysis is nuts. tyler is so creative and cool omg

[loovilou]

I feel like everything in the current sai lore is relating back to vessel metaphorically and literally. Especially with the migraine reference and how you also pointed out the use of the antlers to control a bishop or persons vessel :) I am really excited to see what the next album or new projects will involve.

[LTMotions]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but - isn't Keons "Clancy's bishop" and Nico is Tyler's?