☝️ Key Points
- Heathens is a socially critical song that deals with the theme of outsiders and misunderstandings
- The singer considers himself and his friends as 'heathens', people who are different and often misunderstood
- The loss or alienation of loved ones is addressed, possibly as a metaphor for emotional distance
- The song criticizes the treatment of outsiders and advocates for more understanding and openness
- By the end of the song, the listener is included in the group of 'heathens', indicating a deeper understanding and compassion
Interpretation
The song 'Heathens' by
Twenty One Pilots is often interpreted as a commentary on society and outsiders.
'All my friends are heathens, take it slow' suggests that the singer surrounds himself with people who are considered 'heathens' or outsiders. They are different, possibly misunderstood, and may have experienced abuse due to their otherness ('You don't know the half of the abuse'). The singer asks the listener to take their time getting to know these people before making snap judgments.
In the next section 'Welcome to the room of people Who have rooms of people that they loved one day Docked away' the singer talks about people who have lost loved ones. This could refer to physical loss, but also to alienation or emotional distance.
The lines 'We don't deal with outsiders very well They say newcomers have a certain smell' speak to how outsiders are often treated. It is implied that they are often met with suspicion or prejudice.
At the end of the song 'Why'd you come, you knew you should have stayed' it seems like the singer is directly addressing the listener. It appears that the listener now also belongs to the 'heathens', perhaps because they have heard their stories and now have a deeper understanding of them.
Overall, the song seems to be a plea for more understanding and compassion towards outsiders, who are often misunderstood and wrongly judged.