Screen
Twenty One Pilots
Unveiling the Screen of Vulnerability in Twenty One Pilots' 'Screen'
Twenty One Pilots' song 'Screen' delves into the complexities of vulnerability and the human tendency to hide one's true self. The lyrics suggest a struggle with self-expression and the fear of being fully seen by others. The opening lines, 'I do not know why I would go / In front of you and hide my soul,' set the stage for this internal conflict. The protagonist feels safe only when their soul is hidden, indicating a deep-seated fear of judgment or rejection.
The chorus, 'And I will hide behind my pride / Don't know why I think I could lie / 'Cause there's a screen on my chest,' uses the metaphor of a screen to represent a barrier that the individual puts up to protect themselves. This screen is a facade, a way to control how they are perceived by others, and to keep their true emotions and vulnerabilities from being exposed. The repeated lines, 'I'm standing in front of you / I'm trying to be so cool,' further emphasize the effort to maintain a composed exterior despite the chaos that may be happening internally.
The bridge of the song, 'We're broken, we're broken / We're broken, we're broken people,' is a candid admission of imperfection and shared human frailty. It's a call for empathy and understanding, acknowledging that everyone has their struggles and that it's okay to not always have it all together. The song resonates with listeners who have ever felt the pressure to appear perfect or to conform to societal expectations, while also encouraging them to embrace their authentic selves.