TWENTY ONE PILOTS, March to the Sea REACTION

[@uhhhperson]

When I first heard this song, it wasn't in context to the album which is mainly about religion so I had an entirely different thought about the meaning. I interpreted the sea as death and the line a place that society expects you to be. Looking around was like looking at his hopes and dreams; but realizing that he can't have them, and he has to keep walking forwards, leaving them behind. Looking up could mean talking to someone about what he's feeling, but then gender roles came in and he learned that "men don't cry" so he doesn't try to look up anymore. The voice would be his friends, the original people who started the band, asking him to join and the spaceship is performing. He joined and he knows that he can't perform forever and that he has to stop at some point, but he could start his march with different expectations while he's further ahead of where he left. The line looked dead and unhappy, everyone in the line looked dead and unhappy. He's in the spaceship for a small while so he might as well give hope to everyone stuck in the line who doesn't have an opportunity to get out and those who are in a shorter line to the sea.

[@mama_nez]

Also, if you wanna change it up a bit.. the album No Phun Intended is Tyler Joseph's 1st album, pre-twenty one pilots. Created when he was like 17, still in high school. I recommend Blasphemy and Drown as my 2 favorites from that.

[@kk-fc4yn]

This was recorded before Josh joined the band. The drum machine is by Tyler.

[@TheNraveles]

Oh and just for reference josh wasnt in the band at this point. It was Tyler, Nick Thomas, and Chris Salih who were the og members. Josh was actually a fan of them before joining after his last group disbanded.

[@alecthecatholic3380]

Mind blown!

[@esselleanderic]

This one is a really early song, I think 2009, way before they rose to fame. The song you were trying to remember the name of was Stressed Out, released in 2015. Interestingly, March to the Sea was the name of a military campaign from the American Civil War (I think) which may also have some relevance as there are references in the song to going to war, albeit in his own head. The cyclical nature of the song, where it all starts again the next day, is a recurring theme also in his writing, where the cyclical nature of dealing with depression and generally coping with living this mortal life is represented in many songs and music videos. Anyway, great reaction again, thanks for doing twenty one pilots!

[@alecthecatholic3380]

This is very cool! Thanks for sharing this. Stressed Out! Amazing how I cannot remember simple song names like that. That explanation for the cyclical theme seems dead on. I’ll keep an eye out for that as I go along. One thing that I’ve definitely been missing is the chronology of all these songs as I go.

[@neiltinley4858]

Another fun fact related to the chronology is that Josh was not the drummer on this song! This is from the band’s first album in late 2009, back when they had 3 members (Tyler, drummer Chris and bassist Nick). The other guys left the band and Josh joined all in 2011.

[@joephilippus1749]

I love reading all of these interpretations to this song. The beauty of TØP is that their songs can have many meanings. As a Christian who has dealt with mental illness my whole life, my thoughts on it is that Tyler is singing about his struggles while depression and the hope that he has in Christ. “This time of every year” could be referring to seasonal depression. For people with that struggle, the cold dark days of winter really do a number on us. Tyler sees that hope in the spaceship, he goes to them, but he still has to live with his depression every day. I’m assuming that if there was a part 2 to the song, the spaceship would be there for him again. This song has helped me through so many dark times in the past few years. When the days are the worst and I just want to walk into the sea, the spaceship always comes at the right time. Love the reaction and the perspective that you brought to it!

[@flightlessbird1892]

My interpretation is that the line to the sea is humanity blind leading the blind. “No one looks up anymore” bc they might see the truth (God) who is in the form of a spaceship (not of this world) offering salvation, but our own doubt fights back saying the hopeless march is the only way....idk thoughts?

[@mama_nez]

Have you done A Car, A Torch, A Death yet? (Twenty one pilots of course)

[@alecthecatholic3380]

Not yet! I’ll add it to the list.

[@robingoose]

Oh, my favorite song 🖤

[@christinelisska8963]

Trapdoor please!

[@alecthecatholic3380]

By twenty one pilots?

[@christinelisska8963]

Yep!!!

[@augusthenningsen9551]

That was a great reaction! My interpretation of it is that the spaceship represents God, and The march to the sea is possible the march to hell. Which is because when we do not choose to follow the voice of God we are destined to go to hell. And I think the fact that he say’s at the end of the song that “once again I will be in a march to the sea” he is referring to the fact that you have to live a godly life after you choose to follow Jesus. You can’t go on sinning. But when you do sin you have to recognize it as sin and ask for forgiveness because you knowingly sinned. Anyway, you should react to “death bed” by Relient k. Best song ever.

[@alecthecatholic3380]

I fee like this explanation works well too. I get that even when you choose to follow Jesus you end up waking up the next day faced with the same choice all over again. You’re still in the march. Really cool bro! And sure! I’ll check it out. I’ve put it on the list!

[@a3gill]

Nearly all of their songs are cyclical in nature, either in lyrical concept or sound.

[@mariaroque]

Yes I love this song thank you for your reaction! I think you would also enjoy Be concerned and Clear from their second album Regional at best

[@flightlessbird1892]

U saying Easter just reminded me of a song Tyler co wrote w/ his church worship leader (there’s actually quite a few & they’re all good too) but this one u especially have to do, pls! It’s “Dead Come Alive” animation video. I promise u won’t be disappointed!!😊💛

[@alecthecatholic3380]

Sounds tasty! Thanks! I’ll put it on the list.

[@flightlessbird1892]

AlecTheCatholic YES! thank u!!

[@firecup7087]

I think the interpretation is society that we are told what to do but we all have a choice and we are all slowly walking to our death and its all the same thing but we can't just all doing the same thing we need to break off the line

[@flightlessbird1892]

My interpretation is that the line to the sea is humanity blind leading the blind. “No one looks up anymore” bc they might see the truth (God) who is in the form of a spaceship (not of this world) offering salvation, but our own doubt fights back saying the hopeless march is the only way....idk thoughts?

[@flightlessbird1892]

But wait.... marching to the water might be symbolic of God? Or baptism? Idk I’d like to know what u think Alex

[@flightlessbird1892]

My bad Alec

[@alecthecatholic3380]

Based on another comment I read I think it most likely was intended to talk about a relationship with depression and how God (spaceship) can steal you away from that dry and empty place that ultimately leads to the sea (death/suicide) and many doing that march sincerely believe there’s no other way to get off the land. Unfortunately though the next day you wake up and you have to keep doing that same march since it doesn’t just go away. I think the water is something bad so most likely not baptism or God himself. Good thoughts though! This is why I’m starting to love these guys. SOOO many different ways to interpret it. Lol

[@flightlessbird1892]

Ok hold up...the line is to God, water is cleansing, & he says “this lines the only way “ “I am the way, the truth...” & his brain is repeating what the spaceship says “follow me instead” meaning temptation! “Then u put me back in my place, so I might start another day”

[@flightlessbird1892]

AlecTheCatholic good thoughts! Ok did u check out my last one?