Twenty One Pilots made a rather surprise release of a brand new single, titled “Shy Away” and also announced their upcoming studio album ‘Scaled And Icy’ today. The new single is a personal experience of the lead singer, Tyler Joseph with his brother Jay Joseph.
‘Scaled And Icy’ is the sixth studio album by Twenty One Pilots, following their multi-platinum 2018 album ‘Trench.’ “Shy Away” is the lead single off the album and was released on April 7, 2021, while the album release is scheduled for May 21st.
Tyler Joseph talked about the inspiration behind the song during the world premiere of the song on BBC Radio 1; “I’ve just been having a good time, playing some guitar for the first time, ever. I think nothing is more inspiring than learning a new instrument that I’ve never played before, specifically, the electric guitar and I had my younger brother over, he’s like “Hey, I wanna watch your process from start to finish, how do you start a song, how do you record a song, how to you write a song?” [I] just kinda came up with the beginnings of the song, almost as a tutorial for him on how to lay out a song, how to start it, how to record it, how to produce it out. Lyrically, it kinda turned out to talk about being an older brother and how the only tougher than trying to figure out what your own purpose is, is watching someone you love try to figure out their purpose.”
Watch “Shy Away” Music Video by twenty one pilots
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“Shy Away” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
The song is about encouraging someone to follow their dreams without shying away from their true potential. The song was inspired by Tyler’s brother questioning him about the songwriting and music production process. What followed as advice eventually shaped into the lyrics of this song, which is universally applicable to all of us.
In the three verses of the song, Tyler Joseph encourages (or rather hopes) that his brother would be gone out of their home when he returns from the studio. This is not an ill-wish on his brother. This symbolizes ‘leaving the nest’ to pursue their own dreams. It is easy to live under the wings of your parents or your elder brother. It is harder to pursue your dreams. That’s why they are called dreams. But when you do achieve those dreams, your real-life will feel as good as how you felt in your dreams.
Don’t you shy away (Ah-ah-ah)
Manifest a ceiling
When you shy away (Ah-ah-ah)
Searchin’ for that feelin’
In the chorus of the song, Tyler sings how the limits to one’s potential are what one defines them to be. What you envision, you can manifest. A ‘ceiling’ is an upper limit–usually resembles the maximum height one can go up. In life, you set your own ceilings. What you set out yourself to be, is what you will be. So, always set the bar ever so higher. There are no limits to human potential, only if you keep pushing yourself.
Tyler’s brother got an “I love you” from Tyler, but not in those same words. He got a song from his elder brother and a very inspirational one at that.
We hope all of you out there pursue your dreams no matter the obstacles infront of you!
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Check out the complete lyrics on Genius.