Not Today
TwentyOnePilots Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't know why
I just feel I'm better off
Staying in the same room I was born in
I look outside
And see a whole world better off
Without me in it trying to transform it

You are out of my mind, ooh
You aren't seeing my side, ooh
You waste all this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind

Yeah

Listen, I know
This one's a contradiction because of how happy it sounds
But the lyrics are so down
It's okay though
Because it represents, wait, better yet it is
Who I feel I am right now

You are out of my mind, ooh
You aren't seeing my side, ooh
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind

Heard you say
Not today
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice
There's no choice
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a noise

Oh, don't you test me, no
Just because I play the piano
Doesn't mean not
I'm not willing to take you down
I'm sorry

I'm, I'm out of my mind, ooh
I'm, I'm not seeing things right, ooh
I waste all this time trying to run from you
But I'm, I'm out of my mind

Heard you say
Not today
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice
There's no choice
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a noise

(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
Yeah, oh!
(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
Yeah, oh!
(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)

You are out of my mind
You aren't seeing my side
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind

Heard you say
Not today
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice
There's no choice
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a noise

Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (yeah)
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah (yeah, woah)
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (yeah, no no, no, yeah)
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah (yeah)

Buh buh bah, not today (not today)
Bah bah bah bah bah (not today)
Bah bah bah bah bah (not today, no today)
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (not today, no no no, no!)
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah





Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Overall Meaning

The opening verse of TwentyOnePilots's song "Not Today" is a testament to the singer's belief that they are better off staying in the same room they were born in rather than trying to go outside and make a difference in the world. Despite looking out and seeing a world more improved without their intervention, they have come to the conclusion that they belong inside, and in isolation. The chorus of "you are out of my mind" is repeated throughout the song, reinforcing the idea that the singer has retreated inside their mind and is in the grips of despair. This chorus is particularly relevant as it's being repeated as if it is a mantra the character has developed and can't shake off.


As the song progresses, it begins to delve into the conflicting emotions that the singer is experiencing. The upbeat tempo and music drawn from your typical pop songs might deceive almost any listener to drop the guard, but upon closer listening to their lyrics, the song seems to be dealing with complex emotions. The singer recognizes that the song's contradiction is on how happy and upbeat the beat is, while the lyrics suggest otherwise. The song is a perfect representation of how the singer feels right now.


The song touches on another range of emotions, including frustration, anger, and disappointment, which is the perfect recipe for an internal conflict. In the end, the singer may have given up on their mission to transform the world, but they can't shake off the thoughts, tormenting them from time to time. The singer continues to fight against the inner turmoil that isolates them inside their minds; it's evident in the verse when they sing "not today" as if they are trying to persuade themselves or shut off the thoughts tormenting them.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't know why
I am uncertain about the reason for my current state of mind


I just feel I'm better off
I believe that I'm better off staying where I am currently situated


Staying in the same room I was born in
I prefer staying in my original surroundings


I look outside
I glance outwards


And see a whole world better off
I notice a world that is prospering


Without me in it trying to transform it
I understand that the world is better off without my intervention


You are out of my mind, ooh
You are absent from my thoughts


You aren't seeing my side, ooh
You are not perceiving my point of view


You waste all this time trying to get to me
You are spending a lot of time trying to connect with me


But you are out of my mind
But you remain absent from my thoughts


Listen, I know
I realize and accept


This one's a contradiction because of how happy it sounds
This song contradicts its joyful melody with its solemn lyrics


But the lyrics are so down
But the words are very gloomy


It's okay though
It is still acceptable


Because it represents, wait, better yet it is
Because it embodies, or even more, it is


Who I feel I am right now
This song reflects my current state of mind


Heard you say
I heard you express


Not today
I reject your offer or invitation


Tore the curtains down
I opened the curtains wide


Windows open, now make a sound
The windows are now open, let us make noise


Heard your voice
I heard your voice


There's no choice
I have no other option


I'm, I'm out of my mind, ooh
I am mentally unstable


I'm, I'm not seeing things right, ooh
I am not perceiving things correctly


I waste all this time trying to run from you
I expend a lot of time and energy evading you


But I'm, I'm out of my mind
But I remain mentally unstable


Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (yeah)
Instrumental


You are out of my mind
You remain absent from my mental space


You aren't seeing my side
You are not comprehending my point of view


Heard you say
I heard you express


Buh buh bah, not today (not today)
Instrumental


Bah bah bah bah bah (not today)
Instrumental


Bah bah bah bah bah (not today, no today)
Instrumental


Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (not today, no no no, no!)
Instrumental


Bah bah bah bah bah
Instrumental


Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Instrumental and vocalization




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TYLER JOSEPH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@pumpkinpie1435

LYRICS
I don't know why
I just feel I'm better off staying in the same room I was born in
I look outside and see a whole world
Better off without me in it trying to transform it

You are out of my mind, oh
You aren't seeing my side, oh
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind

Listen, I know
This one's a contradiction because of how happy it sounds
But the lyrics are so down
It's okay though
Because it represents, wait, better yet it is
Who I feel I am right now

You are out of my mind, oh
You aren't seeing my side, oh
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind

Heard you say, "not today"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice, there's no choice
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a noise

Don't you test me, no
Just because I play the piano
Doesn't mean I, I'm not willing to take you down
(I'm sorry)

I, I'm out of my mind, oh
I'm not seeing things right, oh
I waste all this time trying to run from you
But I, I'm out of my mind

Heard you say, "not today"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice, there's no choice
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a noise

You are out of my mind, oh
You aren't seeing my side, oh
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind

Heard you say, "not today"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice, there's no choice
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a noise

Buh buh bah, buh buh bah
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah
Buh buh bah, not today
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh



@claudiaapolinar5667

I don't know why
I just feel I'm better off staying in the same room I was born in
I look outside and see a whole world
Better off without me in it trying to transform it

You are out of my mind, oh
You aren't seeing my side, oh
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind

Listen, I know
This one's a contradiction because of how happy it sounds
But the lyrics are so down
It's okay though
Because it represents, wait, better yet it is
Who I feel I am right now

You are out of my mind, oh
You aren't seeing my side, oh
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind

Heard you say, "not today"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice, there's no choice
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a noise

Don't you test me, no
Just because I play the piano
Doesn't mean I, I'm not willing to take you down
(I'm sorry)

I, I'm out of my mind, oh
I'm not seeing things right, oh
I waste all this time trying to run from you
But I, I'm out of my mind

Heard you say, "not today"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice, there's no choice
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a noise

You are out of my mind, oh
You aren't seeing my side, oh
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind

Heard you say, "not today"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice, there's no choice
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a noise

Buh buh bah, buh buh bah
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah
Buh buh bah, not today
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh



@edergonzalezzamudio919

I don’t know why, I just feel I’m better off,
Staying in the same room I was born in,
I look outside, and see a whole world better off,
Without me in it trying to transform it,
You are out of my mind, you aren't seeing my side,
You waste all this time trying to get to me,
But you are out of my mind,
Listen, I know this one’s a contradiction because of how happy it sounds,
But the lyrics are so down,
It’s ok though, because it represents, wait better yet, it is,
Who I feel I am right now,
You are out of my mind, you aren't seeing my side,
You waste all this time trying to get to me,
But you are out of my mind,
Heard you say, “not today,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a sound,
Heard your voice, “there’s no choice,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a noise,
Don’t you test me though, just because I play the piano,
Doesn’t mean I am not willing to take you down, I’m sorry
I’m out of my mind, I’m not seeing things right,
I waste all this time trying to run from you,
But I’m out of my mind.
Heard you say, “not today,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a sound,
Heard your voice, “there’s no choice,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a noise,
You are out of my mind, you aren't seeing my side,
You waste all this time trying to get to me,
But you are out of my mind,
Heard you say, “not today,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a sound,
Heard your voice, “there’s no choice,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a noise



@lilesco2864

[Verse 1]
I don't know why I just feel I'm better off
Stayin' in the same room I was born in
I look outside and see a whole world better off
Without me in it tryin' to transform it

[Chorus]
You are out of my mind, oh
You aren't seein' my side, oh
You waste all this time tryin' to get to me
But you are out of my mind, yeah

[Verse 2]
Listen, I know
This one's a contradiction because of how happy it sounds
But the lyrics are so down
It's okay though
Because it represents, wait, better yet it is
Who I feel I am right now

[Chorus]
You are out of my mind, oh
You aren't seein' my side, oh
You waste all this time tryin' to get to me
But you are out of my mind


[Post-Chorus]
Heard you say, "Not today"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice, "there's no choice"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a noise

[Bridge]
Oh, don't you test me, no
Just because I play the piano
Doesn't mean I, I'm not willin' to take you down
I'm sorry

[Chorus]
I'm, I'm out of my mind, oh
I'm not seein' things right, oh
I waste all this time tryin' to run from you
But I'm, I'm out of my mind

[Post-Chorus]
Heard you say, "Not today"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice, "there's no choice"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a noise

[Bridge 2]
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah, oh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah, oh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh


[Chorus]
You are out of my mind
You aren't seein' my side
You waste all this time tryin' to get to me
But you are out of my mind

[Post-Chorus]
Heard you say, "Not today"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice, "there's no choice"
Tore the curtains down, windows open, now make a noise

[Outro]
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (Not today)
Bah bah bah bah bah (Not today), bah bah bah bah bah (Not today)
Buh buh bah (No, not today), buh buh bah (Not today)
(Oh nah nah no) Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah (No) bah (No)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh



@stefanvanghelicescu2458

LYRICS

I don’t know why, I just feel I’m better off,
Staying in the same room I was born in,
I look outside, and see a whole world better off,
Without me in it trying to transform it,

You are out of my mind, you aren't seeing my side,
You waste all this time trying to get to me,
But you are out of my mind,

Listen, I know this one’s a contradiction because of how happy it sounds,
But the lyrics are so down,
It’s ok though, because it represents, wait better yet, it is,
Who I feel I am right now,

You are out of my mind, you aren't seeing my side,
You waste all this time trying to get to me,
But you are out of my mind,

Heard you say, “not today,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a sound,
Heard your voice, “there’s no choice,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a noise,

Don’t you test me though, just because I play the piano,
Doesn’t mean I am not willing to take you down, I’m sorry

I’m out of my mind, I’m not seeing things right,
I waste all this time trying to run from you,
But I’m out of my mind.

Heard you say, “not today,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a sound,
Heard your voice, “there’s no choice,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a noise,

You are out of my mind, you aren't seeing my side,
You waste all this time trying to get to me,
But you are out of my mind,

Heard you say, “not today,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a sound,
Heard your voice, “there’s no choice,”
Tore the curtains down, windows open now, make a noise.



@35yamilethmarsantes54

Not Today/Letras


I don't know why
I just feel I'm better off
Staying in the same room I was born in
I look outside
And see a whole world better off
Without me in it trying to transform it
You are out of my mind, ooh
You aren't seeing my side, ooh
You waste all this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind
Yeah
Listen, I know
This one's a contradiction because of how happy it sounds
But the lyrics are so down
It's okay though
Because it represents, wait, better yet it is
Who I feel I am right now
You are out of my mind, ooh
You aren't seeing my side, ooh
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind
Heard you say
Not today
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice
There's no choice
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a noise
Oh, don't you test me, no
Just because I play the piano
Doesn't mean not
I'm not willing to take you down
I'm sorry
I'm, I'm out of my mind, ooh
I'm, I'm not seeing things right, ooh
I waste all this time trying to run from you
But I'm, I'm out of my mind
Heard you say
Not today
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice
There's no choice
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a noise
Yeah, oh!
(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
Yeah, oh!
(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
You are out of my mind
You aren't seeing my side
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind
Heard you say
Not today
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice
There's no choice
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a noise
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (yeah)
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah (yeah, woah)
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (yeah, no no, no, yeah)
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah (yeah)
Buh buh bah, not today (not today)
Bah bah bah bah bah (not today)
Bah bah bah bah bah (not today, no today)
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (not today, no no no, no!)
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh



@zinna5465

Lyrics

I don't know why
I just feel I'm better off
Staying in the same room I was born in
I look outside
And see a whole world better off
Without me in it trying to transform it
You are out of my mind, ooh
You aren't seeing my side, ooh
You waste all this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind
Yeah
Listen, I know
This one's a contradiction because of how happy it sounds
But the lyrics are so down
It's okay though
Because it represents, wait, better yet it is
Who I feel I am right now
You are out of my mind, ooh
You aren't seeing my side, ooh
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind
Heard you say
Not today
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice
There's no choice
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a noise
Oh, don't you test me, no
Just because I play the piano
Doesn't mean not
I'm not willing to take you down
I'm sorry
I'm, I'm out of my mind, ooh
I'm, I'm not seeing things right, ooh
I waste all this time trying to run from you
But I'm, I'm out of my mind
Heard you say
Not today
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice
There's no choice
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a noise
Yeah, oh!
(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
Yeah, oh!
(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
You are out of my mind
You aren't seeing my side
You waste all of this time trying to get to me
But you are out of my mind
Heard you say
Not today
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a sound
Heard your voice
There's no choice
Tore the curtains down
Windows open, now make a noise
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (yeah)
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah (yeah, woah)
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (yeah, no no, no, yeah)
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah (yeah)
Buh buh bah, not today (not today)
Bah bah bah bah bah (not today)
Bah bah bah bah bah (not today, no today)
Buh buh bah, buh buh bah (not today, no no no, no!)
Bah bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah bah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh



All comments from YouTube:

@flickering_wick

I would vote for this as the most underrated TØP song. A lot of the clique seems not to like it, but personally I think it's the most fun song to sing. 99% of the time when I'm in the shower, this is what I'm belting out.

@tj6800

Uh, Isle Of Flightless Birds? Friend, Please? Ruby? Clear? Two? Sorry, but this is kind of like saying that Stressed Out is underrated. This song is not underrated, because all of the songs I listed, a lot of people never knew these songs existed.

@flickering_wick

@CoconutSharks intheWater Underrated and under-known are two different things. Maybe a lot of people haven't heard Ruby or Isle of Flightless Birds, but of those who have, it seems most really like them. Meanwhile, I've come across a large percentage of fans who consider Not Today one of TØP's worst songs, which I strongly disagree with.
In any case, you and I certainly agree that all the songs you listed are fantastic! 😎

@tj6800

DarkEchoes Who dares not like this song? This song is a beauty, this whole freaking album is. And yes, a lot of songs that aren't well known are some of the best, and they really deserve more attention. I agree with you wholeheartedly.

@usernameo_o1804

☦?

@SHORTEAREDOWL

@Anxiety! At The Disco there are some moronic shitbags who call themselves part of clique but do not like not today and have not heard anything from the old collection and no phun intended

87 More Replies...

@user-me6ov6hz1t

“This one’s a contradiction because of how happy it sounds, but the lyrics are so down.”




Literally ever twenty one pilots song.

@TheLynnzea

Beef_Cheese_lettuce is

@brandiwilliams8661

every*

@spookyghost8952

I wonder what Marks part in Coconut Sharks means?

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