A similar idea is found in an earlier song when Tyler says:
"You gotta bleed to know
That you’re alive and have a soul."
In both cases, the concept of pain, or something which would generally be unwanted is flipped on its side and used as a metaphor for that which is beneficial.
On January 22, 2019, Twenty One Pilots released an official music video for "Chlorine", featuring a tiny, horned, anthropomorphic bipedal monster they call “Ned”.
They did a AMA – Ask Me Anything – on Reddit, and about “Chlorine,” Tyler said:
"Wrestling on trying to tackle what I was feeling in “Chlorine” was exhausting."
Chlorine
Twenty One Pilots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sippin' on straight chlorine, let the vibes slide over me
This beat is a chemical, beat is a chemical
When I leave don't save my seat, I'll be back when it's all complete
The moment is medical, moment is medical
Sippin' on straight chlorine
Venom on my tongue
Dependant at times
Poisonous vibration
Help my body run
I'm runnin' for my li-i-i-i-i-i-fe
Runnin' for my li-i-i-i-i-i-fe
Sippin' on straight chlorine, let the vibes slide over me
This beat is a chemical, beat is a chemical
When I leave don't save my seat, I'll be back when it's all complete
The moment is medical, moment is medical
Sippin' on straight chlorine
Fall out of formation
I plan my escape from walls they confined
Rebel red carnation
Grows while I decay
I'm runnin' for my li-i-i-i-i-i-fe
Runnin' for my li-i-i-i-i-i-fe
Yeah, I'm runnin' for my li-i-i-i-i-i-fe
Runnin' for my li-i-i-i-i-i-fe
Had you in my coat pocket, where I kept my rebel red
I felt I was invincible, you wrapped around my head
Now different lives I lead, my body lives on lead
The last two lines may read incorrect until said
The lead is terrible in flavor
But now you double as a papermaker
I despise you sometimes
I love to hate the fight and you in my life is like
Sippin' on straight chlorine, let the vibes slide over me
This beat is a chemical, beat is a chemical
When I leave don't save my seat, I'll be back when it's all complete
The moment is medical, moment is medical
Sippin' on straight chlorine
Let the vibe, let the vibe
Let the vibe, let the vibe
Beat is a chemical, yeah
Let the vibe, let the vibe
Let the vibe, let the vibe
Moment is medical, yeah
Sippin' on straight chlorine
Let the vibe, let the vibe
Let the vibe, let the vibe
Beat is a chemical, yeah
Let the vibe, let the vibe
Let the vibe, let the vibe
Moment is medical, yeah
I'm so sorry, I forgot you
Let me catch you up to speed
I've been tested like the ends of
A weathered flag that's by the sea
Can you build my house with pieces?
I'm just a chemical
Can you build my house with pieces?
I'm just a chemical
Can you build my house with pieces?
I'm just a chemical
Can you build my house with pieces?
I'm just a chemical
The opening lines of "Chlorine" by Twenty One Pilots indicate a sense of displacement as Tyler Joseph, the lead singer, is addressing someone who has been missing for a while. He is sipping on straight chlorine, which is toxic, and suggests the notion of indulging in harmful practices. The beat, to which he refers to as a "chemical," is drawing him in. He further sings, "When I leave don't save my seat, I'll be back when it's all complete," conveying his detachment from the world and his willingness to disappear into a chemical-induced trance. The moment is medical, which may imply that he is using the toxicity to numb his pain, or this could be the moment where he is choosing to let go of his fears as part of a medical process.
However, in the verse that follows, the singer battles the toxicity, realizing how it is consuming him; he loves the taste of venom on his tongue, which shows that he is indulging in something that isn't good for him. The chorus highlights the urgency, as Tyler sings the lines, "I'm running for my life," which shows that he is aware of the dangers of addiction, toxic relationships, or toxic substances. In the second verse, Tyler creates an image of him breaking free from confinement, and his body may be decaying due to the toxicity of his surroundings. The imagery of a red carnation, a symbol of love and passion, juxtaposes with the images of decaying and running for his life, symbolizing the different emotions that Tyler is navigating.
The bridge presents the idea of pieces, as Tyler repeats the question, "Can you build my house with pieces?" Tyler here may be requesting to rebuild himself out of the different broken parts of his life or using the analogy of building a house, which often referred to as "building a home," to emphasize rebuilding himself. Overall, the lyrics of "Chlorine" are tumultuous, showcasing a fight against the destructive elements of life, be it addiction, relationships, or past traumas.
Line by Line Meaning
So where are you? It's been a little while
Asking where someone is after not seeing them in some time
Sippin' on straight chlorine, let the vibes slide over me
Drinking straight chlorine to feel a certain way
This beat is a chemical, beat is a chemical
The music and atmosphere are like a chemical, evoking certain feelings
When I leave don't save my seat, I'll be back when it's all complete
Leaving for a moment but will be back when things are done
The moment is medical, moment is medical
The moment is intense and significant
Lovin' what I'm tastin', Venom on my tongue, Dependant at times, Poisonous vibration, Help my body run
Enjoying something that is harmful and yet at times feels like it is needed and helps to keep going
I'm runnin' for my li-i-i-i-i-i-fe, Runnin' for my li-i-i-i-i-i-fe
Running for one's life and trying to stay alive
Fall out of formation, I plan my escape from walls they confined, Rebel red carnation, Grows while I decay
Breaking out of the confines and constraints of expectations and norms, but still feeling like fading away
Had you in my coat pocket, where I kept my rebel red, I felt I was invincible, you wrapped around my head, Now different lives I lead, my body lives on lead, The last two lines may read incorrect until said
Feeling powerful and invincible with someone or something, but now living with the effects of something harmful
The lead is terrible in flavor, But now you double as a papermaker, I despise you sometimes, I love to hate the fight and you in my life is like
Feeling both the negative and positive effects of something, simultaneously loving and hating it
Let the vibe, let the vibe, Beat is a chemical, yeah
Letting oneself feel the effects of the music and atmosphere
Moment is medical, yeah
Emphasizing the intense and significant nature of the moment
I'm so sorry, I forgot you, Let me catch you up to speed, I've been tested like the ends of, A weathered flag that's by the sea
Apologizing for neglecting someone, and explaining that life has been challenging and difficult
Can you build my house with pieces?, I'm just a chemical
Acknowledging one's own limitations, feeling like just a component in something larger
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Meany, Tyler Joseph
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@katyrobson2915
Tyler: singsingsing
Josh: help me push this thing wtf
@user-xf7ql4zm5g
LMAO
@soulfulanathema5094
House of Gold 2
@gracejacobs412
what i was thinking the whole time “damn why doesn’t he help josh what’s with that tf”
@lvely4126
Katy Robson probably what Josh was thinking skskksks
@mirthewiggers4999
i was just going to say that hahah
@satanicketchup7728
Tyler begins to sing in the second 0:17 of the Chlorine video, and in the periodic table, the chlorine is in the number 17.
@zatytaty2303
Alvaro Torrejon wow
@anchovy3565
Soooo details
@NoName-fd6bc
I bet you study Pokémon too.