“Migraine” first appeared on the EP, Three Songs, along with “Guns For Hands” and “Ode To Sleep.” The song was later released on Vessel, their first major label debut.
Tyler has spoken in his track-by-track analysis he expresses that the migraine itself is a metaphor. He explains that a headache in general isn't necessarily the problem. He explains a migraine as an alarm that is triggered whenever something is wrong in your head. He goes on to explain that this song literally is a migraine, an alarm, to let the listener know something is wrong in the world. Tyler himself even says he is not positive what the problem is, but he knows there is a problem.
Migraine
Twenty One Pilots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waging my wars behind my face and above my throat?
Shadows will scream that I'm alone-lone-lone
I-I-I I've got a migraine
And my pain will range from up, down, and sideways
Thank God it's Friday 'cause Fridays will always be better than Sundays
'Cause Sundays are my suicide days
I don't know why they always seem so dismal
Thunderstorms, clouds, snow, and a slight drizzle
Whether it's the weather or the letters by my bed
Sometimes death seems better than the migraine in my head
Let it be said what the headache represents
It's me defending in suspense
It's me suspended in a defenseless test
Being tested by a ruthless examiner
That's represented best by my depressing thoughts
I do not have writer's block, my writer just hates the clock
It will not let me sleep, I guess I'll sleep when I'm dead
And sometimes death seems better than the migraine in my head
Am I the only one I know
Waging my wars behind my face and above my throat?
Shadows will scream that I'm alone
But I know, we've made it this far, kid
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I am not as fine as I seem, pardon
Me for yelling, I'm telling you green gardens
Are not what's growing in my psyche, it's a different me
A difficult beast feasting on burnt down trees
Freeze frame, please let me paint a mental picture portrait
Something you won't forget, it's all about my forehead
And how it is a door that hold's back contents
That makes Pandora's box contents look non-violent
Behind my eyelids are islands of violence
My mind ship-wrecked this is the only land my mind could find
I did not know it was such a violent island
Full of tidal waves, suicidal crazed lions
They're trying to eat me, blood running down their chin
And I know that I can fight, or I can let the lion win
I begin to assemble what weapons I can find
'Cause sometimes to stay alive, you gotta kill your mind
Am I the only one I know
Waging my wars behind my face and above my throat?
Shadows will scream that I'm alone
But I know, we've made it this far, kid
(Ah, yeah) Yeah, yeah, yeah
(Oh, oh) Yeah, yeah, yeah
And I will say that we should take a day to break away
From all the pain our brain has made, the game is not played alone
And I will say that we should take a moment and hold it
And keep it frozen and know that life has a hopeful undertone
And I will say that we should take a day to break away
From all the pain our brain has made, the game is not played alone
And I will say that we should take a moment and hold it
And keep it frozen and know that life has a hopeful undertone
Am I the only one I know, oh
Waging my wars behind my face and above my throat?
Shadows will scream that I'm alone
But I know, we've made it this far, kid
Made it this far
Made it this f-
The song Migraine by Twenty One Pilots is an ode to mental health and the struggles that come with it. The lyrics are a window into the mind of someone who suffers from migraines and the mental anguish they go through. The first stanza sets the tone of the song as the lead singer describes the isolation they feel while waging internal battles every day. The second stanza speaks about the physical pain of migraines and how the pain can manifest in different ways. The relief from pain on Fridays is highlighted in contrast to the despair of Sundays, which are often associated with suicide.
The chorus of the song "I've got a migraine, and my pain will range from up, down, and sideways" is an apt description of how a migraine can affect a person. The third stanza speaks about the significance of the headache and how it represents the singer's mental state. The lyrics describe how the headache is a defense mechanism that keeps the singer from confronting their thoughts and feelings. The fourth stanza deals with the singer's struggle to focus on their writing. The lyrics talk about how the writer's block is a myth and how the clock doesn't let the writer sleep. The final stanza is a call to action, asking people to take a day to break away from the mental pain that the brain makes.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I the only one I know
Do other people also feel like they are fighting a private battle within themselves?
Waging my wars behind my face and above my throat
Struggling internally without showing it to the world.
Shadows will scream that I'm alone
Feeling like the darkness within is all-consuming and isolating.
I-I-I I've got a migraine
Intense physical and emotional pain that is debilitating.
And my pain will range from up, down, and sideways
The pain experienced is all-encompassing and affects all aspects of life.
Thank God it's Friday cause Fridays will always be better than Sundays
Finding solace in having time away from the pressures of daily life.
'Cause Sundays are my suicide days
Battling with suicidal thoughts on days off, when the pain feels most overwhelming.
I don't know why they always seem so dismal
Feeling like there is a bleakness to life that is difficult to shake.
Thunderstorms, clouds, snow and a slight drizzle
Finding a connection between one's internal struggles and external environmental factors like weather.
Whether it's the weather or the letters by my bed
Trying to pinpoint the source of one's pain and not finding a clear answer.
Sometimes death seems better than the migraine in my head
The pain is so overwhelming that death seems like a more appealing option.
Let it be said what the headache represents
Addressing the metaphorical nature of the pain and its deeper meaning.
It's me defending in suspense
Feeling constantly on guard and under attack.
It's me suspended in a defenseless test
Feeling like a helpless victim of one's own pain and internal struggles.
Being tested by a ruthless examiner
Feeling like one's pain is a cruel test inflicted upon them.
That's represented best by my depressing thoughts
The pain manifests as negative and hopeless thoughts that are difficult to shake.
I do not have writer's block my writer just hates the clock
Struggling to find a way to express one's pain and thoughts artistically.
It will not let me sleep I guess I'll sleep when I'm dead
Being consumed by one's pain and feeling like there is no relief, even in sleep.
I am not as fine as I seem
Putting up a façade of being okay despite the intense pain being experienced.
Pardon, me for yelling and telling you green gardens
Opening up and apologizing for the intensity of the pain being shared.
Are not what's growing in my psyche, it's a different me
Feeling like there is a disconnect between one's internal feelings and the person they present to the world.
A difficult beast feasting on burnt down trees
Describing one's pain metaphorically as a destructive force that is consuming everything in its path.
Freeze frame, please let me paint a mental picture portrait
Asking others to pause and try to understand the depth of the pain being experienced.
Something you won't forget, it's all about my forehead
The pain is all-encompassing, dominating one's thoughts and actions.
And how it is a door that hold's back contents
The pain is like a door that is keeping internal feelings and emotions locked away.
That makes Pandora's box contents look non-violent
The internal turmoil is so violent that it makes the mythological story of Pandora's box seem harmless by comparison.
Behind my eyelids are islands of violence
Even when trying to escape from one's pain through sleep, it is still taking over their mind and surrounding them.
My mind ship-wrecked this is the only land my mind could find
Feeling like the pain has left them stranded and alone with no escape.
I did not know it was such a violent island
Realizing that the internal pain is much more intense and destructive than they originally thought.
Full of tidal waves, suicidal crazed lions
The pain is like a violent and unpredictable storm that could lead to self-destructive thoughts and actions.
They're trying to eat me, blood running down their chin
Feeling like the pain is a vicious predator that is actively hunting and consuming them.
And I know that I can fight, or I can let the lion win
Understanding that they have a choice in how they respond to the pain and whether or not they let it defeat them.
I begin to assemble what weapons I can find
Looking for any way to fight back against the pain and protect themselves from its destructive force.
'Cause sometimes to stay alive you gotta kill your mind
Understanding that sometimes the only way to survive is to find a way to silence the pain and internal struggles, even if only temporarily.
And I will say that we should take a day to break away
Encouraging others to take a break from their own pain and struggles and find moments of peace and hope.
From all the pain our brain has made, the game is not played alone
Acknowledging that everyone battles their own internal pain and struggles, but there is strength in coming together and supporting one another.
And I will say that we should take a moment and hold it
Encouraging others to find moments of stillness and calm in the midst of their pain.
And keep it frozen and know that life has a hopeful undertone
Finding hope in the realization that difficult times will not last forever, and there are moments of brightness even in the midst of darkness.
Made it this far
Celebrating the strength and resilience it takes to keep going despite the pain and struggles.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tyler Joseph
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thepositive_potato3019
Me: *singing Migraine*
Mah Fren: What’s up?
Me: *not paying attention and still singing*
Me: Depresssssssing thoughts
Mah Fren: ...ok...
~Around an hour later~
Me: *still singing Migraine*
Mah Fren: stop singing that. You’re givin me a headache
Me: *suddenly stops singing and look mah Fren directly in the eye*
Me: dOn’T yOu mEaN a MiGrAiNe
True story.
Stay alive frens \\-||
@rinrxl
I finally understand what this song means now.
Blurryface represents the dark part of your mind, a living being that your bad thoughts take the form of.
Your life is so hard but blurryface is always there, saying, "We've made it this far, kid. Keep going."
And just as your starting to believe him...
"Yeah... Made it this far... Made it this f-"
@alysonjones4688
"I AM NOT AS FINE AS I SEEM, pardon"
story of my life
@imjordan8948
Same
@glaceonandgardevoir8348
actually same
@shelbyfowler6706
Same😔😐
@alysonjones4688
+ItzFiona E. my name? it is a pretty common name
@jordieast
omg there is some one in my grade named allison jones too😂
@mariasoledadmascaro8355
migraine : cause Sundays are my suicide days.
polarize : domingo en fuego.
@Saismee
so wait peoples minds set sunday on fire to kill them?
@olanikeogunniyi8613
I NOTICED TOO YAAAAAS
@odstagent1070
Damn, y estaba AHI la referencia y apenas lo noto v,: buena esa