Lyrically, the song makes connections to “Migraine” where Tyler describes writer’s block and “Chlorine” where he similarly personifies his creative process. The energetic themes of the song amplified the duo’s return from the silence of their one-year hiatus and complimented their other illustrations of it on Trench.
“Pet Cheetah” received notable radio playability reaching positions like #16 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart. It was also an amusement to fans and interviewers alike on the otherwise dark and complex album and greater discography of twenty one pilots.
Pet Cheetah
twenty one pilots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eight days straight, eight hours each and not one line
I can feel pressure start to possess my mind
So, I'll take this beat I should delete to exercise
No, I move slow
I want to stop time
I'll sit here 'til I find the problem
I want to stop time
I'll sit here 'til I find the problem
I've got a pet cheetah down in my basement
I've raised him, and bathed him
And named him Jason Statham
I've trained him to make me these beats
Now my pet cheetah's quicker in the studio than on his feet
I'ma get mine and get going
I'm showing my faces in just enough places
I'm done with tip-toeing, I'll stay in my room
My house is the one where the vultures are perched on the roof
Get behind me, I bet this nepotistic mindset
Will help us get ours as we're growing
This clique means so much to this dude
It could make him afraid of his music
And be scared to death he could lose it
No, I move slow
I want to stop time
I'll sit here 'til I find the problem
No, I move slow
I want to stop time
I'll sit here 'til I find the problem
I'll sit here 'til I
I'll sit here 'til I find the problem, no
I'll sit here 'til I
I'll sit here 'til I find the problem
No, I move slow
I want to stop time
I'll sit here 'til I find the problem
No, I move slow
I want to stop time
I'll sit here 'til I find the problem
I can feel pressure start to possess my mind
So I'll take this beat I should delete to exercise
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Pet cheetah, cheetah
The song "Pet Cheetah" by twenty one pilots is an introspective track about the pressures of the music industry and the struggle to create authentic art. The lyrics begin with the singer feeling isolated and overwhelmed, spending long hours working on music without inspiration, feeling the pressure to create something great. To combat this, the singer decides to use an old beat to work out the kinks and get back into the creative flow. The song then transitions to a metaphorical pet cheetah in the singer's basement, which represents his artistic drive and passion. The cheetah is trained to create beats quickly and efficiently, representing the singer's desire to create music without feeling stifled by the industry. The final verses describe the singer's plan to stay out of the limelight while still working on his craft, taking the time to mature and create music that is authentic and meaningful.
One interesting fact about "Pet Cheetah" is that the song features a sample from a Michael Jackson sound library, the first time the band has used a sample in one of their songs. Another interesting aspect of the song is the use of the metaphorical pet cheetah, which is referenced throughout the lyrics and is also featured prominently in the song's music video. The video features singer Tyler Joseph running around with an actual cheetah, which was accomplished through the use of CGI. The song was also covered by musician Andrew Huang using only sounds made by pet cheetahs, further highlighting the unique and creative use of the animal in the song.
Another interesting fact about "Pet Cheetah" is that the song features a number of musical references, including a reggae-inspired drum beat and a distorted guitar riff reminiscent of '90s grunge. The song also has a unique structure, with multiple sections that vary in tempo and instrumentation. This experimental approach is typical of twenty one pilots, who often incorporate a wide variety of musical styles and influences into their music. Finally, the song's lyrics reference the band's hometown of Columbus, Ohio, with lines like "my house is the one where the vultures are perched on the roof" and "this clique means so much to this dude", highlighting the band's connection to their community and their passion for making music.
Chords: Dm, Bb, F, A
Line by Line Meaning
I am on an island, no one to confide
Feeling isolated and alone with no one to turn to for support
Eight days straight, eight hours each and not one line
Struggling to create new music despite working hard at it for an extended period of time
I can feel pressure start to possess my mind
Experiencing stress and anxiety caused by the pressure to create
So, I'll take this beat I should delete to exercise
Using a beat that was initially deemed unusable as a creative exercise to get past the writer's block
No, I move slow
Preferring to take things slow and deliberate rather than rushing through them
I want to stop time
Desiring to prolong the creative process and savor it
I'll sit here 'til I find the problem
Refusing to move on until a solution to the creative problem is found
I've got a pet cheetah down in my basement
A metaphor for the writer's creative muse, which is unique and unconventional
I've raised him, and bathed him
Tending to and nurturing the creative muse to keep it strong
And named him Jason Statham
Giving the muse a unique and memorable name to make it stand out
I've trained him to make me these beats
Developing a relationship with the muse to be able to tap into its creativity at will
Now my pet cheetah's quicker in the studio than on his feet
The writer's creative muse is now faster and more efficient than ever before
I'ma get mine and get going
Focusing on achieving personal success and moving forward
I'm showing my faces in just enough places
Being strategic about where to promote oneself to maximize exposure and opportunities
I'm done with tip-toeing, I'll stay in my room
No longer afraid to be bold and confident in pursuing success, but still focused on the creative process
My house is the one where the vultures are perched on the roof
Describing the music industry as a place where people are always looking to take advantage of others
Get behind me, I bet this nepotistic mindset
Encouraging others to support and work together to achieve success in a competitive industry
Will help us get ours as we're growing
Working collaboratively can help achieve success and growth
This clique means so much to this dude
The writer's creative circle is very important and valuable to him
It could make him afraid of his music
Worrying that being too focused on the commercial side of music could compromise artistic integrity
And be scared to death he could lose it
Fearing that success could be fleeting and temporary
I can feel pressure start to possess my mind
Experiencing stress and anxiety caused by the pressure to create
So I'll take this beat I should delete to exercise
Using a beat that was initially deemed unusable as a creative exercise to get past the writer's block
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Repeating the earlier metaphor of the creative muse
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Repeating the earlier metaphor of the creative muse
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Repeating the earlier metaphor of the creative muse
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Repeating the earlier metaphor of the creative muse
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Repeating the earlier metaphor of the creative muse
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Repeating the earlier metaphor of the creative muse
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Repeating the earlier metaphor of the creative muse
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Repeating the earlier metaphor of the creative muse
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Repeating the earlier metaphor of the creative muse
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Repeating the earlier metaphor of the creative muse
Pet cheetah, cheetah
Repeating the earlier metaphor of the creative muse
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Meany, Tyler Joseph
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rayj3123
Pet cheetah is a warning. Worms are going to take over the world with the help of cheetahs
1st verse: Cheetahs explaining their depression
Chorus: Cheetahs telling the world and asking for the problem
2nd verse (different voice: the worms explaining that they have teamed up with cheetahs
3rd verse: cheetahs explaining how the worms saved them and trained them
Chorus: more cheetahs reaching out to worms
Ending worms possessing their minds
Screaming pet cheetah
Check the lyrics, I am spot on
@bunnytheknoxville
"this clique means so much to this dude"
this made me very very happy
@Me-zr9yh
I Am Sister Daniel very very very very very very very berry berry berry happy
@nomcat8827
Same I mean it just makes me think, he keeps us alive, and in return, we try to keep him alive too. I don't know about anyone else, but that's the best family I could ever be a part of
@bunnytheknoxville
@@nomcat8827 exactly. very well said.
@bellagomez5270
I Am Sister Daniel that line made me start crying 😭
@nomcat8827
@@bunnytheknoxville hey thanks pal
@dequavisiii1618
When you are stuck on a question in a math test “I’ll sit here ‘til I find the problem”
@tessdandou1274
It's currently 4 am, I remembered this comment and I started laughing. 😂😂😂
@manillascissor
You start w the problem. I think you mean solution...
@soxnics
ITS AT 420 LIKES AND I DONT WANNA RUIN IT