Stressed Out

Song meaning of Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots

It discusses the difficult end of adolescence lyrically. The song is a tribute with lyrics about growing up and leaving adolescence behind as well as regret for childhood innocence and a melancholy mood.

The lyrics cover difficulties in life while addressing millennial angst and touching on vulnerabilities. Joseph assumes the role of Blurryface throughout the song. Blurryface's self-deprecating lyrics reflect self-doubt and anxiety, worrying over anything from his music to the concept of becoming an adult.

Twenty One Pilots became the first rock band to have a single song exceed 1 billion Spotify streams thanks to the success of "Stressed Out." It was well-received by critics of modern music after its release. The song was a surprise smash for the duo, reaching No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and becoming their first top 10 hit there.

Stressed Out lyrics by Twenty One Pilots

I wish I found some better sounds no one's ever heard

I wish I had a better voice that sang some better words

I wish I found some chords in an order that is new

I wish I didn't have to rhyme every time I sang

I was told when I get older all my fears would shrink

But now I'm insecure and I care what people think

My name's 'Blurryface' and I care what you think

My name's 'Blurryface' and I care what you think

Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days

When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out (oh)

Wish we could turn back time (oh), to the good old days (oh)

When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out

We're stressed out

Sometimes a certain smell will take me back to when I was young

How come I'm never able to identify where it's coming from

I'd make a candle out of it if I ever found it

Try to sell it, never sell out of it, I'd probably only sell one

It'd be to my brother, 'cause we have the same nose

Same clothes homegrown a stone's throw from a creek we used to roam

But it would remind us of when nothing really mattered

Out of student loans and tree-house homes we all would take the latter

My name's 'Blurryface' and I care what you think

My name's 'Blurryface' and I care what you think

Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days

When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out (oh)

Wish we could turn back time (oh), to the good old days (oh)

When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out

We used to play pretend, give each other different names

We would build a rocket ship and then we'd fly it far away

Used to dream of outer space but now they're laughing at our face

Saying, "Wake up, you need to make money."

Yeah

We used to play pretend, give each other different names

We would build a rocket ship and then we'd fly it far away

Used to dream of outer space but now they're laughing at our face

Saying, "Wake up, you need to make money."

Yeah

Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days

When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out (oh)

Wish we could turn back time (oh), to the good old days (oh)

When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out

Used to play pretend, used to play pretend, money

We used to play pretend, wake up, you need the money

Used to play pretend, used to play pretend, money

We used to play pretend, wake up, you need the money

We used to play pretend, give each other different names

We would build a rocket ship and then we'd fly it far away

Used to dream of outer space but now they're laughing at our face

Saying, "Wake up, you need to make money."

Yeah