Guns For Hands: Difference between revisions

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{{infobox song
{{infobox song
| Name          = Be Concerned
| Name          = Guns for Hands
| Artist        = [[Twenty One Pilots]]
| Artist        = [[Twenty One Pilots]]
| Album        = [[Regional at Best]]
| Album        = [[Regional at Best]]
Line 7: Line 7:
| Released      =July 8, 2011
| Released      =July 8, 2011
| Format      = Digital
| Format      = Digital
| Length        = 4:08
| Length        = 4:33
| Stems      =  
| Stems      =  
| Time signature      =  
| Time signature      =4/4
| Tempo      = 141
| Tempo      = 129
| Key      = E
| Key      = F#
| Samples      =  
| Samples      =  
| References      =  
| References      =  
| Live debut      =  
| Live debut      =July 9 2011
| Last played      =  
| Last played      =April 1 2023
| Live count      =  
| Live count      =  
| Writer        = [[Tyler Joseph, Jocef]]
| Writer        = [[Tyler Joseph]]
| Producer      = [[Tyler Joseph]], [[Josh Dun]]
| Producer      = [[Tyler Joseph]], [[Josh Dun]]
| Label        = Self-released
| Label        = Self-released
Line 24: Line 24:
  | type      = song
  | type      = song
  | tracks    =  
  | tracks    =  
# [[Guns for Hands]]
# [[Guns For Hands]]
# [[Holding on to You]]
# [[Holding On To You]]
# [[Ode to Sleep]]
# [[Ode To Sleep]]
# [[Slowtown]]
# [[Slowtown]]
# [[Car Radio]]
# [[Car Radio]]
Line 38: Line 38:
# [[Be Concerned]]
# [[Be Concerned]]
# [[Clear]]
# [[Clear]]
  }}  
# [[House Of Gold]] (Newsletter Edition)
# [[Two]] (Newsletter Edition)
<span style="background-color: #F47079; padding:0.1em 0.1em; margin-top:5px; display: inline-block; width: 100%; text-align: center;">'''[[Vessel]] track listing'''</span>
# [[Ode To Sleep]]
# [[Holding On To You]]
# [[Migraine]]
# [[House Of Gold]]
# [[Car Radio]]
# [[Semi-Automatic]]
# [[Screen]]
# [[The Run And Go]]
# [[Fake You Out]]
# [[Guns For Hands]]
# [[Trees]]
# [[Truce]]
}}  


|cover=[[File:Regional_at_Best.png|300x300px]]|stream_buy=[[Image:spotify.png|25px|link=https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YQKmKGau1PzlVlkL1iodx]] [[Image:Youtube_Music_icon.png|25px|link=https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCnX0L9QiftAcWdzeBx31xCw]] [[Image:Apple Music.png|25px|link=https://music.apple.com/lt/artist/twenty-one-pilots/349736311]] [[Image:Deezer-logo.png|25px|link=https://www.deezer.com/ru/album/231178002?app_id=140685&utm_source=partner_linkfire&utm_campaign=ae3e2c6e3cce1767a92a911b38ae1a2f&utm_medium=Original&utm_term=twenty-one-pilots&utm_content=album-231178002]]|lyricist=[[Tyler Joseph]]|composer=[[Twenty One Pilots]]}}
|cover=[[File:Guns for Hands.jpg|300x300px]]|stream_buy=[[Image:spotify.png|25px|link=https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YQKmKGau1PzlVlkL1iodx]] [[Image:Youtube_Music_icon.png|25px|link=https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCnX0L9QiftAcWdzeBx31xCw]] [[Image:Apple Music.png|25px|link=https://music.apple.com/lt/artist/twenty-one-pilots/349736311]] [[Image:Deezer-logo.png|25px|link=https://www.deezer.com/ru/album/231178002?app_id=140685&utm_source=partner_linkfire&utm_campaign=ae3e2c6e3cce1767a92a911b38ae1a2f&utm_medium=Original&utm_term=twenty-one-pilots&utm_content=album-231178002]]|lyricist=[[Tyler Joseph]]|composer=[[Twenty One Pilots]]}}


''Guns for Hands'' is the 1st track on the album, ''[[Regional at Best]] and the''   
''Guns for Hands'' is the 1st track on the album, ''[[Regional at Best]]'' as well as the 10th track on ''[[Vessel]]''   


== Background ==
== Background ==
Tyler Joseph has spoken several times about the track, including:
Tyler Joseph has spoken several times about the track, including on [[Vessel Commentary Version|Vessel Commentary Edition]]:


"People try to interpret what the song is saying and in a way I feel like I’m supposed to let that live and not answer the question. In short, there was a particular show that I was playing and at this time we were really able talk to everyone after a show. I remember this show in particular more than usual, kids came up to me and felt like they needed to share what it was they were going through and a lot of what they were going through had to do with suicide… thank goodness it had a lot to do with them overcoming it and using music and using songs, in particular my songs, to help them get over that and I was so inspired and so moved by that show and those kids that came up to me and shared with me their struggles with suicide and this song is very inspired by them and those people that struggle with that. I don’t claim to be a professional opinion on the topic because it’s dangerous to talk about suicide and to claim you have a voice on the issue but this song is about taking that negative energy and aiming it at something else, not aiming it at yourself, really giving these kids the power to know that they do have control over their circumstances." [https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-guns-for-hands-lyrics <nowiki>[1]</nowiki>]
"''This next song, "Guns for Hands"… I don’t dive too specifically into the lyrical content just because, one, I obviously want it to be something to someone and wouldn’t want to ruin my definition of it, but also, you know, it’s very close to me, you know, sometimes it’s hard to talk exactly about what it is I was going through in that moment and try to explain the song’s lyrics, I just want to listen to the song. I mean, I’m saying exactly what I’m trying to say in the song, for me to explain what I’m trying to say in a different setting is kind of weird for me. But, "Guns for Hands" specifically, I like to talk about what that song’s trying to say. There was one show in particular that this song was inspired by. I was playing a show in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it’s just this kind of a barn full of kids, and after this show, more than usual, there was kind of an unusual number of kids came up to me and felt inclined to share with me what it is they were going through. You know, a lot of their struggles, a lot of their, you know, whether that be depression or suicidal thoughts, a lot of stuff along that vein. And I just thought, I was like wow, I mean I’m — am I just in a hotbed of kids going through stuff, I mean is this just kind of like a crazy ratio of everyone struggling with this thing? And then I remember not too long after that, I was in New York, and I was — I think I saw like a pizza shop or something  and I saw a magazine that was you know at the entrance of the pizza shop, this big article about this specific town in New York that has a lot of kids, you know, high school age, going through a lot of the same stuff. And I realised you know, this isn’t just a — it’s not just an isolated event, it’s something that there’s a lot of kids throughout the entire country — even the world — that are struggling with the questions that they have, you know, ‘what’s the point?’, ‘what’s my purpose?’, ‘why am I here?’ and when you don’t have the answers to those questions, sometimes it can lead you to do something that you ultimately shouldn’t do.''
 
''So, "Guns for Hands" is talking about I wanna tell you that I know you have the ability to hurt yourself. You do. You have that ability. I feel like a lot of the older generation when they hear about someone struggling with it, their first reaction is like, “No, you’re not, you’re not struggling with that. Don’t think about that, you know, think about something else, you know, you’re just trying to get attention.” But this song was really trying to say like; “Listen, I know you have the ability to hurt yourself. I recognize that, but let’s take that energy and let’s point it at something else, let’s divert that, let’s kind of shift that momentum and look at something like art, or something like this music specifically, or even point it at me, you know, just point it anywhere, but don’t point it at yourself.” And so that’s what that song’s saying and that song will always be important to me. And I’m not a professional when it comes to this topic, but I write songs, and I feel like someone should say something about it.''" [https://open.spotify.com/album/213bMr2NI3VDcBLWpkKFxG?si=eI28ZfglTEyduJj9QkyzBQ&nd=1&dlsi=fdb771cf272b449b <nowiki>[1]</nowiki>] [https://twentyonepilots.fandom.com/wiki/Vessel_(Commentary_Version) <nowiki>[2]</nowiki>]


== Versions ==
== Versions ==


=== Studio ===
=== Studio ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{{mw-datatable}}
|+
{| class="wikitable mw-datatable sortable"
!Title
|+  
!Release
! style= scope="col"  |Title
!Length
! style= |Releas
!Recorded
! style= |Length
!Released
! style= |Recorded
!Notes
! style= |Released
! style= |Notes
|-
|-
|Guns For Hands
| style= |Guns for Hands
|[[Regional at Best]]
| style= |[[Regional at Best]]
|4:33
| style= |4:33
|2010-2011
| style= |2010-2011
|8 July 2011
| style= |8 July 2011
|
| style= |
|}
 
== Live ==
{{infobox song|Name=Be Concerned|Artist=[[Twenty One Pilots]]|Album=[[Regional at Best]]|Cover=|Recorded=|Released=July 8, 2011|Format=Digital|Length=4:08|Stems=|Time signature=|Tempo=141|Key=E|Samples=|References=|Live debut=|Last played=|Live count=|Writer=[[Tyler Joseph, Jocef]]|Producer=[[Tyler Joseph]], [[Josh Dun]]|Label=Self-released|Misc={{Extra track listing
| album      = [[Regional at Best|Twenty One Pilots]]
| type      = song
| tracks    =
# [[Guns for Hands]]
# [[Holding on to You]]
# [[Ode to Sleep]]
# [[Slowtown]]
# [[Car Radio]]
# [[Forest]]
# [[Glowing Eyes]]
# [[Kitchen Sink]]
# [[Anathema]]
# [[Lovely]]
# [[Ruby]]
# [[Trees]]
# [[Be Concerned]]
# [[Clear]]
}}|cover=[[File:Regional_at_Best.png|300x300px]]|stream_buy=[[Image:spotify.png|25px|link=https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YQKmKGau1PzlVlkL1iodx]] [[Image:Youtube_Music_icon.png|25px|link=https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCnX0L9QiftAcWdzeBx31xCw]] [[Image:Apple Music.png|25px|link=https://music.apple.com/lt/artist/twenty-one-pilots/349736311]] [[Image:Deezer-logo.png|25px|link=https://www.deezer.com/ru/album/231178002?app_id=140685&utm_source=partner_linkfire&utm_campaign=ae3e2c6e3cce1767a92a911b38ae1a2f&utm_medium=Original&utm_term=twenty-one-pilots&utm_content=album-231178002]]|lyricist=[[Tyler Joseph]]|composer=[[Twenty One Pilots]]}}
''Be Concerned'' is the 13th track on the album, ''[[Regional at Best]]''
 
== Background ==
“Be Concerned” is about how Tyler has begun to question his faith. It appears that it documents a hard time Tyler went through, but eventually overcame, as Tyler’s faith still illuminates even his more recent lyrics that the band has released.
 
Like a handful of other tracks from ''Regional at Best'', this song was not included in its 2013 remastered successor, ''Vessel''. While the song bears dense lyrical content, it has never been a huge fan-favorite, and it would make sense that Tyler wouldn’t want to constantly reflect on such a negative time in his life.
 
“Be Concerned” also features Tyler’s friend Jocef of the Jocef Michael Band, an Ohio-based Christian group. [https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-be-concerned-lyrics].
 
== Versions ==
=== Studio ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Title
!Release
!Length
!Recorded
!Released
!Notes
|-
|-
|Be Concerned
| style= |Guns for Hands
|[[Regional at Best]]
| style= |[[Vessel]]
|4:08
| style= |4:36
|2010-2011
| style= |2011-2012
|8 July 2011
| style= |8 Jan 2013
|Ft. Jocef
| style= |Guns for Hands, along with other songs from [[Regional at Best]] were remastered for their next album, [[Vessel]]
|}
|}


== Live ==
== Live ==
[Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YqGPjxuulw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YqGPjxuulw]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_iPVOMPt8E


== Lyrics ==
== Lyrics ==
==== Lyrics ====
==== Lyrics ====
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="width: 30%"
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="width: 30%"
! style="background-color:#87CEEB;" |Album version
|-
|-
|[Verse 1]
! style="background-color:#;" | Album version
 
|-
I know what you think in the morning
|
 
<div style="width: 100%; height:20em; overflow:auto;">
{| class="wikitable" style="border:hidden;"
|+
|I know what you think in the morning
When the sun shines on the ground
When the sun shines on the ground


Line 142: Line 121:


What that means, I know-ow-ow-ow-ow
What that means, I know-ow-ow-ow-ow


[Chorus]
[Chorus]
Line 168: Line 148:


Guns for hands, yeah
Guns for hands, yeah


[Verse 2]
[Verse 2]
Line 186: Line 167:


But until then you'll never understand
But until then you'll never understand


[Chorus]
[Chorus]
Line 204: Line 186:


Guns for hands, yeah
Guns for hands, yeah


[Interlude]
[Interlude]
Line 228: Line 211:


(Da-da da-da-da)
(Da-da da-da-da)


[Bridge]
[Bridge]
Line 250: Line 234:


It's obviously best for them to turn their guns to a fist
It's obviously best for them to turn their guns to a fist


[Chorus]
[Chorus]
Line 267: Line 252:
But I can't, but I can't when you all have
But I can't, but I can't when you all have


Guns for hands, yeah<div style="width: 100%; height:20em; overflow:auto;"></div>
Guns for hands, yeah
|}
</div>
|}
|}


==== Lyrics meaning ====
 
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
 
!Lyrics
{| class="lyric-outside-table"  
|-
|-
|Frontman Tyler Joseph has stated the following regarding this track:<blockquote>"I know you have the ability to hurt yourself, I recognize that, but let’s take that energy and let’s point it at something else, let’s divert that, let’s kind of shift momentum and look at something like art, or something like this music specifically or even point it at me, just point it anywhere. But don’t point it at yourself … that song will always be important to me." [https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-guns-for-hands-lyrics <nowiki>[1]</nowiki>]</blockquote>
! <span class="mw-customtoggle-myDivision1">Album version</span>
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |all meanings of the lyrics are taken from the [https://genius.com/artists/Twenty-one-pilots Genius] website
|<div class="mw-collapsible" id="mw-customcollapsible-myDivision1" style="width: 100%; height:20em; overflow:auto;>
|}
{| class="lyric-table"
|I know what you think in the morning
When the sun shines on the ground
 
And shows what you have done
 
It shows where your mind has gone
 
And you swear to your parents


== Sources ==
That it will never happen again
[https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-guns-for-hands-lyrics <nowiki>[1] https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-guns-for-hands-lyrics</nowiki>]{{TwentyOnePilots}}


== Lyrics ==
I know, I know-ow-ow


==== Lyrics ====
What that means, I know-ow-ow-ow-ow
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="width: 30%"
|-
! style="background-color:#87CEEB;" | Album version
|-
|
<div style="width: 100%; height:20em; overflow:auto;">
{| class="wikitable" style="border:hidden;"
|+
|[Intro: Tyler Joseph]
Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa


Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa


Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa
[Chorus]


Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa
That you all have guns


And you never put the safety on


[Verse 1: Tyler Joseph]
And you all have plans


Where'd you go, huh? They all think I know ya
To take it, to take it, don't take it, take it, take it


It's so hard to motivate me to devote
I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep


A single inch of me to something I can't see
I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep


I don't mean to pry but why would you even make the eyes?
But I can't, but I can't when you all have


I don't believe my ears and I'm scared of my own head
Guns for hands, yeah


I will deny you for years then I'll make you raise me from the dead
I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep


And if I said that I would live for you for nothing in return
I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep


Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Gullible, but lying's all I've learned
But I can't, but I can't when you all have


Guns for hands, yeah


[Refrain: Tyler Joseph]


So be concerned
[Verse 2]


(Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa)
Let's take this a second at a time


So be concerned
Let's take this one song, this one rhyme


(Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa)
Together, let's breathe


Together, to the beat


[Verse 2: Jocef]
But there's hope out the window


Uh, uh
So that's where we'll go


No music, and I can talk about anything
Let's go outside and all join hands


Whether or not it's worthwhile, it’s based on who's listenin'
But until then you'll never understand


Most of us listen if it's something we can relate to


All of us relate if it's something we've just been through
[Chorus]


Taken for granted, trust is damaged and now we panic
That you all have guns


Livin' empty handed, livin' lives like we can manage
And you never put the safety on


I can't feel you, but still know where home is, feeling like Jonah did
And you all have plans


Almost dropped the bat like every base was fully loaded
To take it, to take it, don't take it, take it, take it (Don't take it)


You might also like
I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep


I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep


[Refrain: Jocef, ''Tyler Joseph'']
But I can't, but I can't when you all have


So be concerned, yeah (Uh-huh, uh-huh)
Guns for hands, yeah


(''Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa'')


So be concerned (Yeah, yeah)
[Interlude]


(''Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa'')
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah


You should, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah


[Verse 3: Tyler Joseph]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah


(Okay, alright, um)
Yeah, yeah


I am disappearing inside my bird's eye theories
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah


I tried to say goodbye, defy, and deny what it is I'm fearing
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah


Clearly, I am dying, dearly, I am writing, merely testifying
Whoo!


That a test to fly requires, I pass the test with colors flying
(Da-da da-da-da)


I don't believe you most the time
(Da-da da-da-da)


I'm lying 'cause I say I am fine (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa)
(Da-da da-da-da, ah uh)


You are the pearl, I am the swine
(Da-da da-da-da)


So break my life and take this rhyme (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa)


I'm so sorry but I do believe
[Bridge]


That all my bridges I have burned
We've turned our hands to guns


And I've earned a policy of no-return
Traded our thumbs for ammunition


I must forewarn you of my disorder, or my condition


[Refrain: Tyler Joseph]
'Cause when the sun sets


So be concerned
It upsets what's left of my invested interest


(Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa)
Interested in putting my fingers to my head


So be concerned
The solution is, I see a whole room of these mutant kids


(Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa)
Fused at the wrist, I simply tell them they should shoot at this


So be concerned
Simply suggest my chest and this confused music


(Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa)
It's obviously best for them to turn their guns to a fist


So be concerned


(Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa)
[Chorus]


I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep


[Outro: Tyler Joseph]
I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep


Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa
But I can't, but I can't when you all have


Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa
Guns for hands, yeah


Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa
I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep (I'm trying to sleep)


Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa
I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep (I'm trying to sleep)


Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa
But I can't, but I can't when you all have


Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa
Guns for hands, yeah
|}
|}
</div>
</div>
Line 433: Line 417:
==== Lyrics meaning ====
==== Lyrics meaning ====
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
!Lyrics
!Lyrics
|-
|-
|“Be Concerned” is about how Tyler has begun to question his faith. It appears that it documents a hard time Tyler went through, but eventually overcame, as Tyler’s faith still illuminates even his more recent lyrics that the band has released.
|Frontman Tyler Joseph has stated the following regarding this track:<blockquote>"I know you have the ability to hurt yourself, I recognize that, but let’s take that energy and let’s point it at something else, let’s divert that, let’s kind of shift momentum and look at something like art, or something like this music specifically or even point it at me, just point it anywhere. But don’t point it at yourself … that song will always be important to me." [https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-guns-for-hands-lyrics <nowiki>[1]</nowiki>]</blockquote>
Like a handful of other tracks from ''Regional at Best'', this song was not included in its 2013 remastered successor, ''Vessel''. While the song bears dense lyrical content, it has never been a huge fan-favorite, and it would make sense that Tyler wouldn’t want to constantly reflect on such a negative time in his life.
 
“Be Concerned” also features Tyler’s friend Jocef of the Jocef Michael Band, an Ohio-based Christian group. [https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-be-concerned-lyrics]
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |all meanings of the lyrics are taken from the [https://genius.com/artists/Twenty-one-pilots Genius] website
| style="text-align:center;" |all meanings of the lyrics are taken from the [https://genius.com/artists/Twenty-one-pilots Genius] website
Line 445: Line 425:


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
[https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-be-concerned-lyrics <nowiki>[1] https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-be-concerned-lyrics</nowiki>]
[https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-guns-for-hands-lyrics <nowiki>[1] https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-guns-for-hands-lyrics</nowiki>]{{TwentyOnePilots}}
 
{{TwentyOnePilots}}
[[Category:Twenty One Pilots song]]
[[Category:Twenty One Pilots song]]
[[Category:Regional at Best]]
[[Category:Regional at Best]]

Latest revision as of 12:54, 26 August 2024

Guns for Hands
Song by Twenty One Pilots from the album Regional at Best
ReleasedJuly 8, 2011
FormatDigital
Length4:33
Time signature4/4
Tempo129
KeyF#
Live debutJuly 9 2011
Last playedApril 1 2023
ComposerTwenty One Pilots
LyricistTyler Joseph
WriterTyler Joseph
ProducerTyler Joseph, Josh Dun
LabelSelf-released
Stream / Buy
Twenty One Pilots track listing
  1. Guns For Hands
  2. Holding On To You
  3. Ode To Sleep
  4. Slowtown
  5. Car Radio
  6. Forest
  7. Glowing Eyes
  8. Kitchen Sink
  9. Anathema
  10. Lovely
  11. Ruby
  12. Trees
  13. Be Concerned
  14. Clear
  15. House Of Gold (Newsletter Edition)
  16. Two (Newsletter Edition)

Vessel track listing

  1. Ode To Sleep
  2. Holding On To You
  3. Migraine
  4. House Of Gold
  5. Car Radio
  6. Semi-Automatic
  7. Screen
  8. The Run And Go
  9. Fake You Out
  10. Guns For Hands
  11. Trees
  12. Truce

Guns for Hands is the 1st track on the album, Regional at Best as well as the 10th track on Vessel

Background

Tyler Joseph has spoken several times about the track, including on Vessel Commentary Edition:

"This next song, "Guns for Hands"… I don’t dive too specifically into the lyrical content just because, one, I obviously want it to be something to someone and wouldn’t want to ruin my definition of it, but also, you know, it’s very close to me, you know, sometimes it’s hard to talk exactly about what it is I was going through in that moment and try to explain the song’s lyrics, I just want to listen to the song. I mean, I’m saying exactly what I’m trying to say in the song, for me to explain what I’m trying to say in a different setting is kind of weird for me. But, "Guns for Hands" specifically, I like to talk about what that song’s trying to say. There was one show in particular that this song was inspired by. I was playing a show in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it’s just this kind of a barn full of kids, and after this show, more than usual, there was kind of an unusual number of kids came up to me and felt inclined to share with me what it is they were going through. You know, a lot of their struggles, a lot of their, you know, whether that be depression or suicidal thoughts, a lot of stuff along that vein. And I just thought, I was like wow, I mean I’m — am I just in a hotbed of kids going through stuff, I mean is this just kind of like a crazy ratio of everyone struggling with this thing? And then I remember not too long after that, I was in New York, and I was — I think I saw like a pizza shop or something  and I saw a magazine that was you know at the entrance of the pizza shop, this big article about this specific town in New York that has a lot of kids, you know, high school age, going through a lot of the same stuff. And I realised you know, this isn’t just a — it’s not just an isolated event, it’s something that there’s a lot of kids throughout the entire country — even the world — that are struggling with the questions that they have, you know, ‘what’s the point?’, ‘what’s my purpose?’, ‘why am I here?’ and when you don’t have the answers to those questions, sometimes it can lead you to do something that you ultimately shouldn’t do.

So, "Guns for Hands" is talking about I wanna tell you that I know you have the ability to hurt yourself. You do. You have that ability. I feel like a lot of the older generation when they hear about someone struggling with it, their first reaction is like, “No, you’re not, you’re not struggling with that. Don’t think about that, you know, think about something else, you know, you’re just trying to get attention.” But this song was really trying to say like; “Listen, I know you have the ability to hurt yourself. I recognize that, but let’s take that energy and let’s point it at something else, let’s divert that, let’s kind of shift that momentum and look at something like art, or something like this music specifically, or even point it at me, you know, just point it anywhere, but don’t point it at yourself.” And so that’s what that song’s saying and that song will always be important to me. And I’m not a professional when it comes to this topic, but I write songs, and I feel like someone should say something about it." [1] [2]

Versions

Studio

Title Releas Length Recorded Released Notes
Guns for Hands Regional at Best 4:33 2010-2011 8 July 2011
Guns for Hands Vessel 4:36 2011-2012 8 Jan 2013 Guns for Hands, along with other songs from Regional at Best were remastered for their next album, Vessel

Live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_iPVOMPt8E

Lyrics

Lyrics

Album version
I know what you think in the morning

When the sun shines on the ground

And shows what you have done

It shows where your mind has gone

And you swear to your parents

That it will never happen again

I know, I know-ow-ow

What that means, I know-ow-ow-ow-ow


[Chorus]

That you all have guns

And you never put the safety on

And you all have plans

To take it, to take it, don't take it, take it, take it

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

But I can't, but I can't when you all have

Guns for hands, yeah

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

But I can't, but I can't when you all have

Guns for hands, yeah


[Verse 2]

Let's take this a second at a time

Let's take this one song, this one rhyme

Together, let's breathe

Together, to the beat

But there's hope out the window

So that's where we'll go

Let's go outside and all join hands

But until then you'll never understand


[Chorus]

That you all have guns

And you never put the safety on

And you all have plans

To take it, to take it, don't take it, take it, take it (Don't take it)

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

But I can't, but I can't when you all have

Guns for hands, yeah


[Interlude]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Whoo!

(Da-da da-da-da)

(Da-da da-da-da)

(Da-da da-da-da, ah uh)

(Da-da da-da-da)


[Bridge]

We've turned our hands to guns

Traded our thumbs for ammunition

I must forewarn you of my disorder, or my condition

'Cause when the sun sets

It upsets what's left of my invested interest

Interested in putting my fingers to my head

The solution is, I see a whole room of these mutant kids

Fused at the wrist, I simply tell them they should shoot at this

Simply suggest my chest and this confused music

It's obviously best for them to turn their guns to a fist


[Chorus]

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

But I can't, but I can't when you all have

Guns for hands, yeah

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep (I'm trying to sleep)

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep (I'm trying to sleep)

But I can't, but I can't when you all have

Guns for hands, yeah


Album version
I know what you think in the morning

When the sun shines on the ground

And shows what you have done

It shows where your mind has gone

And you swear to your parents

That it will never happen again

I know, I know-ow-ow

What that means, I know-ow-ow-ow-ow


[Chorus]

That you all have guns

And you never put the safety on

And you all have plans

To take it, to take it, don't take it, take it, take it

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

But I can't, but I can't when you all have

Guns for hands, yeah

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

But I can't, but I can't when you all have

Guns for hands, yeah


[Verse 2]

Let's take this a second at a time

Let's take this one song, this one rhyme

Together, let's breathe

Together, to the beat

But there's hope out the window

So that's where we'll go

Let's go outside and all join hands

But until then you'll never understand


[Chorus]

That you all have guns

And you never put the safety on

And you all have plans

To take it, to take it, don't take it, take it, take it (Don't take it)

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

But I can't, but I can't when you all have

Guns for hands, yeah


[Interlude]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Whoo!

(Da-da da-da-da)

(Da-da da-da-da)

(Da-da da-da-da, ah uh)

(Da-da da-da-da)


[Bridge]

We've turned our hands to guns

Traded our thumbs for ammunition

I must forewarn you of my disorder, or my condition

'Cause when the sun sets

It upsets what's left of my invested interest

Interested in putting my fingers to my head

The solution is, I see a whole room of these mutant kids

Fused at the wrist, I simply tell them they should shoot at this

Simply suggest my chest and this confused music

It's obviously best for them to turn their guns to a fist


[Chorus]

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep

But I can't, but I can't when you all have

Guns for hands, yeah

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep (I'm trying to sleep)

I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep (I'm trying to sleep)

But I can't, but I can't when you all have

Guns for hands, yeah

Lyrics meaning

Lyrics
Frontman Tyler Joseph has stated the following regarding this track:

"I know you have the ability to hurt yourself, I recognize that, but let’s take that energy and let’s point it at something else, let’s divert that, let’s kind of shift momentum and look at something like art, or something like this music specifically or even point it at me, just point it anywhere. But don’t point it at yourself … that song will always be important to me." [1]

all meanings of the lyrics are taken from the Genius website

Sources

[1] https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-guns-for-hands-lyrics

Twenty One Pilots
Members Tyler Joseph • Josh Dun
Former Members Chris Salih • Nick Thomas
Albums Twenty One Pilots • Regional at Best • Vessel • Blurryface • Trench • Scaled and Icy • Clancy
EPs Johnny Boy (EP) • Live At UG Studios • Three Songs • Spotify Sessions • Holding on to You (EP) • Quiet Is Viølent •

The LC LP • Double-Sided • TOPxMM • Trench 10" Triplet • Location Sessions

Live releases Blurryface Live • Scaled and Icy (Livestream Version)
Singles Holding on to You • Guns For Hands • Lovely • House Of Gold • Fake You Out • Car Radio •

Fairly Local • Tear In My Heart • Stressed Out • Lane Boy • Ride • Heathens • Heavydirtysoul • Cancer • Jumpsuit • Nico And The Niners • Levitate • My Blood • Chlorine • The Hype • Level Of Concern • Christmas Saves The Year • Shy Away • Choker • Saturday • The Outside • Overcompensate • Next Semester • Backslide • The Craving (single version)

Tours Local Shows • Twenty One Pilots Tour • Regional at Best Tour • Mostly November Tour • Blurryface World Tour •

Emotional Roadshow World Tour • Tour De Columbus • The Bandito Tour • Takeover Tour • The Icy Tour • Clancy World Tour

List of Twenty One Pilots songs • List Twenty One Pilots music videos
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