Ride

Ride
Song by Twenty One Pilots from the album Blurryface
Released	April 11, 2016
Format	Digital
Length	3:55
Time signature	4/4
Tempo	75
Key	F# major
Live debut	May 12, 2015
Composer	Twenty One Pilots
Lyricist	Tyler Joseph
Writer	Tyler Joseph
Producer	Tyler Joseph, Josh Dun, Ricky Reed
Label	Fueled by Ramen
Stream / Buy
Twenty One Pilots track listing Heavydirtysoul Stressed Out Ride Fairly Local Tear In My Heart Lane Boy The Judge Doubt Polarize We Don't Believe What's On TV Message Man Hometown Not Today Goner

Ride is the 3rd track on the album, Blurryface as well as the 3rd song on the collaborative EP, TOPxMM

Background

“Ride” is about the journey of life. Throughout the song, Tyler’s lyrics indicate he feels like dying is easy, but finding someone or something to live for is life’s challenge, or “ride”. The song contains heavy reggae influences.

The song also contains callbacks to various twenty one pilot songs, including “Heavydirtysoul,” “Lane Boy,” and “Ode To Sleep.”

Versions

Studio

Title	Releas	Length	Recorded	Released	Notes
Ride	Blurryface	3:55	2014-2015	12 May 2015
Ride Remix Ft. MUTEMATH	TOPxMM	3:49	Nov-Dec 2016	18 Dec 2016	Ride, along with other songs from the Blurryface Era were re-recorded for the TOPxMM EP

Live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szE3DTbtqw8

Lyrics

Lyrics

Album version

[Verse 1] I just wanna stay in the sun where I find I know it's hard sometimes Pieces of peace in the sun's peace of mind I know it's hard sometimes Yeah, I think about the end just way too much But it's fun to fantasize On my enemies who wouldn't wish who I was But it's fun to fantasize [Chorus] Oh-woah-woah, oh-woah-woah, I'm fallin' So I'm takin' my time on my ride, oh-woah-woah, I'm fallin' So I'm takin' my time on my ride Takin' my time on my ride [Verse 2] "I'd die for you," that's easy to say We have a list of people that we would take A bullet for them, a bullet for you A bullet for everybody in this room But I don't seem to see many bullets comin' through See many bullets comin' through Metaphorically, I'm the man But literally, I don't know what I'd do "I'd live for you," and that's hard to do Even harder to say when you know it's not true Even harder to write when you know that tonight There were people back home who tried talking to you But then you ignore them still All these questions they're for real Like "Who would you live for?" "Who would you die for?" And "Would you ever kill?" [Chorus] Oh-woah-woah, oh-woah-woah, I'm fallin' So I'm takin' my time on my ride, oh-woah-woah, I'm fallin' So I'm takin' my time on my ride Takin' my time on my ride [Bridge] I've been thinkin' too much I've been thinkin' too much I've been thinkin' too much I've been thinkin' too much Help me I've been thinkin' too much I've been thinkin' too much I've been thinkin' too much Help me I've been thinkin' too much I've been thinkin' too much I've been thinkin' too much [Chorus] Oh-woah-woah, oh-woah-woah, I'm fallin' So I'm takin' my time on my ride, oh-woah-woah, I'm fallin' So I'm takin' my time Takin' my time on my ride, woah-oh-oh (Woah, yeah) Oh-woah-woah, oh-woah-woah, I'm fallin' So I'm takin' my time on my ride, oh-woah-woah, I'm fallin' So I'm takin' my time on my— [Outro] I've been thinkin' too much Help me I've been thinkin' too much Help me I've been thinkin' too much I've been thinkin' too much I've been thinkin' too much Help me I've been thinkin' too much I've been thinkin' too much I've been thinkin' too much Help me

EP version

[Verse 1: Tyler Joseph] I just wanna stay in the sun where I find I know it's hard sometimes Pieces of peace in the sun's peace of mind I know it's hard sometimes Yeah I think about the end just way too much But it's fun to fantasize On my enemies I wouldn't wish who I was But it's fun to fantasize [Chorus: Tyler Joseph] Oh-oh-ohhh, oh-oh-ohhh I'm falling So I'm taking my time on my ride Oh-oh-ohhh I'm falling So I'm taking my time on my ride Taking my time on my ride [Verse 2: Tyler Joseph] "I'd die for you," that's easy to say We have a list of people that we would take A bullet for them, a bullet for you A bullet for everybody in this room But I don't seem to see many bullets coming through See many bullets coming through Metaphorically I'm the man But literally I don't know what I'd do "I'd live for you," and that's hard to do Even harder to say when you know it's not true Even harder to write when you know that tonight There were people back home who tried talking to you But then you ignore them still All these questions they’re for real Like who would you live for? Who would you die for? And would you ever kill? [Chorus: Tyler Joseph] Oh-oh-ohhh, oh-oh-ohhh I'm falling So I'm taking my time on my ride Oh-oh-ohhh I'm falling So I'm taking my time on my ride Taking my time on my ride [Bridge: Tyler Joseph, Paul Meany, Paul Meany & Todd Gummerman] Help me Help me I've been thinking too much I've been thinking too much Help me I've been thinking too much I've been thinking too much Help me I've been thinking too much I've been thinking too much I've been thinking too much Help me I've been thinking too much I've been thinking too much I've been thinking too much Help [Outro: Tyler Joseph] Oh-oh-ohhh, oh-oh-ohhh I'm falling So I'm taking my time on my ride, oh-oh-ohh I'm falling so I'm taking my time (Yeah!) Whoa-oh-oh (Ayyy!) Taking my time on my ride woah, oh-oh Oh-oh-ohhh, oh-oh-ohhh I'm falling So I'm taking my time on my ride, oh-oh-ohh I'm falling so I'm taking my time on my Taking Taking Taking I'm taking

Lyrics meaning

Lyrics
I just wanna stay in the sun where I find I know it's hard sometimes Pieces of peace in the sun's peace of mind I know it's hard sometimes Daylight can provide glimpses of comfort in a perpetual storm of confusion. Instead of having to face dark times and struggle with his doubt, Tyler would rather remain “in the sun” all the time; he would rather be perpetually happy and confident with himself. References to the sun’s warmth and light offering comfort appear in a few of their other songs, including “Drown,” “Taxi Cab,” and “Semi-Automatic.” The sun could be a metaphor for God’s son, Jesus, who called Himself the light. Jesus said in John 16:33: In me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. ‭These tribulations could be what Tyler refers to when he sings, “I know it’s hard sometimes.” Tyler has also said in the past that night is when all his insecurities truly affect him, so this line is him begging for night never to come. Oh-woah-woah, oh-woah-woah, I'm fallin' So I'm takin' my time on my ride, oh-woah-woah, I'm fallin' So I'm takin' my time on my ride Takin' my time on my ride The “ride” is a metaphor for his life, much like how life is often referred to as a journey, while “falling” refers to the negative thoughts in both verses. In most of twenty one pilots' songs, “falling” usually means to fall away from faith or be consumed by doubt: I don’t wanna fall, fall away —“Fall Away” I won’t fall in love with falling. —“Air Catcher” “Taking my time on my ride” is about life. Tyler knows death is coming for him, so he might as well live while he can and enjoy the life he has. "I'd die for you," that's easy to say We have a list of people that we would take A bullet for them, a bullet for you A bullet for everybody in this room But I don't seem to see many bullets comin' through See many bullets comin' through Metaphorically, I'm the man But literally, I don't know what I'd do In reality, having a chance to literally take a bullet for someone is quite improbable. So Tyler looks at it in a different way. Instead of dying for you, he’s going to live for you, which is harder because you have to live for someone with actions, not just words. Taking a bullet is a metaphor for giving up some part of his comfort or happiness in order to ensure that of the people on his “list”. In the last line he clarifies that, although he can say he will be there, he doesn’t know what will happen, if a situation like that actually came up. It’s simply too extreme to imagine.
all meanings of the lyrics are taken from the Genius website