Guns For Hands

Guns for Hands is the 1st track on the album, Regional at Best

Be Concerned
Song by Twenty One Pilots from the album Regional at Best
Released	July 8, 2011
Format	Digital
Length	4:08
Tempo	141
Key	E
Composer	Twenty One Pilots
Lyricist	Tyler Joseph
Writer	Tyler Joseph, Jocef
Producer	Tyler Joseph, Josh Dun
Label	Self-released
Stream / Buy
Twenty One Pilots track listing 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

Background

Tyler Joseph has spoken several times about the track, including:

"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." [1]

Versions

Studio

Title	Release	Length	Recorded	Released	Notes
Guns For Hands	Regional at Best	4:33	2010-2011	8 July 2011

Live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YqGPjxuulw

Lyrics

Lyrics

Album version

[Verse 1] 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

Lyrics

Lyrics

Album version

[Intro: Tyler Joseph] Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa [Verse 1: Tyler Joseph] Where'd you go, huh? They all think I know ya It's so hard to motivate me to devote A single inch of me to something I can't see I don't mean to pry but why would you even make the eyes? I don't believe my ears and I'm scared of my own head I will deny you for years then I'll make you raise me from the dead And if I said that I would live for you for nothing in return Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Gullible, but lying's all I've learned [Refrain: Tyler Joseph] So be concerned (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa) So be concerned (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa) [Verse 2: Jocef] Uh, uh No music, and I can talk about anything Whether or not it's worthwhile, it’s based on who's listenin' 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 Taken for granted, trust is damaged and now we panic Livin' empty handed, livin' lives like we can manage I can't feel you, but still know where home is, feeling like Jonah did Almost dropped the bat like every base was fully loaded You might also like [Refrain: Jocef, Tyler Joseph] So be concerned, yeah (Uh-huh, uh-huh) (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa) So be concerned (Yeah, yeah) (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa) You should, yeah [Verse 3: Tyler Joseph] (Okay, alright, um) I am disappearing inside my bird's eye theories I tried to say goodbye, defy, and deny what it is I'm fearing Clearly, I am dying, dearly, I am writing, merely testifying That a test to fly requires, I pass the test with colors flying I don't believe you most the time I'm lying 'cause I say I am fine (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa) You are the pearl, I am the swine So break my life and take this rhyme (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa) I'm so sorry but I do believe That all my bridges I have burned And I've earned a policy of no-return [Refrain: Tyler Joseph] So be concerned (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa) So be concerned (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa) So be concerned (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa) So be concerned (Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa) [Outro: Tyler Joseph] Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa Who-o-o-oa, who-o-oa

Lyrics meaning

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. 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. [1]
all meanings of the lyrics are taken from the Genius website

Sources

[1] https://genius.com/Twenty-one-pilots-be-concerned-lyrics