Next Semester

Next Semester
Song by Twenty One Pilots from the album Clancy
Released	March 27, 2024
Format	Digital
Length	3:54
Single	March 27, 2024
Live count	0
Writer	Tyler Joseph
Producer	Tyler Joseph
Label	Fueled by Ramen
Stream / Buy
Clancy track listing Overcompensate Next Semester Backslide Midwest Indigo Routines in the Night Vignette The Craving (Jenna's Version) Lavish Navigatting Snap back Oldies Station At the Risk of Feeling Dumb Paladin Strait

Next Semester is the second song on the album Clancy by Twenty One Pilots.

Versions

Studio

Title	Releas	Length	Recorded	Released	Notes
Next Semester	Clancy	3:54	2022-2023	27 March 2024

Background

Next Semester was announced on March 21st, set to release the following week. A video filmed by an unknown volunteer from the music video shoot was released shortly before the announcement, though Twenty One Pilots included the short video in the announcement . The day before release, the entirety of Next Semester was leaked, spreading across numerous online platforms.

“Next Semester” was officially released on March 27th with its corresponding music video. As well as a music release, Twenty One Pilots also released the dates and locations for the newly announced Clancy Tour.

Lyrics

Album version

[Intro] No-no-no, no-no-no No-no-no-no-no, no-no-no-no-no No-no-no-no-no, no-no-no-no [Verse 1] Stand up straight now (Ooh) Can't break down (Ooh) Graduate now (Ooh) I don't wanna be here, I don't wanna be here It's a taste test (Ooh) Of what I hate less (Ooh) Can you die of anxiousness? (Ooh) I don't wanna be here, I don't wanna be here What's about to happen? What's about to happen? [Chorus] I remember I remember certain things What I was wearing The yellow dashes in the street I prayed those lights would take me home Then I heard, "Hey, kid, get out of the road!" [Post-Chorus] (Ooh, ooh, ooh) I don't wanna be here, I don't wanna be here [Verse 2] Can't feel my legs (Ooh) I might suffocate (Ooh) There's a pressure in my chest (Ooh) I don't wanna be here, I don't wanna be here What's about to happen? What's about to happen? [Chorus] I remember I remember certain things What I was wearin' The yellow dashes in the street I prayed those lights would take me home Then I heard, "Hey, kid, get out of the road!" [Refrain] (Ohh, woah, oh, oh-woah) (Ohh, woah, oh, oh-woah, ohh) Can't change what you've done Start fresh next semester [Chorus] I remember I remember certain things What I was wearin' The yellow dashes in the street I prayed those lights would take me home Then I heard, "Hey, kid, get out of the road!" [Refrain] (Ohh, woah, oh, oh-woah) And then he slowed down (Ohh, woah, oh, oh-woah, ohh) And rolled down his window And he said "Can't change what you've done Start fresh next semester" [Outro] It's a taste test Of what I hate less I don't wanna be here Start fresh with the new year (Ohh, ahh, oh, oh-woah) (Ohh, ahh, oh, oh-woah) Can't change what you've done Start fresh next semester

Lyrics meaning

This song talks about struggles in young age to find one’s place and identity, which are followed by a failed suicide attempt. The lyrical subject tried to get hit by a car but got noticed by the driver who slowed down.

An alternative interpretation could be that he had a panic attack in the middle of the road, only somewhat aware of what was going on.