Twenty One Pilots’ “Heathens” quickly transcended its origins as a soundtrack single for the movie Suicide Squad, embedding itself into the cultural lexicon and resonating deeply with listeners worldwide. While superficially catchy, the song’s lyrics delve into complex themes of judgment, acceptance, and understanding – particularly within the context of faith and outsider status. This exploration goes beyond a simple movie tie-in, offering a nuanced perspective on how we perceive those different from ourselves, and how we approach sharing our beliefs with a world that may be skeptical or hurting. Let’s unpack the layers of meaning within “Heathens” and understand why this track continues to captivate audiences years after its release.
Unpacking the Layers of “Heathens”: Multiple Interpretations
At its heart, “Heathens” is a song about perspective and empathy. The lyrics suggest multiple layers of interpretation, making it resonate with a broad audience, including the dedicated Skeleton Clique, Twenty One Pilots’ fanbase.
Judgment, Outsiders, and the Skeleton Clique
One immediate reading of “Heathens” aligns with the idea of judging individuals, particularly those perceived as “outsiders” or different. Tyler Joseph, the lead singer of Twenty One Pilots, introduces us to “heathens” – described as “my friends.” This immediately challenges the typical negative connotation of the word “heathen,” often used to label those outside a particular religious or social group. In this context, “heathens” could be interpreted as those within the Skeleton Clique, a fanbase often feeling marginalized or misunderstood by mainstream society. Joseph positions himself as an ally, cautioning listeners to “take it slow” and “wait for them to ask you who you know” when encountering these “heathens.” This creates a sense of protective understanding towards those who might be quickly judged based on appearances or labels.
“Knowing” and the Nuances of Evangelism
Expanding on this, another compelling interpretation of “Heathens” emerges within a faith-based context. The phrase “who you know” takes on a deeper meaning when considering Christian evangelism, where “knowing Jesus” is a central tenet. Could “Heathens” be a commentary on different styles of sharing faith and the importance of relational understanding? This interpretation suggests that the song is not just about societal judgment but also about how faith communities approach those outside their beliefs.
Faith-Sharing Styles: Evangelical vs. Relational
To fully grasp this religious dimension, it’s helpful to consider two contrasting approaches to sharing Christian faith often observed: evangelical and relational styles.
The Evangelical Approach: Direct and Proclamatory
The evangelical approach is often characterized by directness and a focus on proclamation. It emphasizes sharing the Gospel message broadly, sometimes to strangers, and often involves methods like street preaching, distributing tracts, and altar calls. This style often centers on dramatic conversion experiences and clear-cut steps to salvation, like the “ABC’s of faith.” While effective for some, it can be perceived by others as impersonal or overly assertive.
The Relational Approach: Building Bridges of Trust
In contrast, the relational approach prioritizes building genuine relationships before explicitly sharing faith. Advocates of this style believe that trust and understanding must precede direct evangelism. The idea is to allow one’s life and actions to reflect their faith, creating opportunities for organic conversations about beliefs. This approach is more gradual and emphasizes living out faith authentically within the context of existing relationships.
Shifting Perspectives: From Proclamation to Connection
The author of the original article identifies with the relational approach, having shifted away from a more evangelical style. This change stemmed from questioning the effectiveness and sincerity of approaching strangers with religious messages. The experience felt akin to “advertising” or a “pyramid scheme,” lacking genuine connection. The relational approach, focused on building meaningful friendships and trusting in God’s guidance, felt more authentic and aligned with the principle of loving one’s neighbor.
“Heathens” as a Call for Respectful Engagement
Connecting these faith-sharing styles back to “Heathens,” the song can be seen as advocating for a more relational and respectful approach, particularly when interacting with those Tyler Joseph refers to as “heathens” – his non-Christian friends, or more broadly, those outside of a specific faith community.
Understanding “Heathens” Friends: Beyond Surface Judgments
Joseph’s lyrics urge listeners to recognize that they “don’t know the half of the abuse” these individuals may have experienced. This line highlights the importance of empathy and avoiding quick fixes or simplistic solutions when engaging with others. “Heathens” cautions against assuming that a “magic wand” solution, often implied in some evangelical approaches to salvation, will resonate with those who have experienced deep hurt or skepticism.
Suspicion of Outsiders: The Need for Authenticity
Verses like “We don’t deal with outsiders very well” and “They say they can smell your intentions” further underscore the need for genuine connection. “Heathens” suggests that those who are skeptical or have been hurt by religious experiences are acutely aware of insincerity. They are unlikely to open up to those who approach them with “good news” without first demonstrating genuine care, understanding, and respect. Trust must be earned, not assumed.
The Outro: Warning and Deeper Commitment
The outro of “Heathens” takes on a more complex tone with lines like “Why’d you come? You knew you should have stayed.” This could be interpreted as a warning to those entering into relationships with “heathens” with superficial intentions. It acknowledges the potential difficulties and emotional baggage that can arise when building deep connections with individuals who have different perspectives or experiences. The line “It looks like you might be one of us” suggests that genuine connection and acceptance require a deeper level of integration and understanding, moving beyond superficial interactions. The whispered “It’s blasphemy” could be interpreted as a commentary on how some within more rigid religious circles might perceive this approach of deep engagement and questioning.
Universal Themes and the Song’s Enduring Resonance
Beyond its specific interpretations related to faith or the Skeleton Clique, “Heathens” touches upon broader, universal themes that contribute to its lasting appeal.
Patterns in Life and Art: Recognizing Deeper Logic
The original article astutely points out the song’s ability to resonate across various situations as a sign of its depth. It suggests that “Heathens” taps into underlying patterns and truths about human nature and relationships. Just as metaphors and recurring motifs appear throughout life – from marriage as a metaphor for faith to consistent consequences following certain actions – songs like “Heathens” can reflect these patterns, making them feel profoundly true and applicable to diverse contexts.
“Heathens”: A Song Reflecting Deeper Truths
This ability to resonate on multiple levels – addressing judgment, evangelism, and broader themes of human connection – is what makes “Heathens” a powerful and enduring song. It’s not just a catchy tune; it’s a thoughtful exploration of how we relate to others, urging us to move beyond superficial judgments and engage with empathy, respect, and a willingness to understand perspectives different from our own. “Heathens” invites us to consider who we label as “outsiders” and to approach those perceived as different with openness and a genuine desire for connection.
What are your thoughts on the meaning of “Heathens”? Share your interpretations in the comments below – let’s discuss further!
