Meaning of “Chlorine” by Twenty One Pilots
“Chlorine” is the title of a 2018 track by the American musical duo Twenty One Pilots. It is a fact that drinking chlorine can be a very dangerous thing to do. However, from the lyrics, the narrator thinks doing so is a good idea. Why? He’s trapped in the fictional walled city of Dema and probably sees it as the only way to escape.
Is “Chlorine” about suicide?
After analyzing the lyrics of the song, some analysts conclude that the track is about taking one’s own life. According to them, two things support this dark conclusion. Firstly, the narrator finds himself trapped in an evil city from which escape is impossible. Secondly, he drinks the toxic substance in question and actually enjoys its taste. Based on these, many believe the lyrics are loaded with evidence enough to support their claims they deal with the issue of attempted suicide.
That said, it is important to take note of the fact that not everyone agrees that the song has suicide as its theme. For example, some also argue that it could be about drugs. The chlorine could actually refer to a drug which makes the narrator feel good despite finding himself trapped in the depressing and evil city. In their argument, they cite lyrics such as the following:
In this verse, the narrator is basically saying two things. He loves the taste of the chlorine. He is also talking about how its poisonous vibrations help his body run. Simply put, the substance helps him in his escape from Dema.
Facts about “Chlorine”
- Tyler Joseph (lead singer of Twenty One Pilots) co-wrote this track with American singer Paul Meany. Meany is best known for being the lead singer of the indie band Mutemath.
- Both writers (Meany and Tyler) produced the song together.
- The song was released on October 5, 2018. It is the 5th song from the duo’s fifth studio album Trench.
Did Twenty One Pilots make a music video for “Chlorine”?
Yes, they did. The video was made available online on January 22, 2019. The clip can be viewed below:
..i think the city of dema is a representation of tylers thoughts. the chlorine helps him escape dema….in other words his thoughts….when he drinks the chlorine it makes him forget about his thoughts and feel good…he is very dependent of the chlorine because it makes him forget about dema (his thoughts)…when he says “help my body run” he means that he wants the chlorine to help him escape dema…in other words HIS THOUGHTS….this theory is obviously not proven but the first time i heard this song i immediately thought this was the meaning behind it 🙂 ll-//
It’s all about perception, the record companies learned forever ago that popular songs have to go through a process of making them vague enough so that everyone can relate to them. So, maybe the artist made it about methamphetamine, but they call it chlorine and don’t say meth because that would only appeal to people who use meth, so that you relate to it because it reminds you of how you have felt the need to escape your thoughts, ones who suffer from suicidal thoughts said it’s about that and they relate and like it. You won’t be able to tell someone who does meth that it’s about anything else because all the the lyrics relate strongly to what you go through every day in your world that’s fallen into pieces. Meth also tastes very chemically, almost like chlorine if it tasted more toxic.
sounds like you’re familiar with meth. If we were neighbors I’d smoke a bubble with you
I was in prison when i first heard this song. Coming down from meth and all the chaos and hurt from it. I immediatly fell in love with this song as the tone,beat and lyrics described all things meth related. To meanywaysn
“Sipping on straight chlorine
Let the vibe slide over me
This beat is a chemical
When I leave don’t save my seat
I’ll be back when it’s all complete
The moment is medical”
Chlorine represents the ‘beats’ or songs that pop into Tyler’s head. He has to drop what he’s doing and complete the song before he can continue anything. Making the moment medical (having to take care of the chlorine in his system, so to speak.) throughout the rest of the song I think he’s communicating that these song can be damaging to his thoughts, but he loves the process. “Rebel red” I think refers to the bishops . “Double as a paper maker” I think refers to him making money off of these songs and that are based off of his demons. Really interesting imagery.
Let’s get real man! This songs lyrics lead you straight to amphetamine. A chemical. And if Tyler could sing that word in the chorus without backlash, he would. His experience has been a complicated and confusing relationship that hints to the struggle with chemical dependency and how it affects his creativity. Hence, a really confusing, trippy yet great video. As soon as it becomes “medical” i.e. Adderall he’s all in. Until then he tries to steer clear of it.
~~~ Pauly D.
It isn’t about suicide. It’s clearly about the therapeutic value of music and relationships in the writer’s life. Chlorine is a metaphor for how things are “cleansing” to his soul.
i really think so too
I agree with this…sipping on straight chlorine/this beat is a chemical…seemed obvious to me immediately…like, why does it even need more thought? Its plain and clear to me
I think its about escaping one’s demons through music as a drug, because it’s the only thing that truly takes him away from whatever demon plagues life at that time. Music can be many different things at once and it can take a person away from reality, at least for a while. Demons can be toxic loves, drugs, drama, toxic relationships with family, friends, or an acquaintance, coworkers, or a number of people. They can also be anxiety and or normal to higher than normal daily stress. Music is the only escape for some people to everything else in life and can become an obsession in life if not kept in balance as anything can. At the end of the song I believe that he is referring to himself as the drug he needs to escape his life’s demons, which to me would mean toxic relationships of any kind, and in music he becomes a drug so that others can escape too, because that is where his foundation is located.
I agree with this I don’t think it’s about suicide because he says I’ll be back when it’s all complete..
when i leave dont save my seat. its clearly a suicide song.
I disagree- because he comes back when it’s all done. The reference to Tyler’s music writing is a closer representation I feel.
Though he comes back it may be about how he feels the need to feel pain and likes the feeling
Yes and it’s horrible!
I thought It was somewhat… interesting Most likely a suicide song by most facts Tyler has depression and that dema is in his thoughts think of it what about in jumpsuit nico and the niners and levitate? He is first relying on his jumpsuit to protect him but he lost his jumpsuit in nico and the niners there for he is now going insane Like other people with no protection. And in levitate he (Tyler Joseph) is dragged off by blurryface. there for the wants to leave behind dema or in other words his THOUGHT!
The rest of your songs are ambiguous. And know know that you are failing you choose to drag kids into your abiss .prick.
Damn, ever heard of ‘if you have nothing nice to say, dont say it’?
Amen! Jon is a bitter bi**h!
You can’t even use proper puntuation or spell ‘abyss’ properly. Shut up.
clearly doesn’t even know what ambiguous means.
i would like to know whats up with the little furry monster and the pool?
Me too!! The furry guy is so cute!
I just read another thread where someone mentioned that Tyler has been struggling with his faith. This song could clearly be about losing his faith. I can say, for myself, these lyrics could easily represent finally making the break from “god” and all religion’s restrictions…especially getting past the guilt of finally saying, “No, I definitely don’t relate to this…I’m an atheist!” This song actually clears a lot of that up for me! I’m free…don’t save my seat!
I disagree, I think Tyler is having to feed his creativity, which has taken the form of this creature,
but his creativity relies on a large quantity of negative emotions. it cleanses and helps the creature survive but hurts Tyler.
the creature grows while he decays, it grows it’s horns completely. But then, in the end after emptying an entire pool the creature is hungry for more, it’s an endless cycle to create music for Tyler. throughout the music video, Tyler is clearly deep in the creative process since he’s wearing headphones and closed off from everyone and putting a huge workload on his friend Josh to help handle his emotional weight.
Nalbis …loved your interpretation over all else . So we’ll put . So sad u didn’t give your take on more areas of the song.
Ps . Side note :so not about suicide tho escape of this reality will come out n many other forms of release…not beyond existence or the execution of self. I feel those who think it’s suicide have yet to find the silver lining and or blessing in disguise ….that lyes in wait on the other side of their personal suffering journey. Lol
It’s about his thoughts and the darkness within his thoughts. Chlorine is the cleanser. The alien is the end game that he needs to please. If you actually look the duo has videos and interviews about it. Lmao this song was not that hard to figure out.
i love all of your songs. i am a huge fan
it could be about a lifeguard. just sayin’
I’m pretty sure it’s about cleansing himself (metaphor, chlorine) after going to dark places to create the great music/beats he does that are addictive/poison b/c it takes him away God, which isn’t ideal, but he has to do it as an escape b/c he’s addicted and has to leave God’s presence to do so. Mid song he has double meanings toward his situation & past, I think (coat pocket & rebel red). At the end he apologizes to God & catches Him “up to speed” after he’s been “tested like a weathered flag by the sea” – it’s metaphorical and symbolic. Then after he’s done he needs God to build him back up to what he was before going dark for his addiction, beats/music (he’s just a chemical, like beats, a minor existence relative to God). I think the irony is that he knows God is the one testing him, being there the whole time, but having to go to dark places against what he believes or knows are God’s wishes for him (opening up to evil)… that’s my opinion.
Yep, you got it. I completely agree with this. If you watch the music video, Tyler looks up when he’s singing about being sorry he forgot “you” and that he’s been tested (a word that is common in Christianity). Also, the language about building his house in heaven is straight up Biblical (2 Corin. 5, John 14. But the main part of the song is about how the singer uses music as his cleansing / communion instead of God. The lyrics use communion language as he says, “When I leave, don’t save my seat. I’ll be back when it’s all complete.” But he’s sorry because his cleansing is happening when he’s writing music, not when he’s repenting to God; and his communion is through a beat, not the blood of Christ. And that’s why he says he’s sorry at the end (which is an ending we’ve heard before in tøp music – an apology to God). It’s a very personal and beautiful spiritual song.
I think it’s about toxic relationship
I dont know bout yalls but water purification involves entirely way to much chlorine so when your drinking water smells and tastes so horrible it often like sippin on straight chlorine
That’s exactly what I thought!
It’s about the power and allure of addiction. The author is taking a drug he knows is armful and addictive, but that it provides him with an escape from Dema (real life). Chlorine is also a powerful cleanser and antiseptic, which could represent how the drug cleans the pain from the author’s mind and life, if only for a time.
I had similar thoughts after hearing chlorine for the first time I assumed that Tyler was saying that now he is famous he gets better quality drugs now you ie (the fan ) in my life is like sipping on straight chlorine (pure drugs) it comes down to your own life experience very clever artists these guys really it means whatever you feel it means Tyler and josh are cryptic so they can reach different personalities and mind sets that’s my thoughts either way gr8 song
I think they sold their souls to the devil to become super rich and famous and they are singing about being a bit screwed. And they are killing it with there music. Its good music. Most likely gifted to them after some luring empty promises. They messed around with the dark side. Most of their songs talk about doom and gloom and no hope you know. Or how screwed they are. Probs heavily into drugs. Addiction is number one opening doorways to demons and just crap etc. Blood of Jesus can wash it all clean though. He can break any contract and heal anything. But yeh its not worth selling your soul for things of this world which arn’t going to mean anything when you die. Unfortunately, being human, it can be so enticing. But tell the God dam devil to bugger off. Don’t listen to his lies. In Jesus name
Listen to “Doubt”; that should clear up your misapprehension about Tyler’s relation to the living God.
I totally agree with Brian.
wow di*dos…its truly simple…meth..references to breaking bad are hard to miss idiots and back in the day it was an ingredient in meth
I can’t help but lean toward the though that this song is about toxic relationships. I don’t see suicide as a theme. Sounds like the chlorine is from toxic relationships, whether they are personal or business in nature.
100% agree.
It’s about depression, clear and simple.
When I leave don’t save my seat (because therapy takes SO LONG)
I’ll be back when it’s all complete (when he’s through therapy)
The moment is medical (because depression often takes many drugs to treat)
Lovin what I’m tastin (because meds DO help, but often people hate that they need them)
Dependant at times (because you can’t live without them)
poisonous vibrations help my body run. (he doesn’t trust the meds, but they help him live his life)
Sippin on straight chlorine let the vibe slide over me (talks about how he doesn’t trust the meds, but takes them because the doctor says to)
fall out of formation (he doesn’t do what the doctors tell him to, so,
I plan my escape from walls they confine. (he plans to escape the mental institute, or his own mental state.
Rebel red carnation (the blood from the cuts where he cuts himself)
grows while I decay (the worse his depression gets, he more he cuts)
Im’ runnin for my life (that’s how it feels)
hide you in my coat pocket where I kept my rebel red (he trusted someone)
I felt I was invincible, you wrapped around my head (someone important told him somthing)
Now different lives I lead, my body lives on lead (because he lives on the meds, but they make him feel like lead)
But now you double as a paper maker (because he gossiped about the depression)
I despise you sometimes, I love to hate the fight
I’m so sorry I forgot you (thats what happens when you have depression)
Let me catch you up to speed (how it feels when you finally see them)
I’ve been tested like the ends of
A weathered flag that’s by the sea(exactly how depression feels)
Yea I agree with your explanation behind the lyrics. It is definitely not about suicide as the article has just mentioned above.
Mike, nowhere in the post did the author categorically state that this song is about suicide.
No, its not about weirdos with “depression” Why do crazy people seem to want to shove their problems in us NORMALS faces all day everyday? Eww.
It’s simply a Christian metaphor about keeping life purified with Christ once in a while. Coming to terms with life’s wars, getting healed or purified and coming back once it’s complete.
Totally could be either. For one side, he is sipping on straight chlorine. And as we all know, that’s like chugging bleach. Chlorine is also acidic. That makes for the song being about suicide. On the other hand, this all takes place in the fictional world he’s in. He wants to escape. But, it being a different world, maybe chlorine isn’t acidic. Also, chlorine is in some drugs, or so I’ve been told. So, undecided truly.
I honestly beleive this song can be taken in many ways, as can many of Tyler’s song, and I believe that’s the beauty of it. Not once has Tyler in any of his songs (I mean… correct if I’m wrong) has ever encouraged or talked about giving way to suicide. I think Tyler writes this, showing how people who don’t know much about him will take it one way while others will interpret it another way. I don’t think Tyler would ever write a song about giving in to suicide. He does, however, have many songs explaining his connection to music and him writing music, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was another case of it. Tyler’s reason for writing the song might be something completely different, but I think we can all agree, that we are all entitled to interpreting it our own way. || – //
Oof I meant to add- Tyler has said writing music is an escape for him in a way which leads to another theory, especially with the whole connection to Dema and the fact that he’s been trapped there before. 🙂
Yes, these popular songs are all left unspecific enough so that everyone can relate to what it reminds them of in their life. It’s genius and opens it to helping more people who can enjoy it, but starts ridiculous fights over who’s right. This band is awesome and avoid videos ruining this for people and their videos don’t really help at all. The video reinforced my belief about it being methamphetamines, but IDK if he does that. Does anyone know what drugs he does?
The Song is about Trump and how much the band and the country loves him. They are big trump supporters
I always thought it was about a drug addiction. for many reasons, maybe the chlorine (since it´s a chemical that cleans) is what he is taking to get clean or try beating his addiction. He also says ¨When I leave don’t save my seat, I’ll be back when it’s all complete¨ making me think that he is saying when he leaves for rehab don´t wait for him, just move on. and when he says he´ll be back it makes me think hes talking about when he is fully clean and over the drug he´ll come back.
Then he says ¨I plan my escape from walls they confined¨ which I interpreted as him trying to say that he wants to break his addiction and break through the ´walls´ that drugs put him behind
He goes on to say 1) ¨Had you in my coat pocket¨ 2)¨I felt I was invincible, you wrapped around my head¨ 3) ¨But now you double as a papermaker¨ 4) ¨I despise you sometimes¨ and 5) ¨I love to hate the fight¨. now time to explain. first off 1) is talking about how he would carry the drug in his pocket for any time use. 2) is about how he thought he wouldn’t get addicted and he could just do it once for fun but now it´s constantly on his mind because he wants more. then 3) is saying he can now not only do the drug but sell it in order to make money off of it. 4) is showing how he hates that he gets those nasty cravings for the drug . 5) he is stating that he loves that he is able to fight it, that´s why he loves to hate it. because if he didn’t hate the fight he wouldn’t be trying to fight.
He then says ¨I’m so sorry, I forgot you¨ which I understood as him saying he is sorry that in the mix of his addiction he forgot about what truly was important to him and how much he cared about that person, and he is now sober so he realizes what mistake he made.
Not only do the lyrics show us whats happening, but so does the music video. We see tyler ok as long as he has his drink with him, think about it, in every seen we see him he is either doing work ( to keep his mind off his addiciton) or we see him with the drink ( whatever his addiction is). but if you remember there is another scene we see him without his ( addiction) and that is in the pool just sitting there, its easy to tell he is having a hard time and suffering, as seen when people go through withdraws, and then his brother gives him his cup as a way of saying, ¨here you go, your withdraw is hurting you too bad have some too help¨ and then takes the cup/addiction,
I could be very wrong but this is what I got from the lyrics and music video.
Tyler, the writer and lead singer of the song has stated it’s about the creative process, not suicide or anything like that. Of course songs are always up to interpretation by the listener. We tend to make a song work for our own lives, but if one is looking for the actual meaning of the song and what the lyricist was saying, he’s confirmed it’s about creativity and the creative process.
I believe most song writers have their own specific reasons as to the definition of their songs, but the smart ones keep it as vague as possible. The goal is what the song means to you, your interpretation, because at the end of the day your buying into it.
Have you ever been on methamphetamine? This song is about it. If you don’t believe me, show someone who does the lyrics. It’s a sad world where you get nothing done and are isolated from the world. You don’t sleep besides maybe an hour or two a week and you lose your appetite and eat a couple times a week. You get all of your energy from that chemical. You hate it but can’t stop doing it because it’s the only thing that brings up your mood at all anymore when you do it.
What is the little alien please answer
I think the song clearly describes his sadness after the death of his pet gerbil.
This song directly hit me when it came out. I was using Amphetamines ( Speed) to calm my brain down when I got depressed but after 6 months the drug started to suppress my words. I couldn’t defend myself and after 3 years of using, going through hell for one year.
The song came out. I started crying so intense when tyler sang “I’m so sorry, I forgot you
Let me catch you up to speed
I’ve been tested like the ends of
A weathered flag that’s by the sea”
I heard : ‘Let me Guide you off the speed’
I listened and started using the lyrics to recover because I had a LOT of demons, It was horrible.
Took me 3 years but I’m kinda happy now doing what I love, being creative and helping people Who are in recovery or who want to go in recovery. So thankful ????